R145 Residence

Project Type: Landed Residential Unit (Double-story intermediate terrace house)
Site Condition: As left by previous tenant
Renovation Size: 2800 sqft
Location: Ampang
Year of Completion: 2023

In the realm of architectural and interior transformations, this residential project proves as compelling as breathing new life into a two-decade-old intermediate terrace house nestled in a sub-urban of Ampang. What was once a basic home with notoriously contradicting interior elements and palette, has been reborn into a captivating testament to contemporary living that highlights modern farmhouse as its core design style.

Our client, a family of five, comprising a husband and wife with children on the cusp of young adulthood, has entrusted us with a clear and exciting mission: to rejuvenate both the interior and exterior of their home. However, their vision goes beyond the ordinary. Their primary desire is to expand their master bedroom into the adjoining flat roof, currently shared with their neighbor.

The moment you step through the main entrance, you will find yourself transported into a captivating monochromatic space. Here, nostalgia mingles with value, as the once-broken marble flooring of the Living and Dining areas has been meticulously restored to its former glory, now gleaming with a timeless glossiness. A humble yet impactful wall design of thin, bold black lines intertwines with wide, warm grey ones, weaving a subtle tapestry that effortlessly delineates a common space. The monochrome palette dramatically enhances the statement pendant light at the Dining, along with warm wash of light flowing from the ceiling pocket down to the walls.

Within the living area, a true showstopper reigns supreme—the media carpentry unit. Its symmetrical, towering shelves beckon our clients to proudly display their cherished books and travel memorabilia. Its shiplap-style wall paneling in white effortlessly highlights a considerably big TV, drawing the whole family in for a Netflix series marathon on weekends or for a movie night. The addition of new four-panel sliding glass doors strategically repositions the focal point, unveiling a terrace adorned with captivating patterned tiles. These tiles, nestled amidst understated medium grey tiles in the car porch area, welcomes you into the outdoor space like a friendly greeting.

In our journey of this home transformation, the kitchen space underwent a significant expansion, extending to its boundary lines before our renovation process began. This expansion presented us with the exciting canvas of a larger kitchen footprint, offering boundless possibilities for creativity and functionality. Within this kitchen, a smart division emerges, creating two distinct and highly functional areas. The first is the breakfast area, complete with its own hidden pantry cabinet, doubling as a charming breakfast bar and discrete food storage compartments. The second area is dedicated to meal preparation, housing the kitchen sink and cooking zone. The ingenious L-shaped cabinetry layout in this kitchen not only enhances efficiency but also liberates valuable floor space, ensuring smooth traffic flow. Additionally, it carves out a cozy corner, perfect for accommodating a round table and dining chairs.

The guest bathroom takes center stage, accessible from both the kitchen and the guest bedroom. While preserving the bathroom's original square layout, we embarked on a dramatic transformation that breathed new life into this space. The metamorphosis began with the introduction of fresh tiles and modern sanitary fittings, instantly elevating the bathroom's aesthetic appeal. To enhance functionality, we incorporated custom carpentry for the vanity and a convenient wall niche within the shower area, providing ample storage for toiletries.

Perhaps, the most striking change was the replacement of the existing wall-mount shower unit with a ceiling rain shower. This sleek modification not only adds a touch of luxury but also creates a clean, clutter-free visual line, transforming the bathroom into a serene oasis.

With an elderly individual in mind, we carefully curated a bedroom layout that anticipates future needs. The design of this guest room is straightforward- a full-height wardrobe under the lower ceiling height, adorned with ample open shelves. Beyond providing a stylish storage solution for our client's book collection, it also envisions the possibility of wheelchair access in the years to come.

The master bedroom on the first floor stands as a canvas of another significant transformation. New slim windows frame a view of the tree standing tall in the front yard, while a soothing green feature wall graces the bedhead. The addition of a functional working and reading desk complements the whole space. The new extensions at the master bedroom also offer two new areas- the walk-in closet area as well, laundry zone accompanied by a flat roof space housing air conditioning services. Despite their compact size, meticulous space planning transforms these areas into functional hubs, seamlessly blending practicality with purpose.

The extension of the master ensuite has amplified its footprint, creating a seamless uncluttered flow for the wash basin, WC, and shower area. In parallel with our approach to the guest bathroom downstairs, the floor and wall tiles underwent a meticulous change, crafting an ambiance reminiscent of a luxurious hotel experience. With its new feature turquoise wall tiles and pattern floor tiles at the shower area, splashing excitement to an otherwise neutral color palette. Since the master ensuite is now extended to the shared wall with its neighbor’s and adjacent to the newly extended walk-in closet area, a new skylight is installed in the shower area for access to sunlight during daytime.

The two bedrooms with a shared bathroom stand as thoughtful transformations for our client's young adult sons. As soon as you enter the bedroom, it is adorned with calming blue feature wall, a serene backdrop for personal sanctuaries. The bathroom follows suit with gleaming navy subway tiles.

Each bedroom boasts practicality with dedicated working and study desks, creating spaces that inspire focus and productivity. The bathroom underwent a strategic layout change, enhancing the activity flow and accommodating a long counter with a semi-recessed washbasin. A striking long stretch of mirrored wall cabinetry not only provides ample storage for toiletries but also imparts the illusion of a larger bathroom space. Positioned strategically opposite a window, the long wall cabinetry with mirrored doors reflect natural light, creating an ambiance that is both spacious and luminous.

Existing Site Photos

Site Progress Photos

Hana Suhaimi Interior Design

© 2023