From Drab to Japandi

A condo built in the nineties gets a makeover, complete with an airy open kitchen and a spacious walk-in wardrobe.

- JOYCE YANG

When Vivien and her fiancé moved into their new home, they were excited to give it a fresh, modern touch. Their 29-year-old resale condominium had seen little renovation since its original launch, and as Vivien pointed out, it still had its original tiles. The space was a true relic of the nineties, though not quite in a charming, retro way.

Regardless, the couple wasn’t interested in preserving the past—they were focused on creating a space that reflected their shared love for the Japandi interior design style. This choice was not just trendy; it held personal meaning for them.

“My fiance lived in Sweden for a while and fell in love with Scandinavian design, and we both adore Japanese aesthetics, so the Japandi style was a natural choice for us,” she said.

With Colin from Renozone as their interior designer, they were able to achieve the perfect balance of aesthetics and functionality, starting right at the foyer. However, there was one issue: the main door was positioned too close to the storeroom door, making the storeroom the first thing guests saw when entering.

“Colin came up with a brilliant solution to conceal both the wall and the storeroom door using a fluted panel, which I absolutely love,” she said.

“Coming home is like stepping into our own private retreat. The moment I walk through the door, the stress of the day instantly washes away.”

Emphasising the Japandi theme’s bright and airy vibe, the couple decided on an open-concept kitchen. But the renovations didn’t stop at its entrance.

“We reconfigured the original layout because the kitchen and yard space were quite cramped and dark due to the existing walls. So, we removed them and the yard-door to create a long, open kitchen,” Viven explained.