The Chic Home: Living it up in South Buona Vista condo

SINGAPORE – Maximising floor space is a priority for most home owners. In most instances, this applies to the horizontal dimension to get the most out of a given floor area.

But, when an apartment has a high ceiling, one can also take advantage of the vertical space by adding a loft.

This was what WA Dexign’s interior designer Winnie Bak did with this three-bedroom condominium in South Buona Vista Road, which spans 900 sq ft and has a 4.65m ceiling height.

Home owners Jude Doss and Lynette Tan had a large wooden dining table measuring 1.8m by 0.9m that they wanted to fit in their new home.

“The table has been with us for over a decade and it is where we frequently host family and guests,” says Mr Doss. He is a freelance professional in sports broadcast media, while his wife works in tech marketing. They share the home with one of their parents.

Ms Bak decided to convert the existing living room into the new dining area, as it was the centre of the home and “the perfect gathering space”.

As this is a ground-floor unit, the new dining area is right next to a balcony with a direct view of the condominium landscaping, making the dining experience feel alfresco-like.

The living area was moved to the new loft. Instead of a formal living room, it is a relaxed concept with a television set and a bean bag sofa from Australian brand Ambient Lounge.

It is the couple’s favourite part of the home, which they say gives the space a unique character. Ms Tan adds: “Jude is into soccer and the television loft is like his ‘man cave’ where he can watch his favourite club play.”

Storage was an important consideration. There was no storeroom in the original apartment, and the couple are particular about keeping things neat, especially cleaning equipment and household items.

As such, they incorporated storage under the loft staircase.

A combination of different storage solutions – from enclosed cabinets to open shelves to a wine rack – accommodates an assortment of items in a variety of sizes.

The couple cook almost daily, so they wanted a well-stocked and organised kitchen. They relocated the refrigerator and replaced it with a new pantry. Crockery and cutlery are stored in the cabinets and drawers for easy retrieval.

For the bedrooms, LED cove lights create a cosy and restful ambience.

The industrial-themed home has elements of wood to soften the overall look and feel. Although Ms Bak opted for a grey laminate that resembles natural stone, especially in the pantry and staircase storage, she says industrial style does not have to be stark and grey.

“Industrial design can be warm and rich, and this can be achieved using light fixtures with a soft glow, chic accessories or other unique decor,” she says.

The owners moved into their new home in August 2023 after a 1½-month renovation that cost $32,500, excluding furnishings.

About half of the sum went towards the construction of the loft, including the metal support, surface finishes, ceiling below the loft, railings, storage cabinets and television console, as well as professional endorsement for the metal support.