What his crib says about him

Loud wall colours and furniture equals flamboyant owner, right? Not necessarily. With the help of senior interior designer Dan Wu, Ruby Tan learns more about three single guys by peeking into their homes.

“Toys were costly back then, and I didn’t get many from my parents. So I was determined to buy everything I wanted when I earned my own money,” he explains.

His mum has no complaints as long as he cleans his room.

And his dates? “I usually give them time to absorb everything. I love their shocked and bemused expressions when they see my room,” says the singleton. But if it ever comes down to a decision between his toys and a woman, he’s got no problems giving up his collection.

“If I’m lucky, she might let me buy some back in future,” he says.

The flamboyant decorator

If you guessed that this snazzy place belongs to an interior designer, you’re right.

Alvin Kwan, 38, director of an interior design company, moved out of his parents’ place after he got his fi rst job as a duty manager at a petrol station after National Service.

He’s stayed at two other rented apartments before moving into his current pad – a 955 sq ft twostorey conservation shophouse in the Orchard Road area – which he bought three years ago.

He spent a six-figure sum renovating his home so it could double as an offi ce space for his company.

Alvin collects designer toys and art (“I like them colourful and cheerful”), from sculptures to oil paintings and installations from local as well as international artists.

He displays his treasures much like a gallery would – by grouping them according to collection and how they complement the wall colours. He’s even meticulous about his books – they are organised according to type and height.

“I would know if someone moves any of my displays slightly,” he reveals.

The low-key minimalist

David Chua, who has been living on his own since 2007, bought this 1,000 sq ft four-bedroom condominium unit near East Coast Park because he "wanted to live near the sea".

Says the 34-year-old portfolio manager at a financial institution: "Town is a quick 10-minute drive away and I like that the development is off the main road, so it's quiet." A fan of the beigeand- dark-wood furniture combo, the singleton spent about $30,000 doing up the apartment, keeping it simple and minimalist with neutral colours

DAVID SAYS: "Dan's observations are spot on. I'm the go-to person among my friends when it comes to hosting parties. I host several times a year at my home and I cook for my guests - dishes like roast chicken, braised duck, and Western food such as risotto, pasta and paella. I do love to read and travel, especially to exotic places - I went to Morocco last year and recently returned from a visit to Nepal. I wouldn't call myself a quiet person, but I'm not loud either. I do value my privacy and the occasional alone time though. I'd say I'm friendly, thoughtful, easy-going and adventurous."

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