The Chic Home: Manhattan style in Marine Parade condominium unit

SINGAPORE – Designing and renovating the interior of a rental apartment can be a challenge, as the unit will have to be returned in its original condition at the end of the tenancy.

This was something Ms Calsia Lee and Ms Vicky Xie were mindful of when overhauling their 1,650 sq ft three-bedroom condominium in Marine Parade to suit their desired Manhattan-chic theme.

“We wanted to make the space comfortable with a hotel or holiday-home feel but, as it is a rental, we were cautious about making changes only where necessary,” says Ms Lee.

“Apart from loose furniture, most of the modifications that we made can move with us.”

Ms Lee, who is in her 50s, is the founder and director of Mu-Dian, a home-grown carpentry company. Ms Xie, who is in her 40s, is the firm’s general manager and also handles public relations and communications.

The living area includes a three-seater sofa and moss-green swivel armchair, both from Danish brand BoConcept, plus a pair of black leather club chairs and a vintage teak side table. A colourful Ikea rug ties the zone together.

Taking centre stage in the dining area is a solid wood dining table that seats eight and four leather barrel chairs from Crate & Barrel.

On the wall is a large painting by a Myanmar artist. This, along with collectibles and decor items like a Singer sewing machine that has been upcycled into a periodical stand-cum-bar, adds to the character of the space.

What used to be the dining room has been converted into a dry kitchen, which doubles as a breakfast nook and a bar during gatherings.

Built by Mu-Dian using Vita Tivoli Elm laminates and a Calacatta-patterned Asian quartz countertop, the dry kitchen has plenty of storage.

Ms Xie, an avid cook, says: “The wine and liquor are kept in the cabinet below the coffee and toaster cavity. The flatware, glassware and silverware are put away in soft-close, mat-lined drawers.

“The storage below the island is accessible from both sides for easy retrieval of bulky and heavy-duty appliances. A tall pantry unit is where we keep our dried and canned goods.”

In the master bedroom, Persian carpets have been laid over the original parquet flooring to soften the space. A dark brown leather bed frame is paired with dark wood bedside tables and wall-mounted gooseneck reading lamps.

A suspended, trackless grey barn door replaces the old door to the attached master bathroom.

Another bedroom has been transformed into an open-concept walk-in wardrobe, which uses a system of ceiling-suspended rods.

Bags, hats and other accessories are hung on a side wall with embedded U-channel rods. Near the window is a dressing table with a Philippe Starck Louis Ghost chair.

The $45,000 renovation – which included vinyl flooring overlay, new cabinetry, the replacement and addition of doors, as well as other lighting, electrical and painting works – took about a month. The move into the apartment took place in September 2023.

“We prefer social, conversation-centric spaces and consciously decided against having a television in the living space. We deliberately had more quirky, interesting pieces in the public areas,” says Ms Xie.

“Almost everything we own has a story, an aesthetic or practical reason for being in the apartment,” adds Ms Lee.