Homeowner Designs KL Duplex Soho, Engraves His Name on It

From the floors to the walls, this duplex Soho is fully personalised with the homeowner's brand name, 'heartpatrick’ and his logo.

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While it is a common practice to personalise your home to reflect your style and personality through artworks or colour schemes, photographer, Patrick went above and beyond by incorporating his brand name (Heart Patrick) and his logo into some areas of his home. This can be seen on the mosaic floor in his living room, and the glass window that surrounds his courtyard and the wall next to his kitchen area. For Patrick, such engravings signified the fruit of his labour in designing his home without the help of an interior designer.

We spoke with Patrick to find out more about these engravings, and how he transformed a once empty duplex Soho into a cosy, laid-back bachelor pad.

Qanvast: Hi, tell us about yourself.

Patrick: Hello, my name is Patrick. I’m a full-time photographer. I live in a duplex Soho located at Centrio Pantai Hillpark in Kuala Lumpur. The property consists of two floors; the ground floor features the living area, a courtyard, a bedroom, a kitchen and a dining area while the mezzanine floor features my bedroom. The property also has a staircase that allows me direct access to my car on the ground floor. My mother and I have been living here for the past five years.

Q: In brief, how would you describe your home’s style?

P: My home’s style consists of a mix of industrial and Scandinavian styles. The industrial components are heavily influenced by the design concepts of Ng Sek San - a landscape architect who incorporates natural elements into his designs. I was specifically inspired by his Sekeping Retreat project, and was particularly taken with the way he cleverly used local materials such as red bricks, cement, and traditional wooden doors as building blocks for his design. This design style was also popular among the first generation of third-wave cafes found in KL.

But after a while, I grew tired of the raw features and rough edges found throughout the house and wanted the space to appear brighter and easier to clean, so I incorporated Scandinavian elements into my home style.

Q: Did you engage an interior designer for your home renovation?

P: I attempted to work with a few interior designers, but ultimately decided to work on my design because I believed I would have more control over the outcome of the renovation project. This was a steep learning curve for me because I had to research what materials were available, how to use them, and how to work with the contractors to bring the design from concept to completion. It took a lot of time and effort, but I'm happy with the experience and knowledge I've gained in the process.

Q: What types of renovations have you done to your home to make it more personal to your taste?

P: On the first days of the renovation works, we tore down the entire plaster ceiling and laminate flooring of the unit, revealing rare concrete slabs and piping structures. This immediately gave the space a more open and industrial look. We also extended the indoor areas into the courtyard, where a U-shaped glass/aluminium box was constructed. This helps to shower the space with plenty of natural light.

Q: Did you experience any difficulties during your home renovation? If yes, how were they resolved?

P: Many of the challenges faced were due to the fact that I’m new to interior design and had to really figure out my way through many things. My contractor was also unfamiliar with industrial style design, so there was a lot of trial and error throughout the renovation process. For example, we had to redo the concrete tops and wall screeding in the living area which delayed the project's completion.

Q: How long did it take to complete the renovation?

P: The renovation was completed in stages, with some downtime in between to allow me to recover from my hectic work schedule, as I was working from home in my IT consulting job the entire time. Technically, the entire renovation, including all stages, took us about 1.5 years.

Q: Tell us about the unique details available in your home.

P: I have a stretch of flooring covered in mosaic tiles that spell out my brand, 'heartpatrick' and a heart-shaped logo with my initials on various areas of my home, such as the glass door that surrounds the courtyard.

I always think it's important to brand the place, almost like an artist signing off on his work - in this case, because of all the work I put into designing the place. It also gives a sense of achievement and belonging, that I can truly call this place of my own!

There are also several pieces of furniture in my home that I designed and built with the help of my handyman. This included the dining table, which consisted of a tabletop made of recycled wood planks and a bottom structure made of a series of PI pipes screwed together. I also made small pieces of furniture, such as side tables and stools, out of the remaining planks of railway sleepers purchased from recyclers to be laid on the garden floor.

Q: Which is your most favourite area in your home?

P: I love the transition area, which is a narrow strip of space between the living room and the garden. It has a glass box ceiling, which makes the space look bright and cheerful while shielding me from the rain. There is where I sometimes laze on a rainy evening just listening to the raindrops.

Q: Are you happy with the outcome of your home renovation?

P: Yes, I am very pleased with the outcome of my home, except for the garden area, which I believe lacks sufficient structure and platforms for me to showcase my plants in a neat and tidy way. So, yes, another round of (minor) renovations may be in the works!

Q: Last but not least, do you have tips and advice for homeowners planning to renovate their homes?

P: I believe that homeowners should strive to maximise the potential of natural lighting in their homes. I love bright interiors, and natural light is one of the most important factors in determining the magic of space. So when renovating your home, consider opening up the space rather than adding more closed compartments to introduce more natural light to your space.

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