{"id":406147,"date":"2026-05-01T04:48:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T04:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/406147\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T04:48:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T04:48:11","slug":"colour-drenched-hdb-flat-embraces-dopamine-decor-with-mood-boosting-pastels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/406147\/","title":{"rendered":"Colour-drenched HDB flat embraces dopamine decor with mood-boosting pastels"},"content":{"rendered":"

SINGAPORE \u2013 Healthcare worker Priscilla was inspired by colour, curves and her favourite ceramics when planning her first home renovation. <\/p>\n

The 44-year-old \u2013 who teaches yoga part-time and did not reveal her surname \u2013 wanted a cheerful space to come back to after difficult days working at a hospital.<\/p>\n

Her Ang Mo Kio HDB flat is decked out in pastel pops and quirky cartoon motifs: a flower-crowned penguin stool, starfish- and heart-shaped knobs on the wardrobe doors, and mushroom-shaped salt-and-pepper shakers. All the furniture is new, sourced by Priscilla and her fiance.<\/p>\n

\u201cBlack is dull,\u201d she says of the 721 sq ft unit. She bought the place so she could live near her parents, whom she visits regularly for short stays. \u201cColour helps put you in a cheerful mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The owner wanted her home to be a cheerful space to come back to after long hours at a difficult job.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

The three-room flat has two bedrooms \u2013 she sublets the master room \u2013 and two bathrooms. Her fiance visits occasionally, as does her father. Since the unit is on a lower floor, insect-blocking mesh has been installed on the doors and windows.<\/p>\n

Priscilla chose local design studio The Interplay to renovate the space, as she wanted interior designers who knew how to work with colour and not just the neutral Japandi (Japanese-Scandinavian) style favoured by many Singaporeans.<\/p>\n

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The shoe rack doubles as storage.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

Upon opening the mustard-yellow front door, visitors are greeted with a colour-blocked living room in tones of butter yellow, baby pink and soft purple.<\/p>\n

Next to the entrance is a shoe rack with a seat and storage, plus custom-made glass cabinets for Priscilla\u2019s collection of ceramics and other trinkets. <\/p>\n

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Custom-made pastel cabinets around the home store ceramics and other trinkets.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

In the living room are a caramel sofa \u2013 purchased from Nova Furnishing \u2013 and a Patrick figurine from animated TV series SpongeBob SquarePants (1999 to present) which doubles as a side table. <\/p>\n

The television console unit is also custom-made, with pastel-coloured shelves and matching backlights.<\/p>\n

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A figure of Patrick from SpongeBob SquarePants serves as a side table between the living and dining area.\u00a0<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

The kitchen\u2019s footprint was reduced to free up more space for the dining area, which seats four to five people. The bespoke diner-style booth has storage beneath the bench, and a round table from e-commerce platform Shopee.<\/p>\n

Priscilla likes round objects and prefers to avoid harsh corners: When her ageing parents visit, she does not want them to hurt themselves by bumping into sharp edges. <\/p>\n

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The diner-style booth has hidden storage beneath the bench.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

Between the kitchen and dining area is a terrazzo-patterned mini island counter where she eats and works. She chose an imitation-rattan plastic chair from Shopee as it is durable and easy to clean.<\/p>\n

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A terrazzo-patterned island counter doubles as a workspace for Priscilla.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

Though a self-described foodie, Priscilla\u2019s long working hours leave her limited time to cook. Instead, her kitchen is mainly a gallery for her collection: Italian Smeg cookware and ceramics by Singapore artist ummuramics<\/a> are displayed against a backdrop of cupboards in soft, light hues.<\/p>\n

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The kitchen cupboards are laminated in an array of pastel hues.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

Priscilla\u2019s bedroom has a queen-size bed from Epitex with bedding in a soft green shade, finished with a lilac throw, fluffy pink cushions and a headboard from Nova. <\/p>\n

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A bay window seat along the bedroom wall is a space for the owner to read and relax.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

A bay window seat along the wall is a space to read and relax, and the vinyl flooring adds warmth to the overall look.<\/p>\n

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The pipes in Priscilla\u2019s bathroom have been painted turquoise.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

The pipes of the master bathroom, which Priscilla\u2019s tenant uses, are painted yellow, while those in the common bathroom are painted a minty-fresh turquoise. The tiles in both spaces are from local suppliers Hafary and Lian Seng Hin.<\/p>\n

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The master bathroom\u2019s pipes have been painted yellow.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: THE INTERPLAY<\/p>\n

The design process took two to three months, while construction took another three. It cost $90,000, including the doors and windows that Priscilla replaced.<\/p>\n

This article first appeared in Home & Decor Singapore. For more beautiful homes, space hacks and interior inspiration, go to\u00a0homeanddecor.com.sg\/interior-design<\/a><\/p>\n