Project Location: Condo at North East
Project Type: 2 Bedroom Condominium Penthouse
Year Of Project: 2024
Interior Designer: Joseph
Moving from an HDB to a condominium often means downsizing in space, which can make an open-concept layout feel even smaller without proper zoning. While our clients loved the openness, they also wanted clear definition between the kitchen, dining, TV entertainment, and entryway without making the space feel closed off.
Before this transformation, the home featured a completely open-plan layout. The moment you stepped inside, you had a full view of the kitchen and living room, lacking a sense of privacy.
Here’s how we transformed their home – instead of stepping straight into the living area, we designed a welcoming entryway with full-height cabinets for ample storage. An open niche with built-in LED lights keeps frequently worn shoes accessible while neatly storing the rest.
To subtly define the entryway without making the space feel cramped, we installed a custom wood laminate panel, a warm, textural element that softly separates the entry while maintaining an open flow. We extended a sintered stone countertop from the entryway cabinets into the kitchen, creating a landing space for groceries and bags while also doubling as a dining table. A seamless, space-saving solution!
To maintain a seamless aesthetic, we designed a concealed door using the same grey laminate as the surrounding cabinetry, discreetly integrating the common bathroom opposite the entryway. This keeps the design cohesive while ensuring practicality.
The original kitchen was a simple one-wall setup, which felt limited in both storage and functionality. The homeowners were looking for more cabinetry, a dedicated space for their filtered water dispenser and coffee machine, and better flow between the kitchen and living areas.
Here’s how we reimagined the space to work harder and smarter:
This transformation proves that even the most compact kitchen can be elevated with thoughtful space planning, smart storage, and seamless functionality.
One of the standout features in this home is undoubtedly the TV feature wall, clad in a rich, walnut wood-grained laminate from Admira. Its warm, textured finish immediately grounds the living space, creating a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. But we didn’t stop there. To enhance this enveloping sense of warmth, we extended the same wood finish upward, wrapping the entire base of the loft which now serves as the ceiling in the same laminate. The result is a cocoon-like effect that makes the living area feel both intimate and architecturally unified.
To preserve the clean, uninterrupted visual flow, we integrated a seamless concealed push door into the feature wall, leading to the master bedroom without breaking the design line. We also tucked the stairway to the loft into the structure of the TV wall itself, allowing essential functions to quietly blend into the overall aesthetic. This design move not only maximises space but also highlights how form and function can coexist beautifully in a thoughtfully planned home.
Perched above the main living space, the loft was designed as the ultimate multi-functional zone. By day, it’s a cosy corner for the homeowners to unwind, curl up with a good book, or simply enjoy a quiet moment above the buzz of daily life. But when family comes to stay, especially during school holidays, it seamlessly transforms into a guest room, ready to welcome visitors with comfort and ease.
To make this dual functionality effortless, we custom-built a half-height headboard with discreet, hidden storage, purposefully designed to hold a foldable mattress. This clever feature allows the space to stay neat and clutter-free while being ready at a moment’s notice to accommodate overnight guests, like the homeowners’ niece and nephew.
But function didn’t come at the expense of aesthetics. To enhance the openness of the space and introduce more natural light, we installed a sleek black aluminium-framed glass panel along the loft edge. Not only does it brighten the entire area, but it also adds a subtle architectural elegance, creating a visual connection between the loft and the rest of the home below.
When designing this master bedroom, smart storage was at the heart of every decision—especially since the home didn’t have a dedicated storeroom. We needed to make every inch count, without compromising on comfort or style.
To start, we tailored the wardrobe not just for daily essentials like clothes and accessories, but also designed the upper cabinets to fit two large and one medium-sized suitcase. This ensured that bulky travel items were neatly stowed away—out of sight, but always within reach.
The custom bed frame was also built with functionality in mind. Beneath it, we added pull-out drawers specifically for storing winter wear like gloves, scarves, and beanies. It’s the kind of thoughtful feature that keeps the room clutter-free while making seasonal items easy to access when needed.
But this bedroom isn’t just about function—it’s also deeply personal. Inspired by the homeowner’s love for olive green and calming forest tones, we curated a palette of dark wood laminates paired with green accents to create a space that feels grounded and serene. One of the most striking features is the custom headboard, softly lit with integrated LED lighting that casts a warm, ambient glow against the olive-toned wall—adding depth, mood, and a sense of quiet luxury to the room.
To carry the theme through, we extended the olive tone to the wardrobe’s recessed handles and a bedside nook, custom-designed to double as a minimalist nightstand. For a finishing touch, we paired the bedsheets and curtains in Porcelain Blue—a subtle echo of the tones used in the living room, creating a gentle visual flow and connection throughout the home.
Before its transformation, the master bathroom was perfectly functional but lacked the soul and sophistication the homeowners were craving. It felt more utilitarian than restful, and its finishes, while neutral, didn’t reflect the calming elegance found throughout the rest of the home.
Rather than take on a full tear-down, we chose a smarter, more efficient path. The original wall tiles were left untouched, and instead, we overlaid them with cerarl panels in a rich dark grey marbled finish. Not only did this decision save time and cost, but it also delivered the luxurious look and feel the space was missing—all without the dust and hassle of a complete hack-and-rebuild.
We also used a palette of cool greys, deep wood tones, and soft marbled swirls, bringing a sense of harmony and continuity, making the space feel grounded yet elevated. The textures are layered, but never overpowering, creating a perfect balance between calm and sophistication.
Beyond the finishes, we focused on smart storage that blends seamlessly into the design. Sleek sliding mirror cabinets, thoughtfully placed open niches, and a tic-tac mechanism side cabinet offer practical storage without compromising on aesthetics. Everything has its place, yet the space feels effortlessly uncluttered.
As part of the homeowner’s hybrid work lifestyle, we designed a dedicated study room that could double as a creative studio – a space where she can seamlessly shift between work and passion.
By day, it serves as a quiet, light-filled home office, ideal for Zoom calls and heads-down productivity. But by evening, the space transforms into a creative retreat where she can sketch, paint, and indulge in her passion projects. Whether she’s working or unwinding, this room offers the mental space to breathe and create.
To make the most of the layout, we made a bold yet practical move: sealing off the original common bedroom door. This allowed us to free up valuable space in both the living area and the new multipurpose room. With this shift, the spatial flow improved dramatically and it opened the door (quite literally) to a more intentional design.
The new entrance is now marked by a custom bi-fold door, crafted with a ribbed glass panel and framed in sleek black aluminium with chequered plate detailing, a quiet yet cohesive echo of the black metal finishes seen in the dining table and loft railing. The result is both functional and striking, adding a subtle industrial edge that elevates the space without overwhelming it.