The Chic Home: French grandeur in HDB BTO flat
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This waterfront flat in Northshore Drive evokes French villas.
PHOTO: STUDIO L'ARC
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Home & Decor
SINGAPORE – Stepping into this waterfront Punggol flat, it is immediately apparent that its owners are well-travelled.
“The home owners have always loved the French colonial-era look,” says Ms Joann Yee from Ovon Design, who handled the renovation. The owners, who did not provide personal details, are semi-retired. “Their previous place also had this theme.”
Despite its vintage French inspiration, the three-bedroom 904 sq ft unit is in a modern contemporary style with a neutral palette and mahogany furniture, grounded by vinyl flooring in a dark walnut hue.
Vintage posters and other design touches throughout the home highlight the owners’ Chinese heritage.
Vintage posters of Singapore and China in the living area.
PHOTO: STUDIO L’ARC
The large open-plan living area is divided by a plush sofa separating the television area and the dark wood dining table. A floor-to-ceiling window stretches across the entire side-facing wall, letting in plenty of natural light. Antique wall sconces flank the television set.
Wall sconces and wainscoting frame the TV set.
PHOTO: STUDIO L’ARC
Above the dining room table is a statement pendant lamp, its design a cross between Asian and European aesthetics.
Creamy hues in the flat’s hallway.
PHOTO: STUDIO L’ARC
The hallway leads to the master bedroom, where high ceilings, layered curtains and light walls accentuate the French theme. Wall sconces and an ornate mirror add to the antique style.
A white door with arched panels connects the space to the master bathroom, where the walls are a striking combination of white marble and blue tiles.
A large window lets lots of light into the master bedroom.
PHOTO: STUDIO L’ARC
Gold brass finishes for the fixtures lend the space character, while the vanity is a mix of rattan, wood and brass.
The master bathroom’s palette is blue, white and gold with dark brown cabinetry.
PHOTO: STUDIO L’ARC
The second bedroom is used mostly by the couple’s son when he is home from his studies abroad. The room is clad in French navy blue, with built-in cupboards and a desk. Behind the blue and white botanical-print curtains, white-shutter windows let in natural light.
The son’s bedroom is clad in French navy blue.
PHOTO: STUDIO L’ARC
The third bedroom, which faces the kitchen, was converted into a study-cum-multipurpose space. Within this room are a classic vinyl record player, books and vintage travel trunks, plus another TV.
The black leather couch can be converted into a bed for when the couple have guests.
PHOTO: STUDIO L’ARC
Despite its modern finishes, the dry kitchen is designed in such a way that one might expect to look outside and see the lavender fields of the south of France.
The light hues of the doors and kitchen appliances contrast elegantly with the darker barstools and storage cabinets. At the tea and coffee station is a collection of cups belonging to the wife.
The light hues of the doors and kitchen appliances contrast elegantly with the darker accents.
PHOTO: STUDIO L’ARC
Sectioned off from this space is the wet kitchen, with its boundaries defined by glass partitions. A kitchen island connects to the wall, complemented by a sintered-stone backsplash.
At the tea and coffee station is a collection of cups belonging to the wife.
PHOTO: STUDIO L’ARC
The $98,000 design and construction process took three months, and the owners moved into the unit in December 2024.
This article first appeared in Home & Decor Singapore. Go to homeanddecor.com.sg for more beautiful homes, space-saving ideas and interior inspiration.
