Showcase:

Is it a home or a hotel?

Did you have a vision for the renovation?

We hoped to create the feel of a modern, classy hotel that’s highly functional and tailored to our family. We listed down what we wanted from the different spaces to ensure that the overall design and functionality could fuse together.

You bought the house just as the pandemic hit. Did it pose any problems?

Yes, COVID was definitely a hindrance. We planned to begin renovation works in April 2020, but due to the Circuit Breaker we started in late July. There were also some delays in getting supplies and workers for the project. We allocated around three months for the renovation and, for the most part, work proceeded according to plan. There were some issues here and there such as building regulations we’d never dealt with before, or additional work that had to be carried out, but we got through it.

Tell us about some of the changes you made.

We redid the kitchen and outdoor spaces, retiling them and installing new cabinetry and appliances. Most of the seven bathrooms were renovated with new cabinetry and tiles, and we converted one of the bedrooms into a family room. The fascia on some walls was tidied up, and new customised furniture was placed in some of the rooms.

Did you come up with the design ideas yourself?

The designs were created by Arete Culture in consultation with us. In most cases, we would give Caroline and Jeannette a list of features we wanted, and they would provide us with different options, giving us a say in how the home would turn out while still ensuring everything went together well. It was a constant back and forth as we chose what we liked in stages, or changed things depending on functionality.

What are some of your favourite things from the reno?

Without a doubt, my favourites are the kitchen and backyard. Even though they are two separate areas, the way they flow and function together exceeded our expectations. The indoor kitchen feels more formal and luxurious; the backyard is more relaxed and laidback. They serve two distinct functions and give two different feels. When the door between the two spaces is opened, they serve as an amazing place to entertain guests.

Which of your tailor-made furniture means the most to you?

We had the main dining table chairs and two chairs in the living room tailor-made for us, but the special pieces are those taken from our old home and given a new life by Arete Culture. Several of our original pieces look incredible now, thanks to being cleaned and repurposed. It’s very special that they have a completely new look which suits our new home, but still allows us to fondly recall memories from our old one. We never thought such change would be possible for furniture more than 30 years old!