Inside A Calming Japanese-Inspired Home Filled With Thoughtful Details
Get The Property Insights Serious Buyers Read First: Join 50,000+ readers who rely on our weekly breakdowns of Singapore’s property market.
In this week’s episode, we explore the Serif Apartment, a design marvel brought to life by the creative minds at UPSTRS_. This apartment is a testament to pragmatic planning and clean lines, offering a unique take on modern living.


The journey begins in the vestibule, where the walls are elegantly clad in timber. A custom charred wood bench anchors the first impression, setting the tone for the entire space.


The apartment seamlessly combines the dining and living areas, with a kitchen that can be opened up or enclosed through sliding doors. The kitchen, often considered the heart of the home, is designed like a lantern, illuminating the dining space.


One of the standout features of this apartment is the controlled use of materials. Singular material choices create a seamless look, making the space appear less cluttered. The kitchen’s glass panels refract light beautifully, adding a touch of elegance.

The dining area features a custom-designed 3-meter dining table, a true centerpiece that combines functionality with aesthetics. It serves as a wine cellar, complete with electrical points, making it an ideal spot for gatherings.

Moving into the living room, the atmosphere becomes open and airy, resembling a blank canvas textured with stucco finishes. Furniture selection was a careful curation, with each piece chosen for its sculptural quality and form.


Even practical elements like air conditioning have been turned into design features, with custom brass screens adding a touch of sophistication.
The balcony, with its ample space and lush plants, provides a refreshing escape with great views and natural light.

The private spaces of the apartment are highly flexible, thanks to sliding partitions. The walk-in wardrobe, converted from a spare bedroom, showcases efficiency and organization with a galley layout.

The master bedroom, designed for rest, features timber textures and half dowels on the walls, creating a rhythmic feel. The bathroom, while minimalistic, aligns perfectly with the homeowner’s vision.

The Serif Apartment is a departure from the bold and strong designs often seen in projects, embracing a more nuanced and seamless approach. It’s the result of a collaborative effort between the designers and homeowners, resulting in a space that truly feels like home.
Special thanks to the homeowners (@apartmentserif) for opening up their home to us. If you’d like to get connected to their designer for the design of your own home, you can reach out to them via this link. Receive a $500 Stacked Store credit upon successful sign-up and completion of the project.
At Stacked, we like to look beyond the headlines and surface-level numbers, and focus on how things play out in the real world.
If you’d like to discuss how this applies to your own circumstances, you can reach out for a one-to-one consultation here.
And if you simply have a question or want to share a thought, feel free to write to us at stories@stackedhomes.com — we read every message.
Read next from Home Tours
Home Tours Inside A Minimalist’s Tiny Loft With A Stunning City View
Editor's Pick This Beautiful Japanese-Inspired 5-Room HDB Home Features an Indoor Gravel Garden
Home Tours A Family’s Monochrome Open-Concept Home with Colour Accents
Home Tours A Bright Minimalist Condo Apartment With A Loft
Latest Posts
Pro How a 1,715-Unit Mega Development Outperformed Its Freehold Neighbours
Overseas Property Investing Why ‘Cheap’ Johor Property Can Get Expensive Very Quickly For Singaporeans
Pro Why This Old 99-Year Leasehold Condo Outperformed Newer Projects in Bukit Timah
Singapore Property News This New Woodlands EC May Launch at $1,850 PSF: Here’s Why
New Launch Condo Analysis This Freehold New Launch Condo In The CBD Is Launching From Just $1.29M
Property Market Commentary How Much You Need to Earn to Afford a One or Two-Bedder Condo In 2026 (As a Single)
Property Market Commentary This HDB Town Sold the Most Flats in 2025 — Despite Not Being the Cheapest
Singapore Property News This Former School Site May Shape A New Kind Of Lifestyle Node In Serangoon Gardens
Singapore Property News I Learned This Too Late After Buying My First Home
Overseas Property Investing I’m A Singaporean Property Agent In New York — And Most Buyers Start In The Wrong Neighbourhood
Property Market Commentary How To Decide Between A High Or Low Floor Condo Unit — And Why Most Buyers Get It Wrong
Overseas Property Investing What A $6.99 Cup of Matcha Tells Us About Liveability in Singapore
Singapore Property News This 4-Room HDB Just Crossed $1.3M — Outside the Usual Prime Hotspots
On The Market Here Are 5 Rare Newly-Renovated HDB Flats Near MRT Stations You Can Still Buy In 2026
Pro Why This 24-Year-Old Condo Outperformed Its Newer Neighbours In Singapore