It’s no wonder that Phoebe, a former Visual Merchandiser, and her husband Kevin, a commercial contractor, form an interior designer power couple. Their retro vintage home in Singapore is a testament to their combined and complementary expertise, with Kevin overseeing the general aspects of the design and Phoebe focusing her attention on the details.
Documented on their Instagram account, @knella.sg, the couple’s 1,600 sqft 5-room resale Executive Apartment boasts a unique design that prioritises functionality without compromising aesthetic appeal. The centerpiece of their home is undoubtedly their orange and pink kitchen, which looks like a retro diner straight out of a Netflix series.
@uchify.sg This stylish vintage-retro home is all about beauty, harmony, and positive energy flow. ✨ You can also have harmony and positive energy in your home while enjoying fixed electricity rates and bill rebates with Tuas Power. 🔗 sign up through the link in our bio and use the promo code: ONUCHIFY 🔗 Feng Shui tips brought to you by David Tong #sghome #hometour #FitsyoutoaT #SavewithTuas #TuasPower #ThrifT
From bold design choices to a reconfiguration of their home layout, Phoebe and Kevin walk us through their impressive $45K kitchen renovation.
Orange & pink retro diner aesthetic inspired by American TV series
Inspired by the American TV series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Phoebe and Kevin’s retro diner kitchen was heavily influenced by the set design of the 1950s period comedy drama.
That being said, it was ultimately the style and poise of the character Mrs. Maisel which inspired Phoebe. “Women back then always seemed so put together. They have the perfect hair and are always beautifully dressed,” Phoebe explained, reflecting that the design of her kitchen truly helps her emulate her inner 1950s “retro Phoebe”.
When it came to choosing the colour scheme for their kitchen, Kevin encouraged Phoebe to be bold and step out of her comfort zone. Striving to create a cheery, bright, and uplifting atmosphere, Phoebe ultimately decided on orange—a colour she had yet to experiment with—as the base, complemented by a shade of pink to add depth and a touch of elegance.
Custom-made carpentry, pink sintered stone and retro dining chairs
The couple’s favourite thing about their kitchen is the unique cabinetry, with special orange-stained wood grain veneer and glossy pink lacquer-finished doors. From rounded edges to contrasting colours, the design exudes 1950s charm—“it truly captures the essence of the retro diner vibe we were aiming for,” Phoebe said.
Additionally, the cabinetry was custom-made at Kevin’s company’s factory, meaning the couple only covered the cost of materials and labour. “They were incredibly accommodating to our requests,” Phoebe acknowledged appreciatively, “even assembling the cabinetry at the factory to ensure the height and finish met our exact needs and expectations.”
However, Phoebe admits that the most challenging aspect of the renovation was having all their cabinetry shipped to Singapore and installed by local carpenters after being custom-made in China.
Because of this, it was imperative for the couple to provide precise and accurate measurements to the factory—even a small mistake might have required the couple to reconfigure the entire space to fit the cabinetry, or fork out money for the entire cabinet module to be remade from scratch.
Locally sourced from Luxx Newhouse, the rosy pink sintered stone adds a touch of elegance to the couple’s retro-style kitchen. A sophisticated modern element amidst the 1950’s aesthetic, the pink sintered stone serves as the perfect contrast to the vibrant orange in the kitchen.
Phoebe also appreciates the durability and ease of maintenance offered by the sintered stone in the face of kitchen spills, heat, oil and stains.
The couple is also partial to their Cesca dining chairs, designed by architect Marcel Breuer in 1928 and sourced from Knoll. Phoebe reflects that the chrome steel frame perfectly complements the retro diner aesthetic, while the rattan seats are practical for Singapore’s hot weather—“No more sweaty buttocks!” she says.
$45K retro diner kitchen renovation
Phoebe walked us through a cost breakdown for her kitchen renovation:
- Tiles: $1,300
- Sintered Stone: $15,000
- Epoxy: $1,000
- Wash Basin: $600
- Electrical Appliances: $3,840
- Carpentry: $20,000
- Stool and pendant light: $3,660
Total: $45,400
The biggest renovation expense was undoubtedly the custom cabinetry, with the lacquer finish on the pink doors and drawers significantly adding to the price tag. Nevertheless, the couple agreed that the investment was well worth it, from both an aesthetic and a functional point of view.
Phoebe explained that in addition to allowing the couple to select the exact shade of pink they wanted, the lacquer finish also created a seamless look by eliminating joint lines which could cause laminates to peel in Singapore’s humid climate.
“The process involved baking the wood at a high temperature, ensuring the paint adhered tightly to the plywood and making the final product both water and stain-resistant,” she explained.
Ultimately, Phoebe advises that homeowners renovating their forever home fork out the initial money to invest in good-quality, long-lasting materials. “It is worth it in the long run,” she emphasised.
Open concept to optimise space & natural light
Before and after reconfiguring the floor plan.
Image credit: Phoebe and Kevin
Having an open concept kitchen was one of Phoebe and Kevin’s non-negotiables for their home renovation. “We wanted cooking, meal preparation and dish-washing to be shared activities, and we felt strongly that this should take place in an open, inclusive space, rather than a confined, closed-off kitchen,” they shared.
As a result, they made the decision to hack multiple walls between the kitchen, living and dining area, to remove physical barriers and integrate the kitchen into the rest of the home, encouraging interaction and transforming cooking into a collaborative activity within their household.
The open concept layout also aligned with the couple’s priority of maintaining a flow of natural light throughout the home.
Glass blocks and glass-panelled doors between the service yard and kitchen were deliberately used to create a brightly-lit kitchen and living area, while the accordion-style windows in the guest bedroom can be opened during the day to allow sunlight to enter the common areas.
Furthermore, to avoid blocking light and airflow, Phoebe and Kevin were highly attentive to the placement of the cabinetry in their home. By opting for floor-to-ceiling along walls that wouldn’t obstruct natural light, and avoiding top-hung cabinets above the main sink and stove, they managed to maintain the open, airy atmosphere while ensuring sufficient built-in storage.
A 1950s retro diner kitchen for $45K
A blend of functionality and style, this $45K retro diner kitchen pays homage to The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, and is the pride and joy of this dynamic interior design duo. Bold orange elements come together with glossy pink surfaces to create a modern 1950s-style kitchen within this Tampines East HDB resale—the perfect nostalgic throwback.
For more HDB home renos, check out:
- $58K modern Peranakan 5-room BTO reno
- $70K dark modern Tampines BTO reno
- $85K modern Japanese resale flat with onsen-themed bathroom
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
