Going straight from drab, old flat to spanking new home, these before-and-after overhauls make us wish we had our own resale fixer-uppers to get our renovation mojo on.
1. Jubilee Interior - Bedok Reservoir
Tell us, is this a condo showroom or somebody’s HDB apartment? Fitted with sleek accents, this dark, dramatic resale has come a long way from its humble beginnings (though well-maintained).
Before:
The home still seems to be in pretty good condition despite its age. But in the style department, it’s a true throwback to 1990s with heavy, flourished wooden arches, wooden cabinet fronts, wooden furniture, and even wooden wall borders.
After:
Now, here’s a contemporary pad that's more aligned with the times. Combining the kitchen and living areas to form an extended cooking, dining and entertainment space, black beams make a bold statement and add contrast to the interior. Moving into the bedroom, a rich shade of navy blue creates a relaxing atmosphere perfect for snoozing in, while the bathroom carries an elegant air with neutral-hued tiles and clean-cut built ins.
2. Fuse Concept - Serangoon Maisonette
With pops of colour littered about, this maisonette brings together all sorts of playful elements that give it a quirky (yet contemporary) twist. From herringbone floors to eclectic décor, this is no minimalist home! But wait till you see its cluttered past…
Before:
While there are hints of the home's basic design, it feels almost claustrophobic with all its stuff - random office-chairs, cardboard boxes and all sorts of knick-knacks. The apartment was also beginning to show signs of age, especially in the kitchen area (1970-era tile decals, we’re looking at you).
After:
Sticking to white walls that accentuate the unit's expansiveness, impeccable design details are worked into the mix to prevent the space from looking clinical. Soft grey hues colour the feature walls, cabinets and doors, while strong black lines - from the modern stair railings, wall lamps to the picture frames - add structure.
3. Hygge Design - Woodlands Drive
Wrapped head to toe in gold and woods, this glitzy HDB resale brings to mind a certain 'luxury yacht cabin' that featured on Qanvast recently. But what's amazing is that almost everything was torn out and redone to get this snazzy interior.
Before:
We call it the perfect, 1980s home starter pack: curved, ridged cornices, those pink, glossy stone floor tiles and even fancy archways with little tufts on the sides. Whether it's the old-school iron bunk beds or heavy-set wooden built-ins that don't match with the rest of the space's pale colour scheme, it sure looks like something you see in old family photos.
After:
All the stops have been pulled, people - this is how you work a wooden theme without going overboard! Decked top to bottom in dark wood grains, mirrors in golden hues brighten the apartment, giving it a modern, lavish feel. In fact, the bedrooms were repositioned and concealed behind sleek doorways that blend perfectly into the rest of the living room. Meanwhile, the kitchen is given two entryways to form a U-shaped cooking area – a smart idea for easing movement in an otherwise cramped space!
4. Provolk Architects - Marine Drive
Looking every inch a spiffy new apartment, this pristine HDB unit is actually more than 30 years old! That being said, it did look somewhat its age in the beginning – and for all the wrong reasons.
Before:
On the surface, the home looks just like any other bare, dull apartment. But upon inspection, many questions start to arise. Why that blinding shade of orange for the kitchen cabinets? And that psychedelic shade of purple for the wardrobe? Is that a square hole in the wall between the kitchen and living room? Does that ceiling cornice actually fit with the rest of the home's look? It's all a mystery.
After:
Redesigned for a single homeowner who wanted something light, airy and low-maintenance, one bedroom was hacked away to extend the living room and allow more light to filter in. Similarly, the kitchen was converted into an open-plan cooking area, where the homeowner can whip up a meal whilst entertaining guests. Set in a primary palette of whites and pale woods, colour is introduced subtly through artwork, greenery and a pale pink feature wall. Fresh.
5. The Scientist - Watten View
At 2,700 sqft, this posh and welcoming townhouse takes the cake for being the ultimate family abode. But what we're more blown away by? How the designers were able to turn what used to be an absolutely decrepit, worn-out house into that.
Before:
Yup, we weren't exaggerating. The outdoor facade looked as if it belonged to an abandoned 1960s factory lot, with grimy, blackened tiles, moss-stained walls and tons of clutter. Things don't get any better indoors either with a mouldy ceiling that stretches throughout the entire house. Plus, dirty walls and cracked parquet floors give the entire home a crummy, disheveled look. Yikes.
After:
A 180-degree change! Rich, navy hues, matching brass accents and a splash of graphic, patterned tiles lend a chic, contemporary vibe in the communal areas, while the bedrooms take on a more sophisticated style with neutrals. The best part? Certain elements were kept and given a fresh update! Take the TV console, which retains a similar structure, albeit spruced up with tiles and a wooden backing to match the surrounding decor.
This article was first published on Qanvast, the go-to renovation platform for homeowners to connect with interior designers.