Houzz Tour: A Peaches-and-Cream Minimalist Home for Dog Lovers
Arches, powdery pastels, and familial customs create a bright and airy dwelling for four
This five-room Build-to-Order (BTO) HDB flat is home to an architect, his Korean wife, and their two dogs – a senior maltese terrier and a young dachshund. “Their lifestyle mainly revolves around the doggies and they occasionally host dog meet-ups in their home,” says Vandra Png of Studio FortyFour, who worked with Wilson Teng on this renovation.
The designers nicknamed it the “Archi-Home”. “It is a play on the word architect, so you will notice there are two arches,” Png says. There are also several Korean influences throughout the home, to celebrate the female owner’s heritage. The overall design language leans on modern minimalist, as seen in the colour palette and the approach to the finishes.
The designers nicknamed it the “Archi-Home”. “It is a play on the word architect, so you will notice there are two arches,” Png says. There are also several Korean influences throughout the home, to celebrate the female owner’s heritage. The overall design language leans on modern minimalist, as seen in the colour palette and the approach to the finishes.
Adding playful energy to the entry is its tile floor, laid in a diamond pattern with blue grout. It also helps delineate the entry from the living space.
The designers hid the DB (electrical distribution board) box within cabinetry, and the lower part is reserved for shoe storage. “The gaps in the door provide ventilation for the shoes,” Png says.
Flooring: An Huat; hook: Normann Copenhagen
The designers hid the DB (electrical distribution board) box within cabinetry, and the lower part is reserved for shoe storage. “The gaps in the door provide ventilation for the shoes,” Png says.
Flooring: An Huat; hook: Normann Copenhagen
With the dogs in mind, the living, dining and kitchen were configured as a single open space, where the furnishings and objects are curated to be unified as a whole, says Png. The living area, in particular, is clean-lined and awash in natural light. There is plenty of space for the owners to hold their gatherings, as well as for the dogs to roam around and play.
The back wall is kept streamlined with built-in storage, which also serves as a place for the owners’ collection of books, art and toys. The dogs have their own cosy corner incorporated into this wall, too, marking the home’s first arch feature.
The back wall is kept streamlined with built-in storage, which also serves as a place for the owners’ collection of books, art and toys. The dogs have their own cosy corner incorporated into this wall, too, marking the home’s first arch feature.
The TV console design replicates the strip linear details in the entry.
The second archway frames the kitchen, which is an important space for the female owner as she loves to cook. She requested for an island as extra serving space where she can place small plates of Korean appetisers when hosting.
“Having the dining area nearby also facilitates the convenience of serving and topping up food for guests,” says Png.
Dining table and benches: Stylecraft; lamp, vase and jug: Bibliotek; flooring: Rice
“Having the dining area nearby also facilitates the convenience of serving and topping up food for guests,” says Png.
Dining table and benches: Stylecraft; lamp, vase and jug: Bibliotek; flooring: Rice
The pale wood and light blue combination gives the kitchen a fresh balance between warm and cool.
Sleeping on the floor is another Korean tradition imbibed in this home. To make the master bedroom cosier and more practical at the same time, the designers built a platform bed with storage and lighting underneath. “The step also allows the dogs to climb up easily to the platform and snuggle with them at bedtime,” Png says.
Flooring: Floor Xpert; clock: Departures & Arrivals; hook: Bibliotek
Flooring: Floor Xpert; clock: Departures & Arrivals; hook: Bibliotek
Powdery pastels paired with wood-look tiles give the bathrooms a cool vibe. Black fittings bring an edgy urban feel.
The designers built a deep bathtub in the master bathroom. “Bathtubs are popular in Korean culture, so this brings familiarity for the female owner,” Png says. The light blue tiles round off the relaxing ambiance.
Bathroom wall tiles: An Huat; floor tiles: Hafary; basins: Bathroom Warehouse; taps and showerheads: G-Ferretti; other fittings and accessories: Umbra, Menu and Ferm Living
Bathroom wall tiles: An Huat; floor tiles: Hafary; basins: Bathroom Warehouse; taps and showerheads: G-Ferretti; other fittings and accessories: Umbra, Menu and Ferm Living
TELL US
What is your favourite feature in this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
What is your favourite feature in this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two dogs
Location: Yishun
Size: 110 square metres (1,180 square feet)
Project duration: 12 weeks
Demarcating the main entryway from the living space was top of the couple’s must-have list. “It was a request from the female owner as it is her Korean family’s culture to have this demarcation,” says Png.
The designers opted for a swing door with timber-like slats, which leaves just enough gaps to allow light and air pass through.