Many new home owners fret about choosing the perfect theme for their homes, but not interior designer Tammy Tay.

The 26-year-old, who runs her own studio Imagine by SK66, knew exactly what she wanted for her 1,500 sq ft condominium apartment in Bartley.

"I wanted a Victorian look, but one that was more modern. I wanted everything to be dark but not too dark, so I kept a balance by having black walls and mostly white furniture."

On one side of the dining area is a white shelf that hangs above a white counter and houses Ms Tay's wine collection.

The plywood shelf and counter were made by carpenters from her firm. In between the shelf and counter is a mirror that stretches across the wall.

On the other side of the dining area, a mirror with an ornate frame - from bespoke furniture company Paris Home - hangs on a black wall.

A white dining table, with black-and-white chairs, sits in the centre of the space.

On the use of mirrors, Ms Tay says they help make a home look more spacious.

She lives in the four-bedroom apartment with her husband, their two children - Elroy, three, and Ellie, one - and their two domestic helpers.

The black-and-white theme continues in the living room, where there are more pieces from Paris Home, such as a black sofa with silver nailhead detailing, a black leather coffee table and a white Victorian armchair.

To brighten up the space, Ms Tay uses pieces of wall art, such as a pair of unicorn wall mounts from stationery and home accessories shop Typo, and a silver display piece from home-furnishing store Molecule.

She has friends over often and enjoys spending time with them in the balcony, which is sparsely furnished with a table and chairs from Singapore home-furnishing store fortytwo. "Usually, we'll play mahjong or just chill there. We'll have a meal there when it's not too hot - mostly in the evenings."

In the master bedroom , the furniture is white and mirrors - including a custom-made one hanging above the bed and a full-length standing one - help make the space appear more roomy.

Cove lighting, installed directly above the bed, and parquet flooring give the room a warmer ambience, compared with the living and dining areas.

In the room, Ms Tay also displays her handbags and other trinkets on a shelf custom-made by her company.

Although most of the home is done up in a contemporary Victorian style, her children's rooms are more colourful. Ellie's room is painted in pink, while her brother's is navy blue.

The five-week renovation for the home cost $40,000 with furnishings.

Ms Tay says that designing her own home, while nerve-racking, was also fulfiling. "The style is something I've always wanted. I haven't seen many Singapore homes with this particular look. Victorian themes usually come with a lot of gold and white. With a mix of Victorian and modern furnishings, the home is very 'me'."

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