Try GOLD - Free
Renovating Without An ID
SquareRooms
|June 2021
While we love a professional home reno, you don’t always need an interior designer to pull it off. Three homeowners share their experiences and tips.
Monica Anne Lie
Monica Anne Lie (@luxmondi on Instagram) didn’t start off her renovation ID-free. She actually hired a professional designer to turn her vision into reality but ended up regretting it when the designer turned out to be unprofessional and unreliable. She then chose to take on the project management and sourcing herself, crafting a highly Instagrammable, minimalist home in the process.
Her renovation highlights are the new flooring and the upgrades to the humid areas. “Our new flooring had the biggest impact on the overall look of the home,” she shares. “I would also gladly spend a decent sum of money on renovating very humid areas like the toilet and kitchen.”

TOP TIP
This story is from the June 2021 edition of SquareRooms.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM SquareRooms
SquareRooms
Deliberate Design
From a retractable dining table to heated towel racks, every detail of this family home was designed with functionality in mind.
3 mins
September - November 2025
SquareRooms
Something's Brewing
This HDB flat in Clementi mixes curves, timber, and moody lights to create a home as inviting as your favourite neighbourhood café.
2 mins
September - November 2025
SquareRooms
Wonders of the World
For a pair of media professionals in their thirties, home is where their creative lives and shared history collide.
3 mins
September - November 2025
SquareRooms
The Geometry of Design
Carpentry roots, engineering precision, and a belief in timeless design – M2 Decor's story unfolds in layers, revealing how function and form can coexist without compromise.
4 mins
September - November 2025
SquareRooms
Behind the Colours of Tomorrow
At the helm of AkzoNobel's Global Aesthetic Center, Creative Director Heleen van Gent turns global insights into colour forecasts that shape the way we design and live.
1 min
September - November 2025
SquareRooms
Wrecking Ball
A little imagination goes a long way in reviving old HDB flats.
3 mins
September - November 2025
SquareRooms
Not Your Usual Instagram Home
On Instagram @darkdakhouse, a couple opens the doors to their vibrant home—an eclectic mix of colour, texture, and playful treasures, complete with a feathered companion named Dopey.
2 mins
September - November 2025
SquareRooms
THE ARTIST'S JOURNEY
A mural painter, visual artist, and interior stylist, The Ochre Home's Geraldine Toh takes us on a journey through her creative and vibrant career, finding freedom in her deep-rooted passion for art, colour, and texture.
6 mins
September - November 2025
SquareRooms
objects of affection.
A glimpse into a personal collection of handmade crafts and folk art that celebrate the quiet beauty of everyday objects.
1 min
September - November 2025
SquareRooms
Extra Space
From gallery walls to multifunctional spaces, this executive apartment redefines HDB living with a mid-century resort vibe.
2 mins
September - November 2025
Translate
Change font size
