Not every home needs a tear-down to glow up. For owners of older private properties – or new-build condos, for that matter – the secret to luxury isn’t a full-gut renovation. Rather, it’s knowing what to keep, what to tweak, and how to layer in refinement.
Berlin had a sentimental take: “If the dated condo still belongs to the original owner, there’s usually something worth remembering. That [memory] is priceless and can be captured [in the refresh].”
Chih Wen suggested looking at the building materials themselves. Some finishes, like certain marble mosaics, are no longer in production, so “if we could conserve and integrate them into the new design, they could become a priceless rarity which is also a nod to the past.”
What about new-build condos, fresh from the developer but lacking soul? Ethan Lin, founder of interior design studio TE-EL shared a smart, cost-conscious tip: “Typically, the flooring [such as marble or parquet] is polished. It’s costly and wasteful to replace them. We would recommend honing them to achieve a matte finish, which helps to create a subtle, calming base that feels more elevated and is easier to layer on.”
LUXE FOR LESS: COLOUR AND MATERIAL PALETTES THAT LOOK EXPENSIVE, BUT AREN’T
Creating a luxe interior isn’t about throwing money at the costliest materials; it’s about making clever choices, ones that deliver elegance, durability and longevity. According our experts, you can have champagne style on a craft beer budget.
Take porcelain tiles, for example. Thanks to technology, today’s porcelain can mimic the look of natural stone, down to the veining and texture, said Berlin. They’re easy to clean, non-porous, and efficient to install. Plus, large-format versions are now more accessible.
Microcement and plaster finishes are another insider favourite. For Lionel, they give a monolithic, gallery-like feel at a fraction of the cost of stone.
