An HDB flat gets a French Indochine makeover

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Text by Vanitha Pavapathi

Transforming an HDB point block flat into a French Indochine-inspired home is no small feat, especially when the goal is to blend contemporary art with Chinese antiques while capturing a stunning view over the Singapore National Stadium. This was the challenge Mark Wong, SVP Asia Pacific for Small Luxury Hotels of the World, embraced when he enlisted Arjan Nijen Twilhaar, principal designer for Aiden T, to bring his vision to life.

Mark’s previous home was a five-room HDB flat at Balam Road, designed in the quirky, eclectic style known as ‘Modernique’ – a departure from his first home inspired by architect Tadao Ando’s minimalist aesthetics. “My homes have always been atypical of HDB flats,” Mark shares, reflecting his career in hospitality and his appreciation for designs full of character and personality. When it came time to design his new space, Mark knew exactly who to turn to. “I’ve known Arjan for a long time and have been following his bespoke creations. We didn’t get a chance to work together before, but he was the perfect designer for this project.”

The original unit, untouched since the 1970s, required significant upgrades to its electrical and plumbing systems. However, rather than seeing this as a limitation, Arjan viewed it as an opportunity to completely reimagine the space. “We hacked almost all the walls in the apartment,” Arjan explains. “This allowed us to reshuffle various zones, creating a home that was open-plan yet had distinct areas for different activities.” Mark’s vision was to create a space reminiscent of high-end boutique hotels, and Arjan’s expertise made that possible.

A key feature of the redesign is the addition of a foyer, created by purchasing the recess area outside the front door. Commonplace in hotels and landed properties, it offers an impactful sense of arrival and leaves an impression. The bold palm print wallpaper and monochrome patterned tiles in the foyer provides a dramatic contrast to the Chinese furniture pieces, adding texture and layering. “This area was kept darker on purpose, creating a sense of reveal as you enter the larger living space,” Arjan notes.

The living room, designed as a focal point for entertaining, blends mid-century modern pieces with Chinese antiques. A Chinoiserie area rug anchors the space, while framed wallpaper panels add an Indochine aesthetic to the walls. Mirrors on the low beams and a thoughtfully designed support column add to the room’s openness. “We created zones through the pillars and mirror-clad transoms and enhanced them with floor and ceiling details,” Arjan explains.

Mark’s love for hotels like The Anam Mui Ne, The Siam Bangkok, and JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay influenced his home’s design, drawing from their eclectic interior styles. “My inspiration reflects my travels and my appreciation of a kaleidoscope of styles,” he says. With Arjan’s help, he merged these inspirations into a cohesive design that combined Art Deco, Chinoiserie, and Indochine aesthetics with mid-century and contemporary furnishings.

The dining area, adjacent to the living room, is Mark’s favourite space in the home. “It is the centre of the home where I have a 360-degree view of the inside and outside,” he says. The centrepiece of this space is the Bunga Kertas Chandelier, designed by Ong Cen Kuang, a striking art installation that anchors the room. The space also features banquet seating that offers both storage and flexibility for hosting large or small groups. As Mark shares his home with his two cats, Arjan used performance fabric for the upholstery for easy maintenance.

In the adjacent dry kitchen, custom-turned oversized legs on the island and an antique mirror backsplash offer a perfect blend of functionality and style. The wet kitchen has undergone a major overhaul to include extended countertop area and Art Deco-inspired carpentry, nodding to the peak of Shanghai elegance.

In a genius move, Arjan has cleverly transformed the common bathroom into two distinct spaces: a moody powder room and a dedicated laundry area that also houses the cats’ litter box. Featuring an antique Teochew cabinet repurposed as a vanity, the powder room is covered in black and gold wallpaper with vertical lines giving the low-ceilinged space a more expansive feel.

The media nook, converted from a former bedroom, continues the theme of synchronicity with mirrored wallpaper panels. “Instead of working with a lot of built-in carpentry, we sourced loose furniture pieces. These add a lot more character and interest,” Arjan shares.

The primary bedroom, though snug, is kept bright and airy with stained-glass room dividers and soft backlighting. The adjoining dressing room, with its antique Chinese wardrobes, provides ample storage, while the enlarged primary bathroom features a luxurious shower cubicle and a vanity crafted from an antique Chinese cabinet. “We pushed out the bathroom to create more space for the vanity and extra storage,” Arjan says. Mark, who was fully involved in sourcing the furniture for his home, saved a few pieces from his previous home and they blend in seamlessly with the new design.

The entire project, completed over five months at a renovation cost of $220,000, is a testament to the power of thoughtful design. Arjan and his team have created a stylish French Indochine bachelor pad that is both a reflection of the homeowner’s personality and a masterpiece of modern interior design. “It’s a constrained maximalist approach, but it exudes personality, colour, and detail, transcending its HDB origins,” Arjan shares.

Mark, who moved into the flat last December, has already hosted many dinner parties. “My only regret is that my travels have so far deterred me from fully enjoying my new home,” he concludes.

Aiden T
www.aiden-t.com
www.facebook.com/aiden.t.design
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Photography by Studio Periphery

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