In this week’s episode, the homeowners discuss their vision for a modern, traditional Japanese home, blending elements from old minkas found in rural and historical Japan with the modern living standards of luxurious Tokyo apartments. They aim to bring traditional elements forward into modern city living.
The home, named Hitotema, meaning “one small extra touch,” embodies a design philosophy that values little thoughtful details and expressions, shaping the space both aesthetically and functionally.

The Hitotema home is divided into two main parts: social spaces including the living room, foyer, kitchen, and powder room, which are kept separate from private areas like the study, master bathroom, bedroom, and wardrobes.

The genkan features a tiled floor transitioning to a wooden step-up, the shikidai, which separates the outdoors from the indoors, promoting a mental reset upon entering the home.

The living room, designed as a multipurpose space, includes a Noren art piece and a shoji screen that allows natural daylight while maintaining privacy.


The kitchen, designed with a mix of stainless steel and wood in a monochrome palette, maximises the small floor area with a galley format, featuring an under-counter fridge and a hidden chest freezer.

The breakfast bar, reminiscent of a Japanese restaurant kitchen, adds to the charm with an “Open and Closed” sign.

The common bathroom is designed as a powder room, featuring a full-length countertop and wall-to-wall mirror. The master bedroom is kept minimal and private, with the bed not immediately visible from the door.

Traditional elements are given a modern twist, maintaining their original essence while fitting into contemporary city living.
Special thanks to the homeowner for letting us tour their lovely home. If you’d like to get connected to their ID for the design of your own home, you can reach out to them via this link.
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

On The Market The Cheapest 4-Bedroom Condos Under $1.7M You Can Buy Today

Homeowner Stories We Could’ve Sold Our Home for More, But We Didn’t — Here’s Why We Let It Go in Just 24 Hours

Pro Condo vs HDB: The Estates With the Smallest (and Widest) Price Gaps

Property Advice The Hidden Costs of Hiring a “Cheaper” Agent In Singapore

Property Market Commentary I Tested ChatGPT Against Claude on Singapore Condo Floor Plans — And There Was a Clear Winner

Editor's Pick Treasure at Tampines Pricing Review: How Its Prices Compare to D18, OCR, and the Wider Market

Property Investment Insights Which Resale Two-Bedroom Condos Quietly Made Buyers Six-Figure Profits In Singapore?

Property Market Commentary Why Developers Are Now Building for Families in Singapore’s Most Expensive Districts

Editor's Pick We Toured A Freehold Landed Estate Next To Mount Faber – With Semi-Detached Units From $5.2million

Singapore Property News Why More Singaporeans May Soon Trade Condos For Resale HDBs

Editor's Pick Singaporeans Are Buying More Overseas Homes — But Few Have Prepared For These Things

Singapore Property News This 5-Room HDB in Clementi Just Sold For $1.458M: Here’s What The Seller Could Have Made

On The Market We Found The Cheapest And Biggest 5-room Flats Over 1,400 Sq ft You Can Buy Right Now

Pro Low Floor vs. High Floor: What Transaction Data Reveals About the Premium

Singapore Property News 14,000 Homes In Kranji And A Transformed Woodlands — Will The North Become Singapore’s Next Hotspot?
