Balanced perspective

Influencer Melissa C. Koh's new family home was transformed into a serene and welcoming space that fosters connections with loved ones.

- YUEN YI YING

With young kids and expanding work-from-home responsibilities, influencer Melissa Celestine Koh and her husband, James Chen, felt they had outgrown the two-bedroom space they lived in as newlyweds and were ready to move somewhere bigger. They landed on this centrally located condo, situated close to family and in an area James grew up in.

Given that the pair run a busy household, having a clean, inspiring space was of utmost priority. Their house also needed to be inviting, as being able to connect with friends and family on a deeper level mattered greatly to the duo.

Tidplus Design was brought on board for the renovation, but with a clear idea of what they wanted, Melissa and James took on a more collaborative role, sharing mood boards for each area of the home to clear up any style misconceptions. Ahead, the couple shares more about their vision.

SquareRooms: How did you come up with the look for the house?

Melissa and James: We wanted a more luxurious and elevated look for our home. We drew a lot of inspiration from our travels but largely leaned towards more neutral colours and natural wood tones as these are really calming to us.

What were the biggest challenges with this project?

Storage and space planning were two things we had to put more thought into. The kitchen was also a challenge due to space limitations but we managed to overcome it with the help of our ID. The timeline was an issue as this project took place during the pandemic. However, we learned to let go and trust the process, so trying to finish it within a certain timeframe wasn't our biggest consideration.

How was the furniture chosen?