{
  "id": 5477346,
  "title": "Actor Terence Cao gave interior designer free rein to redesign home, was shocked to lose a room",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/actor-terence-cao-gave-interior-designer-free-rein-to-redesign-home-5477346",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T02:56:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/living/terence-cao-interior-designer-redesign-home-6361906"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Actor Terence Cao recently opened the doors of his newly renovated HDB flat in Toa Payoh to fans, revealing he had given his interior designer extensive creative freedom. Surprised by the transformation, Cao stated he had only demanded the home be functional when he handed over the keys. In an Instagram video by Koocester, Cao expressed his shock upon seeing the finished house, describing the designer's work as \"mind-blowing.\" The industrial-inspired interior features raw textured walls, stainless steel finishes, and burnt orange and red accents. A standout feature is the newly created dining area, which replaced one of the two bedrooms and includes a sleek black granite island. Cao, 58, explained his decision to remain out of the design process was due to his trust in the designer. The renovation, sponsored as part of a collaboration, would have cost \"six figures.\" Cao, a founder of livestreaming platform Star Live, sees potential for his new space in both personal use and professional endeavors, such as live streaming and podcasts.",
  "summary": "Cao handed over the keys to his HDB flat and stayed out of the renovation process – only to discover one of the two bedrooms was gone.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Singapore",
        "title": "Actor Terence Cao gave interior designer free rein to redesign home, was shocked to lose a room",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/actor-terence-cao-gave-interior-designer-free-rein-to-redesign-home",
        "published": "2026-09-04T02:56:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}