Self-designed DIY HDB flat for creative couple

SINGAPORE – Married couple Jess and John, a project architect and industrial designer in their 30s, wanted their home to be a cosy space that showcased their personalities.

The polytechnic sweethearts chose a resale HDB flat in the Queenstown neighbourhood, as they had gone to school nearby and the location reminded them of their days as students.

The 721 sq ft unit’s large windows, natural light and cross-ventilation won them over instantly on their first viewing.

As they work in design-related fields, the couple wanted to be hands-on with their renovation.

With the help of contractors, they removed old finishes and plumbing, and rewired the unit. They also added unique touches such as Legrand light switches with a rocker mechanism that has a “nostalgic tactility” and barbell-like bedroom doorknobs from e-commerce platform Taobao.

In the living area are the couple’s television set and vinyl record player, with playful touches such as a green crocodile figure from the arcade game Whack A Croc, a gorilla chair from HipVan and an egg-shaped cushion from Japanese retailer Nitori.

These are juxtaposed with a modern sofa bed from Castlery, light vinyl flooring and a neutral-toned carpet from HipVan. More Taobao purchases can be found here, such as the mid-century modern coffee table topped with a banana bowl, plus a standing lamp.

The dining corner nearby feels like a natural extension of the living room sofa, with a padded L-shaped banquette from Castlery and an extendable eight-seater sintered-stone table from HipVan. Above the table is an accent light reminiscent of a scallop. Just across it is a double-sided, wall-mounted triangular clock with a figurine of a golden retriever perched atop it.

The kitchen, though not large, is stylish. Gold tap accents, wood carpentry and laminates, and black-and-white diamond-chequered ceramic tiles from supplier Hafary evoke a kitchen in a countryside home. The darker bottom drawers house appliances, while the lighter ones on top hide sockets and switches.

A unique feature of this home is the workshop. John finds joy in 3D-printing objects, while Jess likes painting, pottery and resin art. It was only natural for the couple to set up a creative corner for themselves. A pegboard is lined with John’s tools, while Jess showcases her bag charms in a column display.  

In a contrast to the bright, warm tones of the rest of the home, the master bedroom is quieter, darker and more atmospheric, and has a king-size storage bed with a frame, headboard and mattress from Simmons, and a lamp from Ikea. At the vanity is an LED mirror shaped like a bear’s head peeking around a corner.

They designed a bathroom each. The master bathroom, designed by Jess, has large-format beige tiles and a bright, airy feel. Meanwhile, the guest bathroom, designed by John, is a darker space with grey subway-style tiles. Both have black fixtures as a common thread linking the spaces.

The renovation cost $66,000, and took two months to design and four to build. The owners moved into the home in June 2025. 

At the start of the design process, say the home owners, they had so many ideas that it was difficult to decide. Jess says: “We told ourselves, let’s not fixate on a specific style. Let’s create a mix of everything we love, and find a sweet spot between his and hers.”