Feng Shui and Safety Were Key in This Young Family’s KL Condo Design

A minimalist aesthetic with maximum attention to detail.

As young families expand, it's often a natural step to seek larger spaces, just as Krittapak and her family did. Whilst searching for a new home, they found a newly developed property on Old Klang Road and fell in love with its strategic location, seeing it as the perfect fit for their growing needs.

Poco Atelier caught the couple’s attention following endorsements from their friends. The couple’s requirements were simple; to create a purposeful, functional abode enriched with tasteful furnishings and building materials that would stand the test of time. Armed with a budget of RM480,000, the firm was given free rein to turn the 2319 sqft penthouse into a home that - almost paradoxically - balances minimalism and luxury.

We had a chat with the homeowner, Krittapak, to discuss about her experience renovating and working with Poco Atelier.

About Krittapak and her family

I'm originally from Bangkok, and I moved to Malaysia 8-9 years ago after marrying my husband who’s born and bred here. We have two children, a 6-year-old girl and a 3-year-old son.

With our family expanding, we decided to move into a bigger place. While we were at it, we wanted a unit with a balcony and view.

We discovered this recently developed property and immediately fell in love with it for various reasons. Aside from the breathtaking view of Kuala Lumpur city centre, the community here is quite mature. We can get almost everything we need within a short distance. There are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, and it is only a 10-minute drive to Mid Valley Megamall. I also like the large windows and balcony that allow the interior to receive sunlight from morning to sunset.

About her experience working with Poco Atelier

During our initial meeting with Poco Atelier’s Director, Lee Sun, we immediately clicked. We didn’t dive straight into talking about the house design; instead, we chatted casually, like friends. Her willingness to share her thoughts, address our concerns, meet our needs, and offer honest advice based on our circumstances were key factors in choosing the firm for our house renovation.

About her design choice

I prefer something simple but elegant, easy to maintain and practical at the same time. I wanted the final outcome of the house renovation to be relaxing and tasteful.


My husband and I also wanted the house to be spacious enough for the kids to run around as well as sufficient storage space for our possessions.

Because our kids are both young and active, prioritising child-friendly features were crucial in our house design. We opted for more built-ins to minimise the risk of furniture toppling over if they climb on it, reducing the chance of injury. Additionally, we focused on incorporating rounded edges in the house design to prevent potential harm if they accidentally bump into them.

We also wanted durable, higher-quality built-ins and furniture that can withstand the wear and tear.

When we purchased the penthouse, we engaged a Feng Shui master to evaluate our home and guide us on optimal placements, including beds, kitchen stoves, and other elements. The Feng Shui master listed down all of the requirements, such as what can and cannot be compromised. For instance, he advised against adding mirrors in the entryway, so we avoided placing them there.

About the house renovation

The house was a bare unit when we purchased it. So the renovation work was extensive, including the installation of electrical wiring, tiling the walls in the kitchen and bathroom, plaster ceiling, built-ins, curtains and blinds, air conditioning, plumbing, and furnishing the house with appliances and some loose furniture.

Altar area

The altar area is the first thing you'll see when you enter the house. It is located in the centre of the house, between the dining area and the living room. It has a travertine counter, which serves as the centrepiece of the house design. You can also find this beautiful material in various parts of the house, including the living room, dry kitchen, and bedroom.

Living room

The living room's standout feature is definitely the view. We replaced the original 3-panel window with a full glass window so we can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the city from the living room. Additionally, we installed automatic blinds that can be retracted during the day, allowing natural light to brighten up every corner of the room.

To create a wider feel, Lee Sun suggested lowering the ceiling height using a plaster ceiling. This design creates a ‘wide screen’ effect, enhancing both the visual spaciousness and energy efficiency of the room, as the air conditioning requires less energy to cool the space. Additionally, we installed a smart switch system that enables us to control the lighting conveniently through our smartphones.

The living room features plenty of built-ins, made of stained veneer finish and travertine, materials that seamlessly blend with the surrounding environment. The stained veneers create a different (colour and texture) appearance when light hits from different directions, enhancing its ‘dynamic’ appearance.

Meanwhile, the random pattern and texture of the travertine are vivid. This combination makes the entire house appear calm, soothing, and tasteful, along with the selection of artistic decoration and lighting that Lee Sun chose for our living room.

One ‘problem’, though, is that the view comes with a pointy/sharp building, which isn’t ideal from a Feng Shui perspective. To counter this, Lee Sun suggested hanging a decorative item that is in constant motion or rotation, preventing the building’s sharp edges from pointing towards us. This not only addresses Feng Shui concerns but also adds an artistic flair to the living room.

Dry kitchen and dining area

Originally, the house included a maid’s room, but since I do household chores myself, I don’t feel the need for it. We decided to remove the walls of the maid’s room, transforming the space into a larger kitchen and dining area.

My husband and I enjoy hosting gatherings for our friends, so having a spacious dining area capable of seating 6-8 guests is important to us. Initially, the dry kitchen lacked the space for a larger table, but after making the structural change, we could accommodate one.

Instead of having 6 dining chairs, Lee Sun recommended replacing 2 with stools that can be neatly tucked under the entryway's cabinet, a practical solution given our family of 4. I truly appreciate Lee Sun's forward-thinking approach and meticulous attention to detail. Her ability to propose solutions I hadn't even considered is one of the aspects I like about working with her!

Although natural light floods most parts of the house, the dining and dry kitchen areas are blocked by the altar area. Lee Sun proposed a solution by choosing slightly shiny and reflective aluminium finishes for the fridge cabinet and incorporating warm lights with curve ceiling details that soften the overall look of the space. This adjustment made the dining room and dry kitchen feel less oppressive and more inviting.

Wet kitchen

I enjoy cooking Thai food, which tends to produce a lot of (oily) fumes. Lee Sun suggested a practical solution; separating the wet and dry kitchens with a sliding door. This not only contains the smoke within the wet kitchen but also prevents my children from entering during cooking, reducing the risk of accidents. Additionally, we installed a glass window so I can keep an eye on my children while I'm cooking.

According to Feng Shui, the sink (water) should not face the stove (fire) so we had to locate these items in opposite directions. Lee Sun also took into consideration my convenience when designing the wet kitchen. For example, since I prefer cooking with a gas stove, Lee Sun installed a pull-out shelf that makes it easy for me to replace the gas tank effortlessly.

She also recommended installing aluminium kitchen cabinets for the wet kitchen, which is ideal for me as I prefer washing the kitchen floor instead of mopping and generally leads to water splashing on the cabinets. Aluminium cabinets are waterproof, unlike wooden or laminate ones, so they're a more practical choice based on my lifestyle.

Demarcation of communal and private areas

There’s also a concealed doorway that separates the communal and private areas of our home preventing our guests from accidentally entering our private spaces. In the latter, we've designated a space for the children to do their homework or study once they are in school.

Master bedroom

The master bedroom, like all the other rooms, was designed with Feng Shui principles in mind. For instance, the bed is positioned in the centre of the room, ensuring it does not sit too close to the toilet, which is considered bad Feng Shui. So there’s a gap between the bed and the bathroom wall to maintain separation and harmony in the space.

The master bedroom features a built-in wardrobe and vanity area. Due to the limited space, we had to include a bench that can be tucked under the vanity counter when not in use. Lee Sun selected the vanity bench that is easy to grip, carry, and move around. She also added an iron rod as a safety measure to create a barrier for the sharp corner of the vanity counter, ensuring our kids won’t accidentally knock themselves near the edge.

If you notice, the bedroom lighting primarily consists of ambient lighting. This creates a softer ambience, which promotes relaxation at night. They’re also smart home-enabled so my husband and I won’t have to argue about who’s going to turn off the lights at night! (laughs)

To sum up

The whole renovation project took 6 months to complete. It would have been faster if it hadn’t coincided with festive seasons, such as Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya. During these times, the building management imposed restrictions on on-site renovation works, causing a delay in the process by a couple of months.

Fortunately, we were not in a hurry to move in, so we allowed them to work at their own comfortable pace. Rushing the firm would risk compromising the quality of their work, so I encouraged them to take their time and ensure the renovation was completed to a high standard.

Despite the timeline delay, I was very happy when I saw the completed project. I keep thanking Lee Sun and her team for turning my dream house into a reality. It really exceeded my expectations and makes me want to stay home everyday!

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