Upper Serangoon View

While we were shortlisting ID firms to work with, we had prepared a 2D layout plan and brought it to different IDs. After meeting close to 10 ID firms, we noticed a few recurring issues: 1) IDs who make recommendation with zero regards to our lifestyle, 2) IDs who treated our home as another design project to go on their portfolio (while we funded them) - these are the ones that will push you for the most IG-worthy designs, but definitely not the most practical and last but not least, IDs who space plan with pencil and paper! The biggest irony was that we went to these IDs with our own *digital* layout plan and they transferred what we had from digital to paper. Urban Home stood out during the selection process. Not only did they ask all the right questions, they were extremely efficient. Most IDs would set up the first meeting as the consultation session where you go to the IDs and tell them verbally what you have in mind. Only 2-3 weeks after the initial consultation would you receive an initial proposal (read: the dreaded pen and paper layout plan). Urban Home did none of that. Instead, they sent across a list of questions and requested for Pinterest/mood boards that we had collated. When we met them f2f for the first time, they already had a moodboard with their proposed colour themes/materials, a SketchUp layout and a quotation ready. Urban Home was logical in their proposal. Xiang Yi and Amy were able to identify how to make the odd layout of our 20-year-old resale HDB work for us. They made a few bold suggestions to change up the layout of two bedrooms. Costly? Yes, but their proposals were irresistible. It was at that point we realised we weren't just working with interior designers, but engineers! The highlight of our home has to be our kitchen. We had previously witnessed another L-shaped kitchen layout brilliantly designed by Urban Home at our friend's and had wanted to replicate the same. Xiang Yi and Amy rightly pointed out that an L-shaped layout would not work for our home. Instead, the team counter-proposed a U-shaped layout which no other ID did (others simply followed our instructions with no inputs whatsoever). Two months in the house and we are constantly in awe by how great the U-shaped layout has worked out for us. Pure brilliance. As both hubby and I unfortunately have Type A personalities (lol), we had wished for slightly better scheduling. The few weeks leading up to the handover date were stressful as our lease was ending and we weren't getting a definite answer when, or if the handover was happening. There were a few instances where last-minute site visit requests were made. While our rental home was nearby and we could easily walk over on a whim, this wouldn't have worked out if we weren't WFH back then. Then again, Type A people aren't that easy to please and we've been very satisfied so all's good! Going beyond the minor hiccups, I'm very, very happy with how the renovation turned out! Wouldn't have asked for a better partner along our renovation journey. :)