From dark and dated to bright and Japandi

Text by Disa Tan

After 12 years in their HDB executive apartment at Rivervale Drive, the homeowners felt it was time for a complete refresh. With two teenagers, a growing collection of Pop Mart and Precious Moments figurines, and hobbies spanning music, baking, and crafts, the home had become cluttered and heavy. They approached Senior Designer Akemi Poh and her team at D’ Initial Concept with a clear brief: to reimagine the space as a bright, airy, storage-savvy retreat—anchored in minimalist Japandi, but layered with touches of dark luxe.

The challenge was evident — dated Balinese elements weighed the home down, with limited storage and a space crowded by belongings. “It made the house look very dull and dark, and it was a shame as the nice view they had was covered up,” shares Akemi. To breathe new life into the unit, everything was hacked and rebuilt with a lighter touch. Subtle black accents provide contrast, large-format tiles open up the interiors, and light-toned laminates amplify natural light for a clean, minimalist finish.

Near the entrance, a row of built-in cabinets clad in microcement-inspired laminates forms a calm, understated backdrop while doubling as essential storage to keep the home organised. Gentle curves ease the narrow corridor, creating a smoother flow and a more welcoming sense of openness. “Most importantly, we had to resolve the family’s lack of storage — enough to tuck away four to five foldable bikes and at least 150 pairs of shoes,” says Akemi.

The reconfiguration carried through to the dining and kitchen, where the awkward original layout was streamlined for better flow. The new U-shaped kitchen features a compact counter tailored to the wife’s baking needs, while a dedicated corner neatly houses loose appliances. “With the new layout, everything is now within easy reach for her baking hobby,” says Akemi.

Opening up the study with sliding glass doors allows natural light to filter into the communal zones, brightening what is now a calm, Japandi-inspired space. Inside, a wall of overhead cabinets paired with recessed lighting gives the family an organised workspace designed for focus and clarity.

Clean lines and muted laminate finishes on the full-height cabinets create a minimalist, streamlined backdrop. Warm lighting enhances the sense of order, while a dedicated display cabinet highlights the family’s toy collectibles — balancing function with a personal touch.

A key challenge was concealing the HDB unit’s exposed pipes and electrical trunking — something the husband was especially particular about. “The most interesting feature is how the lighting and carpentry were designed together,” Akemi explains. “By integrating the two, we were able to hide all the pipes and trunking, giving the home a much cleaner, neater look.”

This design approach carried through to the bathrooms, which were completely reworked with concealed piping, integrated storage, and black-framed glass screens for a crisp, modern look. Warm backlit lighting enhances the clean lines, lending the space a cosy, hotel-like feel. A sleek vanity with mirror cabinets provides ample storage for daily essentials, while muted tones and wood finishes echo the home’s Japandi calm.

Completed in 15 weeks at a cost of $175,000, the revamp demonstrates how thoughtful design can turn limitations into opportunities. By concealing clutter and embracing great lighting strategies, D’ Initial Concept has reimagined this Rivervale Drive executive apartment as a home that is both calming and contemporary, with Japandi influences layered seamlessly with darker, luxe accents.

D’ Initial Concept
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