Qanvast's Best of 2023: The Most-Read Articles Revealed!

From home renovation journeys to kitchen tips.

With the New Year 2024 just around the corner, we'd like to dedicate this article by taking a look back at the year as a whole and reviewing the most popular articles that resonate most with you. It's always fun crunching the numbers and seeing what piques your interest.

That said, we can't help but wonder what the next year has in store. But, for now, scroll on down for a complete list of the top ten most popular articles this year, as determined by views, social media shares, and likes!

1. Dark and Dull 40-Year-Old KL Home Gets Bright, Minimalist Makeover

We all love a good makeover story, and it's no surprise that the renovation journey of this 40-year-old terrace landed the top spot! What’s more impressive is that the home renovation was entirely envisioned by its owners, Suliza, an entrepreneur, and his husband, an architect. While her spouse was in charge of the 3D renders and material selection, she was involved in incorporating the functionality and flow of the house. In this article, Suliza discusses the process of renovating their home, which took nine months to complete.

2. A Modern Condo in Bangsar South Designed for a Bachelor and His Pug

Another popular home renovation journey this year is this high-end condominium in Bangsar South, which was transformed into a serene and soothing environment as a constant in the owner’s jet-setting lifestyle. Aside from that, the condominium was also designed to be pet-friendly to accommodate the owner's pug. We spoke with the project manager, Neo Chin of Paperworks Studio, to learn more about the process of renovating this bachelor pad, which took his team ten weeks and cost RM155,000 to complete.

3. The Best Places to Score Vintage Furniture and Decor in Klang Valley

In this era of cookie-cutter designs, vintage and retro elements offer a refreshing departure, allowing you to infuse your living spaces with character, history, and a touch of nostalgia. Whether you prefer the sleek lines of mid-century modern furniture, the ornate craftsmanship of antique decor, or the vibrant, kitschy vibe of the retro era, these pieces can bring life into your home in ways that modern equivalents cannot. This article highlights several vintage and retro stores in the Klang Valley that are worth visiting.

4. Tour This 990 Sqft Modern Zen Family Condominium in Selangor

With plenty of natural light, good air ventilation, and earth-toned elements, it's easy to see why many were drawn to this 900 sqft Muji-inspired condominium in Petaling Jaya. Learn more about the transformation of this home in this article.

5. 7 Ways to Visually Expand a Small Kitchen

Another topic that evidently attracted a lot of attention this year revolved around kitchen improvements. This article offers some helpful tips on how to visually enlarge your kitchen so that it looks more open, inviting, and functional.

6. 50-Year-Old Terrace in KL Turned into Balinese-Inspired Bachelor Pad

This home restoration piqued readers’ interest, notably due to the challenges associated with renovating an aged property. This includes upgrading old plumbing, relocating sewer systems, and replacing deteriorating building materials. In this story, the owner, Kenneth Tan, shares his journey of transforming the dated property into his dream home, a project that spanned six months and cost a whopping RM1,400,000!

7. Feng Shui Principles to Consider in Every Room of Your Home

Even in this modern era, it might be surprising to discover that many homeowners still adhere to Feng Shui design principles when renovating their homes. Feng Shui is all about creating balance between the energies. It is believed that when these elements harmonise, one can attain good health, vitality, fortune, wealth, love, and an overall sense of well-being. Homeowners often seek to integrate Feng Shui elements into their homes for these compelling reasons.

This article serves as a practical guide, outlining how to invite positive chi (energy) into different areas of your home by adhering to these core Feng Shui design principles.

8. 6 Common Kitchen Woes and How to Solve Them

Your kitchen is regarded as one of the busiest rooms in the house. Aside from cooking, your kitchen can be used for food storage, dining, working, socialising with family, or entertaining guests. Unfortunately, homeowners would frequently encounter problems, which would hamper its function. This post highlights some of the most common kitchen issues that homeowners experience, as well as solutions to help you cook, eat, and entertain in a more comfortable atmosphere.

9. 20-Year-Old Terrace Revamped With an Indoor Courtyard Centerpiece

This Selangor terrace may appear to be like any other cookie-cutter units in its neighbourhood, but once inside, you'll be captivated by the tranquil interior and view of the unique inner courtyard, where the designer converted it into a minimalist staircase. This design choice unintentionally became the house statement piece. In this feature, owner Chan Ern Loy recounts the journey of working with Wuuu Studio to renovate his 20-year-old terrace into a cosy dream space for him, his partner, and their four-legged family members.

10. 7 Japanese-Style Homes That Nail the Calming Zen Aesthetic

Another popular topic this year focused on integrating a zen aesthetic into home design. Given our fast-paced daily lives, having a serene and inviting home is crucial—a sanctuary where we can leave behind our concerns and discover peace and tranquility. This article offers inspiration for incorporating calming zen design into your living space.

Start 2024 afresh with a newly renovated home!

Begin the new year with a home improvement project. Simply submit a request for free quotes, and we'll gladly match you with up to five interior designers in your area, tailored to your budget and requirements.

All recommendations made by Qanvast will be protected under the Qanvast Guarantee scheme which covers 50% of your contract value, up to RM50,000, in the event that the recommended Contracting Service Provider becomes insolvent.

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