Designed by Inizio Atelier, this 1,215-square-foot flat trades standard BTO brightness for walnut-lined ceilings, concealed kitchen storage and sculptural interventions that support hosting as much as everyday living.
26 February 2026
Home Type: 5-room HDB flat
Floor Area: 1,215sqft
Text by Janice Seow
For a couple deeply embedded in the design and creative scene, home was never going to be a neutral backdrop. Their brief for this 1,215-square-foot, five-room Mount Vernon BTO was closer to a private gallery-style lounge than a conventional flat — a space that could host intimate dinners, showcase contemporary art, and still feel calm enough for everyday family life.
Rather than layering decoration onto the space, Inizio Atelier approached the interior as a single architectural composition. Walls and ceilings were treated as one continuous envelope, wrapped in deep walnut tones and textured limewash to build a moody yet tactile atmosphere. “The homeowner wanted a residence that felt less like a typical BTO unit and more like a moody, architectural sanctuary,” explains Jeremy Lim, Senior Designer at Inizio Atelier. That ambition shaped decisions from material palette to spatial integration.
The kitchen became the clearest expression of this thinking. Instead of reading as a separate utilitarian zone, it was absorbed into a monumental wall of dark timber cabinetry that conceals appliances, pantry storage and technical elements. The effect is less ‘kitchen’ and more architectural backdrop — allowing the island and extendable dining surface to function as the social heart of the home, especially during the couple’s frequent hosting sessions.
Structural challenges were treated as design opportunities rather than inconveniences. A rigid load-bearing column positioned awkwardly within the open-plan living area was reshaped into a smooth cylindrical form and finished in tactile limewash, transforming it into a sculptural anchor that subtly guides circulation. Likewise, intrusive ceiling beams in the kitchen and dining zone were softened with custom pill-shaped bulkheads, turning engineering necessities into deliberate spatial gestures.
The extensive use of dark walnut across ceilings posed another risk: visual heaviness. To counter this, pale limewashed walls, travertine surfaces and carefully layered lighting were introduced to reflect warmth back into the space. “We countered this weight through light and texture, allowing the space to breathe while keeping the richness of the materials,” Jeremy notes.
The result is a home that reads less as a typical BTO interior and more as a carefully staged architectural interior — immersive, textural and quietly theatrical without sacrificing daily comfort. Completed in just three months, the full renovation came in at approximately $180,000.
Inizio Atelier
www.inizioatelier.com
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