Home is what you make it – like this couple who let their space guide them in decorating.
When Dilys and Doug (@mitoweekendhome) moved into their resale 1-bedder condo, it bore the design elements of a modern-industrial home with raw cement textures, dark wood veneer walls and metal accents.
It came with several built-ins too, some of which were at the relative centre of the home: the home has what we would call a donut of a layout, wherein the spaces flow around these built-ins.
Appreciating the existing layout, the couple didn’t make any structural changes to the space; instead, they focused on gradually filling it up with pieces they love.
Now, the 1-bedroom condo is a canvas filled with colour and delights at every turn, from a ‘chocolate bar’ coffee table to a study desk that doubles as a wine rack. Join us as we tour the couple’s home!
The colourful, ever-changing communal space
“We didn’t have very clear renovation plans, but one thing we were sure of was that we wanted to work with the existing design of the place rather than tear everything down," says Dilys.
“We were also not sure if this would be our forever home. That’s part of why we did a very minimal renovation and moved in first with just a mattress, TV, and a brown sofa."
The home’s transformation into the eclectic space it is today began with a yellow lamp that sits in the couple’s bedroom (as you’ll see later).
For a pair whose wardrobes are filled with neutral fits (think black, brown and beige), it was a bold purchase that got them thinking about how they could use colour and patterns in their home.
“Ever since we started our home account and followed accounts from all around the world, we got so much inspiration and design ideas from their creativity and how they boldly use colour in their homes,” says Dilys.
The communal area is undoubtedly the heart of the home, where the open kitchen/dining with the pre-existing waterfall island flows into the living area.
The couple’s friends love to come over at night to enjoy the “bar vibe” the dark-walled space has when the natural light fades and the small lamps are turned on.
Over the two years Dilys and Doug have been living here, the setup has seen multiple changes since they like to move their loose furnishings around to suit their needs.
Besides the cylindrical pillar in the corner that adds visual interest, Dilys also loves their ‘chocolate bar’ coffee table.
The couple bought it a whole two months after they first saw it, sticking to their personal promise to be more intentional with their purchases and buy only what they truly like.
Explore: Built-In Carpentry VS Loose Furniture: Is One Better Than The Other?
The hidden bedroom connected to the bathroom and study
The bedroom – which comes with an enviable balcony – is adjacent to the living area, hiding behind black sliding doors.
The yellow lamp that started it all sits in the bedroom
This tranquil retreat boasts a 3.3m high ceiling, the highest in the home, and makes the space feel much more spacious.
From the side of the bedroom, a sliding door leads to the master bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, where large mirror doors visually enlarge the space.
Walk further down and you’ll spot the entrance to the study, where the couple installed a wall-mounted study table. For the couple, the growing collection of wine bottles on display all tell a story: they’re curated from their travels overseas, local bars, and even gifts from friends.
“We buy some wines because we like the bottle design,” Dilys admits with a smile. “Then we just hope we like it!”
A home that grows with them
The couple’s thoughtful approach to doing up their home has made an incredibly personal space that evokes memories of the time they’ve spent together, and with family and friends.
As Dilys says, “I used to have a tendency to impulse-buy, but now I really take my time. I thought to myself: the house isn’t going anywhere, so why rush?”
She and her husband love to spend time with their pet dog, Mito, over the weekends – their Instagram handle’s namesake – and look forward to coming home after a trip or a long day at work.
For the couple, their home is cosy, comforting and a tad whimsical. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what a home should be?
Special thanks to Dilys and Doug for letting us tour their home!
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