A husband-and-wife interior design team has transformed their five-room public housing apartment into a stunning showcase that serves triple duty as their family home, professional office, and client demonstration space. Andy, in his 40s, and Noora, in her 30s, who work together at Singapore-based design firm The 80s Studio, have created a 1,250-square-foot living laboratory that reflects their frequent travels to Japan and deep appreciation for Japanese architecture and design aesthetics.
The couple, who declined to provide their last names, moved into their top-floor unit on Northshore Drive in 2021, marking several significant milestones in their lives. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, nearly two years ago, followed by the birth of their son in July. Andy serves as director of The 80s Studio, while Noora handles coordination and financial operations for the home-grown design firm.
Their unique living arrangement allows the space to function as what Andy describes as "a laboratory for my creativity" where he can "refine my skills and push the boundaries of my design." The strategic setup enables potential clients to experience firsthand how the design team handles space planning, color coordination, texture selection, and lighting design. The apartment's walls, floors, and ceilings feature an extensive array of materials, textures, and paneling options that serve as tangible samples for visiting clients to view and touch.
Upon entering the home, visitors immediately encounter a contemporary Zen atmosphere characterized by clean architectural lines, natural materials, and carefully orchestrated warm lighting that establishes a serene and sophisticated ambiance throughout the residence. The foyer sets the tone with its minimalist approach and organic textures that flow seamlessly into the main living areas.
The living and dining areas are defined by Japanese shoji screens that span the open-concept space, allowing soft, diffused light to filter through and creating an almost ethereal quality in the interior environment. A striking feature wall clad in textured stone provides a solid, organic contrast that balances beautifully against the predominant wood elements and sleek contemporary finishes found throughout the space.
The dining area centers around a dark wood table that serves as the room's focal point, crowned by a statement chandelier featuring glass discs that add a touch of modern artistry to the zone. This carefully curated space creates an ideal setting for both intimate family meals and entertaining friends and potential clients.
The kitchen seamlessly reinforces the modern Japanese design theme through its combination of wooden cabinetry, light-colored stone surfaces, stainless-steel appliances, and a classic white subway-tile backsplash. The design team incorporated a dedicated pantry nook where the couple can prepare various beverages, including coffee and tea, adding both functionality and hospitality to their professional client meetings.
Venturing deeper into the private areas of the home, the master bedroom evokes the tranquil atmosphere of a traditional Japanese ryokan inn. The space features a platform bed, a backlit shoji screen, and extensive wood paneling that creates a cocoon-like environment. Clean, unadorned walls and strategically placed recessed ceiling lights enhance the peaceful, meditative atmosphere that promotes rest and relaxation. The adjacent walk-in wardrobe showcases a sophisticated dark color palette that adds depth and elegance to the private quarters.
The master bathroom achieves a spa-like ambience designed to instill calm and tranquility in its users. Bold materials are expertly combined with elegant details, exemplified by the cylindrical white pedestal basin and warm wood-framed mirror set dramatically against a dark matte backdrop. This luxurious space demonstrates the design team's ability to create hotel-quality environments within residential settings.
In contrast, the common bathroom presents a different design approach, decorated in a Japanese-Scandinavian hybrid style that features white wall tiles and simple, understated decor. This variation showcases the team's versatility in adapting different design philosophies within a single living space.
The home office area features a elevated workspace built on a timber platform, complete with a custom bespoke live-edge desk and floating shelves that maximize both functionality and visual appeal. Carefully positioned recessed lighting casts a soft, warm glow over the custom carpentry work. An additional corner of this multipurpose room houses a comfortable reading nook where the owners can unwind and relax during their downtime.
The ambitious renovation project required approximately six months to complete, with a total investment of $200,000, including all furniture and fixtures. This comprehensive budget allowed the couple to achieve their vision of creating a space that seamlessly blends wood elements, light stone surfaces, and the subway-tile kitchen backsplash to reinforce the cohesive modern Japanese design theme throughout.
Reflecting on the unique experience of designing his own home, Andy notes the fundamental differences between personal and professional projects. "You have complete control, whereas for a client's home, you are guiding his or her vision and need to prioritize his or her needs and preferences," he explains. "Working on a client's home is a professional service with contractual obligations. Working on my home is more of a personal creative outlet and a more relaxed and flexible endeavor." This personal project ultimately serves as both a living testament to their design philosophy and a powerful marketing tool for attracting new clients to The 80s Studio.
