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.