Surprise, Surprise

Inspired by her feline friend and some of her favourite things, Michelle's new home defies convention at every turn.

- Joyce Yang

It's an unlikely source of inspiration, but Michelle owes the vision for her new home to her cat-and spirit animal.

"I love my cat, and it's not just because he's fluffy, adorable, and has the most melodious mews. It's because he made me realise I'm actually a cat in a human body, navigating a human world," the 39-year-old tech professional says.

"All I really want to do is lounge at home, sleep, and enjoy my space in peace. That realisation became my biggest motivation to create a home that truly reflects my personality and the way I live."

Though she lives alone, Michelle never cared much for a home that was, quote unquote, designed for hosting. Quite the opposite-she told JJ, her interior designer from No Sense Studio, that it should be kept to a minimum. Instead, she focused on filling her home with things she found beautiful, from Japanese influences from the 1980s to the pop art and retro-futuristic design movements.

Given her love for bygone eras, it seems fitting that Michelle landed on a Tiong Bahru walk-up apartment that had remained untouched since the 1940s, eager to breathe new life into it while retaining its original character. And though she hesitates to put a name to it, JJ describes the final aesthetic as a mix of mid-century and industrial minimalism.

"The initial intention was to retain the terrazzo flooring, but it was badly damaged beyond the point of restoration. So, we replaced it with cement screed to complement the metal racks and DB box," JJ explains.

The raw finishes in the foyer extend throughout the home, with visible conduit piping and aluminium elements lending an edge to the otherwise neutral palette.