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.

- Joyce Yang

In today's economy, forking out for a flat white and croissant only makes sense if you're paying for the ambience too. But for a pair of new homeowners in Clementi, that cosy cafe experience is now just a few steps from the bedroom.

“The homeowners wanted a cafe-inspired space that mixes different styles to give off the perfect mix of charming and chill,” said Keith and Reyen, the interior designers from Key Concept who were behind the project.

That vision comes through immediately in the foyer, which swaps a standard entryway for a gently curved one.

“The curved feature breaks away from the typical rigid lines of an HDB layout. We introduced it because the homeowners wanted to create a sense of privacy when entering the home and soften the look of the entrance.”

The curve, while visually striking, presented design challenges. Space planning was key to ensure the shape didn’t interfere with the functionality of nearby zones. Detailing was also crucial to maintain a smooth, seamless arc.