Home Tour: This Scandi Style Yishun Home is Nothing Like a Horror Show

The estate of Yishun has a really bad rep. Its spate of very unfortunate (and highly publicised) events has also done the estate no favours, even causing some to question whether it was cursed. Just recently, it was the scene for a promotional clip by Netflix for their hit sci-fi horror series, Stranger Things. While stranger things have indeed taken place in Yishun, this beautiful 5-room HDB flat in Yishun isn’t one of them. Home to a lovely couple, Ricky and Shirlyn, this home exudes a cosiness that reflects the warmth of its occupants. Ricky and Shirlyn decided to engage Johnny from Urban Habitat to do up their new BTO. “He was able to understand our preferences, and gave his valuable input that helped further our creative suggestions on various aspects of our renovation,” explains Ricky on their decision. “He was also open to sharing his experiences with other projects so that we can avoid unnecessary pitfalls that others have experienced.” After several rounds of discussions with Johnny, the couple settled for a simple theme with Scandinavian leanings that was also big on comfort and cosiness. As hosting was a large part of their lives, it was necessary that their guests would feel right at ease and at home in their apartment. The home is therefore awash in soothing neutrals, with plenty of wood surfaces and furnishings lending warmth and a visual depth to the space. The layout was also done up in a way to facilitate traffic around the home and to maximise the spaciousness within the 117-square metre home. The dining table for instance, was couched in the corner so as to create a common walkway that demarcated the different zones and functions of the house. The feature wall in the living room was purposely kept simple so as to prevent any obstruction to the view of their huge 65-inch TV, invested for movie nights. In the entrance foyer, a divider, made from a series of wood planks, lines the shoe bench, shielding the view from the main door into the living room. “We wanted to instil some privacy when we have friends or family over,” says Ricky. “The planks are slanted, which allows for better airflow while restricting a direct view of the living room from the entrance.” The kitchen was an important space for Ricky and Shirlyn, who like preparing sumptuous meals for their guests. Instead of lining the space with full-height cabinets on both sides, they decided to go with a wall-mounted breakfast table on one side of the long and spacious kitchen. This, according to Ricky, was to prevent visual clutter and to give them a less formal eating area for casual meals. The rest of the cooking zone echoes the theme in the communal spaces. Cabinets feature white glossy surfaces, accented with woodgrain laminates. A glass backsplash is practical while lending the space an air of elegance. Moving into the private zones, the master bedroom features a statement, custom bedframe made from a large slab of acacia wood, which resonates with the acacia dining table outside. A full-height wardrobe lines one side of the wall, ending up a cosy workstation for when the couple needs to work from home. The accompany en suite is Peranakan-themed, a dissociation from the rest of the space. A streak of Peranakan-style tiles behind the toilet provides the focal point in the bathroom, while brass fixtures inject a grandeur, old-worldly charm amidst the modern fittings. Ricky explains the choice: “It was a safe area to experiment with something completely different. And seeing that Shirlyn has Peranakan roots, we thought it would be fun to go with this style.” The guest room next door was given a sunny yellow feature wall. Currently, the space is mainly used as a home office and a bedroom for when the couple’s parents stay over. In the near future, it will be turned into a children’s bedroom for Ricky and Shirlyn, who are expecting their first child. “We can’t wait,” says the excited parents-to-be. Project: HDB @ Yishun Natura Design: Scandinavian Designed by Urban Habitat Furnished by The Wall Story, JCBespoke, Mag Lit, SgEcoE, J&W Premium & Exclusive (Xiaomi) Want your home to be featured? Drop us an email today!  

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