Layers of modern maximalism for eclectic HDB flat in Tampines

SINGAPORE – For associate creative director Tee, buying his first home was an emotional experience.

“The sentimental part was finally being able to give my mum and sister a home that we could all enjoy, but with touches that felt uniquely mine,” says the 38-year-old, who did not give his full name.

“For years, I contributed financially to our family home, but it was still my parents’. This one was a blank canvas for me to build something new for all of us.”

He recognised the good bones of this five-room resale HDB flat in Tampines and was immediately drawn to its wide windows and 1,238 sq ft floor area.

He sees the home as an extension of his artistic process: layered, experimental and a bit unexpected.

“My vision was to have each space showcase a different side of me. I like blending styles and eras, making the old and new work together in harmony,” he says of his multifaceted approach to designing his home.

While not many designers were on board with the idea of multiple concepts in a single home, Threehaus Works’ interior designer Jax Ren embraced the challenge and worked with Tee to design something perfect for the family.

Upon entering, visitors see a stack of breeze blocks that form a low wall, demarcating the foyer from the rest of the home without completely closing it off, so light can pass through.

The dedicated coffee corner was a non-negotiable for Tee, a coffee lover. He has not one but three coffee machines, along with other brewing paraphernalia. The open wall shelves above the coffee counter showcase collectibles from his travels, flea markets and late-night online shopping.

On the other side of the breeze blocks is the living-dining area, starting with a dining table and mismatched chairs. Each chair was selected for its individuality and how it represents a certain time period in the evolution of design, from mid-century to industrial.

Instead of a typical built-in television feature wall and console, the television set is part of a gallery of artworks, souvenirs, gifts and messages from friends. “It is like a visual diary of the things that inspire me,” Tee says.

Each of his customised sofas has been fabricated in a different material and shade. They sit on a chequered, black-and-white rug, along with a custom-made glass coffee table inspired by an Italian design Tee saw online.

A kitchen wall was removed to create an open-concept space with a minimalist black palette in matt finishes. A kitchen island demarcates the area.

Decorated in a similar style to the kitchen – but with an industrial edge – is the master bedroom, occupied by Tee. A modular wardrobe in dark tinted glass provides ample storage space without overwhelming the room.

The attached master bathroom is also in a muted palette, with natural materials and soft lighting that evoke the boutiques of luxury fragrance brands Aesop and Le Labo.

Tee’s mother, in her 60s, has a Japandi (Japanese-Scandinavian) bedroom with a calming ambience. Her bed is on a platform reminiscent of Japanese tatami mats, with a fluted feature wall behind the headboard.

The remaining bedroom belongs to Tee’s sister, who is in her 20s. A fan of anime and Japanese culture, she requested a full-height shelving unit to display books and toys.

The wood laminates, green walls and organically shaped mirror combine to create a whimsical look that evokes the movies of Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli.

The common bathroom was overhauled with dark, textured tiles, cement screed finishes and copper accents. The custom basin, brass accents, wall-mounted taps with copper inlet pipes and ambient lighting convey an industrial yet calming vibe.

The renovation works took about three months to complete and cost about $120,000. Tee and his family moved into their new home in mid-2024.