This 1,650-square-foot home prioritises flow, function and personal expression, balancing everyday practicality with a distinctly lived-in character.
2 January 2026
Home Type: 4-bedroom walk-up apartment
Floor Area: 1,650sqft
Text by Janice Seow
Set within a 30-year-old walk-up along Upper East Coast Road, this four-bedroom apartment is a reminder that good homes are rarely about perfection — and almost always about the people who live in them. Spanning 1,650 square feet, the home belongs to a young family of five, including a helper and two cats, whose days revolve around work, parenthood, and a shared love for food, travel and collecting meaningful objects along the way.
What drew them to the unit in the first place was its size. “They fell in love with this old apartment for its spacious, squarish layout,” share designers Debbie Lim and Yoo Feiyi of Loco Division. The proportions offered a natural clarity — one that allowed spaces to be defined without feeling closed off, and family life to unfold comfortably across the home.
From the outset, the brief was clear: to transform the ageing apartment into a modern family home that felt considered yet relaxed. It needed to support everyday routines and growing children, while leaving room for art, personal collections and the small rituals that make a home feel lived in — all without losing its sense of ease or character.
Rather than pursuing a fully open plan, the designers took a more nuanced approach. A semi-open kitchen with sliding glass panels and double doors allows light to travel deep into the home, while offering the flexibility to enclose the space when needed. “Instead of a fully open layout, we introduced a semi-open kitchen with sliding glass window panels and double glass doors,” the designers explain. “It’s a gesture that extends natural light further into the kitchen zone while strengthening the connection to the social spaces.”
This balance between openness and intimacy runs through the entire home. Soft curves replace harsh edges, from rounded lighting details to the generously proportioned sofa, subtly nodding to mid-century influences without becoming pastiche. Built-ins are kept intentionally light, allowing furniture, art and personal objects to do the talking. The result is a home that feels collected rather than designed in one sweep.
The living and dining area sits at the heart of the home, anchored by a solid wood dining table and a deep green sofa that invites long meals and unhurried evenings. The family’s personality comes through in the details — a Saint-Denis ’98 football poster, playful ceramics, and a mix of vintage and contemporary furniture. “We intentionally minimised built-ins… and instead created open surfaces and display zones so their art, plants, collectibles and found objects could be celebrated as part of the home’s personality,” the designers note.
The kitchen, though compact, is one of the most hardworking spaces in the home. A reconfigured U-shaped layout accommodates a full suite of appliances, including a Bertazzoni cooker, while terracotta floor tiles ground the space with warmth. Wood panelling frames the kitchen like a piece of furniture, visually tying it to the living area and softening its utilitarian role. It’s a kitchen designed for real life — cooking, hosting, and the everyday rhythms of family routines.
In the private zones, the design becomes calmer and more restrained. The master bedroom is arranged unconventionally, with the bed positioned centrally rather than against a wall. This allows space for dual wardrobes, a vanity, and generous circulation. The palette is muted and soothing, with warm timber, soft cream cabinetry and subtle curves creating a cocoon-like feel. A few whimsical touches — a sculptural stool, a cheeky artwork — prevent the space from feeling too serious.
The children’s and shared bathrooms lean into colour and playfulness, without losing refinement. Blush tiles, terrazzo floors and soft lighting create a gentle environment that can grow with the family. Even the helper’s bathroom, though compact, is treated with care, proving that thoughtful design doesn’t have to stop at secondary spaces.
Underlying the entire project is a strong sense of collaboration and trust. The renovation took place under a tight timeline, complicated by unforeseen site issues and the arrival of a newborn. “In the end, it was a project built on trust, teamwork, and a shared vision,” the designers reflect. “Seeing everything come together just in time for the baby made the journey especially meaningful.”
Loco Division
www.locodivision.net
www.instagram.com/locodivision
Photography by Marcus Lim
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