The Chic Home: Two-storey Woodlands maisonette for a family of five

SINGAPORE – Designing for a family of five with three school-going teenagers, who each need their own space, is no mean feat.

Add to that the Thia family’s love for hosting, and you have a fairly demanding brief that calls for a home with spaces that can cater to the individual, the family and larger groups.

Ms Cheryl Gay, who helms home-grown interior design firm Coterie Design, is not one to shy away from challenging projects – especially not when the client is also family.

This 1,550 sq ft executive maisonette in Woodlands Drive belongs to her sister and brother-in-law, and it was in almost original condition.

First, the existing granny room beside the main entrance has been opened up and converted into a spacious entrance foyer.

An armchair, a chandelier, and built-in shoe and storage cabinets with arched mirrored doors are welcoming yet practical features.

Ms Gay says: “When they are entertaining bigger groups, this area can fit an extra table to accommodate guests.”

A number of walls were removed to introduce an open-concept dry kitchen-cum-dining area.

The long island comprises two elements: a higher counter with bar stool seats, and a lower dining table and chairs. The variation in height adds to the versatility of the space, while the juxtaposition of the counter’s smooth finish with the dining table’s grain and knots creates an interesting contrast.

Built-in carpentry was installed for the cabinets, drawers, countertop, sink and display areas, as well as space for the refrigerator and oven.

Ms Gay put dead corners to good use, turning these into L-shaped storage for cutlery, teapots and party items.

The black-and-white floor tiles in the dry kitchen-cum-dining area set the tone for the home’s colonial theme. Olive-green laminates for the cabinet doors, wood elements and black lighting fixtures inject a tropical touch.

In the elegant, neutral-toned living area, a simple yet impactful feature wall of wainscoting panels provides a backdrop for the wall-hung television set.

“These panels also conceal protruding columns and storage cabinets,” says Ms Gay.

The wash basin and water closet in the powder room on the first storey are kept separate, so the basin can be accessed even when the WC compartment is occupied.

A similar approach was taken for the common bathroom on the second storey. The basin is perched above a long vanity counter. Dual bath and WC compartments are designed for simultaneous usage.

Two of the bedrooms upstairs were reconfigured to accommodate the three teenagers’ needs. The two daughters share one room, but each gets her own private space within the room.

The original door to the son’s bedroom was relocated as part of the revised layout with a new study, storage and wardrobe area shared by the son and one of the daughters.

In the parents’ master bedroom, a peninsula island separates the sleeping area from the walk-in wardrobe.

The island houses a series of drawers where the couple can stash their accessories and personal items.

The Thia family moved into their new home in December 2023 after a 2½-month renovation that came up to about $180,000.