Even though they’re first-time homeowners, 33-year-old Zulaikha Zuraimi and her husband, Hakim Danial, chose to renovate their home themselves, without the help of an interior designer.
“Coming from an Art & Design background, we share a deep, mutual passion for anything related to design and aesthetics, which naturally translates into our professional lives and renovation projects,” says Zulaikha. It’s a passion that also carries into their business, as the couple runs an online furniture company called Booming Plus.
In this article, Zulaikha shares her renovation experience, which took 4 years to complete and cost RM350,000 to build from the ground up.
About Zulaikha and her family
We’re both originally from Johor; my husband is from Kluang while I’m from Johor Bahru. We first met back in 2009 on MySpace when we were still in high school and later decided to pursue our diploma studies together. We got married in 2015 while we were still studying, and today, after 11 years of marriage, we’re blessed with four wonderful children, 3 boys and a girl.
About their home
Before moving into our newly built house, my family and I were renting a home in Nusajaya. With a growing family, we knew we couldn't live in a rented home forever. We also had the mindset that if we didn't take the leap to secure our own property now, we might never do it later.
For about 4 to 5 years, we tried applying for loans for standard, ready-made terrace houses, but we believed in 'rezeki', it just wasn't meant to be. So we decided to take on a big project of building a home completely from scratch on an empty plot of land.
The land is located in Johor Bahru, and we chose this area because it’s actually where I grew up. I’m very familiar with the neighbourhood, and I’ve always envisioned sending my kids to the same schools I attended when I was younger.
We built a custom two-storey home on the 5,000 sqft plot, with a built-up area of about 1,500 sqft. It comes with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.
About their home’s design
Even before we got married, we had collected so many home inspirations, most heavily influenced by architectural designs from abroad.
We went with the 'Urban Mediterranean' design concept. It is essentially a curated clash of three distinct concepts under one roof: the raw bones of Industrial design, the warm, earthy curves of the Mediterranean, and the playful, colourful spirit of the Memphis movement.
I chose this eclectic mix because I love the art of contrast and breaking traditional design rules. I love something unique. And I wanted the edgy, low-maintenance feel of an industrial space, but it had to feel like a home. By bringing in Mediterranean textures and pastel Memphis furniture, the house transforms into a space that is both raw and incredibly welcoming. It’s a curated chaos that just works perfectly for my busy lifestyle as a mom and business owner.
Besides practicality, I wanted the house to be my creative sanctuary. I shoot a lot of photo and video content for my company, hence creating a space with rich textures and a relaxed, 'slow-living' aesthetic was an absolute must.
The primary colour palette is grounded in cement grey and rich terracotta, which beautifully frames the house. I intentionally kept the wall finishes and overall textures in warm, earthy tones to create a cosy, Mediterranean base. From there, I let the furniture and decor items do the heavy lifting for the Memphis influence, injecting playful pops of colour, like the dusty pink in the laundry room and master bedroom, to bring the entire concept to life.
About hiring a contractor for their home renovation
We didn't hire a contractor, but instead, I took on the project management role myself and hired direct labour. Before any construction started, I made sure everything went through the proper channels, working with professional engineers and drafters to get the structural and technical plans done right.
The exterior construction in progress
Once the actual work began, I personally supervised the labour works. Taking charge allowed me to ensure every single detail matched my exact vision. I also personally sourced and purchased all the materials, which gave me complete control over the quality and ensured everything was a perfect fit for our home.
About the home renovation
Since my business deals heavily with rattan and interior decor, all the rattan pieces were from my own brand. For the rest of the materials such as tiles, I imported them directly from China and Bali to achieve the exact aesthetic I was looking for.
The open-plan living and dining area
As a mom, safety and ease of maintenance were my top priorities when designing the house. That's why we went with an open-concept layout that combines the kitchen, dining and living hall in one open space. It is the true heart of our home, where all the family connection happens.
This area is also my favourite part of the house because we have a dedicated space on the ground floor where we can perform our daily prayers (solat) together as a family.
In this area, I chose materials that balance both style and practicality. For example, we went with industrial concrete-textured floors, which are not only incredibly cool and comfortable underfoot in Malaysian weather but also incredibly easy to clean, which is a lifesaver with kids who often spill food and drinks!
Choosing Mediterranean and Memphis styles which are characterised by soft, rounded edges is perfect for our family, as it helps prevent little accidents while the kids run around the house. The furniture is a curated mix of playful Memphis-style pieces, like a bold checkered rug; industrial touches like the tubular steel Wassily chair; and natural rattan, which are child-friendly.
Comfort is also another key priority when designing this space. I chose a modern, highly practical deep green L-shaped sofa that converts into a sofa bed; it's perfect for movie nights with the kids.
We kept the ceiling clean with a plaster finish and sleek, recessed LED lighting that features a 3-tone system that I can adjust depending on the situation. For the focal point of the room, there is a dedicated TV feature wall that currently has a raw finish, adding to that industrial edge to the space.
Kitchen
The kitchen flows seamlessly from the living area so I can keep an eye on my kids while I'm cooking or preparing food for my family. The cabinets are a mix of industrial grey and warm pinewood tones, topped with a durable quartz stone countertop.
I love unique details, so I chose tiny iridescent mosaic tiles for the backsplash. It creates a beautiful contrast against the striking rose gold wall-mounted faucet. We also incorporated a kitchen island paired with natural rattan bar stools, which serves as both a prep station and a casual gathering spot.
The laundry area
Tucked away at the back of the house is our laundry room. Even though it’s technically just a utility space, I wanted to turn it into a calm, inviting little sanctuary. You enter through a charming pink arched doorway, and the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by soft pink cabinetry that instantly makes the space feel serene.
I’m not usually one for overly feminine spaces, but I wanted this room to feel completely different from the rest of the house, a little breath of fresh air while doing chores. We added terrazzo flooring and a unique two-tone fish-scale backsplash to give the space a playful, cheerful character.
Bathroom
We have a total of four bathrooms, and I decided each one needed its own unique personality, so every single bathroom features a completely different tile design. For example, in the master bathroom, we tiled it with white square tiles with black grout. For practicality, I incorporated built-in soap niches into the walls, keeping the spaces clean and uncluttered.
In contrast, the other bathrooms feature coloured tiles and patterns to create a clear distinction between each space.
The pool area
The pool was never an afterthought; it was planned from the very beginning when we bought the house. The layout of the house was specifically designed with reserved land for a 336 sqft. It has a sloping depth from 1 foot to 4.5 feet, making it both kid-friendly and suitable for adults.
We used Sukabumi stone tiles to achieve that relaxing, authentic Bali resort vibe, complete with subtle water spouts that add the calming sound of flowing water to the space.
We love spending time by the pool, it’s actually where my 3rd and 4th kids learned to swim on their own. They never get tired of it, and it’s become our go-to family tradition every weekend.
On challenges encountered
The construction of the house took a while to complete due to the pandemic. We purchased the land in 2019, and we spent about a year sorting out the necessary approvals and processes with Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru. Construction finally began in 2021, but unfortunately, the second wave of COVID-19 hit, forcing us to halt the project for nearly a year. Once restrictions were lifted, we resumed, and the house was fully completed by the end of 2023. We officially moved into our new home in early 2024.
To sum up…
Even though the entire process of building a house from the ground up was challenging, I’m incredibly satisfied with how the home renovation turned out. It might not be the grandest mansion, but finally having a space to live in that is so highly practical and tailored for my family lifestyle is the ultimate satisfaction.
My advice for other homeowners out there who wish to take on their own renovation, if you have a passion for leadership and project management, I’d say go for it. It’s a great way to leverage your expertise, save on costs, and gain invaluable experience. However, it requires significant mental and physical stamina, so you must ensure you are fully prepared for the commitment before starting.
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