Bringing together the disciplines of interior designs and builds.
“There’s definitely a missed opportunity in the interior design space. Too many people are either focused on the design, or the build. Few are focused on both. The synergy between them is where we want to be,” says Raymond, founder of Flipwire. “That’s the sweet spot that has kept us afloat all this while.”
Raymond’s always been a tinkerer, evident from the customised laser-etched deck of his electric scooter that he did himself. But it was his experience building his own home that got him hooked on designing and building interiors.
His passion is palpable, and he talks about this stuff at great speed. You can see the glint in his eye when he talks about hinges, laminate surfaces, or anything involving interiors.
Now, his goal is to scale his business. Joining him on his journey, are friends Gabriel and Alloycious, who work on business development and project management.
“For me, the most meaningful project we’ve worked on was a commercial project at Paya Lebar Square,” says Gabriel. “This guy’s hawker food stall was falling apart. The chairs were wrong. The table heights were off. It was crazy. So we refurbished everything for him, and he started getting customers again. That’s when it struck me. This stuff delivers actual business value. It’s not just aesthetic.”
Despite interior design and renovation being the starting point for Flipwire’s business, the end goal for them is to grow a pool of curated interior designers. By pairing them with specialised craftsmen, the intention is to deliver distinct interiors that are both unique and insanely well made. In Singapore, which is flushed with functional contractors who don’t pay attention to form, this attention to craft is a rarity.
One of Flipwire’s most well known builds (featured in vulcan post and home & decor) is a jumbo flat in Bishan. This captivating monster was created by knocking down the walls between two HDB apartments to combine them, which formed a large space-filled apartment. From the size alone, you’ll be forgiven if you thought you were standing in the ground floor of a large bungalow.
Out of all things, it is Flipwire’s signature minimalist look that has fuelled their growing popularity. Their builds are always iconic, in that it allows the space to breathe by stripping away everything that isn’t necessary.
Light features are hidden away in coves; drawers are tucked in corners; shelves are placed out of the eye’s view. This crafting of space becomes the aesthetic itself, and requires a sensitivity that is hard to find.
“It might sound funny, but the thing I most enjoy about this job, is sketching,” says Raymond, who proceeds to sketch the cross section of a lap joint. It’s his favourite because of its simplicity and flexibility in a range of uses.
It is also this pride in his craft, that has created opportunities to move into large scale commercial builds. That is also growth area that Flipwire is focused on over the next twelve months.
The market is fiercely competitive — no one would dare to disagree — but this very nature of the business is what the Flipwire team finds the most exciting.
“The ideal day of work for me, is me waking up in the morning in a panic, realising how much there is to do. From then, it’s pure chaos, and I love every minute of it.” The spark in Raymond’s eye burns with an unmistakeable intensity. He means what he says.
“I’m not so crazy,” says Gabriel, who does business development. “My ideal day is much simpler. Meeting people, and being productive. That’s all.”
With that, the guys invite me to party with them — Flipwire style — which means a good single malt whisky, with a well paired cigar to match. Conversations ensue, and continue deep into the night.
About Flipwire — Flipwire Design is here to help you make your dream home and work space a reality. Where you work, play and live should be places that inspire you — where you can find inspiration, that spark of fun and creativity, a place to experience peace and rest, and most importantly, where you can express yourself in the space you live in. We believe that owning inspiring homes and creative work spaces should a natural decision, where desired form and functionality can be effortlessly achieved.
Contact info@flipwiredesign.com for more information.
