Speaking in primary

This 1,340-square-foot five-room resale flat in Jalan Tenaga wears its colours proudly. Designed by Hoe Siang Wee of Ascend Design, the home leans into primary hues with confidence — a reflection not just of the designer’s vision, but of homeowners who were clear from the outset about wanting a space that felt expressive, open and distinctly their own.

Surrounding HDB blocks, defined by their high-contrast terracotta and teal facades, became an early point of reference. Instead of muting these tones, the design responds to them, allowing colour and light to carry through into the interior. With generous natural daylight filtering in throughout the day, stronger hues read clearly and comfortably, creating spaces that feel lively yet composed rather than visually overwhelming.

The original layout, however, posed challenges. “The unit was relatively cramped, especially at the foyer, which was important as it sets the first impression of the home,” Siang Wee explains. By pushing back the wall between the foyer and kitchen, the designers created room for a welcoming settee and introduced a cobalt-blue framed window that draws the eye deeper into the home. To balance the shift, the common bathroom wall was recessed to neatly accommodate tall storage and the fridge, improving the flow in the kitchen.

Rather than relying on partitions, transitions throughout the home are guided through materials. Tiling and mosaic details sweep across the floors in gentle curves and clean lines, subtly signalling shifts between spaces. In the foyer, textured blue tiles meet rustic mosaics in wine, terracotta and burgundy, and align with a structural column that becomes a visual anchor.

The kitchen and living area naturally sit at the centre of family life. Frost blue cabinetry is layered with deep red and lime green accents, forming a lively backdrop for meals, play and conversation. “The kitchen carries the strongest expression of primary colours, serving as the feature backdrop of the conversational living room,” says Siang Wee. Positioned this way, it supports the homeowners’ wish for a home that encourages interaction and shared time.

That sense of play continues into the more private spaces. In the master suite, a walk-in wardrobe flows into a sculptural vanity just outside the bathroom, where curved tiled bases soften the geometry of the carpentry. Elsewhere, subtle shifts in texture invite touch and curiosity — details that feel especially suited to a young family growing into the space.

Bright, expressive and carefully considered, this Jalan Tenaga home shows what can happen when homeowners trust their instincts (and their designer) — and when colour is treated not as a risk, but as something to be embraced.

Ascend Design
www.ascenddesign.sg
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www.instagram.com/ascend.design

Photography by Chan.psb

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