Operations manager Yvonne Tan tells Debbie Yong how she wanted a cosy, clutter-free home for her family of seven to live in comfortably, and still have enough space to have friends over for dinner.
Yvonne Tan, 33
122 sq m five-room HDB flat in Hougang.
The operations manager lives with her husband, crane operator Maurice Chua, 33, their three children Mickel, five; Yvar, four; and Yvis, seven months, as well as Madam Tan's brother and his wife.
I love my home because...
It's very cosy yet spacious enough for a family of seven which includes three young children. Even when we entertain guests, which happens almost every other weekend, there's more than enough space for everyone to mingle.
There is also plenty of storage space, especially for the children's toys.
My decor theme is...
Contemporary. Modern designs are evergreen.
My favourite corner is...
The living room. It's an area where the family can enjoy watching television and chill out together. When we entertain guests, they naturally flock to the living room and spend the rest of the night there sipping wine.
I'm most proud of...
The master bedroom and our kit-chen. The master bedroom serves as our quiet sanctuary after a long day at work. The walk-in wardrobe that faces the master bathroom separates the sleeping area from the washroom nicely.
The bright red bathroom tiles wake one up in the morning while the dark tones in the bedroom keep the space restful.
Having heart-shaped prints on the wallpaper gives the bedroom a little more oomph and excitement.
Even after cooking up a storm for our guests, the kitchen is relatively easy to maintain. The clutter-free and clean design makes even looking for a toothpick an easy task.
Will I sell it?
Yes, when the price is right or when the kids are older and need more room for themselves.
MONEY MATTERS
Cost of home: $260,000
Cost of furnishings: $25,000
Cost of renovations: $65,000
Approximate value now: $350,000 to $380,000
This article was first published in The Straits Times on December 07, 2008.
