In an age where the complete gutting of apartments seems to be a norm among new homeowners, it is rare to find a home that pays homage to the distinctive design features of the original property in a way that is charming yet tasteful. For Hong Yu Ran, a brand manager for a European fashion brand, part of the allure of his Bain Street apartment was that the previous owner—the first and only occupant of the flat—had preserved it so well.
For instance, the flooring with the original terrazzo tiles—a common sight in Singapore homes 40 or 50 years ago—were retained. Hong also kept part of the original tiling that covered one wall in
