14-Year-Old Selangor Duplex Renovated with Pet-Friendly Elements

A renovation that took almost a year to complete due to MCO.

As pet parents will know, furry companions create their fair share of messes. However, it’s still possible to integrate pet-friendly features into your home while keeping things tidy and sticking to your design preferences. This modern duplex is an excellent example. The owners are animal lovers, and they wanted their home to be a comfortable haven for both themselves and their pets.

After looking high and low for an interior designer to renovate their home, they enlisted the help of IQI Concept Interior Design & Renovation upon discovering their website. Qadriya Suhaida, the project manager, worked closely with the homeowners and completed the task successfully. She shared some valuable insights into her journey managing the duplex renovation, navigating through various challenges encountered throughout the process.

About the homeowners and their home

Qadriya Suhaida (QS): This condominium is owned by a married couple who regularly rescue stray rabbits and cats. The husband works for a chemical company, and the wife stays at home to take care of their pets.

Situated in Damansara Perdana, Selangor, this duplex, constructed in 2010, is a resale unit. Encompassing a space of over 2700 sqft, it comprises 3+1 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

About their chosen design style for the home

QS: The couple requested modern and contemporary designs for their home. They wanted to give the 14-year-old home a new lease on life, so every corner of the space is given a modern touch.

In terms of colour palette, we suggested incorporating earthy tones with black accents. As the wife is particularly fond of red, touches of red were incorporated throughout the design, whilst ensuring that the overall concept remained cohesive across every room.

On the renovation works done

The overall ambiance of the duplex was originally very dim due to insufficient lighting. To address this issue, we installed additional downlights, eyeballs, and track lights, enhancing the overall lighting scheme and adding ambient light throughout the entire house.

About the foyer area

As the couple owned plenty of loose small items, we integrated ample storage space without compromising the overall spaciousness. This approach allows them to store their belongings while maintaining a clean and tidy appearance.

This becomes evident upon entering the house. In the foyer area, we constructed a wall using melamine wood, concealing two storage rooms and the entrance to the home office. The wooden wall panel also helps to create a cleaner-looking hallway that is warm and inviting.

About the home office

There are several layout changes applied to the duplex. As the husband frequently works from home, they requested that we turn one of their existing guest rooms into a home office. We installed a custom-built desk, along with open and closed shelves, providing the owners with storage for personal items and creating a comfortable working environment.

On renovating the open-plan living area

My favourite part of the house is the open-plan living area, which combines the dry kitchen and living area in one open space. An island that doubles up as a dining area demarcates the living room from the adjacent dry kitchen, all without breaking the spatial flow between these two spaces.

In the living room, a central focal point was created by installing a black wooden panel complemented by a large round mirror that visually expands the space. The addition of red accents, seen on the built-in cabinet doors and the island, enhances the inviting atmosphere.

The overall blend of neutral tones, including light wood, black, grey, and off-white from the L-shaped sofa, armchair, coffee table, shelves, and built-in console tables, adds sophistication to the space. This aesthetic harmonises seamlessly with the new SPC flooring, a replacement for the original tile floors.

About the wet kitchen and laundry

The wet kitchen, located in an enclosed space adjacent to the dry kitchen, features custom upper and lower cabinets. Additionally, we crafted specialised storage for the couple's brooms and mops. To add character to the space, we incorporated Peranakan design tiles for the flooring in a monochrome colour scheme that matches the entire kitchen monochrome concept.

About the cat and bunny room

With a total of 6 cats and 7 bunnies in their care, the couple requested that we convert the existing family hall on the first floor into a specially designed space to accommodate their pets. This room was meticulously planned. For instance, the console was raised, and beneath it, a designated space was created for the couple to store loose hay, preventing the bunnies from nibbling on it.

The entrance to this room was specially designed to enable the top and bottom panels to open and close separately. The design, called Dutch door, replaces the traditional wood panels with mild steel and glass panels. The dual access feature allows the couple to leave the top section of the door open for ventilation. Moreover, it facilitates easy entry and exit for the cats without the risk of the bunnies escaping when only a portion of the door is opened.

About the master bedroom and en suite bathroom

For the master bedroom, the couple requested extra storage for their ironing equipment and board so we designed a custom storage section in their wardrobe. The original floor was still in mint condition, so we had it revarnished for a fresh look. The rest of the bedroom was updated with modern furnishing and built-ins in neutral tones, that lend a sense of calm throughout the space.

The master bathroom underwent extensive renovations. Besides replacing the entire plumbing system (more on this below), the original floor and wall tiles were replaced with grey hexagon tiles. We also added built-in cabinets for storage, his-hers sinks and a freestanding bathtub. The light coloured surface and fitting gives the space a bright and breezy feel while the matte black accents add contrast so it doesn’t look too flat.

About the challenges they faced during the renovation

QS: The building is equipped with only one service lift that takes a long time to arrive. And since the building consists of a lot of units, logistical tasks become more challenging. We had to manage our scheduling so that we could transport the large objects during less busy hours.

Given that the condo is over a decade old, the majority of the piping and wiring in the building are outdated. This required the client to replace the whole house's wiring and pipes, particularly in the bathrooms.

To sum up

QS: I genuinely enjoy working on this project. The clients and I have developed a good relationship during and after the renovation has been completed. This project has become very personal to me with the designs and decorations in place. Overall, I’d say that I am very pleased and proud of this work and the team that was involved in it and the homeowner is very happy with the outcome of the renovation.

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