80k 4room HDB transformation: A cosy home photography studio tour!
767
Virtual House Tour
- Eclectic
- HDB (Resale)
- ~900 sqft
- 3 br
- Solo Living
It's been a long and fruitful adventure having being able to afford my own place and move in, creating a dream home photography studio and office where I can oscillate between work, play and rest. When I purchased my home, a 4 room HDB resale flat, I was very sure I was going to convert it into my work studio where I could do photo and video shoots and a big shout out to my ID at No Sense Studio who made it happen. I had this mild steel door fabricated with a glass panel as I had seen the works of my ID, which gives my entrance an unorthodox aesthetic which reflects a utilitarian style and a functional touch to the space while being minimalistic. My ultimate favourite feature of my home would be these vintage metal window grilles, which pays homage to pre-war flats in Tiong Bahru. The shapes matched those I saw in Tiong Bahru and they were the inspiration behind having these made for my home. I tried hunting on Carousell for used grilles but ultimately they couldn't fit the exact dimensions, so I worked with my ID to fabricate them specially for my home. 
This was the initial floor plan of the unit and I decided to combine two of the bedrooms to form a singular room that would be my home office as well as photography studio. The resulting longitudinal room would then give me ample space to shoot down the length of the new room, which is what we photographers would need to factor in our studio lighting equipment. Coming in from the outside one steps into an oasis of colours which provides for a vibrant space that is supplmented with accent lightings. The grey tones of the blinds, window grilles, chrome and metal textures help to ground the colours, along with the wood grain vinyl flooring and white paint all around the home. 
On this side of the living room houses my bicycle and cycling gear such as my helmets, tools, footwear and skateboards from my childhood. 
The big grey french doors are the prominent featured that provides the division between work and play/rest, where upon entering the door, it leads to the my home photography studio and office space. 
The mild steel doors open into this work area which used to house two rooms, which has now morphed into a big, longish space that allows for me to do both my photo/video shoots as well as work on my edits where I have my work station set up. 
To add on to the mild steel doors, these were built with half height clear wire glass to allow for light to spill through, and make the space feel more open. The wire glass adds some character to any space effortlessly if you're going for that industrial feel and throwback to olden office spaces in Japan. A close up view of the wireglass. Every photography studio has to have a mirror for my subjects to ensure their fit is perfect for the shoot, and make up is done properly as well. This side of the studio is where I do my editing, and where there is space to unwind, read a book or catch up on whatsapp messages. It also acts as a space for me to experiment with different camera rigs, adjust my gimbal, clean my lenses etc. 
A wide shot of the half of the studio where I do my editing and decompress. This is where the magic happens, and I spend hours editing photos and footage, turning them into visual stories that live on my clients' Instagram pages, websites and LinkedIn profiles. 
On the opposite is a completely different space that contrasts in its use. This is where it is deliberately kept spartan and plain so that I can unroll my backdrops and do photoshoots here, it can range from fashion shoots, product shoots or as a space to do soundbite interviews. It also doubles up as my fitness corner. This cut out in the door leading to the master bedroom was a genius suggestion but my ID. I initially wanted it to be plain but ended up running with his suggestion as I'm glad we did, as it gave the space more character. 
I see my bedroom as my private sanctuary and a quiet space to unwind and get some good quality rest. Hence I kept the tones largely neutral and minimalist. 
Moving on to my kitchen is the space where nutrition is looked after, and my inspiration came from having shot in various kitchens for my F&B clients. I opted for the terracotta floor tiles as it provided warmth as well as being naturally grippy when it's wet. I also went with wooden tones for cabinetry built-ins and stainless steel shelves and furniture to complete the look. 
The concrete wall next to the washing machine is an ode to Brutalism and suits the whole look of the kitchen by having it match the screed walls which envelope the kitchen. The backsplash is inspired by the good old jotterbooks of yesteryear where the blue grout lines complement the white square tiles. I got the inspiration from alot of danish home decor websites and Instagram accounts and I really love how they pair well with wood grain veneers and cabinetry built-ins. I also opted for a stainless steel countertop which is durable and hardwearing. 
The ultimate home coffee machine where I brew my coffees every morning. It helps to kickstart my day and also bonds people together when I have my family and friends over for meals and gatherings on special occasions.
- 20 October
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