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In the still hours of the late night, an elderly man removes a miniature basin from its tiny mould. He sands its rough edges to perfection before spraying on a coat of paint.
Known affectionately as Uncle Richard*, this 75-year-old Singaporean has won the internet’s heart with his detailed miniature bathroom models.
Richard used to work in home renovation. He retired three years ago, but his love for home design did not fade. The idea for the next chapter of his life came one day while he was washing his face.
“I looked at my bathroom sink and wondered how I could apply my skills to shrink it down into a tiny model,” he said.
Over the last year and a half, Richard has sold nearly 500 miniature toilet models, each for 22 Singapore dollars (HK$135).
Along the way, his videos on TikTok have gained tens of thousands of views.
“One is never too old to learn,” he said. “Keeping myself open-minded and staying adaptable allows me to stay connected to a changing world, even if this is just a hobby.”
Delicate decor
Most of the people who buy from Richard are teenagers who decorate their spaces with the models.
“I’ve also had a customer [who] asked his relative to help hand-carry it to the United States. I have requests from Australia too, but shipping overseas is tough because these items are extremely fragile,” he said.
The considerable effort that goes into making one model is just as delicate as the finished product. Each miniature bathroom model takes about six days to build. Richard discards ones that do not meet his standards. He produces about 30 models every month.
The sink basin takes the most time. Richard mixes plaster powder with water and presses the mixture into a mould before leaving it to dry for a day.
“There are times when a piece breaks and must be discarded, but nine out of 10 attempts are successful,” Richard said. In the meantime, he assembles the mirror, toothpaste and soap dispenser.
“If I can buy a part online, I buy it. If not, I make it by hand,” Richard explained.
Once dried, the plaster requires about an hour of processing. After assembling the final model, it is ready for pickup.
Richard is constantly thinking of ways to innovate, for example, adding an illuminated vanity mirror to a model or details to spruce up the tile design.
A few customers have even requested miniature toilet bowls. One even asked for a replica of Singapore’s half-lion, half-fish Merlion mascot. But Richard remains focused on standard models for now while he looks for the right materials for custom builds.
“Maybe in the future, I will make a ... dai pai dong model,” he said.
Invest in yourself
Developing a meaningful hobby is more critical than ever today, according to Richard.
“People are glued to their phones,” he said. “If you cut back on screen time, you free up space to invest in yourself and your future. You can learn so much more by observing and studying the world and people around you.”
He added, “Spending all your time staring at a screen is a waste of your youth.”
*Full name withheld at interviewee’s request.
