A Young Couple's New Nest in Petaling Jaya Exudes Serene Japandi Vibes

Serenity in simplicity

In today's fast-paced world, homeowners seek tranquility and simplicity in their living spaces. Japandi design, characterised by its dedication to clean lines, neutral hues, and minimalism, offers an environment that fosters peacefulness. This was precisely what a newlywed couple aimed to create when they bought their first home in Petaling Jaya.

They turned to Neo Chin of Paperworks Studio to help transform their condo into a spacious, bright, and clean-lined Japandi-inspired dwelling. We spoke with Neo about his experience overseeing the renovation works of this condominium, which took him and his team 7 weeks to complete.

Qanvast (Q): Hi Neo, can you tell us a little about your client and where they are currently residing?

Neo Chin (NC): This condominium belongs to a couple who recently welcomed a newborn. Having previously resided in a small rented apartment, the couple made the decision to invest in their first home to better suit the needs of their expanding family. During their search, they came across the Megah Rise high-rise property in Petaling Jaya. Encompassing 1,600 sqft, this condominium in Taman Megah is a newly built property that reached completion in 2022. Boasting 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, the couple sought our help in renovating the space before settling into their new home.

Q: How did your client learn about your company?

NC: The couple chose to work with us after seeing our previous work on Instagram and realising that our signature design approach was exactly what they were looking for in a home. If you noticed, most of our projects feature warm woods, softer hues, and curved design elements.

Q: What was the design chosen for this home?

NC: The couple knew from the start that they wanted a Japandi design concept for their home. Japandi design is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian styles, combining the simplicity and functionality of Scandinavian design with the minimalism and traditional elements of Japanese design. Both styles lean towards minimalism and a relaxed way of living that’s connected to nature.

In line with the client's brief, we used a light neutral colour palette for the materials and finishings to create a more organic and inviting space for the young family. These types of colours bring about a cool, soothing setting, while clean-lined and functional furnishings contribute to an uncluttered appearance.

As this is a new family unit, we also added a lot of storage solutions to help the growing family with their storage needs.

Q: What renovation works were included to achieve this look?

NC: The project costs RM155,000 and includes carpentry, false ceiling installation, repainting, adding a feature wall, electrical rewiring, light installation, decorating, plumbing, and air conditioning work.

The entryway

During our initial discussion, the couple stated that they wanted their home to feature plenty of curve elements. This served as inspiration when curating the feature walls and furnishing. It contrasts with the straight lines and sharp angles commonly found in modern homes, creating an overall soft look.

The presence of curved lines becomes immediately apparent the moment you enter the house. Adjacent to the custom-built shoe cabinet, we incorporated a floor-to-ceiling concealed storage unit with chamfered edging. This serves not only as storage but also as a subtle divider between the entryway and the open-plan living room. This clever design choice also helps to maintain a free-flowing and spacious feel in the common area of the house. The gentle curves create an inviting atmosphere, almost like they are enveloping and welcoming you in a soft embrace when you enter. It also draws the eyes upwards and draws attention to the warm lighting near the entrance for a warm welcome upon returning home.

Dining area

The dining area takes on a similar aesthetic, where we incorporated the same oak material used for the wooden wall panel in a light hue. The curved wall serves a dual purpose—it acts as a spatial divider and offers concealed storage. This aligns with a fundamental aspect of Japandi design, that emphasises a neat and visually uncluttered look. Because they’re less ‘rigid’, introducing curvy elements further contributes to a less 'tense' atmosphere, creating a cosier and more inviting space.

In the dining area, a bespoke dining table adorned in a natural timber oak finish with an exquisite white marble top adds a sense of luxury to the space. The similarities in the furniture pieces with the walls (the white-and-wood combination) create a visually consistent look and form this home as one entity.

Meanwhile, a white pendant lamp hanging above the dining table helps to visually extend the sides of the dining area, making the space feel open and inviting. The simplicity of the design contributes to the overall clean Japandi aesthetic.

Living room

The living room is a cosy and airy retreat for the family to unwind in. We installed sheer curtains, which cast the room with a soft natural glow throughout the day, allowing the family to dwell in tranquility. This aligns with the Scandinavian emphasis on light and the Japanese appreciation for nature. We also positioned the TV console and custom-ordered the modular sofa set at the lowest height to optimise the vertical space, lending the spacious feeling of living in a room with tall ceilings.

The living room takes on a similar design with an overall light-neutral palette that rounds up the no-frills philosophy of the Japandi style. We also incorporated a wall linear light as an additional visual appeal within the area when it’s lit in the evening as a finishing touch to the space.

Workspace

To cater to a family member working from home, we transformed an additional area within the guest bedrooms into a dedicated workspace.

Adhering to the Japandi design theme, the workspace showcases neutral tones, sleek lines, and a minimalist appearance. We installed built-in shelves to ensure the couple can easily keep the space looking neat and organised while having a nook to display their knick-knacks. The integrated desk and drawers span the entire length of one wall, maximising the available space. Strip lighting underneath the shelves adds an inviting feel to the room.

Master bedroom

The calm atmosphere extends seamlessly into the master bedroom, where the same oak finishing and curved details are used to maintain visual harmony. The bedhead is upholstered in light grey fabric with oak accents, while the headboard wall is coated in spray tile to give the space a tactile feel. This is further enhanced by the installation of indirect illumination that truly allows the couple to retreat in comfort.

Positioned adjacent to the bathroom, the custom-made walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom provides added convenience for the couple to get ready after leaving the bathroom. Finally, we installed fluted glass doors in the master bedroom’s walk-in wardrobe to reduce the sight of clutter while augmenting the sense of space.

Q: Did you encounter any challenges during the renovation process?

NC: This project proceeded without major unexpected challenges, as we always strive for clarity and alignment with our clients before beginning any work to help mitigate potential issues.

Typically, issues arise when there is a miscommunication or lack of communication between the client and the project manager. To avoid this, we conduct several rounds of preliminary meetings with the couple to discuss and decide on the concept, design, materials, and cost before beginning with the renovation, which is regularly updated in group chat, weekly progress reports, and on-site meetings.

Q: Are you happy with the outcome of this renovation project?

NC: Yes, we are very pleased with the outcome, as we have successfully achieved the final result that we envisioned in our presentation. The couple was also satisfied with the finished project because it exceeded their expectations, as they never imagined their new home would look exactly like the drawings!

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