The Chic Home: Modern wabi-sabi for couple’s BTO flat

SINGAPORE – A home often reflects the personalities, philosophies and aspirations of its occupants. With its soft colours and curves, this home’s calming ambience invites a person to slow down and relax.

Owners Clarence, an actuary, and home-based baker Jiahui, who are in their early 30s and did not give their surnames, describe themselves as people who take things easy.

“Even when problems crop up, we don’t take it too seriously. Clarence’s work can be stressful, so we tend not to get bothered about other stuff,” Jiahui says.

The couple have lived in the four-room Build-To-Order unit in Eunos since December 2023, following a $90,000 renovation that took around four months. They chose the location for its convenience – it takes just 20 minutes to get to Clarence’s workplace – and proximity to his parents’ home.

They were initially concerned about space in the 1,001 sq ft unit. “There were a lot of walls that made the space more cramped, so we removed a few to expand the space,” Jiahui says.

The couple were inspired by modern wabi-sabi – a Japanese term for beauty in imperfection – and the stores of Australian beauty brand Aesop. These set the tone for the renovation by SG Interior Design.

The designers introduced softness into the living area by way of curved edges for the walls and other fixtures, such as the foyer’s arched display shelving, which is flanked by two wall lights in oval niches. Behind the arched shelving is the entrance to the household shelter.

The living area’s feature wall was also created with a recess for the television set and two niches at its base. A drawer, made of medium-density fibreboard, was built flush to blend into the feature.

The soft and welcoming atmosphere would not be complete without the proper finishes. The couple chose neutral limewash for the walls and television console door. They also chose matt microcement flooring – a type of concrete-look coating – even though it is more expensive than tiles and vinyl, as it has no grout lines and is easy to maintain.

The design team opened up the service yard and merged it with the kitchen to create a long counter for Jiahui’s baking. The chimney hood’s curved feature echoes the lines elsewhere in the home, and a sintered-stone piece was chosen for wall cladding.

While the bathrooms are decked out in a light and neutral palette, the master bedroom has a splash of green to create a calming environment.

These finishes and colours shine due to the lighting fixtures throughout the house, which the couple purchased from Sol Luminaire.

Jiahui says the living area is her favourite part of the home. “I have friends who come over and fall asleep in the living area. When they enter the home, it’s like there’s no stress.”