Conversations about renovations usually revolve around things like which walls were hacked or what times were used. Less emphasis is paid to the details that come after the contractors have left, like which lamps will go by the bedside or how the trinkets should be arranged on the shelves. But one couple balanced both parts of their renovation to create a home that was uniquely theirs.
“I saw something online where someone said your home is your personal art gallery, and I thought that was an adorable and apt way to put it,” Edith of @flat.wip said. Together with the expertise of the interior designers from Ascend Design, they transformed their 4-room HDB flat into a mid-century modern abode that is lit up by a collection of designer lamps that will be the envy of any design museum.
Lighting the entire home with designer lamps
While most homeowners would be content with a simple lighting setup in their homes, Edith and her partner are self-proclaimed “lamp people” who love lamps of all shapes and sizes. So it was only natural that their home would be filled with their favourite lamps that they’ve been collecting even before they had their home.
Flowerpot VP8 from &Tradition for their settee area
A settee in an HDB flat is rarely seen, but it’s also an opportunity for the area to be whatever the homeowners want it to be. To that regard, Edith had this versatile space be a cosy reading nook that also functions as a spot for outfit checks before heading out the door (there is a mirror opposite the terracotta wall).
Lighting up the area is the discretely iconic Flowerpot VP8 by &Tradition. We’ve seen plenty of table and pendant Flowerpots in plenty of our home features, so it was a welcome surprise to see a home that chose a more unique piece while still incorporating a familiar silhouette. Bonus points for installing it in the corner of the tiles, allowing the glossy white lampshade to contrast with the terracotta instead of blending into the wall.
Akari Light Sculptures that were hand-carried from Japan
“We have some pretty fond memories of hunting for these lamps, purchasing a new luggage to fit them all,” Edith told us about their journey bringing these paper lamps back from Japan to Singapore a year ago. “Accommodating a 55cm diameter fragile paper lamp is no joke!”
Another Akari Light Sculpture by Noguchi hangs above their dining table.
Vintage IKEA Skojig Lamp in the study
Vintage IKEA finds are always a treat to have, and Edith managed to snag one from a local vintage store @objects.re. This IKEA Skojig lamp in a whimsical blue adds a playful trait to the study room where it stands.
Caret portable lamp from &Tradition that can be placed anywhere
Another lamp from &Tradition is the Caret lamp. Its portability shines here, as this means it can be brought around the house to light up any dark corners, or to create a more intimate ambience when the sun sets. Its entire frame is made from lacquered steel which means it’s resistant to aging and will always have a polished and clean finish.
Using $1K worth of glass blocks as a wall divider
We’ve seen a rise in creative ways that homeowners have taken to wall up their homes. After all, who needs drywall when you can use $1k worth of glass blocks to create a barrier and let in light at the same time?
One nifty detail that didn’t go unnoticed was that the glass blocks did not occupy the entire depth of the wall. This allowed for a little nook to be created where knick-knacks could be put on full display.
All in all, the glass blocks, the construction of the wall, and the labour cost around $1K for anyone who was looking to have a similar feature wall in their future home.
Hacking multiple walls & bedrooms for a more open layout
Peep the portholes in the doors.
You might be wondering why this home looks so open. Well, the simple reason is that the homeowners hacked away plenty of walls in order to achieve this vibe.
One of the bedrooms on the far side of the home was hacked away to create what is now the living room. “This allowed us to have a much bigger living space and open up the area, which makes it great for hosting friends,” Edith said.
The wall of the middle bedroom was also hacked to create the aforementioned glass block wall. There was a deliberate decision to not include a door in order to keep it a semi-open recreational and study space.
Last, the walls and windows of the service yard were also hacked off to make the kitchen larger and more cohesive. New windows were constructed at the end of the kitchen too.
$75K mid-century modern HDB flat reno with lots of lamps
Even though mid-century modern is one of the most dominant interior design themes in Singapore, no two homes are the same. With the right styling and furnishing—which in the case of this home is an abundance of lamps and trinkets—each home will have its unique character and vibe. However, Edith and her partner’s home is still a work in progress as evident in the name of their Instagram handle, @flat.wip.
“We’re still very much a W.I.P, and we’re looking forward to installing a small shelf above our coffee nook to display more items, put up more framed art on our walls, install another mirror, and expand our collection of lamps,” Edith said. Maybe we’ll check back in with them when all is said and done.
Check out other mid-century modern homes:
- 5 mid-century modern homes in Singapore to fawn over
- Transforming this Tiong Bahru walk-up apartment into a mid-century modern home
- Johnathan Chua’s $1.4M mid-century modern condo
Photography by Huiwen Chan
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