Basic Models Boss Bonita Ma Spent Less Than S$40K On Reno For Her 4-Rm Flat 'Cos She Designed The Place Herself

Despite working closely with the glitz and glam of photoshoots, runways, and some of Singapore’s top models, Basic Models Management founder Bonita Ma’s home is surprisingly cosy, modest, and practical.

Bonita, who's in her late 30s, lives in a 1,108 sq ft, four-room HDB flat with her husband and co-founder, Alex Lee, as well as their two sons, Daken and Raiden.

While showing host Hazelle Teo around their space in the latest episode of Kaypoh Room Tours, Bonita says she got the house "for a steal", paying S$600,000 for a flat they reveal is in a "prime area".

The couple didn't splurge when it came to designing their dream home either, spending less than $40,000 on renovations. 

"We didn't get an interior designer, I designed it myself and we worked with a contractor that we've been working with for a long time," shares Bonita, who adds that while her flat doesn't have a specific theme, they stuck to creating a cosy and comfortable space, furnishing it with things they like. 

Bonita is organised when it comes to storing the family's daily necessities. Tissue packets, handheld fans and sanitisers are kept in a cabinet near the entrance for easy access, with caps and a shoe horn hung on 3D-printed hooks made by Alex.

True to the theme of practicality, Bonita's favourite gadget in the living room is none other than a slick, black water dispenser. 

"When we were in the old apartment, we would always be going into the kitchen to boil and get water. My kids are very particular about water, they would be looking at it and saying, 'Is this [water] one day old? I don't want to drink it anymore'.  Then we'd be having to trash it and [we figured] we might as well get a water dispenser," she explains. 

Bonita and her elder son, Daken, who completed his PSLE this year, both use a small study area. Though the room is narrow, the family installed plenty of shelves, cabinets, and a long built-in desk so Bonita can use the space to do her work and go live on TikTok, while Daken has his tuition sessions there. 

Daken and his younger brother Raiden also share a room, which is divided in a way that they can still have their personal space, and additional room for studying, reading, and other activities.

One spot in their flat which Bonita poured a lot of time and effort into designing is the kitchen. 

"We spent a lot of time back and forth at IKEA just to figure out the flow. [I got inspiration] from IKEA, and a lot of Pinterest and Xiaohongshu [posts] just to confirm where should we put things so they make sense because I cook," says Bonita. 

The couple also did plenty of research in advance. She adds: "We visited a lot of showrooms of kitchens, we went to see Japanese kitchens, but that was very expensive. We're talking around S$80,000 just for a kitchen, and we tried to get a cheaper version from IKEA."

In the end, Bonita spent just "six to seven thousand dollars" creating her ideal kitchen.

Bonita and Alex's bedroom is simple — it houses a large bed that comes with storage underneath, as well as Alex's work station.

But one of the main reasons why the purchased the flat, as Bonita puts it, is because of the walk-in wardrobe that's adjacent to their room. 

The walk-in wardrobe is super spacious, with two walls lined with cabinets and shelves for clothing and accessory storage, as well as a full-length mirror, and ample space for both Alex and Bonita to get dressed at the same time. We wouldn't expect anything less from someone who runs a modelling agency, to be honest. 

The husband and wife team not only share the storage space, they also share clothes. Yes, Bonita says that she sometimes wears Alex's clothes as well. "Yeah, because she's my size also," Alex quips. 

The rapport between husband and wife is palpable, not just at home but in the work place as well, having worked together at the agency for 13 years.  

In fact, Bonita reveals that the Basic Models began only "after a series of unfortunate events". 

"I was working at another agency and the director decided not the continue the business. It was either I leave the company and find another job, or I take over the roster of models under another brand, so that's why we started Basic," says Bonita, who was already dating Alex at that time. The couple tied the knot one year into starting the business. 

Though Alex and Bonita admit they do have disagreements when it comes to running the business together, they've learnt to take distance from each and deal in their own ways when things get heated. 

According to Daken, he barely sees his parents quarrelling over work at home either. 

Daken, who now creates videos on the family's social media channels, familee.sg, has picked up skills such as editing and scripting from Alex, and is excited about filming more challenge videos with his younger brother. 

The young boy also remains chill when it comes to dealing with comments he gets on his videos.

"Sometimes [I read the comments], there are some good and some bad. [But when I see not-so-nice comments], I don't really care. People just like to troll, it doesn't really affect my mood at all," says an unconcerned Daken. 

He says he doesn't delete the bad comments. "There's always a report button," he chuckles.

Photos: Mediacorp, mysbon/ Instagram

You can watch the full episode of Kaypoh Room Tours on mewatch, or catch it below.