Welcome to the Upscaled Home of Luqman & Amelia
Walking into Luqman Abdul Latiff and Amelia Natasha Ramlee‘s place feels like stepping onto the terrace of the Raffles Hotel… but, spoiler alert, it’s actually a Tampines BTO flat.
Why It Feels Like a Luxury Hotel
- Antique furniture that screams “old‑school chic.”
- Vibrant bursts of greenery to keep the vibes fresh.
- Wainscotted walls and ceilings that give it a classic colonial charm.
- Four cozy bedrooms that lock in that “guest‑room” feel.
They started out with a simple goal: create a hotel‑style interior — specifically an “expensive hotel” atmosphere, but on a limited budget.
The Budget Breakdown
In a shocking turn of events, this elaborate makeover cost less than $14,000. That’s a wild understatement when you think about the luxury feel they achieved.
So, if you’re dreaming of bringing a slice of the high‑end hotel experience into your own home, just remember: you don’t have to burn through your life savings.
Nailing the look
Our Colonial‑City Chic: Dreaming of Raffles Without the Price Tag
Luqman and his wife Amelia once imagined a South Beach hotel vibe—dark, chic, a little dramatic. But Amelia felt it might come across as a chilly, unwelcoming winter cabin, so the duo pivoted. “We wanted something that looked like a fancy hotel, the kind that takes your breath away,” Luqman says.
Finding Inspiration on Google
They scrolled through Google images until they hit the iconic Raffles Hotel. “We didn’t set foot in the hotel on Beach Road, but after a quick glance, it felt like the perfect blue‑print for our home.” The colonial aesthetic of that place resonated with them—“It was a loving nod to my grandfather’s pre‑war house and my uncle’s childhood haunt.”
DIY to the Rescue
- Zero external renovation costs: They tackled almost all the design and fixtures themselves.
- Kitchen & toilets handled by a pro: Just $11,000 for a professional interior designer.
- Furniture savanna: They spent barely a couple of thousand dollars on a thrift‑store sweep in Carousell plus delivery.
“I think we saved between $40,000 and $50,000 by buying second‑hand and re‑imagining old pieces,” Luqman shares. “Because we didn’t throw away anything, we up‑cycled our way through a more sustainable, petri‑dish‑green kitchen.”
Living with Three Tiny Troops
Having a rapidly growing brood of four, three, and 18‑month‑old boys tightened their budget puzzle. “I was the main breadwinner then, so every dollar mattered when we welcomed our third kid.” Anders, “I pictured buying a single piece for $50 to $100 and doing the rest myself—no financial ‘oops’ required.”
The Cost of Class
Per‑item furniture costs at retail were eye‑watering, hovering around $3,000–$4,000. “I couldn’t afford that,” Luqman says, as he unfolded his thrift‑haul card. At last, the couple snatched a colonial vibe that matched a heritage hotel, while keeping the price ladder firmly in the experience zone.
Why Luqman & Amelia are Picking Durable, Budget‑Friendly Furniture for Their Kids
Amelia, currently juggling the admin desk at a childcare centre, spins the kettle on to share the scoop:
“We’re after a look for our living room—something that sticks to our vibe but won’t drain our wallet.”
The Safety Factor
When it comes to furniture for young explorers, Luqman is all about the first rule: Stability. Nothing tops them off the playful tower prowess kids can muster. He’s built with a sturdy design that won’t wobble if your munchkins decide to practice their acrobatics.
Future Proofing the Budget
Why splurge on a flat’s interior toss?
- When the house eventually flips, the lot of newly installed fittings might just be gutted by the next owners—kill the investment.
- They’re eyeing a bigger space once the boys grow taller, so it pays to keep the pieces in play.
“We’re Investing in Legacy, Not One‑Time Glam”
“Thought of this—is it worth putting our time and money into pieces that follow us into the next chapter rather than throw-up a trendy, zero‑life throw‑away?” Luqman muses.
He chuckles, noting the long‑life of the chosen furniture: “They’re built to last. I honestly could hand them down to my kids once they’re old enough to appreciate a good piece of décor.”
Key Takeaway
It’s all about blending affordable style, sturdy construction, and future adaptability to ensure the home grows with the family, rather than growing old and abandoned in a housing market shuffle.
Revamping Home: The Couple’s DIY Dream
Getting the Perfect Wood Tone
They didn’t just pick up a fancy set of tables – they went on a mission. The pieces were sanded, re‑varnished, and treated like precious artifacts until the exact shade of wood was achieved. “All that work was worth it,” shares Amelia, who insists the furniture now feels as if it belongs in their lives, not just the showroom.
Finding Hidden Treasures
- Floor Lamp from Raffles Hotel – By sheer luck, the couple unearthed a lamp at a second‑hand dealer, Hock Siong, for only $70. Though it’s a “best buy”, it’s also a quirky reminder that you can snag vintage glamour without breaking the bank.
- Chandelier Savings – An antique chandelier, originally priced at $5,000, was scooped up for just $300. It now hangs proudly in their converted dining room (previously a bedroom), lighting up the space with a touch of old‑world charm.
Turning Space into Stories
This home isn’t just a place to live – it’s a showcase of creativity and savvy shopping. Every item carries a story, every finish is a testament to the effort poured into creating a living environment that’s both Instagram‑worthy and full of personality. With a little bit of sanding and a lot of heart, this couple proves that great style doesn’t necessarily mean steep price tags.
Revamping the Vibes: From Walls to Wardrobe
How the Couple Reimagined Their Living Space
Picture this – a couple fell in love with the idea of knocking down walls to merge the third bedroom into a sprawling living area. Think of large plants dancing across the floor and mirrored walls that just amplify the feel of a posh dining hall.
Dining Delights on a Budget
- Chairs that won’t break the bank: less than $20 each
- Reupholstered by the master of cozy, Luqman (yes, he’s the furniture whisperer)
All‑In‑One Renovation Hero
Luqman didn’t just stop at the chairs. He was the director of the whole makeover, handling:
- Refurbishing the majority of furniture, making every piece look like fresh out of the showroom.
- The art of installing the chandelier’s medallion – that tiny, needle‑sharp magic that keeps the light hanging in awe.
- Building a plant wall in the living room that slyly hides a bomb shelter, because who says safety can’t be stylish?
Furniture Faves
Side note: their living room boasts a heavy‑duty wooden cabinet that doubles as a TV console. Remember that slip‑of‑hand conversation when an expat was packing up their Sentosa Cove home? Pretty lucky—think of a steal that had the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern slickness.
The Windfall of a $120 Find: A Rugged Caffeine Hub
When Luqman glares triumphantly at his mighty coffee table, he can’t help but rave, “The fact that I snagged it for only $120 is a blessing. If it were brand‑new, I’d be tossing out half a thousand bucks—$4,000 to $5,000!”
Spotlight on the Table
- $50 for a solid teak masterpiece that screams durability.
- Large enough to host a family‑friendly stomp‑dance session.
- Stability guaranteed – no wobbling when three energetic sons decide to bounce.
“My three sons can jump on this table and I don’t mind joining in,” Luqman says with a grin. “I know it won’t shake or move. It’s that sturdy.”
Watching DIY videos on YouTube
Two Dreamers Tap into DIY Magic
Amelia – 31, the visionary – imagines the perfect space, while Luqman turns her ideas into reality. Their twist? No carpentry training, just a pile of YouTube tutorials and a lot of elbow grease.
Learning the Trade from the Internet
Luqman admits he was a total novice when it came to woodwork. “I watched every video till my eyes blurred,” he laughed. His most proud achievement? Wainscotting, those snazzy wood‑strip panels that give a room a bit of old‑world charm.
- First thought: “Impossible!”
- Then: “Totally doable – just time‑intensive.”
- Result: Zero mistakes on the first try.
He decided to roll up his sleeves because a pro would have cost a staggering $800 per wall for a single panel job.
Design Highlights that Whisper Style
Imagine walls lined with textured wainscoting, big potted plants humming in the corners, and a second‑hand TV that masquerades as a painting when the screensaver’s on. That is the aesthetic they’re after.
Colonial and Mid‑Century Vibes
“The hallmark of a colonial or mid‑century look is oversized plants. Without them, you’re sliding into Victorian territory,” Luqman explains.
What It’s Like to “Flip” Your Home into a Bali‑Vibe
Amelia’s got a knack for noticing the unexpected aesthetics of a home before a single paint stroke. She recently told us, “People who dropped by our place before the wainscotting finished kept saying, ‘Wah your house is just like Bali!’ But that wasn’t exactly the vibe we were chasing, so we decided to go ahead with the makeover.”
Luha: The Saying‑It‑All “Bali” Compliment
Luqman didn’t hide his feelings when the compliments rolled in. “Every time somebody said our place looked like a Bali resort, I’d beam and say, ‘Thanks!’ In reality, though, my mind was like, ‘Noooo… I’ve totally let my wife down!’”
The Kidroom Dilemma
For the little ones’ room they kept a neutral color spectrum. But after battling the idea of a colonial theme, they realized it’s a bit too “adult” for the ‘playful’ quiet life of the kids.
Bottom Line
- Bali vibes for the living space: awesome, but not quite what you’d call “home sweet home”
- Colloquial style for the kids: not too formal, just chill
A Cozy Renovation Ripple
Meet the duo: Amelia and Luqman are thrilled to give their guests a feel of home, but they admit their kitchen’s laminate feel might taste a tad too sleek for some.
The Key Take‑away
- Amelia wants a “cozy and warm” vibe for every visitor.
- They consider the kitchen’s modern look a minor hiccup.
Luqman’s New Hobby
Beyond the real‑estate hustle, Luqman’s love for woodworking blossomed during the renovation. He’s now open to small reupholstering and refurbishing projects for neighbors—and hey, he says he’d do it for free if he could.
Work in Progress
Despite the finishes, Luqman thinks the house is still a “work in progress.” “I’ll keep tweaking even if the handover pulls through tomorrow,” he joked with his wife.
Contact
For more home‑work tips, email [email protected].
