SGAG’s Samantha Tan Spent $90K Transforming Her Tampines 4-Room BTO Flat, Complete With Hidden Rooms
When it comes to balloting for an HDB flat, SGAG star Samantha Tan, 29, counts herself very lucky.
The Ah Girls Go Army actress and her husband Julius Ong (she declines to reveal his age and occupation), who were only looking to get a BTO flat in Tampines, successfully balloted for a unit on their first try in 2018. But they decided against booking a flat as they did not like the layout of the units.
The gamble paid off as when they tried balloting again six months later, they got an even better queue number. So good that they managed to secure a four-room unit on the top floor. The 990-sq ft apartment cost around $360K.
“I didn’t dare share this story with many people ‘cos I understand the struggles of getting a BTO flat. I am very blessed. I have friends who have been trying to ballot for a flat since 2018 [and still to no avail],” Samantha tells 8days.sg.
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The couple, who tied the knot in October 2022, moved into their home in January this year. It took three months and around $90K (excluding furnishings) to transform their flat, which came in a blank slate.
While Samantha admits that it is way above their $50K budget, they were willing to spend more to work with a good interior designer and “didn’t want to take anything out of his proposed design”.
Advocates of simplicity, they kept the décor minimal and incorporated plenty of storage for a spacious, uncluttered look. More than half of the reno cost was spent on carpentry — about $47K.
Living and dining area
The entrance opens up to the living and dining area, Samantha’s favourite spot in the house. One of the rooms was hacked to create a spacious communal area, which is intentionally kept simple to make it conducive for Samantha’s passion project.
Despite leaving her career in early childhood education to become an actress, Samantha is still very passionate about teaching and would like to host children for “play projects”.
“I hope to have kids come over and I will conduct sessions where they learn through play. I am still refining the curriculum and hope to kickstart it soon,” she shares.
The space is fluid and dynamic and furniture can be cleared away when she conducts classes.
Custom-made cabinets serve dual purpose as storage and a standing desk for Samantha, and the bay window, added for extra seating, makes a great spot for kids to gather during storytelling.
Kitchen
From the dark aesthetic, you might guess this is Julius’ domain. The original service yard was merged with the kitchen and the space designed to his needs. The counters were built about 10cm higher to suit his 1.83m-tall stature and a pull-out table provides additional counter space.
Common bathroom
The design aesthetic follows through to the common bathroom, which is kept simple and clad in grey tones for soothing vibes.
Master bedroom
Across from it is the master suite, created by merging two bedrooms into one.
Camouflaged by laminate wall panels along the hallway and minimally furnished with only a bed, vanity, and wardrobes, the room may look unassuming but in it lies several surprises.
“It’s like walking into Narnia,” says Samantha, referring to the Disney fantasy film series where you enter a magical world through a wardrobe.
“I love the thrill of entering a space that you didn’t know has a secret space. When I was a child, I had a friend who had a toilet hidden behind the wardrobe. It looks like a cupboard with your classic drawers but one of them was the door to the toilet. I was so fascinated by it, I wanted it for my own home,” gushes Samantha.
You won’t find lions or forests here, but the dark, hidden bathroom does add an air of mystery to the home.
The surprises don’t end there. Nestled behind another wall of wardrobes is Julius’ secret digs, where he retreats for some quiet time.
Accessed via one of the sliding doors, the black-themed study is out of bounds to Samantha.
“He says I cannot go in as that is his private space, where he does work and studies. I have no issues with it as the living and dining areas belong to me,” she says.
Photos: Aik Chen
No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from 8days.sg.
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