Neutral tones, organic elements, curvilinear forms, and open spaces come together in this cosy, light-filled duplex, reminiscent of homes from Down Under.
24 March 2025
Home Type: HDB executive maisonette
Floor Area: 1,507sqft
Text by Vanitha Pavapathi
Modern Australian homes are characterised by a laid-back, open-plan aesthetic inspired by coastal homes. It’s a style that adopts a minimalist approach, with a focus on bringing the outdoors in. Recreating this look in a landed home is straightforward. But to do so in an HDB maisonette requires a great deal of ingenuity, which designer Kandy Tan of Puromuro Studio successfully executed in this residence as requested by the homeowner.
Kandy’s approach features the use of neutral tones and earthy wood finishes that reflect the scrublands from Down Under. Additionally, the maisonette’s spatial restructuring was guided by the imperative to create fluid movement, both for the bank executive homeowner and her feline companion.
Rebuilding the staircase was pivotal in the design transformation. The original layout necessitated traversal through the living room before reaching the upper level. To rectify this inefficiency, the staircase was realigned to face the foyer, establishing a more intuitive circulation path.
However, the intervention extended beyond mere pragmatism. The stairway was reconceptualised as a sculptural entity with flowing, curvilinear forms to mitigate its visual dominance. Further enhancing this dynamism, “a strategically positioned faux skylight bathes the stairs in natural light that shifts with the weather, mimicking a dynamic glass ceiling,” Kandy shares.
The foyer, previously enclosed by cabinetry and cement screeded flooring that lent to a dark entrance, underwent a deliberate transformation to enhance visual and sensory engagement. A checkered tile motif in chocolate and beige – an homage to classic European foyers – now punctuates the entrance.
Grounding the space further is a concrete curved settee and a wavy mirror that not only softens the angular lines here, but also echoes the staircase’s structure. Simultaneously, “the integration of a mild steel frame with fluted glass partitions allows natural light into the living area while maintaining privacy,” adds Kandy.
While the living room is now a welcoming space with its light oak vinyl flooring, and curved beige walls and ceilings, the dining area was relocated to an empty corner beside the staircase, opening up more room for an extended kitchen. The dining space is furnished simply yet tastefully with a round table, upholstered chairs and String shelving system from Danish Design Co., upon which the homeowner with a penchant for travel and literature placed her favourite books and memorabilia.
The kitchen was another significant transformation in this home remodelling. Walls were torn down to accommodate a spacious island counter – a dream feature for the homeowner. The redesign also incorporated a hidden bar cum coffee station within the cabinetry, seamlessly blending functionality with a minimalist aesthetic.
“The owner loves a neat and clean space, so we designed pocket cabinet doors that fold into the sides, making the bar invisible when not in use,” says Kandy. “We also created a wall niche for the homeowner to display her many souvenirs.”
In the master bedroom, strategic voids were introduced to harness natural light, mitigating the insularity often characteristic of enclosed sleeping quarters. “I realised the staircase area was dim, so we decided to open up the walls and use clear glass,” reveals Kandy of her discovery prior to the renovation. The decision to open a visual corridor overlooking the stairwell fosters a sense of interconnectedness between levels, exemplifying an architectural manoeuvre that extends spatial perception beyond physical confines.
This philosophy extends into the master bathroom, where a muted blue accent wall subtly disrupts the neutrality of surrounding grey tiles, offering a moment of chromatic contrast while maintaining visual cohesion. The common bathroom, on the other hand, maintains the home’s neutral theme, incorporating marble mosaics for added texture.
Perhaps the most unexpected yet innovative intervention within the maisonette lies in the reimagining of the yard toilet. Initially constrained by its diminutive footprint, the space was expanded to enhance usability. A curved mosaic-tiled wall introduces an element of organic fluidity, while integrated niches make the space feel larger. “A concealed sliding bookshelf door turns it into a hidden toilet, adding a little surprise element to the home,” Kandy concludes.
Puromuro Studio
www.instagram.com/puromurostudio
Photography by Seeck
We think you may also like Living large in a reconfigured HDB maisonette
Like what you just read? Similar articles below
Structural fixtures can be a challenge to work with, but d’Phenomenal found a creative and space-efficient solution to carve out more storage and space in this BTO flat.
Icon Interior has fulfilled this Serangoon North homeowner’s desire for a modern, warm, and welcoming aesthetic while adding unexpected curvy features for stylistic effect.
