HEART & SOUL

A sophisticated use of fresh colours and playful patterns has ensured this modern Singapore apartment is full of character

-  VIVIENNE AYERS

B ringing personality to a bland, dated 1990s apartment in the centre of Singapore was quite the challenge for interior designer Elizabeth Hay. 'The clients bought this apartment wanting to create a home for them and their three children,' says Elizabeth. The project was a full renovation as the apartment hadn't been touched since the block was built.

Opening the space up and injecting light into the kitchen was a prerequisite. 'Sometimes with these apartments, the kitchen feels like an afterthought - it was in the middle of the house with no windows and a tiny galley kitchen, so it was a priority,' says Elizabeth who concentrated on reconfiguring the layout. 'We gutted the apartment and took down walls, opening up smaller, darker rooms to make spaces more usable.' Sliding glazed doors between the sitting room and kitchen, and glazed doors between the back laundry and kitchen, coax through an abundance of light.