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It’s not often that you hear the words “industrial” and “kampung” at the same time, much less existing in the same space, but that’s exactly the vibe Hakiem and Hafizah chose for their first home.
The unique style the couple opted for combines rustic details like aged and reclaimed wood, colorful “kampung” wood planks behind the TV console, with exposed trim and bare brick that give off an industrial chic vibe.
This is particularly evident in the living room and dining areas of his HDB Build-To-Order (BTO) home in Yishun.
Why industrial-kampung?
The inspiration behind the relaxed, retro vibe came from Hakiem’s fond memories of his childhood in Malaysia visiting his grandfather.
And the industrial look is a design aesthetic that appeals to the couple, who enjoy traveling.
“We went to Bali and saw a lot of industrial-themed cafes, and we loved the element of raw materials used for their interior,” shared Hakiem. This led them to have cement and tile walls in their home, and to look for Edison cage lamps that illuminate their dining room.
Bali holds a special place in the couple’s hearts, so their bedroom has the flair of a traditional Balinese resort for that laid-back vibe.
Another highlight of the space is the backlit wall just outside the kitchen, which comprises vintage batik motifs. The design is also replicated in your bathroom tiles.
The wall has also become the default space to have a group of friends when family and friends come, Hafizah shared.
Making your dream come true
To make their vision come true, Hakiem, 37, and Hafizah, 35, spent months searching for the right furniture, like their coffee table made from reclaimed wood with cast iron details.
“We went all over Singapore (to find furniture),” said Hafizah, a preschool teacher.
The couple spent more than $ 40,000 on renovations and another $ 10,000 to furnish their home.
And even though they didn’t have a budget in mind, they were happy to keep the costs of their new home at around $ 300,000 in total.
Their 4-bedroom, 968-square-foot unit was purchased for $ 251,700, after factoring in the $ 10,000 they received from the CPF Additional Housing Grant.
Due to the proximity of the new development to Hakiem’s parents’ place in Yishun, the couple also received a higher priority during the BTO voting process.
“I grew up in Yishun, so I’m very familiar with the place and it’s great that we have our first home here,” Hakiem said, noting that “the amenities we have here are really good.”
“We have the parks connected, we have a shopping center which is North Point, there is another shopping center in the neighborhood and a Sheng Siong supermarket nearby.”
“I love the bus services available here, with five buses taking me wherever I want to go,” Hakiem added.
For the most part, the design process for their married home was a time-consuming but enjoyable process, especially for Hakiem, who did most of the work to achieve the exact look they wanted.
“The research took a few months,” she said, and Hafizah shared that she would see her husband on his iPad every day, looking for furniture and design ideas and shopping for home design magazines.
Work within HDB guidelines for the home
But the renovation process was not without unexpected situations.
As first-time homeowners, the couple were unfamiliar with HDB’s guidelines regarding renovation work.
Hakiem said: “We wanted to hack the toilet and kitchen tiles, but we couldn’t do it, according to HDB guidelines, so we could only lay on tiles.”
For the record, HDB does not allow bathroom tile hacking within the first three years of moving to a new floor. This is to prevent damage to the waterproofing membranes, which can cause leaks.
It was not a deal breaker, as “hacking would have cost more,” Hakiem said.
The couple had also wanted to tear down the kitchen wall, but after consulting with their Linear Space Concepts interior designer (ID), they realized that the entire wall cannot be hacked from ceiling to floor.
The structural walls, which are marked with bold lines on your HDB floor plan, form the foundation of the entire building and cannot be touched.
However, the couple found another way to bring more natural light into their kitchen.
“Our interior designer (ID), Mark, suggested changing the direction of the door (to let in more light) and we thought it was a good idea.”
They also installed a glass door to the kitchen to maximize the amount of light flow.
The functional but non-aesthetic switchboard boxes that distribute electricity across the floor were also cleverly hidden behind built-in wood paneling in the kitchen, creating a seamless finish.
For their toilets, they replaced the sink in their master bedroom toilet to keep the resort theme for the room, but “we kept the one in the common toilet because it still looks good and didn’t need to be changed.”
“Some people may choose to change the toilet bowl and make it more high-tech, but for us, it’s practical enough,” Hakiem said.
Caveman
A hallmark of the couple’s home is Hakiem’s own “man cave,” a room that the freelancer, who works in the fashion and retail industry, has everything to himself.
It is used to display your extensive sneaker collection, and it is also where your wardrobe and workstation reside.
Despite the dedicated space, his collection (he owns “more than 30 pairs”) still extends to the couple’s bedroom and the entrance of the house, where they are found on shelves well hidden on the catwalk.
“Not all men will have their own personal room, I am very lucky that my wife is very understanding,” Hakiem admitted.
While the couple are looking to have children in the future, the hideout is here to stay. The plan for now is to convert the vacant room Hakiem’s uncle currently occupies into a baby room when the weather calls for it.
Tips for designing the HDB house of your dreams
“Personally, I think it is good to choose a concept before starting your renovation. It could be related to your interest, and it should be something that you feel happy with in the long run,” Hakiem shared on what a couple needs to work on. before achieving the HDB home of your dreams.
One tip is to invest in items or furniture that can last a long time.
“Not only do you save money by not replacing them unnecessarily, if you move and want to reuse them, you can also save some money,” Hakiem said.
For Hafizah, it’s also about finding the right ID that will not only bring his vision to life, but also suggest new and better ideas.
“Do not limit yourself to just one option: go to several IDs to compare ideas and quotes, and look for an ID that you can really relate to and that you can establish a good relationship with. Because with sympathy, there would also be trust, chemistry, communication and mutual respect between you and the DNI, which are important factors “.
This article is presented to you in association with the Housing and Development Board. Visit the MyNiceHome website to learn all about HDB’s renovation guidelines and to jot down design ideas for your apartment.
