Top creative minds are revolutionizing home design with bold, stylish transformations that blend timeless charm, soulful sanctuary, and community-driven concepts. These visionaries are redefining what it means to live tastefully.
Take Hong Yu Ran, brand manager for a European fashion label, for example. Rather than gutting the space, he preserved original features in his Bain Street abode with terrazzo tiles and a floral-patterned wall, balancing them with modern touches like tasteful overlays. This thoughtful mix of experimentation and restraint transforms his flat into a timeless yet avant-garde retreat—a perfect extension of his role in the fashion world.
Lauren Cheung, Co-founder of popular Instagram account @flat_bahru, brings a playful and creative flair to her HDB renovation, turning it into a vibrant reflection of her and her partner Lloyd Rajoo’s personalities. Among their design choices, as spotlighted by Niki Bruce, Lauren’s penchant for art shines through with pieces like the cheeky works from her part-time gig, Dirty Doodies, adding a fun, rebellious edge to the space.
What started as a casual documentation of their renovation journey quickly grew into a community-driven platform, resonating with fellow design enthusiasts in Singapore. The account showcases their hands-on approach and quirky taste, blending functionality with creative expression. From bold art pieces to thoughtful design details, their home is a testament to the joy of making a space uniquely theirs.
Tracy Joy Phillips of PPURPOSE, known to most as the former marketing manager of the first Zouk Singapore outlet at Jiak Kim Street, found her sanctuary in a high-floor unit with ample light and a green view.
As told to Haarper’s Bazaar Singapore, in 2017, she transformed a beautiful space with a mix of mid-century modern style and desert tones, blending eclectic pieces from her travels. With inspiration from The Merry Men Interiors, she reconfigured the layout for a seamless flow and function, including a new master bedroom and a reconstructed bathroom. Meaningful touches like a green marble dining table, a tribute to her late mother, and art by Indonesian artist Alvin T. from The Artling, make the space uniquely hers. For Phillips, her home is a peaceful retreat for friends to embrace their true selves.
In a city where space is at a premium, efficient use is met with bold, creative solutions that shape a landscape, where design pushes boundaries and adapts to the needs of a dynamic, multi-cultural society. Through innovative design, Yuran, Tracy and Lauren have transformed HDB (Housing Development Board) living spaces into trendy retreats that blend functionality and individuality, proving that even in a densely packed urban environment such as Singapore, creativity truly knows no bounds.
Featured image by Bryan Lim.
Stay updated and social with Popspoken: LinkedIn | Instagram
