A Calming Tropical-Inspired Dream Home for a Young Couple

“We knew we wanted a clean and bright house with lots of wood elements. We don’t have children yet so we weren’t worried about [having] white walls and furniture,” shares RJ, who shares this lovely home with his wife, Louise. Since Louise’s family has a business in China, they regularly receive IKEA catalogs. “We loved the Scandinavian design with its clean and modern interiors. Since we live in a bright and sunny country, we mixed in elements of tropical design and looked back at resorts we’ve stayed in for inspiration. This meant adding more plants and green elements to break the monotony of the Scandinavian look,” adds RJ.

In just six months, the blank turned over space became an envy-worthy and charming dream home for the couple. To make the renovation a breeze, they worked with interior designer Edna Chua and contractor Lorraine Tiu-Ching. Both professionals helped the owners make the most of the available space and even made adjustments according to their vision. RJ and Louise also tapped Jennie Go of CXF Design Center to supply the cabinets and desks around the home. Having a design background also came in handy for the couple—especially when it comes to choosing furniture pieces and accessories that go well together. They shopped for a couple of essentials in IKEA China and bought important furniture pieces from Philux and Triboa Bay Living.

While challenges are inevitable in any project, the two successfully overcame these by trusting the professionals they’re working with and sticking to their vision. “If you want a dream home, be prepared to put in the time and effort. Crafting the perfect home takes a lot of time and cannot be rushed. Have a clear idea of what you want and stick with it. If you are committed to following it, it’s easy to say no to the things that won’t work. Sometimes, less is more,” shares RJ.

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