A Japandi-style HDB flat with curves

Home Type: 5-room HDB flat

Floor Area: 1,100sqft

Text by Disa Tan

Wanting to find their zen at home, the homeowners approached Chris Zhang, Design Director at Plush Interior Design, to turn their HDB flat into a space where they could fully decompress. That led Chris to propose a Japandi style for the married couple in their thirties, as he figured it also worked well with the existing vinyl flooring and tiles in the flat. He explains: “Besides designing a home for rest, we were required to include the flooring and tiles provided by HDB into the design scheme.”

He then selected wood-look laminates for the carpentry to complement the timber-patterned vinyl strip flooring. In the living area, these laminates are elegantly paired with muted colours for the custom-built storage, creating a harmonious blend of warmth and minimalism. At the same time, the raised platform, finished in the same laminate, invites a moment of calm with its bright, serene ambience.

Limewash-painted walls bring a gentle touch to the living area, and the calming textures highlight the warmth of the woody accents. Curved wall features further soften the angles of the shared living and dining zone.

With the homeowners opting for an open-concept kitchen, Chris had plenty of opportunities to introduce curved design features into other areas, such as the kitchen and front entrance.

Keen to preserve a cohesive aesthetic across the open-plan layout, the designer carefully applied a consistent material and colour palette to create a unified appearance. He explains: “It brings the room together and accentuates the elegance of the curves.”

A large curvilinear wall greets visitors at the entrance, enhancing the sense of fluidity by disrupting the typical linear flow of the flat. Serving as a privacy screen, it also incorporates built-in storage, neatly organising the homeowners’ shoes and decorative ornaments.

Going for a bold statement in the kitchen, Chris has designed a long counter that extends from the wet kitchen to the dry. He says: “Though it is a continuous counter, we wanted one side to cater for cooking and food prep, and the other side to function as a pantry.”

Outfitted with a generous amount of storage, the peninsula counter is topped with a durable sintered stone surface. Its rounded edges lend a modern yet inviting touch, creating a welcoming space for the homeowners to prepare refreshments in the pantry.

Enveloped in soothing colours, the master bedroom exudes a sense of tranquillity and comfort. Chris took a restrained approach in designing the bedframe and wardrobe, allowing these subtle, understated elements to enhance the room’s calming ambience.

While Chris had to work with existing tiles and vinyl flooring, one exception was the master bathroom which he overlaid with new tiles. He chose stone-patterned wall tiles to bring a touch of understated luxury to the space.

Elevating the HDB flat with a curated scheme of colours and materials, Chris made this home a cosy and calming oasis for its homeowners to wind down in style.