A beautifully restored HDB executive maisonette

Home Type: HDB executive maisonette

Floor Area: 1,600sqft

Text by Disa Tan

Faced with a tired-looking and characterless HDB executive maisonette that was almost 40 years old, Design Manager Kate Sitchon from OVON knew that much had to be done to restore it to modern living standards. The homeowners, a married couple with two kids, had the same sentiments and were on board for a major overhaul. Their design brief entailed Kate and her team carving out a bright, spacious and homely space for their family of four and their helper.

The 16-week renovation was done at a cost of $160,000 and saw a major reconfiguration of the floor plan that included changes to the layout for the front entrance, kitchen and dining area on the lower level. Kate explains: “The original space was quite cramped and therefore, a total revamp was needed to work in a helper’s bedroom and a home office on this level.” By hacking away the utility room, she shifted the kitchen nearer to the front entrance and carved out ample space for the helper’s bedroom, which now sits behind a white door for extra privacy.

To prevent heavy cooking smells from wafting into the dining and living zones, the open-concept kitchen can be cordoned off by sliding doors. A timeless blue-and-white colour scheme has been introduced in the kitchen to instil a more enduring appeal, and the island counter is fronted by fluted wood-look panels to convey a warm and tactile aesthetic.

Kit-kat tiles in neutral tones deck the kitchen backsplash and their striking textures add personality to the blue-and-white cabinet and counter ensemble.

Seeing that the maisonette was a corner unit with an access balcony, Kate took advantage of the additional space by merging it with the front entrance. A feeling of openness now pervades the space, refreshed by new window grilles and Spanish flooring tiles adorned with bold patterns. Reminiscent of a black-and-white bungalow, the breezy style matches the laid-back aesthetic that the homeowners are after.

The heart of the home is the updated staircase surrounded by new amenities. With the husband required to work from home occasionally, Kate allocated space for a perfectly private home office next to the stairs.

The dining area has also been shifted next to the staircase to establish a better spatial flow, as it is nearer to the kitchen.

The new staircase structure sports a contemporary design with wood treads and black steel railings in a matte finish. A woven pendant light bathes the space in an atmospheric glow.

The back of the home is allocated for a cosy living area and Kate has merged it with the other balcony. This results in a much larger living zone, and it serves as a family-friendly setting for the couple to relax with their kids. To keep the space neat and uncluttered, Kate also included a hidden utility room behind the television console to serve as a storeroom for the family.

Heading upstairs to where the three bedrooms are located, the master bedroom features a simple paint treatment in cream and is a soothing space.

The two bathrooms, however, have been drastically transformed, with both layouts altered to provide a more functional space for daily cleansing needs. The master bathroom now hosts an elongated layout that places the shower and WC in intimate corners for more privacy.