Home tour: A modern apartment in Singapore’s District 10

A delectable palette of honey, biscuit and other neutral hues infuses this sleek apartment by IDID with a homely warmth

Applied with a deft hand, various shades of neutral colours can bring a simple yet sophisticated look to an interior. A tone-on-tone scheme of muted hues makes petite areas appear larger, elicits a tranquil vibe, and gives the different zones in a home a feeling of cohesion.

Walking through this apartment in Singapore’s covetable District 10, one is immediately struck by the calming quality of every space, which is characterised by shades of cream, beige, brown, taupe and grey, all melding effortlessly for a harmonious, singular look.

The home is owned by a couple, who share the residence with their young son and daughter, and a domestic helper. IDID was appointed to conceptualise a spacious home as part of the interior design assignment.

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Above A marble feature wall makes an eye-catching statement against the placid overall palette

A marble feature wall makes an eye-catching statement against the placid overall palette

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“Space and colours were very important in this project,” says Wynn Neo, co-founder and creative director of IDID. “The owners felt that the house was too small for their family, and wanted to create a sense of spaciousness through design.” Storage was also a must.

Neo adds that as the homeowners are “very down-to-earth” folk, she decided that the changes and elements being proposed should first and foremost be practical and functional. “Space was limited to begin with, so we didn’t want to have elements that took up space merely for aesthetic reasons,” she says.

IDID also had to take special care in matching the overall design with the owners’ current furniture and furnishings; this also entailed ensuring a fit with the existing doors, door frame colours and cabinet colours in the 1,496 sq ft apartment, which features its own private lift.

Above The sizeable balcony is utilised as a dining area to expand the dimensions of the internal living space

The sizeable balcony is utilised as a dining area to expand the dimensions of the internal living space

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The interior design firm’s neutral colour scheme works admirably in visually expanding the apartment’s spaces, with the various creamy and chocolatey tones also keeping the look contemporary and preventing it from descending into banality.

“The unit came with white walls, which the owners didn’t like,” explains Neo, adding that all the walls were repainted to feature colours more suited to the desired “modern luxe” theme. Neo adds that 3D renders were utilised to preview the colours and design, so the owners could dwell on the proposed changes and offer their feedback and thoughts beforehand.

IDID’s sense of creativity was also called upon in other instances. The unit featured a smart mirror the designers wanted to retain and incorporate seamlessly into the new look. “Using wall panels, we clad that wall so that the mirror looked like it was part of the overall design,” says Neo.

Above Backlit shelves showcase the wife’s collection of bags beautifully

Backlit shelves showcase the wife’s collection of bags beautifully

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Sleek magnetic track lights were installed to match the contemporary look of the house. Throughout the home, fluted panels and a striking selection of marble varieties, such as in the form of a dramatically veined feature wall in the living room as well as eye-catching slabs in the bathrooms, lend a touch of opulence.

Other delightful touches abound, be they in the form of the sculptural table and framed glasswork in the lift lobby, or the adventure-themed wallpaper in a child’s bedroom. Subtle backlighting also lends a sense of cosiness and accent illumination to the sleeping zones.

To carve out more usable space in the common zones, IDID made the decision to site the dining area away from the living room. “We felt that putting the dining [table and chairs] and the living room sofa together would feel too cramped. So, I proposed to change the layout to utilise the large balcony, moving the dining table onto the balcony instead,” says Neo.

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Above A charming wallpaper with an exploration theme imbues this child’s bedroom with a sense of whimsy

A charming wallpaper with an exploration theme imbues this child’s bedroom with a sense of whimsy

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“The balcony space is now part of the interior living area, doubling up as a dining room and making the living room a little more spacious for the family.”

Integrated storage solutions also help to make this abode look more spacious by keeping clutter out of sight as well as properly organised. In one child’s bedroom, a platform bed acts as a handy stash for books and toys; in another, the bed incorporates storage space and also features a built-in desk for invaluable functionality.

The master bedroom now also features a new wardrobe and display area for the wife’s bags and accessories, while a new laundry cabinet was incorporated into the yard to house the washing machine and dryer, and still offer a wealth of storage space for a selection of miscellaneous items.

Swiftly completed in about six weeks, the project left both the designer and homeowners very pleased with the outcome. “Ideas were clearly communicated, and we understood each other well,” says Neo, adding that the owners were “very happy”.

“The intrinsic value of the home, in the sense of the feeling it gives to the people who live in it, is always what I strive for in all my projects. The home should be a safe place and have a relaxed atmosphere, and give the family a happy mood and monetary value.”