View source for Nicole and Siris Studio’s Wayne Huang incident

In March 2025, Nicole collected the keys to her BTO flat. Renovations was soon commenced in April under Studio Siris, led by co-founder Wayne Huang. The renovation was structured as a barter arrangement—Studio Siris would provide design and project management services in exchange for promotional content on Nicole’s social channels. Nicole had initially intended to complete the renovation herself due to her design background but was persuaded by Studio Siris’s portfolio. She set a firm move-in deadline of 1.5 months, aiming for 15 June 2025 as the handover date.<ref name=":0">Sivakumar, Yoganeetha. “[https://vulcanpost.com/895488/nicole-liel-id-nightmare-reno ID in charge of designing influencer Nicole Liel’s BTO responds to claims of ‘nightmare reno experience’.]” ''Vulcan Post,'' 28 August 2025. Accessed 29 August 2025.</ref><ref name=":1">Loh, Chloe. “[https://mothership.sg/2025/08/nicole-liel-siris-studio Yishun BTO owner shares ‘interior designer horror story’ after renovation gets delayed & plagued with issues.]” ''Mothership,'' 23 August 2025. Accessed 29 August 2025.</ref>

==Reported issues & delays==
[[File:Nicole Liel ID drama lighting.jpg|thumb|''Nicole pointing out the lighting in her bedroom. Photo from [https://www.tiktok.com/@lielnicole/video/7539744279078374674?embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C121477481%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121487028%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121819198%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=mustsharenews.com%2Finfluencer-home-renovation-issues%2F&referer_video_id=7539744279078374674 TikTok.]'']]
Nicole publicly highlighted multiple renovation failures in her TikTok and Instagram “nightmare” video series.

====Mismeasurements:====

*Kitchen cabinet-backsplash gap: A cabinet installed beside the kitchen counter left a visible and significant gap between the unit and the backsplash. According to WhatsApp conversations shared by Nicole, designer Wayne Huang had provided specific measurements of 960-965mm for the cabinet width. When executed by the contractor, these measurements resulted in a misfit that left an unsightly and unfunctional gap. While Huang argued this was a "byproduct of design changes" rather than measurement error (noting Nicole had switched to smaller appliances), the execution ultimately failed to align with the revised plans.<ref name=":0" />
*Hob clearance violation: the kitchen hob was installed with barely 2cm of clearance from the edge of the countertop, creating a potential safety hazard and violating standard kitchen safety guidelines that typically require at least 4-5cm of clearance. Nicole highlighted this issue as evidence of poor onsite supervision and technical planning.<ref name=":1" />
*Oven ventilation oversight: A kitchen cabinet designed to house an oven was built without any air vent, creating a risk of overheating and potential fire hazard. When confronted, the installers claimed they had not been informed of this requirement by Huang, and the omission was not reflected in the provided drawings.<ref name=":1" />
*Shoe rack miscalculation: A built-in shoe rack, which Nicole claimed was measured and executed by Huang's contractor, was constructed too small to fit her shoes properly, rendering the unit practically useless for its intended purpose.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Nicole Liel ID drama cabinet.jpg|thumb|''Nicole showing viewers the cabinet that had issues with shutting. Photo from [https://www.tiktok.com/@lielnicole/video/7539744279078374674?embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C121477481%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121487028%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121819198%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=mustsharenews.com%2Finfluencer-home-renovation-issues%2F&referer_video_id=7539744279078374674 TikTok.]'']]

====Functional and design flaws:====

*Concealed cabinet mechanism failure: A concealed cabinet designed to close through a pressure-activated mechanism (where pressing anywhere on the surface should trigger closing) only functioned when pressed at one specific spot. This indicated either poor installation or inferior mechanism quality, fundamentally undermining the intended seamless design. Huang acknowledged this was his carpenter's work but noted that Nicole had never raised the issue with him prior to her public posting.<ref name=":0" />
*Switch placement on mural wall: A light switch was installed directly in the middle of a hallway wall that Nicole had specifically designated for a custom-designed mural (created with ChatGPT assistance). This placement effectively ruined the aesthetic potential of the mural space. Huang claimed he had asked a subcontractor to move the switch after Nicole raised the concern but was unsure why it remained unchanged.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*Inconsistent design execution: Nicole reported that work was often "directed and carried out on the spot when I wasn't around, without my prior agreement," resulting in deviations from approved plans. She also noted that explanations for errors were inconsistent, with blame frequently shifted between parties rather than taking accountability.<ref name=":1" />

====Lighting misplacements:====

*Bedroom lighting constellation: In the bedroom, lights were installed in a seemingly random pattern that Nicole likened to "constellations." Specifically, one light was positioned directly in front of the air-conditioner unit, three others were placed around the ceiling fan, and another was positioned further away without apparent symmetry or design logic. Huang explained that the lights were installed according to the original lighting plan that accommodated custom wardrobes and a TV console. When Nicole later opted for off-the-shelf furniture instead of custom pieces, the pre-installed wiring placements became misaligned with the new layout.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">Tan, Kim. “[https://mustsharenews.com/influencer-home-renovation-issues S’pore influencer slams interior designer for home renovation issues, including awkwardly placed lights & ‘too-short’ backsplash.]” ''MustSharenews,'' 28 August 2025. Accessed 29 August 2025.</ref>

====Material and completion issues:====

*Toilet tiling omissions: The bathroom walls were supposed to be fully clad in sintered stone through a sponsored arrangement, but this was never completed. Left with unfinished walls, Nicole had to paint portions black as a temporary compromise, significantly diminishing the aesthetic and functional quality of the space.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*Unresolved deficiencies: Numerous elements remained incomplete or required remediation by the time Nicole terminated Huang's services in June. These included undressed gaps, unfinished edges, and missing components that should have been part of the contractual delivery.<ref name=":0" />

Despite Nicole’s efforts and the time elapsed, four months later, renovations remained incomplete. Nicole emphasized that many homeowners reached out to empathize—reporting similar renovation struggles and unexpected additional costs.<ref name=":1" />


==Studio Siris’ response==
[[File:Nicole Liel ID drama Wayne.jpg|thumb|''Photo from [https://www.tiktok.com/@abigfatslice/video/7542889039406370055 TikTok.]'']]
Wayne Huang publicly shared his version via social media videos and subsequently spoke to media outlets, attempting to clarify behind-the-scenes complexities. He attributed delays to factors such as frequent design revisions, shifting sponsorship confirmations, and coordination issues with multiple contractors. To compensate for the disrupted move-in timeline, he transferred S$4,000 to Nicole’s husband to defray rental extension costs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> 

==Media coverage==
The renovation saga involving influencer Nicole Liel and interior designer Wayne Huang of Studio Siris garnered significant media attention in Singapore, with extensive coverage across multiple platforms.

====MustShareNews====
MustShareNews provided comprehensive coverage of the incident, detailing Nicole Liel's grievances with the renovation process. The article highlighted specific issues such as mismeasured kitchen cabinets, misplaced lighting, and delayed project timelines. It also noted the involvement of the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), which reached out to Nicole in late August 2025 following her viral TikTok video that surpassed 600,000 views. The piece emphasized the polarized public opinion, with netizens divided on whether the issues stemmed from sponsorship-related mismanagement or poor project execution.<ref name=":2" />

====Mothership.sg====
Mothership.sg focused on the homeowner's perspective, detailing Nicole Liel's experience with Studio Siris. The article discussed the timeline of events, including the initial agreement, the renovation delays, and the specific defects identified in the flat. It also provided insights into Nicole's decision to terminate the collaboration and the subsequent response from Wayne Huang. The coverage offered a balanced view, incorporating both the homeowner's and designer's perspectives.<ref name=":1" />

====Vulcan Post====
Vulcan Post provided an in-depth analysis of the situation, including interviews with Wayne Huang. The article explored the background of the barter trade agreement between Nicole Liel and Studio Siris, where design services were exchanged for social media exposure. Wayne Huang explained the delays caused by sponsorship approvals and design revisions, as well as the miscommunication resulting from multiple contractors and overlapping responsibilities. The piece aimed to offer a comprehensive breakdown of both parties' perspectives.<ref name=":0" />

==References/Citations==
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[[Category:Newsworthy Incidents]]