Before and After: How We Gave Our Tired EM a Second Chance at Life!

104

Virtual House Tour

Modern Organic
HDB (Maisonette)
≥1,500 sqft
4 br
Living with Family

This week’s mission on Communa invites us to share pictures and a write-up of our living room. However, as much as we’d love to spotlight the space, we’re still eagerly waiting for two key pieces to complete the look: our sofa, coffee table, as well as the roman blinds for our windows. Rather than let an incomplete space steal the show, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on something just as meaningful—our home’s before-and-after transformation! As a follow-up to last week’s home tour mission, where we shared glimpses of our renovation journey and cosy corners, in this post, we’re diving deeper! Let’s take a trip down memory lane to see how far we’ve come—from bare walls and dusty floors to a home brimming with personality, functionality, and our family’s unique touch. And while the living room might still be a work in progress, we promise there’s plenty of transformation magic to share!
So why did we decide on an original condition, 36-year old rundown unit? Well, for the gorgeous unblocked view and the thrill of a massive makeover - because who doesn't love a good transformation story? We love a good challenge and we couldn't resist the urge to turn 'before' into 'unrecognisable', heh! The renovation journey began with a complete overhaul of the windows and window grilles throughout the house - fresh white frames brought a modern, cohesive look. We chose not to hack the original flooring. Instead, we filled the grout to level it and laid down sleek vinyl flooring— and to have it without skirting was one of our must-haves! This decision helped achieve a clean, modern aesthetic. We also removed the crown moulding at the ceilings (cornices) to strip back any unnecessary ornamentation and embraced a minimalist approach. In areas like the kitchen and balcony, where there were slight drops in the flooring, we levelled them out for a seamless flow. On the first level, some of the most significant changes centred around creating more openness and connectivity. We hacked down the wall leading to the study room and replaced it with a glass sliding door, making the entrance larger and allowing light to travel through. In the kitchen, we widened the entrance and installed double glass swing doors for an inviting and airy transition. We also hacked the top half of the kitchen wall to install a glass partition screen. This not only opened up the sight lines but also maintained a subtle division between spaces.
At the balcony area, we removed the sliding door entirely. This opened up the connection between the living room and balcony, creating a more flowy and unified space that feels integrated rather than divided. To smooth things out—quite literally—we installed plasterboard to level the wall niches and give the walls a sleeker, flushed appearance. Adding subtle curves at the beams above the entrances to the study and balcony softened the overall design, enhancing the modern organic vibe.
The study room, once a separate enclosed space, has now become our dedicated family prayer room. This thoughtful conversion serves our daily needs while also providing a welcoming area for guests to use—a space filled with peace and purpose.
The balcony is now our dining area - a space large enough to accommodate a sizeable dining table and perfectly connected to the living room. This arrangement creates an expansive and seamless flow from living to dining. The proximity to the kitchen further enhances the connectedness of the spaces, allowing easy communication whether we’re hosting in the living room, dining area, or even preparing meals in the kitchen. We levelled the flooring to remove the drop between the kitchen and the balcony, creating a seamless transition. The bricked wall at the top of the balcony was levelled as well, giving the area a cleaner, more polished appearance.
To balance openness with practicality, we installed full-height windows, which let in natural sunlight while keeping unwanted guests (like bugs and pigeons!) at bay. This was particularly important as we added air conditioning to the space, ensuring comfort during meals without sacrificing natural light or ventilation.
A charming detail of this space is the upgraded rubbish chute cover. Originally, the laser engraving on the wooden door was intended for our cooker hood cover. However, due to a mix-up during production, the laminate was engraved in the wrong orientation. Instead of discarding the piece, our ID suggested repurposing it for the rubbish chute cover. We absolutely love how it turned out—it’s a clever solution that adds a personalised and stylish touch to a typically overlooked feature!
The kitchen underwent a complete transformation. We hacked all existing carpentry, the chopper support, and the original tiles, starting with a clean slate to design a space that perfectly suits our needs. One of the most significant changes we made was opting out of traditional top cabinets. Instead, we installed floating shelves above the cooking area for a more open and modern look. This also happens to be where we relocated the stove and installed a cooker hood with a lift-up cover. Inside the cover, we added hidden shelves for extra storage—a clever way to maximise space while keeping the design sleek. We placed the refrigerator in a different corner from where the previous owner had it, creating a more efficient layout. Next to the fridge, we designed a tall appliance garage to hide small appliances, complete with pull-out drawers and hidden power sockets. The appliances can be used right where they are, making it a functional and organised space. Adjacent to this is a cabinet specifically for housing and concealing the microwave oven. To make use of every inch, we installed cabinets above the refrigerator for storing less frequently used items. One of our favourite features in the above picture is the dedicated drawer for kitchen rolls. We’re big fans of keeping countertops as clutter-free as possible, so we made sure items that are typically left out, like kitchen rolls, have their own designated space. The drawer even includes extra storage at the back for additional rolls! It’s a small detail, but one that makes a big difference in maintaining a tidy and functional kitchen.
The space where the previous owner had their refrigerator is now home to two large drawers—one for crockery, with a hidden internal drawer for utensils, and the other for pots and pans. This setup not only keeps everything organised but also ensures that the items we use most frequently are easily seen and accessible. To the right of the glass swing doors, we installed a tall cabinet dedicated to household essentials. The bottom section, however, is something a bit special—it’s Bucky’s nook! This area is thoughtfully designed to store his food, as well as accommodate his food bowl and automatic kibbles dispenser. It’s a small but meaningful touch that keeps our furry family member’s needs in mind while maintaining a cohesive and streamlined kitchen design.
This section of the kitchen was a bit of a curveball for us. We had initially planned for a tall cabinet here to house our oven and microwave, but during the renovation, we discovered a tall pipe in this exact spot—completely throwing off our original design. That’s why, in the previous pictures, you’ll notice our oven is now placed under the stove. To make the best of this unexpected hurdle, we installed a sink-side dish rack and added additional storage space above. This not only conceals the pipe but also ensures the area remains functional and efficient. It’s one of those moments where we had to pivot, but we’re happy with the outcome. As for the kitchen sink, we’ve relocated it to where the stove used to be. Above the sink, we hacked the wall and replaced it with a glass screen. This change not only opens up the space but also allows us to stay connected with family and guests in the living room while we're working in the kitchen. It’s these thoughtful adjustments that make the space feel so much more practical and inviting!
Moving on to the next exciting overhaul of our home—the staircase area! One of our biggest design decisions was to remove the existing railing on the first floor and box up the railings on the second floor and at the landing with plasterboard. We weren’t fans of the look of balusters and wanted to replace them with something that felt more sleek and modern. The result? A clean and minimalist staircase that perfectly aligns with the aesthetic of the rest of the home! We also bid farewell to the crown moulding, streamlining the look of the space even further. Instead of opting for a traditional chandelier to illuminate the stairwell, we made an exciting request to our ID—a skylight! This addition floods the area with light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere while emphasising the openness of the space. It’s quickly become one of our favourite features, adding a unique and functional touch to this central part of the home.
We’ve also boxed up the railings on the other side of the stairs, but not entirely, leaving the top part open to allow natural light to seep through and maintain a sense of openness. To add a touch of warmth and texture, we covered the top of the plasterboard with timber, giving it a polished yet organic look that complements our modern organic theme. At the edge of the second railing, we requested for it to be curved, with the timber following the same elegant contour. It was definitely a pricier option, but one we were happy to splurge on to create a truly bespoke and seamless design feature. In the wall of our master bedroom, we decided to add two arched windows, not just as a nod to the arched theme of the house but also to create a stunning architectural accent. These windows bring in soft, diffused light and frame the view beautifully, adding charm and character to the space.
This is how it looks from the second floor. As you can see, we've changed all the bedroom doors to arched doors. We love how clean and sleek the stairs look, especially with the skylight, the two arched windows, and our arched bedroom door. We've added a simple, minimalist ceiling light to illuminate the corridor space for times when we don't need the skylight on.
These are the entrances to the common bedroom (left) and our walk-in wardrobe (right). We're absolutely in love with the arched doors, and we’re so happy we found a laminate that complements our vinyl flooring. Notice that there are also no vinyl T-joints at the entrances, because this was one of our top requests to our ID as well — to maintain a clean, seamless look throughout the space, with no visible interruptions in the design. In the wall space, we added a tall mirror to reflect light and create a sense of space. The second floor is also where we’ve placed Bucky’s automatic litter box. We prefer to keep it upstairs, out of sight from guests, and we have no regrets about using the automated litter box because it keeps everything absolutely odour-free!
As you can see, we've sealed off the entrance to the common bathroom and relocated it to inside the common bedroom. We've transformed the space into our laundry nook, complete with a wash tower. As mentioned in our previous post, we felt that having the laundry area upstairs made the most sense—it’s so much more convenient and flows better. Dirty clothes go straight into the wash tower from the rooms, and come back to the respective rooms once done, without the hassle of lugging laundry up and down the stairs!
We’ve transformed the third bedroom into our walk-in wardrobe, and this is another space where most of the carpentry work took place. This cupboard space you see here is for the missus (six doors!), and to further tie in the arched theme, we requested an arched full-height mirror on the cabinet doors. We opted for a light-coloured laminate for the cabinets because it helps create a bright and airy feel in the space, making the room feel more open and spacious, while also complementing the overall aesthetic of the house. At the far end, there’s an upside-down curved cabinet to store our 'holiday helmets' — haha, we only use them when we’re on holiday in Bali! Under the windows, we had large drawers installed to store our folded clothes and athletic wear. We also requested a curved island in the middle of the room (it’s movable, not secured to the floor) for added storage. Beneath the hanging arched mirror, there's a hidden tall pull-out drawer for our laundry basket. We requested that the front of the drawer match the design of the other large drawers for a seamless, uniform look.
This side is for the Mr. (five doors, actually). Instead of adding more carpentry under the aircon, we decided to purchase the Billy bookcase from IKEA, with glass doors, to store our bags.
This is our master bedroom. Originally, there was a built-in wardrobe here, which we removed, and in its place, we had two arched windows installed. When opened, they offer a view of the stairs and the entryway on level 1. We can't say enough how much we love the arched windows because they add so much character and charm to the space, both from inside our bedroom and from outside. Beneath the windows, we absolutely adore our curved office table — a design we feel is perfectly tailored to the room and complements the overall aesthetic. Bucky loves it too, because it gives him better access to the windows! We're still taking time to fill up our office table, and we're still hunting for the most perfect aesthetic office chair, too! And oh! Yes, we have a mini fridge in our bedroom because, let’s be honest, we’re just too lazy to go downstairs to the kitchen for a drink or a late-night snack of chocolates when we’re chilling and watching movies. Heh!
On the opposite side of the room are our windows. While we’ve changed both the windows and grilles to white, we’ve also added Roman blinds for a softer touch. We plastered up the wall niche seen in the original photo to create a flushed and clean, seamless look. Beneath the windows, to conceal the aircon brackets, we’ve added a window bay with a KompacPlus top. It’s an alternative working space for us when we want a change of view (and it's a beautiful, unblocked view of greenery!), so, we’ve added high chairs (with arched backrests, of course!). It's also a space for Bucky to lounge and watch birds! :) For the plasterboard box-up, instead of leaving it plain, we requested that some arches be added to maintain the theme and create visual interest, tying the space together beautifully.
To wrap up this before-and-after post, let’s take a look at the bathrooms! All three were in quite a 🤢🤮 state, so naturally, we had to hack EVERYTHING. While we kept the shower and toilet bowl areas in their original spots, we relocated the sink for better functionality. We also added a shower screen but purposely avoided a glass screen—instead, we opted for a tiled one for a more seamless and low-maintenance look. A small detail we love is the curved corner in the shower floor! The shower area features different tiles to add texture and create a visual separation, and there’s a slight drop to keep water contained. We used the same suspended arched mirror as in our walk-in wardrobe for the bathroom, and added thoughtful details like a curved sink and a curved vanity cabinet to continue the theme. For the master bathroom, we chose brushed gold fittings for a touch of elegance. We didn't like floating toilet bowls, but we still wanted one without a bulky cistern, so we compromised on this egg-shaped toilet bowl from Starke. We think it strikes the perfect balance of form and function while complementing the bathroom’s aesthetic. And because we adore the bathrooms in the beautiful Bali villas we’ve stayed in, with their lush greenery, we decided to replicate that vibe by decorating our bathroom with faux plants. We absolutely love how it turned out!
Here’s a photo of the common bathroom taken during renovations—notice the vanity cabinet doors weren’t installed yet! For this bathroom, we opted for different shades of grey and paired them with gunmetal grey fittings for a sleek, modern look. We used the same type of tiled shower screen as in our master bathroom and went with the same Starke toilet bowl across all three bathrooms for consistency. As for the guest bathroom downstairs, we chose a colour scheme that matches our master bedroom, as we felt it complemented the kitchen’s aesthetic. We also incorporated brushed gold fittings here to tie in with the brushed gold accents in the kitchen. We don’t have photos of it yet, but we’ll be sure to share them soon! --- We hope you’ve enjoyed this little before-and-after of our home transformation journey so far! If you’ve enjoyed this post, don’t forget to ❤️ it or leave us a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts, favourite details, or if you’ve done anything similar in your own home! Meanwhile, we can’t wait for our living room to be completed so we can share all the details and photos of it. Till next time, thanks for following along, and stay tuned for more updates as our home slowly comes together!