by Wyn-Lyn Tan

Designer Gerald Tang believes in adding and subtracting spaces in order to create the optimal layout for his clients' homes. It was no different when it came to doing up his own pad - a five-room HDB flat in Hougang, which he shares with his wife, three kids and a domestic helper. His vision for it was something 'simple, classy, modern and everlasting', yet functional and low maintenance even for a family with children. But first, the designer from Pure Concept had to rejig the rooms to get rid of awkward corners, nooks and crannies.

Moving Spaces
Gerald began by sealing the old kitchen entrance and creating a new, larger open doorway that links to the living room, which allows natural light to flood into the kitchen from the living room and balcony windows. With the original kitchen door out of the way, he could also push the small common bathroom out into an adjacent nook for a larger vanity and shower area.

Keeping the living area streamlined, a laminated feature wall was created to disguise the entrances to the bathroom and master bedroom. To maximise space, the feature wall incorporates a storage cabinet on one side and display niches on the other side between the two doors.

Gerald explains the new layout: 'The changes have made all the rooms square, with no unused pockets of space.' He also made further structural tweaks to the master bedroom by extending the cramped ensuite bathroom into the sleeping area. 'The master bedroom was very spacious, so I was not worried about pushing the wall out,' he says. He then kitted out the bathroom in his preferred colour scheme by adding metallic dark grey tiles and glossy black cabinets.

Colour Theory
To create a modern look, he envisioned a more masculine theme. He wanted something 'dark and cosy, but not black and boring'. The result: living room walls painted a deep grey, paired with soft furnishings in various shades of the colour and contrasted with glossy white floor tiles.

A custom-made high-gloss black TV console and feature wall is finished with light wood laminate for a warmer touch. The bedrooms and study are all about earth tones, from the parquet flooring to the chocolate brown walls and built-in wardrobes with wood-grain laminate.

The renovation took about three months to complete, and there is no doubt it was done to the family's satisfaction. 'They love the house as we've achieved everything as planned, from the cosy ambience to the easy functionality,' Gerald is pleased to report on their verdict.

Where To Go
Pure Concept tel: 9062-2938

Get a copy of the July 2009 issue of Home & Decor and read about the latest local and international trends in home design. Home & Décor, published by SPH Magazines, is available at all newsstands now.

Wyn-Lyn Tan is a freelance writer of Home & Décor by SPH Magazines.

Check out more stories at Home & Decor online, www.homeanddecor.com.sg.

Also, check out the July 2009 issue for these stories:

Return to Substance
Furniture designed for sustainable living struck a timely note at the trendsetting Milan Furniture Fair.

Making Waves
We spot four looks and 10 innovative products from the biggest bathroom fair, ISH Frankfurt, that will make your bathroom the coolest spot in the house.