Try GOLD - Free
Home Needs To Be A Place To Retreat
SquareRooms
|IdealHomes Vol.14 2022
Married for seven years, this couple knew exactly what they wanted for their second home.
-

For an introverted couple like Fariza and Khairil, home needs to be a place to retreat to and wind down after being out and about all day. Since older flats tend to be larger (and thus offer more of that coveted personal space), the couple targeted resale homes from the get-go, touring seven houses in total. The first condominium unit they saw was ultimately their dream home, thanks in part to the spacious balcony overlooking the pool and palm trees.
“There are so many interesting local birds that fly past here because we’re next to a big park,” the couple shares. “The balcony is definitely the place everyone is drawn to the minute they step into the home.” But despite how much they loved the condo’s features and layout, the design felt dated, the flat being 10 years old and still in its original condition. “We knew we wanted to stay here long-term, so the flat had to feel like it was ours, down to the fixtures and flooring.” A renovation was very much in order.
Having previously renovated their BTO flat, this round of renovations was fairly smooth. They knew they would engage an interior designer since the new flat was quite far from their previous home, making project management quite tricky without an ID. Figuring out the design style and features they wanted was quickly settled, too. “Because this is our second home, we had a list of stuff we never got to do for our first place, which became a priority for this apartment,” the couple shares.
This story is from the IdealHomes Vol.14 2022 edition of SquareRooms.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM SquareRooms

SquareRooms
Host More, Worry Less
Franke dishwashers combine sleek design, quiet performance, and eco-smart features for every home.
2 mins
June 2025 - August 2025

SquareRooms
Breezing Through
Equal parts polished and practical, this family home feels as refined as it is ready for real life.
2 mins
June 2025 - August 2025

SquareRooms
On Cloud Nine
A series of subtle contrasts between soft and hard elements come together in this loft's take on quiet luxury.
2 mins
June 2025 - August 2025

SquareRooms
A Quieter Kind of Connection
Designed with the Deaf community in mind, CHAGEE's first Signing Store in Singapore takes inclusivity to heart. We speak to Head of Design Phang Chin Ming about the thinking behind the space.
4 mins
June 2025 - August 2025

SquareRooms
In Their Own Time
Built on a love for nature, nostalgia, and the handmade, this thoughtful space by the couple behind @snaildays champions intention, comfort, and character in every detail.
5 mins
June 2025 - August 2025

SquareRooms
Circle of Life
Curves can be tricky to work with. But with smart carpentry, this home's rounded layout became its defining charm.
3 mins
June 2025 - August 2025

SquareRooms
Made for the Many
With a clear-eyed focus on durability, tactility, and simplicity, IKEA redefines what it means to live well, and proves that timeless design doesn't have to be out of reach.
2 mins
June 2025 - August 2025

SquareRooms
A Home with History
While the design world rushes toward the next big thing, this couple cut through the noise and the clutter to reimagine what feels familiar.
3 mins
June 2025 - August 2025

SquareRooms
Objects with Soul, Spaces with Meaning
At their flagship in Tan Boon Liat Building, The Beuro champions a quieter kind of luxury, one rooted in craft, storytelling, and soulful curation. We explore how the brand is reshaping the meaning of luxe living, one intentional piece at a time.
4 mins
June 2025 - August 2025

SquareRooms
Moving House
In this modular home where less is more, the possibilities of a universal shelving system are stretched to the limit.
3 mins
June 2025 - August 2025
Translate
Change font size