40 YO 3Rm Resale HDB in Tampines: 75K Reno Japandi-inspired Home

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Virtual House Tour

Japandi
HDB (Resale)
~700 sqft
2 br
Solo Living

Hey there! Welcome to my home tour! Creating Little Cup Abode has been a lifelong dream. Ever since my 20s, I've envisioned having my own space. Now, at 37, I'm thrilled to share my 3-room, 40-year-old resale flat in Tampines West. Comfort and peace were my guiding principles for this design project. Having slogged hard for most of my life, I wanted to create a tranquil oasis away from the hectic pace of everyday life. Japandi design, with its natural colors and wood textures, perfectly aligned with my vision.
While waiting for my HDB completion date to arrive, I searched high and low for interior design firms over a few months, finally deciding to go with @blueprint.design__ Together with my designers, Ally and Leo, we collaborated closely to develop the proposed floor plan as shown. The most significant changes for the reno were: ~ Storeroom was completely removed to create more space for the master bedroom ~ Original wall for the master bathroom was hacked and new walls were built to increase its size ~ The 2nd bedroom walls were removed and replaced with wooden sliding doors, allowing adaptability for the living area, which can be expanded or sectioned off as needed ~ The kitchen was completely remodelled and reorganised into an open galley-style ~ The original tiled floors were completely removed and replaced with wood-textured vinyl flooring throughout the house.
So let’s start from the entrance, for the tour! This area is brand new, right down to the meter box outside (you can get your Town Council to change for free if it is in poor condition!). I tiled the original cement stairway with my favourite terrazzo design and updated the gate/door to cream-coloured grilles and a fire-rated door with a wooden texture. As this was a smart home, I installed a Google Nest Doorbell, which allows me to see who's outside on my Google Nest Hub(s) indoors whenever some rings it.
Here's my cute Maneki-neko (fortune cat) which never fails to grab the attention of passerbys. I've even noticed (over my Google Nest Doorbell) people patting its' head when they saw it. LOL!
As you enter, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting entryway. I love this shoe cabinet I found on Taobao. It fits perfectly in this window nook!
This is where I sit to wear my shoes (or on the floor). A simple wood framed mirror allows me to check myself before I leave, a must have for every home!
Connected to my entryway is my living room area where I spent a a lot of time being a couch potato while watching my favourite anime. Still gotta give a major shout out to @jungalore for the beautiful rain tree beside my TV console. Such luscious foliage, don't you think? For anyone wondering, the furniture in my living room is almost 100% Taobao bought!
This is my primary "baking" space as a coach potato. These Togo-inspired chairs are incredibly comfortable. Once you sit on it, you won't be able to get up. Haha! For a detailed tour of my living room, check out my living room tour article in my main profile. =)
Beyond the wood-framed, fluted glass sliding doors crafted by Blueprint Design's carpenters, lies my study room. As you open the doors, you'll get a glimpse of my side quest love in mid-century modern aesthetic. A full wall of shelves holding my extensive book collection. Having my own personal library has always been a dream of mine, and now it's a reality!
Here's a wide shot of my study, including my desk area. Doesn't it look like a comfortable yet productive space for leisure and work?
For the desk area, I opted for a cost-effective IKEA setup instead of built-in carpentry. This allows me to adapt the space and change furniture as needed in the future.
Let's move on to the dining area. This transitional space between my kitchen and living room has an intentionally simple design to create a seamless flow throughout the main area of the house. Notice how each chair is different? I wanted to add a fun touch and let my guests choose their favourite when they come over!
As someone who is super into Chinese traditional tea ceremonies, having my own tea set is a therapeutic experience. Brewing tea mindfully and savouring each sip is truly a relaxing moment for me!
And now, my favourite part of the house: the kitchen! As I cook almost daily, countertop space is super essential for meal prep work. I also wanted a kitchen that feels open and spacious, to make cooking a joyful experience!
In my previous kitchen post, I didn't get a chance to show you a close-up of my sink. Just look at the beautiful view outside. Washing and preparing food has never been so shiok! For a detailed tour of my kitchen, check out my kitchen tour article in my main profile.
Just a couple of steps away is my service yard, aka the laundry area. Again, the view! Don't you just love it? The ample countertop space is also perfect for folding freshly dried laundry from my Steigen Solar Pro. The cupboards on the right secretly hides my cleaning supplies and ironing board.
Just around the corner is the entrance to my kitchen toilet. Notice the slide-and-push door? I can't emphasise enough how awesome this kind of door is when you are dealing with small spaces!
Here's my small sink area at the entrance to the bathroom. The sink and mirror cabinet combo is actually from Taobao and not custom. Doesn’t it fit perfectly in this space?
This is coincidentally the area of my house that gets the most sun. Perfect for drying my rags after usage!
Let's head on to my master bedroom!
To create a calming atmosphere for sleep, I opted for minimal furnishings in my bedroom. This storage bed also serves as a "store room," as I tore down the original one (see original floor plan). It's even big enough to store an additional mattress for the occasional stay-over guest, extra bedsheets, a keyboard piano, and a foldable mahjong table!
I know I said I wanted a calming atmosphere that is conducive for sleep... but who doesn't enjoy watching TV in bed?! =P
Here's a hidden area in my bedroom. To the untrained eye, it might seem like the bedroom ends here. But if you slide back the blackout curtains (which some people have mistaken for a window curtain), you'll discover a walk-through wardrobe!
Peeking inside, you'll discover a whole area hidden behind, including my vanity table!
This IKEA wardrobe system is a lifesaver. I was able to customise it to my liking and store all of my personal belongings, including my luggage(s)!
Here's my private vanity area. I love how this Taobao-bought vanity table fits perfectly between the IKEA wardrobe system and the small window ledge. (The view isn't great here, so I usually keep the blinds closed.) The right side leads to my own private haven, the master bathroom!
As with my kitchen bathroom, the sink cabinet and mirror cabinet are also from Taobao. To the left is my shower area, and right next to it is my...
Soaking tub! It's always been my dream to have a tub, but due to the bathroom size, I opted for a soaking tub. This was inspired by Japanese bathrooms, which often feature soaking tubs with the shower right beside it.
And guess what? This tub and faucet combo are also from Taobao! I love the modern design I chose for this space. Bubble baths, here I come! I think this just about covers my entire home. I certainly hope you like it! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I will definitely reply you. :)