Living the loft life

WHEN Cheryl Tan and her fiancé Philip Tai first laid eyes on this 50-something-year-old walk-up apartment on Joo Chiat Road, they didn't see its run-down state, dark corners and peeling paint.

Instead, the couple saw a home that was in the location they wanted, which met their budget, and more importantly, had "the potential to do so much with the space compared to a conventional apartment", says Mr Tai, who is in banking.

They had visited about 15 walk-up apartments in their search by the time they saw and fell in love with this one, thanks to its unique layout.

The 1,300 sq ft apartment, located on the topmost floor of the block, is split into two levels. "A layout like this is really rare," adds Ms Tan, who works in tech sales.

This being their first marital home, the couple had few disagreements since "we are in tune with each other's design ideas and wants most of the time", says Ms Tan.

They wanted a home that would suit their fast-paced lives, be able to accommodate their two dachshunds, and have a New York City apartment feel.

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"We wanted a look that would fit our age and at the same time, be timeless," says Ms Tan, 27. Mr Tai is 31.

Seamless flow of space

Designer Lam Jun Nan, founder of spatial design firm Open Studio, transformed the entire apartment by tearing down walls so that he could redesign the space, and removed the old false ceilings to unveil the apartment's lofty spaces.

As the apartment faces bustling Joo Chiat Road, the communal areas such as the living room, entertainment room and open kitchen are placed in front.

"From the living room window, Cheryl and Philip can look down onto the street, and feel the vibes of the neighbourhood," Mr Lam says.

The bedroom is tucked away at the back of the apartment and on the lower level, where it is quieter.

Mr Lam also reworked the flow of movement in the apartment. "In most layouts, each room is usually a dead end, but here, all the spaces seamlessly flow into each other."

For example, the living room, the entertainment room and a shared bathroom in between, are all connected.

The island kitchen and dining area are next to the living room so that the couple can freely mingle with their guests when entertaining.

This flow extends to the bedroom where, instead of doors, a glass standalone wardrobe separates the sleeping area and the master bathroom.

"Movement is key in this apartment. On busy mornings, the couple will not get in each other's way, and everything they need is within easy reach," says Mr Lam. "At the same time, when you can move freely about the home, the long and narrow apartment feels more spacious."

The apartment also feels bigger than it is, thanks to its high ceilings. A mezzanine was created above the kitchen, and the space is used as a study. From above, visitors can look down into the living room, or watch Mr Tai cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

The master bedroom also boasts a high ceiling, making the space feel more airy. During renovations, a structural beam that runs across the bedroom was revealed. It is an eyesore in the otherwise lofty space, but Mr Lam found a way to dress it up by turning it into a photo display spot.

Mr Lam fit in little details to make the apartment more pet-friendly too. For example, the spiral staircase leading to the mezzanine and the study itself is lined with mesh panels to keep the pups safe. He also created a runway alongside the steps leading to the bedroom, so that the dogs can slide their way down.

To create that New York City apartment feel, Mr Lam chose shades of grey and black for the industrial look, and also lined some walls with bricks. His choice of materials from the concrete kitchen countertop to the stainless steel sink in the common bathroom also add to the industrial aesthetic.

The couple are using the apartment as a weekend home for now, but over the last few months, they've already marked their favourite spots.

For Ms Tan, it is the bar area by the living room, where she can relax with a glass of wine at the end of the day.

For Mr Tai, the master bathroom, especially the vanity area that looks out onto the greenery, is his choice.

Lots of wow moments

Friends who visit are often surprised by the vast contrast between the apartment and its exterior.

"There are lots of wow moments for them, from how stylish the place looks, to the little details such as the high ceilings, the floating sink and tap in the bathroom, to the bedroom which is hidden from view," says Mr Tai.

Ms Tan admits that the apartment may not be ideal in the near future when she is expecting, as one of the inconveniences is having to climb three storeys up, but "we are fully embracing the space right now", she says.