Colour-drenched HDB flat embraces dopamine decor with mood-boosting pastels

SINGAPORE – Healthcare worker Priscilla was inspired by colour, curves and her favourite ceramics when planning her first home renovation.

The 44-year-old – who teaches yoga part-time and did not reveal her surname – wanted a cheerful space to come back to after difficult days working at a hospital.

Her Ang Mo Kio HDB flat is decked out in pastel pops and quirky cartoon motifs: a flower-crowned penguin stool, starfish- and heart-shaped knobs on the wardrobe doors, and mushroom-shaped salt-and-pepper shakers. All the furniture is new, sourced by Priscilla and her fiance.

“Black is dull,” she says of the 721 sq ft unit. She bought the place so she could live near her parents, whom she visits regularly for short stays. “Colour helps put you in a cheerful mood.”

The three-room flat has two bedrooms – she sublets the master room – and two bathrooms. Her fiance visits occasionally, as does her father. Since the unit is on a lower floor, insect-blocking mesh has been installed on the doors and windows.

Priscilla chose local design studio The Interplay to renovate the space, as she wanted interior designers who knew how to work with colour and not just the neutral Japandi (Japanese-Scandinavian) style favoured by many Singaporeans.

Upon opening the mustard-yellow front door, visitors see a colour-blocked living room in tones of butter yellow, baby pink and soft purple.

Next to the entrance is a shoe rack with a seat and storage, plus custom-made glass cabinets for Priscilla’s collection of ceramics and other trinkets.

In the living room are a caramel sofa – purchased from Nova Furnishing – and a Patrick figurine from animated TV series SpongeBob SquarePants (1999 to present) which doubles as a side table.

The television console unit is also custom-made, with pastel-coloured shelves and matching backlights.

The kitchen’s footprint was reduced to free up more space for the dining area, which seats four to five people. The bespoke diner-style booth has storage beneath the bench, and a round table from e-commerce platform Shopee.

Priscilla likes round objects and prefers to avoid harsh corners: When her ageing parents visit, she does not want them to hurt themselves by bumping into sharp edges.

Between the kitchen and dining area is a terrazzo-patterned mini island counter where she eats and works. She chose an imitation-rattan plastic chair from Shopee as it is durable and easy to clean.

Though a self-described foodie, Priscilla’s long working hours leave her limited time to cook. Instead, her kitchen is mainly a gallery for her collection: Italian Smeg cookware and ceramics by Singapore artist ummuramics are displayed against a backdrop of cupboards in soft, light hues.

Priscilla’s bedroom has a queen-size bed from Epitex with bedding in a soft green shade, finished with a lilac throw, fluffy pink cushions and a headboard from Nova.

A bay window seat along the wall is a space to read and relax, and the vinyl flooring adds warmth to the overall look.

The pipes of the master bathroom, which Priscilla’s tenant uses, are painted yellow, while those in the common bathroom are painted a minty-fresh turquoise. The tiles in both spaces are from local suppliers Hafary and Lian Seng Hin.

The design process took two to three months, while construction took another three. It cost $90,000, including the doors and windows that Priscilla replaced.