interior designer tips Archives

“Tale as old as time~ True as it can be~ Barely even friends, then somebody bends… unexpectedly~”

Did you find yourself humming or singing along to the above? Immediately guessed that it’s from Beauty and the Beast? Disney must have been an influence on your childhood then.

For the Hermansons, a family of four, they channelled their love for Disney right from their hearts to their home. Those who are getting your BTO flat or new apartment soon and happen to be Disney fans, this is truly an inspiration to look up to.

Let’s go on a house tour together!

#1: The entrance speaks a thousand words

We love how the entrance already gives us a glimpse of how the house is going to look like. Step right into Disney magic as Mickey and Minnie Mouse welcome you back home.

#2: Rapunzel-themed living room

If you’re one that spends the bulk of your time in the living room chilling with Netflix, then a Rapunzel-themed living room sounds just about right. The Disney princess is usually spotted in a purple dress and thus explains the purple furniture and decorations from the couch to the flag banner and floor mat.

#3: Beauty and the Beast dining experience

It’s about time Beauty and the Beast makes its appearance. The dining area features high detailed ornate chairs and a Beauty and the Beast picture that sets the Disney mood for your meals.

Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs Potts and Chip are also your dining companions in the dining room.

#4: Princessy bedroom fit for royalty

Bedroom, a place where desires, fantasies, and dreams come true! Let Cinderella accompany you as you hit the sack. And we’re not talking just about having a princessy bed frame to fit the theme.

Take a look at the wall feature behind the headboard.

Doesn’t it remind you of the soap bubbles that formed when Cinderella was scrubbing away?

Let’s not forget the iconic Cinderella carriage that appears in the story. The Hermansons found a golden exquisite carriage to go alongside the Cinderella-themed bedroom. Isn’t it lovely?

But it really takes effort to create such a room fit for royalty. If you noticed the nightstands by the beds, you will be surprised to know that it didn’t look the way it is now. Here’s it before the couple’s DIY labour.

From the matching paint-combination to the door pulls, it was given fresh coats of paint and new life.

#5: The Little Mermaid bathroom

Thoughtfully planned out, don’t you think The Little Mermaid fits in right where it should be – the bathroom? Everything from the wall decorations to the bathmat and shower curtain catches the eye but yet not a bit out of place.

The seashell necklace belonging to Ariel’s daughter, Melody, is also an added charm to the bathroom. Oh yes, if you have another bathroom to work the Aladdin concept, go ahead!

We’re simply wowed by the elaborate designs executed by the Hermansons. Even the washbasin spout takes on the shape of the magic lamp in Aladdin.

A lot of hard work involved but definitely worth every effort upon seeing the finished project. Hope this has been an inspiration for you too!

All images are taken from Home & Decor Singapore.

Set a budget

Image Credits: 99.co

As with most things, setting a budget will get you started on the right track. According to a spokesman for Qanvast, the data collected shows that homeowners of new apartments spend between S$30,000 and S$60,000 on renovations while renovation costs for resale units start at S$65,000.

However, he advises homeowners to budget for an excess of 10 to 20 per cent more. “It’s common for homeowners to spend more than their budget – upgrading to better tiles, adding carpentry work, or dealing with unexpected hiccups.”

Also, while you might be attracted to some low-cost packages, it’s good to do a background check before signing any contract. Mr Morris Teo, managing director of HomeRenoGuru, a renovation website, says: “Homeowners should be mindful when signing packages that appear very affordable. Reputable interior designers would usually include the entire renovation works in the initial contract.”

Also, make sure you are getting good quality materials for the price paid. As Ms Amy Picanco, a director at Aym Design and a council member of the Interior Design Confederation Singapore, rightly points out: “While it can be difficult, try to think long term – do you want a renovation that lasts for five or 10 years? This will affect the quality of the materials you use and may push prices up. However, it could save you a lot of time and money in the long run as it will be a lasting investment.”

The styles to go for

Image Credits: Houzz

Interior designer and founder of Wee Studio, Mr Yeo See Wee, comments, “If you have 10,000 pictures of every style, that makes it very difficult for you and your interior designer to decide what style to go with.” A lookbook with a few images representing the concept you like will do.

Architecturally trained interior designer Vanessa Ong suggests homeowners limit the colour and texture tones to up to five options. “Take time to observe spaces, objects, textures that inspire you or places you’ve visited. Your home should tell a story of who you are,” she adds.

Seek approval before hacking

Image Credits: blogspot.com

“Homeowners should think about how long they’ll be staying in the flat and what their plans for the future are so that the flat can provide for their future needs. Erecting a wall in the future will be an unnecessary, time-consuming, and costly endeavour,” said the spokesman for Qanvast.

However, if you’re sure about knocking down walls to create an open-concept living space, be sure to seek approval from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) first. You can read all about demolition and erection of walls here.

Maximizing the space you have

Image Credits: Qanvast

HomeRenoGuru’s Mr Teo says that new homeowners often misjudge the storage space they need. Planning with the future in mind is important. With that said, Ms Gwen Tan of Formwerkz Architects recommends homeowners to plan for more storage for future possessions.

Interior designers propose having built-in storage. For example, floor-to-ceiling shelves will help to maximize wall space and beds with storage beneath them will allow you extra space to store your stuff. Having illuminated bathroom mirror will save space as you can do away with an additional lamp.