New & improved

Renovation cost: $120,000
Type of housing: A condominium unit at Mount Sinai
Size: 2,200sqf
Who lives here: A three-generational family of six

Having worked with this family on their previous three homes, interior designer Shawn Shum of Museworks knew their style and preferences like the back of his hand.

He drew up three proposals with varying degrees of conventionality, thinking that the client would pick the most archetypal design for the new home.

"I explained that I preferred the most unconventional proposal because it would be interesting for the space," Shawn recalls, "and I was very surprised that he chose it in the end."

The idea was to completely re-design the layout of the 33-year-old condominium unit, and tailor it to suit the needs of the three generations of family members and their domestic helper.

For this three-month-long renovation, Shawn challenged himself to think out of the box, bearing in mind that the look and feel of the new place had to accommodate a few of the family's distinct pieces of furniture as well.

Gutting the entire place allowed the spaces to be designed more efficiently; Shawn was able to carve out adequate spaces for each of the four bedrooms, allowing the family's two young daughters to have enough room to grow.

The extensive balconies that previously accompanied the living room and master bedroom were covered up, adding to the indoor footprint of both spaces.

Shawn had to consider the furniture that the family wanted to bring over from their old home.

"The previous home was done up in a very Laura Ashley style," he reveals, pointing to the tufted cream-coloured headboard and sofa in the master bedroom, which he had to build the room's design around. He kept the room elegant in a grey and white palette, and installed a contemporary white chandelier to pull the entire look together.

Other existing classical pieces include a French country-style side table and a crystal chandelier, which are now in the older daughter's bedroom.

"These are very thematic pieces; so it was quite a challenge to include them," Shawn emphasises. Thankfully, the bedroom has a high ceiling, and he could easily fit in the chandelier and dress the space up like a princess' room.

"It's all about treading the fine balance between practicality and aesthetics," he quips.

Where to go: MUSEWORKS
Tel: 9026-9119

This article first appeared on Home & Decor.
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