Dennis Chew Designed His New HDB Maisonette Bedroom To Look Like Hotel Room ‘Cos He Misses Travelling; Rui En Says It’s "Very W Hotel"

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It is also Dennis’ dream to have a colourful home to match his vibrant personality. But he had to give up some of his design ideas due to fengshui.

“I am a performer, so my ID wanted to build a mini stage-cum-seats in the living area, as well as an entry foyer, but they were vetoed by my fengshui master. But I don’t mind ‘cos it’s more important to live well in this home. There’s no point in it looking nice, and then I am plagued with problems after moving in,” shares Dennis.

“The interior design of the flat and placement of furniture are determined by fengshui. You will also find bronze coins and elephant figurines in some corners of the rooms to help improve my fortune and health.”

Dennis’ alter ego Aunty Lucy shows up in the form of a painting at the staircase landing. He tells us that this is the best fengshui spot in his home, so it’s “reserved for the people that [he] loves and respects”.

“Illustrator Patrick Yee, who specialises in artworks of the late Lee Kuan Yew, drew this for me. He imagined how it would be if Lee Kuan Yew met Aunty Lucy. He calls this ‘When Harry Met Lucy’,” says Dennis.

The minimalist theme carries on to the second floor of the apartment. However, instead of stark white, the master bedroom has a white and grey colour palette and details like marble laminate wardrobes and panelling add elegance to the space. Mood lighting was also incorporated so Dennis can change up the vibe of the room.

“I wanted a different feel in my bedroom. I reckon I will not be travelling in the next three or four years, so I designed my room to look like a hotel room. When I open the windows, it feels like a hotel room in a bustling city. When I draw the curtains and play with the mood lighting, it feels like an entirely different hotel room,” says Dennis.

“I set it to green when I want to feel more refreshed, blue if I want something more calming. If I want a romantic atmosphere, I will change it to purple. Rui En said ‘Wah, very W Hotel hor!’”

While giving us a tour of the room, Dennis suddenly pauses and asks: “Do you hear the siren in the background? If you close your eyes and with a bit of imagination, it feels like New York City.”

It’s no surprise that the bedroom is Dennis’ favourite spot in the house. From hidden lighting to a super comfy 16-inch “hotel quality mattress” and perfuming his room with a soothing scent, he spared no expense in decking it out like a hotel suite.

“I want to get used to [sleeping in a hotel room] so that when the pandemic is over and I can start travelling, I will be able to sleep in the different hotel rooms. I recently went on a staycation, but I felt like checking out after two hours. My bed is still more comfortable.”

He adds: “I turn 48 this year and this is the first time I have my own bedroom. I used to share a room with my sister, then I moved in with my nanny. She has a big family, so we had to share rooms. In the past, I would go to the living room as soon as I woke up, but now I love to nua in bed in my underwear. It feels so shiok. So this is how it feels to have your own bedroom.”

8 DAYS: Congrats on your new home! It took you seven years to find The One.
DENNIS CHEW: Thanks! I have been wanting to buy my own place for many years. As I wanted a big space, a private property would cost a lot, so I decided to get an Executive Masionette flat. It is double-storeyed and spacious, so I can design the space differently. I was only looking in this area ‘cos my family live nearby and so far I have only found two flats that I really liked — one cost $700,000, the other $600,000, which to me were expensive. It was love at first sight with this flat and I immediately offered the seller $550,000.

Why didn't you move out earlier?
I bought a condo for investment around 10 years ago but never lived in it. I was happy living with my nanny, so I didn't feel the need to move out. I didn’t mind sharing a room with others.

It felt a bit strange when I spent my first night here alone. I moved in on February 15, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, and when I went down the next morning and looked at my living room, I started tearing. I got emotional ‘cos I finally have my own place and my house is so damn F-ing beautiful!

You are very into fengshui. What did your fengshui master say about this place?
She was smiling the whole time she was blessing the flat. She told me later that from my main door to the living room to the master bedroom is one round of positive energy, which is very rare and that this is a very good house. I fell in love with the flat at first sight, and similarly, it loved me at first sight because this is a bachelor house. It will bring good fortune to singles, regardless of gender. (Laughs) She also said I will be very happy living here and that everything will go smoothly for me.

Renovations for your flat began last June but you only moved in February. What took you so long?
There was a shortage of manpower due to the pandemic. There were times when we only had one or two workers working on the flat, so things just dragged on. Even my ID had to roll up his sleeves to help. But it’s okay ‘cos I wasn’t in a hurry to move in.

Speaking of furniture, I notice that you don’t have a couch in your living room.
Yes, I don’t like sofas ‘cos they are very predictable. I prefer something unique.

But bench seats aren’t exactly comfortable. You can’t take naps on them.
You are wrong, it is very comfortable. I often nap on it or on the floor, on my sleepy bear cushion. This bear is so comfortable. I bought it five years ago in anticipation of buying my first home. I kept it wrapped up in storage and it has finally come out of hibernation.

You have quite a collection of elephant figurines.
I love elephants. It is my dream to have a pet elephant. It is all thanks to Tony Jaa, the Thai actor in [martial arts flick] Ong Bak. I met him when he came to Singapore [in 2003] and he told me he has a pet elephant. I was [speechless]. How can I, someone who loves elephants so much, not have an elephant as a pet? So one day, I will move to Chiang Mai and keep a pet elephant. Meanwhile, these will have to do. I have more than 100 figurines, but I only brought around 30 over. I will continue to buy them ‘cos collecting them is my hobby.

Have you also started collecting plants?
(Laughs) I have been crazy about plants recently. I was influenced by my godson, who is very knowledgeable about them. The first plant that I bought is the Stephania Erecta. It [grows from a bulb] like an onion. My most expensive plant is the Pink Princess which cost around $400. It comes with pink variegated leaves which are on trend now. I like it ‘cos I like pink. I often talk to my plants. I will tell them, "You must stay healthy and you are very beautiful."

What have you learnt about yourself since moving in?
I realised I enjoy being alone. I didn’t expect to be a homebody. Now, I can do things like meditate and no one will bother me, and the environment is also more conducive for writing.

I have also become more OCD. After my guests leave, I will take out my magic sponge and start cleaning the house. Even my family cannot believe it ‘cos they have never seen me change the trash bin liners. I will squeal when I see ants. I was never like this.

Watch #JustSwipeLah for a tour of Dennis Chew’s “hotel-inspired” new home.

Photos: Aik Chen

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