A $60k Renovation Turned A Cookie-Cutter Resale Flat In Chai Chee Into A Light & Airy Calming Sanctuary

This four-room flat in Chai Chee was just five years old at the time of renovations. While the 1,000 sq ft space definitely wasn’t in shambles when it changed hands, the previous look of the apartment was cookie-cutter at best.

Homeowner Sueann Teo knew that she wanted to inject personality into the flat, as well as to change things up to make the space work for her. The 38-year-old digital marketer had in mind a look that's “a mix of jungalow and mid-century" for her new abode. "It may be a strange combination, but I wanted a space that was functional with dark earth tones, lots of plants and organic forms,” she tells 8 Days.

Interior designer Serene Tan of INTR Studio was tasked with the flat’s transformation, which cost $60k and took two-and-a-half months to complete earlier this year. Working amidst the pandemic was challenging in terms of manpower and schedule. “But we are getting more well-prepared with that as time goes on,” explains Serene, who has previously helmed projects such as Yoga Movement's Orchard flagship studio.

Of course, there were the occasional surprises that come with any renovation project. “One of the challenges was to keep the unexpected expenses low, like to box up a pipe that we found after hacking through, and certain changes or additions to elevate the aesthetic of the space,” she says.