Cover Family get-togethers are often held in the cosy secondary living area, located in the attic

Ong&Ong gives this semi-detached house a much-needed makeover to address its owners’ evolving needs and lifestyles

It had been more than a decade since a family of four moved into this semi-detached house in Singapore. They loved the location but as the children grew up and the family’s lifestyles changed, they thought about looking for a new abode. The couple spoke with their friend Teo Boon Kiat, a director in Ong&Ong’s interior design department, who convinced them that a remodelling of their 4,000sqft home could address their concerns.

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Various pieces from the family’s art collection liven up the ground floor
Above Various pieces from the family’s art collection liven up the ground floor

The couple’s bedroom was formerly in the attic, but they no longer wanted to climb up two-and-a-half storeys several times a day to reach it. They also wanted to be closer to their children, whose bedrooms are located on the second floor. Teo took these factors into consideration, and improved not only the house’s functionality, but also updated it with a contemporary look featuring grey tones and timber veneer.

On the ground storey, Teo receded the entrance door to expand the size of the car porch. Two trees were added to the grassy lawn; the family’s two large dogs enjoy roving around the property, indoors and out. The interior designer also reduced the size of the koi pond and extended the timber decks outwards to increase the functionality of the terrace—it now features an outdoor dining area that also functions as a breakfast spot.

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The family’s dogs roam freely throughout the property
Above The family’s dogs roam freely throughout the property

As the couple love entertaining, the designer created several small zones for lounging on the ground floor; these include a cosy dining nook with a circle of armchairs. “This is a casual sitting area where the wife and her friends can have afternoon tea,” says Teo. He kept the location of the dining room and dry kitchen at the back of the house but enhanced them with sophisticated touches.

A Heracleum II pendant light by Bertjan Pot from Moooi floats above the Poliform dining table and chairs, with the feathery details of the lamp giving the space a sense of lightness. The dry kitchen counter was expanded to facilitate the wife’s love of cooking. Around the space, Teo created display shelves and cabinetry that incorporate Gaggenau kitchen appliances and a Kadeka wine chiller.

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The Moooi Heracleum II pendant light creates a focal point in the dining area, drawing the eye towards the drinking lounge at the back
Above The Moooi Heracleum II pendant light creates a focal point in the dining area, drawing the eye towards the drinking lounge at the back

A Heracleum II pendant light by Bertjan Pot from Moooi floats above the Poliform dining table and chairs, with the feathery details of the lamp giving the space a sense of lightness. The dry kitchen counter was expanded to facilitate the wife’s love of cooking. Around the space, Teo created display shelves and cabinetry that incorporate Gaggenau kitchen appliances and a Kadeka wine chiller.

Behind the dining table, a sliding door opens to reveal a drinking lounge reminiscent of a gentleman’s club with coffered ceiling details, wall mouldings and a dark palette. “After dinner, the couple head here for drinks with friends. It’s very decorated but also very functional,” says Teo, of the space that used to be a TV room. An icemaker and other equipment sit among prized bottles of spirits, lit luxuriously against the copper mesh panels.

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This cosy alcove on the ground floor provides a cosy nook in between the living and dining areas
Above This cosy alcove on the ground floor provides a cosy nook in between the living and dining areas
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The drinking lounge at the back is hidden behind vertical slats
Above The drinking lounge at the back is hidden behind vertical slats

The second storey incorporates a family hall and the teenagers’ bedrooms, as well as a guest room. Two other bedrooms were merged to form the master bedroom. The impressive walk-in wardrobe is designed like a boutique, with metal trimmings and backlit shelves.

Glass doors showcase the wife’s handbags neatly and afford easy access. Between the wardrobe and master bedroom, a pocket sliding door gives the sleeping zone additional privacy if desired. The master bedroom looks out to a terrace atop the car porch roof, where enveloping timber louvres provide seclusion.

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The drinking lounge is a handsome space with a backlit glass cabinet that showcases the husband’s treasured spirits
Above The drinking lounge is a handsome space with a backlit glass cabinet that showcases the husband’s treasured spirits

While the first floor is for entertaining guests, the attic is where the family spend the most of their time together. The front-facing portion functions as a second-ary living area, whose lofty pitched ceiling features new timber panelling and ambient lighting. Louvres at the facade mitigate sunlight and ensure privacy.

“The vertical slats have become the home’s defining feature,” says Teo. The room extends to an outdoor deck where the family holds barbecues. A sliding door offers the flexibility of closing the room for guests.

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'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 5 The master bathroom is a light-filled space furnished with a freestanding bathtub, fittings from Kohler and a steamer cubicle with retractable screens
Photo 2 of 5 The louvered windows can be adjusted to provide privacy in the master bedroom
Photo 3 of 5 The walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom is modelled after the displays in fashion boutiques
Photo 4 of 5 A montage of posters and memorabilia adds a personal touch to the son’s bedroom, which also features concrete screed walls
Photo 5 of 5 The timber-themed powder room next to the home gym features a tropical look

At the attic’s rear is the multipurpose family space, which houses a study for the wife as well as a gym where the couple work out regularly. Sometimes, friends come to join them for Zumba classes together. The attic also features a music room, which can be enclosed with soundproof glass sliding doors when needed.

“As the family are into music, we enclosed a room for jamming sessions. The daughter plays the keyboard and drums, the husband plays the guitar and the son plays the piano,” says Teo.

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'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 4 Family get-togethers are often held in the cosy secondary living area, located in the attic
Photo 2 of 4 These vertical slats in a walnut-stained ash veneer are among the home’s defining features
Photo 3 of 4 Calligraphy works and an abstract art piece create visual interest in the stairwell
Photo 4 of 4 A view of the entrance of the semi-detached house

Like the family room, the pitched roof here also features timber panelling. Outside, a sheltered balcony extends the room outwards and makes the space usable even in the rain or midday heat. There is a laid-back, tropical feel to this area that takes one away from the bustle of daily life. The end result of spatial redesign has given the family renewed functionality and so much more.

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The family enjoy regular jamming sessions in the music room
Above The family enjoy regular jamming sessions in the music room

This story was first published in the April issue of Tatler Homes Singapore.

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