“We just took the leap of faith and decided to purchase this property. Hopefully, in time to come, a new project can appreciate better than a rather old resale unit.”
By Shannon Osztonits – 9 Aug 2026
Buying property is a major life decision, no matter if it’s your first-time as a homeowner, third or fifth. There are always going to be risks involved – especially considering the local and global economy at present. For husband and wife Wee Teck and Pei Yee, their second property journey was no rash decision, but with a little faith and a leap (after fine-combing through financial details and comparisons with their agent), they changed their minds from a resale condo to a new condo project: The Arden.
The couple initially sought a resale condo to reduce the financial quantum and become debt-free sooner. However, their agent introduced them to new developments, presenting financial details that made the purchase workable for the couple, who are still in their 30s. This shift in strategy allowed them to address their primary need for a bigger living space within the West area, a necessity arising from their life changes. They started with no kids when they bought their first home, but after about five to six years, they now have three children and a helper assisting them.
Using words such as open, bright, airy, zen and cosy to describe their home’s aesthetic, their vision for their home renovation aimed to match their laidback personalities. Creating a peaceful atmosphere was essential for the family, given their demanding schedules. Wee Teck leaves for an early morning commute around 5.30 AM daily, while Pei Yee wakes at 6 AM to prepare their eldest for school before starting her 8.30 AM workday, which often stretches late into the night. Despite the stress of work—where Wee Teck helps their eldest with homework and picks up the two younger kids while Pei Yee is still working—the home offers a sleek design, clean lines, and a warm, neutral colour palette that serves as a restorative environment.
Whilst the home is reminiscent of the popular Japandi interior design theme, the husband and wife gave their interior designer, Cedrick from E+e Design and Build, no set theme, just a design to match their vision. Moving into a newly built condominium meant a complete gutting wasn’t required, as it already had some cabinetry and electrical appliances installed into the foundation. However, significant modifications were made to suit their lifestyle. The couple did a makeover of the kitchen area and the dry kitchen, knocked down the walls of the study room and the center wall for two adjacent bedrooms, enlarged the living room to accommodate an open workstation, and converted one of the three bathrooms into a laundry area.
The home’s feature curves and soft angles were interior designer Cedrick’s idea; he proposed the concept and conceptualised the placement of all these softer shapes. The homeowners felt the curves were rightly proportioned, having seen other designs with excessive curves that they disliked. This design choice lends to an even calmer-feeling environment, ideal for this easygoing yet busy family of five.
Related: Singapore condo renovation inspired by Copenhagen’s Audo House
“We truly love every corner of our home – each space has its own charm and purpose, making it feel complete. We just love staying at home, and the space we have now makes us feel even better just by being home,” they say. Deciding on an open-concept between the living room and the dining area meant the family or guests can still communicate with one another. “The whole living and dining space is interconnected,” tell the couple.
Sticking to the home’s zen palette, the Son & Bear sofa complements the Loom and Stone carpet beneath it. The interior designer custom-built a low TV console, which then extends up the wall on one side into a display shelf. Following on from this carpentry is a ribbed feature wall as an aesthetic way to cover up the bomb shelter. Wife Pei wanted a workspace in their condo for her to work from, but one that could easily be hidden when not in use. Playing around with the space they had, she had an idea for a concealed workspace and requested this as part of the renovation. Located directly behind the sofa, the interior design team constructed two double-door cupboards. The one closest to the kitchen opens up to an elegant desk where Pei’s computer sits, as well as a shelf.
A focus on kitchen spaces is becoming increasingly popular, with more of a shift toward both a dry and wet kitchen – if the surface area of the room can afford it. For these homeowners, who really enjoy hosting family meals on the weekends and during public holidays, the idea of a dry kitchen combined with a dining area was a way to utilise the space and accommodate both “rooms.” Leading in from the lounge is the dining table, which extends into the dry counter-meets-small island.
“We are not party kind of people, but we host family…We have seven to eight adults, excluding the kids, which explains the long extendable dining table. On normal days, it is kept just for the kids and us,” tell the homeowners. Typically, the custom-built sintered stone dining room table is a six-seater, before its extension. Their reason for combining the dining area and dry kitchen into one space was to create a seamless design, “from service table to dining table.” Above the table is a set of two green pendant lights from Horizon Lights, matching the home’s earthy tones – as does the laminate with a limewash effect wall opposite. The dining chairs were bought from Taobao.
Also in the dry kitchen are a fridge and oven, and the cabinets used in this kitchen match the wet kitchen’s bottom cabinetry. Homeowner Wee Teck details that they removed the original island given by the developer, which was extending out from the wall of the wet kitchen perpendicular to the current design, because they did not like the idea of having a sink there. They custom-built a new one to ensure a flat service table extending seamlessly to the dining table. This flat surface is also useful when the wife wants to do her baking as the oven is just behind.
Whilst some homeowners have a wet kitchen just for show, these homeowners really utilise this space, preparing and cooking two to three meals every day in their wet kitchen. A sliding door separates the dry and wet kitchens. The kitchen counters and backsplash are both sintered stones. The top cabinets are darker in colour, opting for a Mocha Mist-coloured laminate. Floor tiles are different too, with a slightly darker appearance and more texture to them.
