Creating a space for growth

Married for 13 years, Sha and Jim are the proud owners of their first BTO home, a space that could evolve with them.

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Tell us a bit about yourselves and what led you to buy this flat?

Hello, we are Sha and Jim, and we’ve been married for 13 years now (as of this June), and this is our first BTO and home. After our wedding, we lived in rented bedrooms while waiting for the project to be completed. We've lived here for about 10 years now. The motivation behind getting this place was to create a home of our own—a space that would ebb and flow with us through the different phases of life.

What inspired you to take a DIY and thrift-focused approach to decorating your home?

I’m (Sha) the resident DIY-er and thrifter. My approach comes from my upbringing and growing up with super creative and resourceful parents in Penang, Malaysia. My parents taught me the value of repairing things to extend their life, and how to be resourceful by upcycling when needed. My dad is an artist and maker who creates furniture and paints murals around the house. He also tends to a lush common corridor garden that grows enough vegetables to not only feed their family but also share with neighbours. My mom enjoys thrifting and finding great deals, often taking me along to flea markets and garage sales. It's a joy we share together.

My parents' influence has a significant impact on how I style and decorate our home. Jim is the family's financial manager, ensuring we stay within our means. Thrifting is a great way to find unique items without breaking the bank.

What was the first DIY project you tackled in your new home?