Senior Interior Design Editor & Consultant
Nest & Style Pte Ltd
Years of Experience
Residential Projects
Years at Design Firms
Lasalle Degree
How a personal HDB renovation led to a decade of helping Singaporeans create better homes
Michelle’s journey into interior design wasn’t planned. It began when she tackled her own HDB flat renovation in Tampines about 15 years ago. The apartment was cramped, poorly laid out, and nothing seemed to work. Instead of hiring a designer, she spent months researching, sketching, and experimenting. When it finally came together, the transformation was remarkable — suddenly the 700 sq ft space felt twice as large and infinitely more functional. That’s when she realized something: most people don’t need fancy designs. They need practical solutions that actually fit their lives.
After seeing what thoughtful design could do, Michelle pursued formal training. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Lasalle College of the Arts in 2010, where she focused on residential design and sustainable practices. What she learned in the classroom was valuable, but it was her early projects that taught her the most — especially working with real people facing real constraints. Between 2010 and 2018, she spent eight years with award-winning firms like IDesign and Design+. She worked on over 200 residential projects across HDB flats, private condominiums, and landed properties. Every project reinforced the same lesson: space planning matters more than budget. A well-thought-out 500 sq ft flat beats a poorly organized 1,500 sq ft condo every time.
In 2018, Michelle made a career shift. She noticed something troubling: most design advice available to everyday Singaporeans either ignored local context entirely or was locked behind expensive consultations. There’s a gap between what design professionals know and what homeowners actually need to hear. She joined Nest & Style Pte Ltd to bridge that gap through content — detailed guides, honest breakdowns of what works and what doesn’t, and practical strategies drawn from real renovation experience. Her articles aren’t theoretical. They come from site visits, client conversations, and the messy reality of making small spaces work.
Michelle specializes in solving the problems most Singaporean homeowners face. HDB flat layouts are her bread and butter — she knows how to work around load-bearing walls, irregular room shapes, and the constraint of public housing regulations. She’s deeply experienced in condo space optimization, where the challenge is different but equally complex: maximizing expensive square footage. Tropical design is another passion — she’s spent years figuring out how to bring warmth, natural materials, and botanical elements into homes without creating a sticky, humid mess. And functional design for compact spaces? That’s where her expertise shines brightest. She doesn’t believe in sacrificing either style or function. You can have both.
The design challenges and solutions Michelle knows inside and out
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, Lasalle College of the Arts (2010)
Senior Interior Design Editor & Consultant at Nest & Style Pte Ltd
Design roles at IDesign and Design+ (2010–2018). Specialized in residential projects across HDB, condo, and landed properties.
Interior design optimization for compact Singaporean spaces, HDB renovation strategies, tropical aesthetics, and space planning.
Practical guides and design strategies from Michelle’s work at Nest & Style
HDB flats come with fixed constraints — but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with poor flow and cramped spaces. Michelle breaks down how to analyze your layout, identify problem areas, and restructure your rooms for maximum functionality.
Read ArticleSingapore’s climate and design trends push toward natural materials and botanical elements. Here’s what works in small spaces and what doesn’t — plus how to avoid creating a humid mess in your living room.
Read ArticleCondo living means premium square footage. Michelle shares proven strategies for layout optimization, vertical storage, and furniture selection that maximize usable space without sacrifice.
Read ArticleSmall kitchens need smart storage — not just cramming everything into cabinets. Michelle walks through how to assess your kitchen, maximize vertical space, and choose the right storage systems for your layout.
Read ArticleHave questions about interior design, space optimization, or home styling in Singapore? Reach out to Michelle and the team at Nest & Style.
Michelle works with homeowners, renters, and industry professionals seeking practical design guidance tailored to Singapore’s unique housing landscape. Whether you’re planning an HDB renovation, optimizing a condo, or looking for styling advice, get in touch.
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