SINGAPORE –There are city dwellers who are drawn to the idea of slow country life and dream of rustic living.
This 32-year-old home owner, who is self-employed in the shop rental industry and lives in Tampines Avenue 8, decided to turn his 1,184 sq ft five-room Housing Board flat into an idyllic modern farmhouse in which to unwind after a hard day’s work.
The flat, designed by home-grown firm 21 Interior Studio, features a Shaker-style television console, cabinetry and shelves in the living room. The style emerged in the United States in the 1800s, and is characterised by simplicity and functional minimalism.
In the kitchen, more Shaker-style cabinets, complete with a farmhouse sink, reinforce the theme.
Although the owner initially wanted an all-black kitchen, he and the designers eventually went with a light cream laminate for the cabinets at the top, with the black laminate kept to the cabinets at the bottom. As black laminate attracts fingerprints and dust, the designers selected a low-maintenance one that is less susceptible to marks.
Also on the owner’s wish list was a freestanding kitchen island-cum-dining table where he can host friends and family. This is positioned perpendicular to the kitchen cabinets so there is plenty of space to manoeuvre. Rattan dining chairs and matching pendant lamps add charm to the space.
The owner opted for a high-contrast look in the master bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom comprises black-and-white floor tiles juxtaposed against white subway wall tiles, complete with gold accessories for a luxe look.
The project – which included tiling, ceiling, plumbing, carpentry, electrical and glass works – took two months and the cost came up to $48,000, excluding furnishings. The owner moved into his new home in August 2023.
- This article first appeared in Home & Decor Singapore. Go to homeanddecor.com.sg for more beautiful homes, space-saving ideas and interior inspiration.
