Tour This 6,000 Sqft Bungalow That Balances Indoor and Outdoor Feel

This idyllic retreat in Selangor seamlessly transitions from the outdoors to the indoors.

A retired couple discovered two plots of land for sale near their previous home and immediately jumped at the chance to buy them and build their dream home for the next phase of their lives.

The home construction was part of a collaborative effort between Blaine Robert Design and an architectural firm. We spoke with Blaine Robert, founder of Blaine Robert Design, who shared his experience renovating this spacious bungalow as the couple's retirement home.

About the client

Blaine Robert (BR): Our client is a couple whose children had already moved out. They have worked very hard their entire lives, and as a result of all their hard work and efforts, they decided to build a new home that better reflects their retirement lifestyle. The bungalow is also a place for their children and grandchildren to gather during family reunions.

About the property

Located in Kelana Jaya, this bungalow is a newly built property spread over a generous 6,000 sqft. It features 2 floors, 5 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms as well as a lap pool. Although it is located in an urban area, the house has great potential for indoor-outdoor living as the property is a corner-unit.

The home interior is all about having exclusive furnishings, including custom-made sofas, coffee tables, and feature walls. Art and decor are also carefully chosen with the goal of bringing colour and mood to the space. To keep such pieces as unique as possible, the decorative items were sourced from the clients' personal network of international suppliers.

About the design brief

The clients wanted a home that would allow them to be close to nature, so we designed spaces that connect the indoors and outdoors.

As the clients entertain guests frequently, they wanted the communal areas to be designed further away from their private spaces. As such, we built the common area close to the home's entrance and created a long corridor leading to the bedrooms to limit visitors from entering the private spaces.

The overall design concept has a contemporary focus using earthy tones. The walls and floors and furnishings are kept muted in shades of whites, brown and black to provide a backdrop for the blue hues to pop. The blue hues can also be seen from the swimming pool, creating a natural transition from the outside to the inside.

About the renovation

We made the living room as the focal point of the main floor. Here, you get a high ceiling and full-height glass windows for that sense of wide open space, natural lighting and a view of the outdoors. The blue chesterfield sofa and artwork balanced out the overall look to make the space inviting.

The dining banquette area is adjacent to the living room. A glossy black and wooden dining table seats up to 8 people and unique statement lighting hangs above the table to add a touch of opulence to the space. To complete the elegant dining setting, a large orchid vase, gold decor, and a blue area rug is used as accents.

The dry kitchen is also intended to be used for entertaining guests. We wanted the dry kitchen to feel like it is a part of the dining space for a large open-concept feel, blending both spaces together. It is elegantly designed with charcoal black cabinetry, a gorgeous island with marble countertop, leather barstools, unique pendant lights and sumptuous gold accents to lend a glitz of glamour to the space.

On the lower and upper floor, there is a long corridor to demarcate the common and private area. We installed glass windows and day curtains to allow light and ventilation in.

The master bedroom is located on the second level and it comes complete with an en suite bathroom as well as a walk-in wardrobe. Every inch of the master bedroom space has been designed for cosiness and intimacy. To achieve this, we added plenty of sleek modern furniture with curvy details to add visual softness, furniture upholstered in plush material, and a soft-to-the-touch carpet to boost the room's comfort level.

The walk-in wardrobe which is built next to the master bedroom, is also tailored to the clients’ specifications. The full height wardrobe has a variety of cubby holes, drawers, and other covered storage to accommodate clothes, handbags, and accessories. Meanwhile, LED lights are integrated into the top portion of the shelves to give the space a boutique-like feel. Aside from that, the wardrobe features a full height mirror, a vanity and a crystal chandelier that adds a touch of elegance to the space.

The master bathroom is intended to be both functional and relaxing. It features a his and her sink, a wall-to-wall mirror and a spa-like freestanding bathtub. When covered in neutral toned marble tiles, the master bathroom looks luxurious, similar to those found in a luxury hotel.

The Surau, where the clients perform their daily prayers, is one of the bungalow's most distinctive features. It is located in a less congested area, allowing them to seek calm amidst the chaos of modern life, and it is also an excellent place to work or study. Just like the rest of the house, the Surau is designed in neutral hues and features floor-to-ceiling cabinets for ample storage space. The lack of bold colour or decor minimises distraction and gives the space a clean and uncluttered appearance.

To sum up

Despite the project’s size as well as the various restrictions posed by the pandemic; which caused sporadic opening of suppliers, contractors and labour, we were able to complete the renovations and hand over the keys to the clients within 10 months.

Our clients were overjoyed with their new home; it was exactly what they were looking for, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Feeling the clients’ energy and enthusiasm as they embark on a new adventure in a new environment is one of the main reasons I do what I do and will continue to do!

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