D' Initial Concept designs an English-inspired flat

Home Type: 5-room HDB flat

Floor Area: 1,431sqft

Text by Vanitha Pavapathi

After living in their resale flat for two decades, the homeowners decided to give it a much-needed upgrade, both aesthetically and functionally. The well-travelled couple with a daughter in her twenties, sought to infuse their abode with the tranquillity of an English reading room. The wife, a globetrotting HR director and the husband, a senior consultant in emergency medicine, also desired an interior reflective of the family’s love for travel, literature and intimate gatherings.

The original space, though retaining most of its structural bones, underwent a major facelift. Strategic modification of fixtures as well as efficient use of colours, textures and materials attest to that. Every inch was meticulously crafted by D’ Initial Concept over two and half months with a budget of $150,000.

The centrepiece of the redesign is a full-height book cabinet that spans the living area, complete with a sliding ladder and hints of gold accents. It houses the family’s extensive collection of literature, from travel guides to medical textbooks, from novels to human resource management books. “As the cabinet is visible upon entry to the flat, we proposed a rich, forest green hue to make a statement, while effortlessly complementing the wood herringbone vinyl flooring and the homeowners’ wooden dining set,” shares Ashley Loh, manager at D’ Initial Concept.

To fully capture the essence of an English library, the living area eschews the conventional television. Instead, the balcony becomes part of the living area with a bay window settee for cosy reading any time of the day.

Another striking visual statement takes the form of a unique feature wall in the dining area. “The wallpaper is a panoramic image overlooking rivers and rice paddy fields captured by the husband during his visit to Bhutan,” reveals Ashley. “The black-and-white wallpaper not only creates the most serene backdrop during mealtimes and elicits fond memories of his travels, but also conceals the master bedroom door.”

Consequently, the design team continues this camouflage strategy by disguising the daughter’s bedroom door with the L-shaped full-height cabinet in the dining room. It boasts the same green hue as the book cabinet to maintain design continuity throughout the home.

In the kitchen, however, sage pastel green dominates. The light and jovial shade aligns with homeowners’ love for pastels. For an open and seamless flow of spaces, the wall separating the kitchen from the dining area was demolished. This allowed for an L-shaped breakfast counter that simplifies morning routines. To preserve the open feel of the space while keeping it practical, “the kitchen features a bi-fold window and sliding door that can be closed off during heavy cooking,” explains Ashley.

When it comes to enhancing spatial efficiency, Ashley and the team at D’ Initial Concept made sure not to neglect the master en suite and common bathroom. Both have been retiled, with washbasins repositioned and swing doors replaced with sliding doors.

Every room in this flat tells a wonderful story of its residents, while enhancing the quality of their lives. Ashley and the team at D’ Initial Concept have successfully brought the homeowners’ vision of an English-inspired home to life, giving the family a sanctuary to create even more great memories together.