Designed with family life in mind, this home blends mid-century warmth, open-plan living, and thoughtful material choices to support both daily routines and meaningful gatherings.
Home Type: 5-room HDB flat
Floor Area: 1,280sqft
Text by Olha Romaniuk
In Bukit Panjang, a 1,280-square-foot family home has been thoughtfully transformed into a grounded yet expressive sanctuary for a household of five. Designed by Intheory Design, the residence reflects the realities of a modern family life – one that balances daily efficiency with moments of warmth, togetherness, and personal meaning. Rooted in a refined mid-century modern language, the space is layered with rich materials, tactile textures, and quiet gestures that elevate everyday routines into something more intentional.
“The design needed to directly support the homeowners’ close-knit, demanding lifestyle by providing both a central, interactive hub and private zones of calm,” explains Nisa, interior designer at Intheory Design.
From the outset, the design direction was clear: the home had to function as a permanent, comfortable base for a busy family with three children, while still feeling elegant and lived-in. The family frequently hosts gatherings with extended relatives, making generous communal spaces a priority. At the same time, each family member required areas to retreat to – an important counterbalance to the lively rhythm of daily life.
The most transformative move was the liberation of the kitchen. Previously closed off and compartmentalised, it was opened up to merge seamlessly with the living and dining areas, becoming the undeniable heart of the home. This single gesture reshapes how the family interacts with the space.
The kitchen now operates as a social and functional hub. Its layout supports the realities of school mornings, with island counters and prep zones designed for quick, grab-and-go movement, allowing the children to move fluidly through the space as they prepare for the day. Beyond efficiency, the openness encourages connection, turning routine moments into shared experiences.
Materiality plays a defining role throughout the home. Dark stained woods, sintered stone surfaces, and a palette of warm neutrals establish a mid-century modern foundation that feels inviting. Rather than leaning into stark minimalism, Nisa softened the geometry with layered textures and earthy accents, ensuring the interiors remain warm and approachable. The main living area is zoned without physical barriers; instead, furniture placement and the kitchen island subtly define functions while preserving visual continuity.
In the living room, an architectural arch emerges as a quiet focal point. More than a stylistic flourish, its presence lends depth and character to an otherwise open volume, reinforcing the idea that architecture here is not just decorative, but personal.
Private spaces reveal another layer of storytelling. In the master suite, custom wardrobes clad in rattan weave introduce a tactile softness that contrasts beautifully with the darker woods elsewhere. “The unexpected inclusion of a luxurious rattan texture on the wardrobes softens the room, introducing a resort-like charm that elevates the private space beyond typical modern minimalism,” says Nisa.
The bathrooms further illustrate the balance between function and expression. One bathroom takes advantage of its elongated proportions by clearly separating wet and dry zones, allowing parallel morning routines to go on smoothly. The design leans toward a boutique hotel sensibility, but with personality layered in through unexpected choices. Terracotta kit-kat tiles pair with terrazzo-patterned surfaces. These elements add visual interest without disrupting the home’s cohesive language.
A key challenge throughout the renovation was working with existing structural conditions that were less than ideal. Rather than pursuing heavy structural changes, the design focused on careful planning and precise placement of new elements so that old and new could coexist seamlessly. This restraint allowed the renovation to remain efficient – completed within three months – while still achieving a high level of refinement.
The result is a home that feels easy to live in. It handles busy days and quieter moments equally well, with spaces that are open, warm and thoughtfully put together. Rooted in mid-century design but shaped around real family needs, it’s a home that’s able to adapt and evolve with its residents.
Intheory Design
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