It is common knowledge that the latest HDB flats are all smaller than their older predecessors and hence a designer’s key task is to marry both the aesthetic qualities of design and the functional limitations this reduced space provides. Mr. YY Lim of ID Emboss has done precisely just that, to our homeowner’s delight.

Upon stepping into the flat, one is neither greeted by a wall or an open hallway but an exquisitely designed lobby, akin to those found in large condominium apartments. A delicate play of reflective surfaces of the floor tiles and mirrors both serve to soften the light yet give the lobby area a classy and dignified finish while making the lobby area larger than it seems.

IDEAS WE LOVE. COLOURS The blend of colors, decorations and lights exudes a warm and cozy atmosphere around the house. The living room and dining area holds true to the contemporary minimalistic style with neat, clean cut lines juxtaposed against brown, beige and black tones

IDEAS WE LOVE. CONCEPT The sliding kitchen door not only enhances the look of the lobby but also tuck away the kitchen appliances from the lobby. The clever use of mirrors above the kitchen entrance soften the light and provide a classy feel to the lobby.

Little would one suspect that to the left is the entrance to the kitchen, neatly hidden behind a sliding door that blends well into the whole concept of the lobby area. The door not only serves to enhance and complete the style of the lobby, it serves its purpose by also preventing the kitchen grease and fumes from escaping into the air-conditioned living room. The kitchen it hides is simplistic in design, with a strong focus on functionality, retaining easy to clean surfaces and non-slip matt finish floor tiles.

The living room and dining area holds true to the contemporary minimalistic style with neat, clean cut lines juxtaposed against brown, beige and black tones. Day and night lights serve to soften the atmosphere for those quiet evenings while the day lights allow for high illumination when doing work. Hidden tastefully behind the plasma TV console are all the wires and connectors to the various multimedia devices. Crisp wall décor coupled with simple vases dressed with plants and cane adds the finishing touch to the design.

IDEAS WE LOVE. SPACE Using glass to separate the study room from the living room makes the passageway appear less narrow and makes both the living room and the study room look much bigger.

A particularly unique feature of the house is the delineation of the study room area from the living room area with a clear full height glass partition. The otherwise narrow passageway into the rooms now appear more spacious and allow for the homeowners to stay in visual contact with others in the living room while being afforded the comfort and silence that the glass partition provides. The design of this partition allows any visitor to the hall a view of half the study room but blocks out the bookshelf and other more complicated elements to maintain thematic consistency in the flat. The curtains of both the living room and the study room are identical and give the illusion that both rooms are one and the same.