The S House by WHITE| A luxe 6000 sqft bungalow in Johor Bahru

August 9, 2016Leave a comment

I just came to realize that I have not shared that many projects in Malaysia (where I originated from) on my blog.

So, bringing to you, an interior and A&A project of a 6000 sqft bungalow in Johor Bahru completed by WHITE, a Singapore based design firm.

Space is usually not an issue when it comes to housing in Malaysia. In my opinion, the task to design, decorate and furnish a huge space does not seem any easier as compared with smaller homes. It takes much thoughts and planning to impart warmth and homeliness to the vast square footage, while preserving the luxe factor of the building.

The S House is a bungalow conceptualized for a retiring couple in their sixties, located in a gated residential area in Johor Bahru. According the designer and founder of WHITE, Darren Tee, the monochromatic color scheme is a subtle reference to the shared of grey in Chinese ink wash paintings, as well as traditional Southern Chinese residential architecture, where the use of white-washed walls, grey tiles and timber structures is abundant.

Keeping with the design theme, marble and granite in various shades of white, grey and black are used generously. Walnut veneer used throughout the house ties the different space together and adds necessary warmth.

The house comes with a timber pavilion with water features too! I could really imagine life retiring in this wonderful family home :D

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Small Space Living | Simple and Breezy Apartments in Hong Kong (Part 2/2)

March 20, 2016March 20, 20161 Comment

The second small space renovation project from Urban Design & Build is a 380 sqft loft walk-up.

It has 2 bedrooms in the original layout and the design brief was to transform the apartment into 2 individual suites. The larger one for the owner while the other suite will be rented out.

380 sqft is a not a large space to start of with. I think the designers have done a great job in carving out the 2 suites and still retaining the functionalities for each. Decor and styling is beautifully simple, each of the suites exudes a serene and calming vibe that is much needed in any small living space.

Suite 1:

Suite 2:

Images via Urban Design & Build

Click to read (Part 1/2) Small Space Living | Simple and Breezy Apartments in Hong Kong

Small Space Living | Simple and Breezy Apartments in Hong Kong (Part 1/2)

March 20, 2016March 20, 20162 Comments

Remember the chic walk-up serviced apartment in the Hong Kong classic Tong Lau?

The folks at the Urban Design & Build have shared with me another 2 of their projects recently. Looking at the images, it is surprising to know that they are just merely below 200 sqft and 400 sqft each. We don’t usually associate “breezy interior” with small living spaces, but these 2 apartments demonstrate that with careful planning (and of course great taste and discipline to keep things minimal), you can still have that relaxing airy feel albeit the small square footage.

The first project is Studio M.

This 200 sqft studio apartment is designed for a single lady. The main living space has a Scandinavian color palette of white and grey. An interesting area rug ground the living room. I especially like design of the sliding door that partitions the sleeping area to give privacy, and still allowing flexibilities to open up the living space.

Located in the heart of CWB, it comes with a 180 sqft rooftop terrace. The lavender upholstery and the accessories used give a feminine touch to this space. This beautiful terrace will certainly make a great entertainment space for friends and family to gather.

Images via Urban Design & Build

Continue to (Part 2/2) of Small Space Living | Simple and Breezy Apartments in Hong Kong to find out how a 380 sqft apartment is transformed into 2 individual suites.

Small Space Living | Mid-century Luxury in a 520 Square Feet Apartment in Greenwich Village

December 31, 2015Leave a comment

Ending the year 2015 with my favourite topic – Small Space Living :)

This one is a New York city studio apartment belongs to architectural designer Greg Dufner. I really like the layout of this studio, where privacy is still preserved by carving out the sleeping area with a built-in bookcase as divider from the rest of the space. Every inch of the space looks just right.

It’s amazing how much style you can pack into a mere 520 square feet, and the mid-century flair is – oh so warm and luxurious.

Images via Dwell and Dufner Heighes website

Amsterdam’s Old School Converted into Modern Apartment | Ons Dorp

November 7, 2015Leave a comment

In Amsterdam, 10 young families have found each other through social network and came together to form the group of “Ons Dorp” (our village) to commission the conversion of an old school building in the Bellamy neighbourhood into 10 modern apartments.

The School – Before

Before

The plan

Casa Architecten has converted the building into 10 beautiful apartments of varying sizes between 100-150 sqm that suit each family’s wishes. Every apartment has access to outdoor space, whether it is a garden, roof terrace or a balcony.

The apartment shown here is a family home for 5, designed by Standard Studio.