The Chic Home: Renovating his HDB flat kick-started new career in interior design for Dominic Leong

SINGAPORE – Many interior designers end up working on their own homes. For Homely Matters director Dominic Leong, it was the other way around.

While employed at a non-profit organisation, he decided to design his Housing Board resale flat in Haig Road, working directly with subcontractors. 

He and his family – his wife Tay Wei Ling, a 36-year-old manager in a non-profit, and their four-year-old son – moved into the 1,238 sq ft flat in March 2023 after a 3½-month renovation costing just over $70,000.

Friends who visited were so impressed that they asked Mr Leong to design their homes as well – and that was how his new career began.

Mr Leong picked up 3D drawing skills using his SkillsFuture credits and learnt the principles of the trade, including how to set up an interior design firm, from London-based designer Ula Burgiel. “I did my first project in December 2023 and have completed 15 to date,” he says. 

Walls were removed, the layout was reconfigured, and the flooring, windows, doors and carpentry were all replaced. Nothing from the existing interior was retained.

“We set ourselves a budget of $70,000 and we wanted a timeless design that does not follow trends,” says Mr Leong.

The previous owner had bought the corridor area outside the main door, which allowed Mr Leong enough space for a mini foyer.

By removing the kitchen walls and levelling the balcony floor, Mr Leong created a rectilinear open space comprising the new foyer and living and dining areas.  

The dining area is surrounded by white fixtures and furnishings that blend in with the walls. A 2.6m-long wooden sideboard from Singapore furniture store Soul & Tables occupies the third wall, and complements the wooden dining table and chairs.

“I learnt about the ‘Rule of One’ from Burgiel, which is about keeping to one type of wood, fabric or metal in the interior,” says Mr Leong. “As far as possible, I tried to keep to an oak tone for all the wood in the home.”

Off-white linen features prominently in the living area, from the sofa to the Scanteak daybed. The couple designed the living area without a television, as they wanted to focus on quality family time. The LG StanbyME television unit is handy as it can be moved around the home.

“This flexible solution seamlessly aligns with our dynamic needs, whether it is to entertain our son during mealtimes, as a cosy cinematic experience in the master bedroom or a shared viewing session with family and friends in the living room,” says Mr Leong. 

The kitchen was downsized due to the reconfiguration, but is still more than enough for a family of three with its functional layout and built-in cabinets. Moving the refrigerator and pantry next to the dining area freed up space within the wet kitchen.  

A new storeroom has been added in place of the old dining area, as the home did not have one previously. The family refers to this as their “mini garage”, as the space is almost as big as a standard bedroom, and is able to house strollers, car seats, toys, clothes and more.  

The space outside the bedrooms has been transformed into a little oasis of relaxation. A sofa and bookshelf in one corner form a reading nook. A high table and stools in front of the window offer a spot to drink coffee or work from home.

Mr Leong named his design practice Homely Matters because, he says, every home matters.

“We did not want to just build a nice-looking home. We also wanted to create a home that works for our family in terms of our habits, daily usage and flow.”

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