Cafe-Inspired Terrace House Transformation

When it comes to new terrace houses, people often say there’s so much you can do. The layout feels fixed and the spaces predictable.

But every once in a while, a designer dares to challenge that idea. Here, Nu Infinity reimagined the entire home and transformed what was usually an unused backyard — from this to this.

“This is a very normal terrace house. I never imagined this kind of outcome,” said Kid Inn, the owner of this transformed terrace home.

Stepping inside, the house greets you with a sense of calm and surprise. It’s not what you expect from a typical terrace home, but it reminds you of the warmth of a favourite cafe.

“The brief at the beginning was creamy interior design style. My wife and I don’t know design at all. We just want a comfortable and beautiful home, that’s all.”

The open plan living and dining, dressed in creamy white walls, contrast beautifully with the vibrant orange, creating a contemporary visual inspired by the stunning visuals of the Grand Canyon.

Nu Infinity paired a cave textured wall with an orange ceiling, bringing the impression of carved earth and stone into this home through carefully curated handmade finishes.

“What I like most is the night mode. Every night, my wife and I sit here. During night mode, we will be there, maybe drink some wine. That feeling is, I would say, unexpected. I never imagined my home to have this kind of atmosphere,” said Kid Inn.

The dining area sits right at the heart of the home. Nu Infinity deliberately moved the dining area here to imbue the home with a family atmosphere. It’s where the warmth of the house truly comes alive.

The intention was never just to place a table in the middle, but to craft a space that envelops around it. By adding bench seating, the designers managed to craft a spacious dining area in a narrow space. The dining is transformed into a cocoon of warmth, creating intimacy within openness.

And what’s truly beautiful is how the handpicked orange hue will age well with time. As the tones deepen and soften, they tell a story that grows richer the longer the family lives within the space.

A sculptural light descends in handcrafted form, casting shadows that echo a cave’s depth and movement, bringing an energy to the space that feels both organic and modern.

Just beside the dining area, the children have their own play space. With an elevated platform, the designers created a sense of boundary without walls. The beauty of this flooring lies in how seamless it feels.

The previous floor was tile, but after replacing it with VALLS Nanosilk flooring, the entire space now flows seamlessly and effortlessly. Nanosilk is a modern alternative to microcement, similar in look and texture but built to be more durable and lasting.

At the end of the dining area stands the masterpiece of the home. Behind a hidden door, the designers have a way of turning even a simple powder room into a surprising space.

“The hidden door leads to a toilet — something everyone didn’t expect. Then when they open it, they’ll go wow. They’ll be shocked that this is actually a powder room. And this powder room looks like Aesop Martin,” shared Kid Inn.

Challenging the ego of practicality in Nu Infinity’s trademark style, the powder room is always an element of surprise. A feature wall light highlights the wall encased in handmade reeded tiles, bringing out the tactility and depth.

Even in this dark space, Nu Infinity found a way to add light with a generous window, allowing the sunlight to pour in and wash over the interesting textures, revealing the beauty in every surface.

Towards the back of the house, the transformation is even more dramatic. What was once a guest room has been completely reimagined. Several walls were hacked to create an elegant dry kitchen. By relocating the dry kitchen all the way to the back, this is a bold and unconventional change that completely transformed the space planning.

A simple corridor that used to lead to the backyard has been turned into something far more meaningful. The entire kitchen is furnished in natural materials of wooden veneers, solid plywood cabinets, and tiles. Soft earthy tones and honest materials ground the space. Cocooned at the back of the home, this kitchen island is where the couple can enjoy breakfast without disturbing the calm of the rest of the house.

Opposite, the wet kitchen sits neatly in a compact yet efficient corner. Here, the designers introduced an overhung trackless sliding door. This thoughtful detail removes the clutter of tracks while keeping the space clean and seamless. These doors also serve as a purpose beyond aesthetics, helping to contain the cooking fumes, ensuring the rest of the home remains fresh.

On the first floor, a family hall doubles as a hobby space. It is a place for the young parents to read or unwind after putting the kids to bed.

The laundry area has been moved to the first floor’s balcony. This simple change makes daily chores easier and more convenient.

“I felt this is something people rarely do. But I feel it is quite convenient. Our bedroom is on the first floor. And wardrobe room is on the second. We didn’t feel a need to, from the first and second floors, bring the clothes to the ground floor for laundry. We can finish all the chores on the first floor,” shared the homeowner.

On the same floor, the master bedroom is minimalist — a space dedicated purely for rest. On the top floor, what used to be the master bedroom has been reimagined into a walk-in wardrobe and bathroom.

The initial floor plan had the master bedroom all the way at the top. If we remained the master bedroom on the top, it would become a dead space as it is too tiring to walk up two floors directly from the entrance. But by transforming it into a walk-in wardrobe, the journey upward now feels easier after the initial stop at the master bedroom level.

After some extensive hacking, the designers made a bold move to enlarge the bathroom, opening the entire floor into a private rooftop retreat.

"When you feel like you have a luxurious space, you will specially enjoy — turn on some music, light a candle, watch a movie in the bath. I feel this is when I enjoy ‘me time’,” shared the homeowner.

In line with Nu Infinity’s focus on wellness at home, the design of a curved ceiling for the bathtub and shower evokes the calm of a small cave, creating their own private bathroom sanctuary to relax after a long day.

Every part of this home was shaped with an intention to bring warmth, comfort, and a sense of family warmth. What began as a typical terrace house is now a family home that feels deeply personal.

As designers, we can dream boldly, but it’s only when we find the right clients who share the same vision that the real magic happens. Because the greatest satisfaction and greatest outcome from design comes from realising them together with someone who truly appreciates our craft.