Mid-century magic

Who: A couple and the wife's parents

Home: A HDB multigenerational loft with two bedrooms, and an attached studio apartment, at Sky Terrace @ Dawson

Size: 1,313 sqf (loft), 462 sqf (studio)

When they moved into their Sky Terrace @ Dawson loft apartment, Fadly Salleh and his wife knew exactly how to decorate the space.

The creative duo - he is a wedding photographer and she is an avid crocheter - are fans of the Mid-Century Modern style, and have been collecting eclectic furnishings for their future home even before they got married.

The couple had no intention of moving out of the wife's parents' spacious executive apartment, until they heard about the new HDB flats in Dawson - it was too good to resist! The new flats include a mezzanine floor and a connecting studio apartment so couples can live beside their parents. After the $50,000 renovation that focused on visually enlarging the flat, they were able to achieve the charming vintage look they wanted though furniture and furnishings.

This is what they did.

They sought out vintage styles

Already familiar with brands that carry Mid-Century Modern styles, the couple selected key pieces such as the classic George Nelson bubble lamps from Pomelo, a curved sofa from Lorgan's, and a vintage Danish sideboard from Noden.

The sofa on the mezzanine level, upholstered with an army green canvas from the 1940s, and gifted by a relative, has a more rugged vintage character.

"We like things from the past, such as the 1970s' wooden bookshelf, and the 1960s' copper lamp in the dining room," says Fadly.

They decorated with travel finds

The couple travel frequently, and the house is filled with unique finds from their trips.

From Japan - their favourite country to shop in - are Orla Kiely cushion covers, a set of three Marimekko fabric panels, and tea towels, which they framed (the towel cost $10, and framing was $100, says Fadly). A floral painting done on a zinc sheet, from Vietnam, adorns the living room wall; and a rug with exquisite dragon motifs from China now sits in the living room.

They were confident with colour

Warm citrus tones are spread out throughout the space, such as the yellow-painted gate and a lime green rug in the living room. In between are punches of bold and pastel hues; a turquoise bicycle rests against the wall of the home office, a baby blue Smeg fridge brightens up the kitchen, and a red Kartell Componibili cabinet in the bedroom complements a pendant lamp in the same siren red shade.

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