Blending personal rituals with thoughtful design, this Jalan Tenaga flat by The Merry Men Interiors becomes a calm yet characterful retreat for a couple who value both solitude and connection.
28 March 2025
Home Type: 5-room HDB flat
Floor Area: 1,250sqft
Text by Olha Romaniuk
Located in a quiet corner of the Jalan Tenaga neighbourhood, this 1,250-square-foot resale HDB flat is more than a home – it is a carefully crafted retreat, designed around the rhythm of its owners’ lives. Surrounded by peaceful streets, industrial estates with hidden culinary gems, and close to Bedok Reservoir, it offers the perfect setting for a couple with shared interests but distinct personalities.
One half of the pair works from home as a cybersecurity analyst, and has a love for motorcycles and cooking. The other, a librarian, prefers the quiet intimacy of books and pilates. Together, they are social homebodies – happy to open their home to friends, but just as content to lounge with their cats or tend to their indoor plants. The challenge was clear: to create a space that was open and inviting, while also accommodating moments of solitude and individual comfort.
That’s where The Merry Men Interiors stepped in. Led by designer Eden Seow, the team brought sensitivity and precision to the renovation, which took just two months to complete. “It wasn’t just about creating a home that looked good,” Eden explains. “It was about designing spaces that felt alive, and that were expressive and full of character.”
The flat’s existing layout had potential but still needed a better flow. By rethinking how spaces connected and how privacy could be woven in, The Merry Men Interiors has shaped a home that gently guides its owners through work, rest, and play.
Walking in, guests are greeted by a distinctive entryway that sets the tone for the entire space. Rather than using a typical screen or wall divider, Eden sourced circular breeze blocks from Thai design studio Loqa, known for crafting innovative materials from ceramics, recycled glass, and industrial waste. The result is a striking feature that not only allows light and air to flow through but also adds tactile charm and an element of surprise.
The open-plan living and dining areas form the heart of the home – a central, calming hub where the couple entertains guests or chills after a long day. The dining feature wall, painted a yellow limewash, plays beautifully against sleek black floor tiles. It draws the eye and creates a warm focal point without overwhelming the space.
The kitchen, now expanded by removing the wall to the service balcony, flows seamlessly from this communal zone. Anchoring this airy area is a stylish yet practical island—visually lightweight and sculptural from the front, but thoughtfully designed with hidden storage and comfortable seating, making it ideal for both daily use and social gatherings. The kitchen hob has also been sectioned off and features a pull-down divider that keeps the owners’ curious cats safely away from the stovetop when hot.
Throughout the home, materials and finishes were chosen not just for looks, but for the atmosphere they create. Natural textures, soft colours, and curated contrasts – like terracotta against black tiles – add richness without clutter. Limewash paints from Bauwerk Colour bring gentle texture to the walls, lending warmth and breathability to the interiors.
The couple’s love for quiet time is just as present in the design. The workspace, essential for remote work, is purposefully set apart from the bedroom to help draw a line between productivity and rest. This subtle zoning creates a rhythm in the home that supports mental clarity without sacrificing comfort.
In the master bedroom, deep red limewash walls – an idea inspired by the couple’s travels in India – wrap the room in warmth. It’s a space for winding down, reading, or simply doing nothing. Adjacent to it, a walk-in closet offers generous storage while maintaining a sense of calm and order.
Overall, the design expresses a sense of quiet intention. Every corner tells a story – of who the homeowners are, what they love, and how they live. It’s a home that feels lived-in from day one. Not because of its age or history, but because it’s so thoroughly embedded with the personality and lifestyle of its residents. A little bit vibrant, a little bit serene – and entirely theirs.
The Merry Men Interiors
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