Soothing Spaces

Clever spatial tweaks and an organic material palette transform this apartment into its owners’ dream home.

- SABELLE TOW

Space Five -room HDB flat

Location Segar Road

Reno period 14 weeks

Home to A newlywed couple

Budget Undisclosed

Newlyweds Daryl and Candise had a simple vision for their first home together: a calming and restful abode for themselves, with a spacious and flexible layout to host family and friends. Taken by the idea of wabi-sabi, the Japanese aesthetic that embraces the imperfect, the couple was inspired to infuse elements that invoke this concept into the design of their 1,206sq ft five-room home.

They were initially inclined towards the Muji signature scheme of white and light oak, but Candise’s architect brother curated a more bespoke palette for them. Soothing ivory walls were chosen to evoke a cosy ambience, whilst complementary pairings of light beech and darker walnut produce a refreshing layered wood look. In the living room, the owners furnished the space with pieces composed of organic materials and shapes that align with the wabi-sabi vibe—herringbone wood-effect vinyl floors are framed with a sand carpet in the sitting area, with twin custom granite coffee tables at the centre and a solid teak side table tastefully filling the space.