A Modern Home in KL That Incorporates Japanese Elements

The homeowner of this 3-bedroom residence in Wangsa Maju wanted a space that is both modern and comfortable that allows them to change and flow between work and leisure time.

And given the homeowner's love of the idea of a Japanese retreat, Wilson T., founder of Solid Design Studio knew what he could do to fulfil his client's wishes. He transformed one section of the master room into a Japanese-style tatami area. This area becomes a welcoming refuge for his client to relax and work at home.

We spoke to Wilson T. of Solid Design Studio to know more about the design process involved in transforming this residence into his client's dream home.

Qanvast (Q): Tell us about the design brief for this renovation. What are the homeowners like?

Wilson T. (W): This 3-bedroom, 1486 sq ft condominium is owned by a lovely married couple who works in the petroleum industry. They commissioned us to create a cosy space to retreat from the bustling city, Kuala Lumpur with Japanese elements.

Q: What architectural features, decorative details and furnishings did you incorporate to fulfil the homeowners’ requirements?

W: We focus mainly on two areas of the house. One is the living area where we customised the space with a TV feature wall using sen wood and furnished it with wooden blinds instead of fabric curtains. We also added a bespoke armchair in the living room and a large comfy sofa to lay on. As a result, the living area becomes a comfortable and tranquil spot for the couple to lounge or spend a lazy evening together.

Next, is the zen-ish home office, which is located in the master bedrooms. We created a Japanese-style tatami area, made of storage units that are designed to fit together into a raised tatami platform. We further furnished this area with a beautiful Japanese illustration, Japanese decors and wooden blinds. It creates the perfect corner for the couple to work and relax in a serene space.

In terms of colour choice, we wanted to create a modern feel to this home. Hence, our design team has chosen a bright colour scheme paired with warm peach and pink hues for the furniture, architectural wood trim, flooring and paintings in the living room, dining area and the kitchen. This colour combination helps to uplift the mood of the space.

As Japanese-style home is known for its refined simplicity, we incorporate a colour theme that would create a serene, Zen-like effect in the bedrooms such as warm grey and dark brown for the wood trim, furniture and even the bed coverings and throw pillows. Aside from that, the use of wooden floors is distinctly aligned with the Japanese aesthetic, giving the entire space a warm and cosy glow.

Q: Did you and your team encounter challenges during the renovation process? And how were they resolved?

W: The biggest challenges we faced during the renovation process was demolishing a premade kitchen island that originally came with the condominium. To create a harmonious visual flow throughout, we replaced the kitchen island with a higher grade granite top. We also had a hard time choosing a suitable floor tile in the living, dining and kitchen area to match with the rest of the design.

Q: Were there any last-minute changes made during the renovation process?

W: Yes, there were some last-minute changes made to the home, but thankfully these were only minor adjustments as the owner hired us to decorate the house with soft and loose furnishing. We also handpicked every single decorating piece for this project.

Q: What are your thoughts on the final result on this project?

W: I am very grateful and satisfied to complete the house in approximately three months as per how we visualise it in the 3D drawings. It also gives us pleasure to see the smile on our client's face when we passed them the key upon completion of the renovation project.

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