SINGAPORE – While these millennial home owners deliberately eschewed popular contemporary styles for their five-room Build-To-Order (BTO) unit in Tengah, it was with the help of Chinese app Little Red Book that they discovered their dream French retro theme.

The couple in their 30s, who work in the finance industry and have a baby, told RENOSTUD.IO founder Jeremy Tan they wanted the 1,200 sq ft space to be aesthetically pleasing but not overly complicated.

Mr Tan drew inspiration from the wall and ceiling details of Parisian homes, as well as their ornate cornices, archways and floor skirting.

Stepping across the threshold, one may feel transported to Paris. Floor-to-ceiling French boiserie (wood panelling) is used for the living area’s walls. The television unit, flanked by chandelier-style wall sconces, is also made of wood. A fluted-glass arched window separates the living room and foyer.

“The kitchen used to be an open kitchen. Jeremy’s team then suggested building a row of cabinets opposite the stove instead, which is a great idea as we now have a kitchen island with extra storage and a place to prepare food,” says the husband.

A large-format marble-like tile was selected for the backsplash, with sintered stone for the countertops. A corner pendant light...