How a Balinese-Inspired Bungalow Became a Modern Tropical Retreat

A home that embraces openness and encourages family interaction.

For years, Mr Wong and his family lived in a semi-detached house. But as their family grew, so did their desire for a home with more space. They came across an 11,000 sq ft bungalow in Seri Kembangan and immediately saw its potential. Nestled beside a golf course, the home stood out with its striking Balinese-inspired façade and tranquil, resort-like atmosphere.

Although the home's structure remained solid, the interiors had been left untouched for years and didn't reflect the family's tastes and way of living. He commissioned the help of DC Design to reimagine the bungalow into a modern tropical sanctuary that complements its Balinese roots. We had the opportunity to tour the home and speak with David, founder of DC Design, who walked us through the renovation process and the thoughtful design decisions behind the home transformation.

About the homeowners and their home

David (D): Our client, Mr Wong, is a businessman who lives with his wife, their three children and in-laws. The family also has several pets, including dogs and birds, making for a lively and bustling household. A devoted family man, Mr Wong enjoys spending time with his loved ones.

When he purchased the property in 2024, he knew he had found something special. Set on a sprawling 10,000 sq ft plot, the three-storey bungalow came complete with a lift, 7 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms.

More than just its generous size, it was the home's tropical charm that really caught his attention. With a fish pond, swimming pool and spacious backyard, the house felt like a private retreat. The Balinese-inspired architecture added to its unique character, from the grand carved timber entrance door and towering pillars to the natural stone walls, intricate wood carvings and lush tropical landscaping. Everywhere you looked, it felt just like stepping into a luxury resort in Bali.

As fate would have it, Mr Wong and I had been friends for years. So when it came time to reimagine the interiors, I was the first person he called.

About the home’s design

With retirement on the horizon, Mr Wong and his wife began thinking about what they wanted their next chapter to look like. They wanted a home where they could slow down, host family and friends, and spend meaningful time with their children, all while enjoying the feeling of being on holiday every day.

That vision became the foundation of the design and it can be best described as a Modern Tropical Resort. Rather than completely changing the home's original character, our design approach focused on preserving its distinctive Balinese architecture while reimagining the interiors with a modern tropical aesthetic that better suits the family's lifestyle today.

Instead of simply replacing finishes, every design decision was carefully considered to improve the way the family lives, from creating better gathering spaces to introducing practical storage solutions and durable materials for long-term use.

About the renovation works

The Balinese-inspired entryway and courtyard

The original Balinese-inspired entrance and façade were kept as they are a key part of the home’s identity. To enhance the arrival experience, we added more tropical landscaping and greenery, which helps strengthen the connection between the house and its surroundings.

No major structural changes or wet work were done in this renovation. However, we did replace the original timber flooring that ran from the living hall through to the kitchen with large-format marble tiles. The owners requested this change due to concerns about potential termite issues, which could be difficult and costly to deal with after moving in.

This upgrade made a noticeable difference to the overall feel of the home. The marble flooring helps brighten the interior and creates a more open and spacious atmosphere. It also visually connects the living, dining, and kitchen areas, improving flow while maintaining a clean, modern tropical resort look.

The main living area

The owners wanted a home that felt purposeful and not over-designed. So instead of filling the space with too many built-ins and bulky furniture, the focus was on keeping things functional and intentional. Most of the existing built-ins and furniture were removed and replaced with custom-designed contemporary storage solutions and furnishings. Some pieces were brought over from their previous home, while others were sourced from China or Taiwan.

At the same time, we made sure not to lose the home’s original character. The existing stone-clad pillars were preserved, as does a piece of artwork that the owners were particularly fond of, which sits on an empty wall in the living room. We built the space around the artwork and treated it as a focal point, with the surrounding furniture and cabinetry arranged to complement it.

With these changes, the main living area now feels more open and practical, but still personal. It has become a comfortable space for the owners to relax, or simply sit back and listen to music.

The kitchen

The kitchen was one of the key focus areas of the renovation, as it serves as the heart of the home. The family enjoys spending time here, especially in the mornings over coffee and breakfast, while the wife often uses the space to play mahjong with family and friends.

To best support this lifestyle, we introduced a clear separation between the dry kitchen and wet kitchen areas. The original developer-provided kitchen cabinets were removed and replaced with a fully custom design using woodgrain laminates, creating a more seamless and cohesive look throughout.

At the centre of the dry kitchen is a multifunctional island designed for daily use. It combines storage, a coffee station and food preparation space, making it perfect for the daughter, who enjoys spending her time in the kitchen baking.

For the wet kitchen, we upgraded the cabinetry to a full aluminium system to improve durability and resistance to moisture, making it more practical for long-term use and easier maintenance.

Both kitchen countertops are finished in porcelain stone countertops, which helps achieve a clean, contemporary look while also being highly durable for daily use.

The outdoor kitchen and dining area

Since the family often hosts gatherings and enjoys spending time outdoors, we designed a fully functional outdoor kitchen in the backyard.

The space features custom aluminium cabinetry and generous preparation areas, along with a long dining table that comfortably accommodates large groups. The family loves steamboat meals, so the table was designed with an adjustable height feature and an integrated cooking stove for added convenience.

The master bedroom

The master suite has been completely redesigned to better suit the owners’ daily routines and need for privacy within the space. At the centre of the room is a custom super king size bed, paired with a feature headboard wall that adds visual interest while still keeping in line with the home’s overall design language.

To improve functionality, we introduced a bespoke partition cabinet that serves a dual purpose as both a room divider and a storage unit. This helps create distinct zones within the master suite, allowing the owners to comfortably separate areas for sleeping, relaxing, watching TV, and reading.

A compact workstation was also added for occasional work and personal use, making the space more versatile without feeling cluttered.

The master bedroom is directly connected to a walk-in wardrobe, created specifically to organise and store the owners’ personal belongings.

The master bathroom

The en suite master bathroom already had a resort-like feel from the start, with its stone-clad walls, skylight that brings in natural light, and wooden ceiling that adds warmth to the space. Because of this, we chose to keep the original layout and design intact.

Instead of a full overhaul, we made only minor upgrades to better align it with the newly renovated master suite. The main change was replacing the vanity cabinetry with custom full aluminium units to improve durability, moisture resistance, and ease of maintenance.

These subtle updates help modernise the space while preserving its original spa-like atmosphere.

The daughter’s bedroom

Each of the children’s bedrooms was designed based on their individual preferences and daily routines, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

For instance, the daughter’s room features a custom-built wardrobe with display shelves for her Pop Mart collection, along with a built-in headboard, bedside table, vanity, and a feature wall. The layout was planned to suit her current interests while still remaining flexible enough to adapt as she grows older.

Family hall transformed into a home gym

The family enjoys hosting gatherings and staying active, so the third floor was designed as a dedicated space for social and leisure activities.

One of the main changes was converting the original family hall into a home gym, giving the owners a convenient space to maintain an active lifestyle without needing to leave the house.

The entertainment deck and bar area

Next to the gym, there is an outdoor terrace that was originally an open-air jacuzzi area. We reworked this space into a more versatile entertainment and bar zone where the family and guests can gather and socialise.

This was achieved by introducing a custom bar counter, outdoor kitchen cabinetry, seating areas, and entertainment features. The result is a relaxed social hub that encourages people to hang out, unwind, and spend quality time together in an open-air setting.

The karaoke room

Adjacent to the bar area is a spacious double-volume room that has been transformed into a dedicated karaoke lounge. It features built-in storage, a surround sound system, a large L-shaped sofa, and a coffee table, creating a comfortable space for karaoke sessions.

On challenges encountered

One of the biggest challenges was balancing the home's original Balinese architectural identity with the owners' preference for a more contemporary interior style.

Introducing too many modern elements could have diminished the property's unique character, while retaining too much of the original design would not have achieved the lifestyle and functionality the owners were looking for.

To overcome this challenge, we carefully selected materials, colours, furniture, and finishes that complemented the existing architecture while introducing a fresh and contemporary living environment.

Another major challenge was replacing the original timber flooring with large-format marble flooring while ensuring a seamless transition throughout the main living spaces. Careful planning and coordination were required to achieve consistent floor levels, precise material alignment, and visual continuity across the living hall, dining area, and kitchen.

In the end, the marble flooring became one of the key defining features of the renovation, helping shift the home’s overall look from traditional Balinese influences to a more refined modern tropical resort style.

To sum up

The entire project took around 10 months, from the early design stages right through to construction and final completion. Because of the scale of the renovation and the amount of bespoke joinery involved, it really was a process that required close coordination at every step, from design planning and material selection to custom fabrication, site works, installation, and final styling.

It wasn’t always straightforward, but seeing the homeowners genuinely enjoy the spaces we created makes this one of our most rewarding projects to date. It perfectly reflects our belief that great design is not just about aesthetics, but about creating a home that supports the way people live.

For us, this project wasn't just about creating a beautiful home. It was about respecting the home's original architecture while transforming it into a warm, modern family retreat that the homeowners can continue to enjoy for many years, especially as they look forward to retirement.

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