House Tour: $300,000 renovation for this ultra-spacious two-storey bungalow in Malaysia
By Home & Decor Team -
Striking a balance between the clients’ tastes and what the designer envisions can prove to be a challenge, especially when it comes to vast spaces. Case in point: this ultra-spacious two-storey bungalow situated in a gated community across the Causeway.
As an addition and alteration project (it was initially a seven-bedroom house), the renovation cost including furnishings (which includes a small extension) was slightly over RM1 million (or slightly over S$300,000).
“The completed interiors of this home are the result of this very delicate balance – something both the owners and I, as the designer, can really appreciate,” says Darren Tee, principal architect-designer of White.
The outdoor area is clad in chengal timber. A glass opening at the top allows for daylight to stream in, lending a breezy and natural feel to this part of the house. Shanxi black granite was used for the raised koi infinity pond, for a contemporary touch.
The project took two years to complete and many items – including loose furniture, curtains, wallpaper, kitchen sinks, taps, hobs and accessories – were sourced from suppliers in Singapore.
The full-height library wall in the younger son’s bedroom is a series of open bookshelves made of thin acrylic panels, so that they share the home’s high-gloss white aesthetic. Each niche comes with a clear mirror backing to reflect daylight streaming from the bedroom window.
The custom-made dining table is crafted from solid polished sea wave granite. The white acrylic wall panels with a polyurethane spray-paint finish conceal storage cabinets.
The marble and high-gloss white material language extends to the wet kitchen, where the storage cabinets are fitted with crystal white glass door panels.
Wallpaper with a blue pattern was specifically chosen for the master bedroom on the second level, as blue is one of the key colours in the couple’s collection of traditional Chinese porcelain ware.
The master bedroom leads into the spacious walk-in wardrobe and dressing table, an example of walnut-toned “timber box” sections of the house.
“I felt a series of black, grey and white stones would complement the brown walnut ‘boxes’ in the interior,” Darren explains. This captivating contrast resulted in a look filled with character and timeless appeal.