Above: A picturesque view of the front porch. The outdoor flooring compliments the nature
surrounding it.

Designer Ron Leow was mindful of the practicality of tearing a Westwood Avenue property down when its owners approached him. With a 30 year-old house, there was much to consider, such as water-proofing and improving the existing structure. “We try to keep the renovation costs to the minimum,” explains Leow. “Budget is always a primary consideration.”


Instead of pulling down the house and building a completely new structure, Leow and the couple decided that it was more practical to stick with additional alteration works (A & A works). Maintaining its originality is a key factor. “It was all about adding new touches to an old house,” Leow says.

Concealing sewage pipes is a primary focus when it comes to A & A works. While a designer may be capable of the most magnificent abode, being equipped with technical knowledge is vital.

Above-centre: The L-box ceiling and the accompanying chandelier blends perfectly with the oriental decor giving a cozy ambience and a great setup for a fusion dining experience.

Walking into the Westwood Avenue semi-detached house is a breeze. Where spaciousness is a huge feature, there is no room for clutter. Lights in the main dining area are concealed in inverted L-boxes. To break away from conventional ceiling lamps and sticking to minimalism, the stairway is lit with lights embedded within the walls. 

Above: Strategically placed lights gives this designer kitchen an inviting glow. Cabinets are intelligently designed to provide maximize storage space		This Westwood Avenue house is also the meeting point of modernity and tradition. While antique display cabinets house an impressive collection of delicate china and Chinese paintings drape the walls, the dry kitchen is a complete contrast with its sleek silver fittings. When it came to selecting furnishings, there was no doubt that sticking to the natural feel of things was the way to go. Onyx, which is a good alternative to granite, was used for the kitchen and basin benches because the grains looked less artificial. Premium baby pink marble flooring encompasses the main lounge room while long planks make up the stairs. You can also find glass cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms. Slabs of pebble flooring are used in the bathrooms to prevent slips. A touch of 1960s was added with mosaic tiles on bathroom walls. Such furnishings are used not only for aesthetic purposes, they are also easy to maintain.
	Above: While designing the bathroom, Ron took consideration about the owners safety and brilliantly makes use of pebble flooring slabs to prevent slips.	"Lifestyle is a very important consideration when it comes to selecting the appropriate furnishings,” explains Leow.

Flexibility is also a key aspect of this corner Westwood Avenue two-storey house. Leow used a pole system for the wardrobes so that the owners have the option of reconfiguration when lifestyles change. Pole system wardrobes are a no-brainer – you do not have to be carpenter to install. Shelves can be easily removed or added on to cater to personal preferences. At the end of the day, practicality will keep you focused and grounded when doubt and dilemma set in. While fancy ideas may take you to the roof, this project is a testament to lifestyle preferences being paramount in making wise decisions when renovating your home.