Studio McGee Inspired: A Modern Farmhouse with a Touch of Nostalgia

This home is designed with plenty of smart storage solutions.

Upgrading into a 2,343 square-foot terrace home was a decision driven by the desire for greater convenience for a married couple. Choosing a newly developed property also provided them with the opportunity to start from scratch, allowing them to completely personalise the space.

We spoke with the homeowner, Sophia, to learn more about her experience renovating her home with the help of DC Design.

About Sophia and her family

My husband, Jackson, and I have been married for 13 years, but we’ve been together for over 20 years. We began searching for our dream home a couple of years ago, researching over 13 new developments, before deciding that this newly developed unit in Gamuda Gardens in Rawang checked most of our boxes, in terms of the location and the unit design.

About her choice of interior designer

DC Design was our first choice when it comes to finding an interior designer. We worked with them on our first house more than a decade ago, and was won over by their quality workmanship.

About the design requirements

The home’s design is heavily influenced by Studio McGee’s signature style, which emphasises neutral tones and natural materials like wood or stone. It seamlessly blends modern furnishings with vintage or antique pieces, creating a thoughtfully curated and timeless aesthetic.

I wanted the house design to reflect her style, but also our personality, in which I value things that are meaningful to us - like the childhood piano which I've held for over 30 years, and Harley Davidson’s bike accessories as my husband is a fan. We also saved my husband's grandfather's clock in mint condition on the dining room wall.

We didn’t really want to follow trends, but instead wanted a timeless design that will stand the test of time. For our loose furniture, we didn't shy away from preloved items—some were purchased from preloved Facebook groups, and some were also hand-me-downs from our generous friends! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and it also adds meaning or a story to each item in our home.

The kitchen design is probably the most important part of our renovation. We spend the most time and effort in planning this space (more on this later). DC Design is great at offering smart storage solutions and customised the kitchen to fit our specific needs and how we intended to use the space. Their thoughtful suggestions truly optimised both form and function.

When it came to choosing the colour scheme for our home, the expertise of our interior designer was invaluable. While I initially wanted a white colour palette, they recommended opting for off-white instead, explaining that white can yellow over time. Their insight helped ensure a more durable and timeless look for our home.

The entryway

As soon as you enter the house, you'll see an off-white floor-to-ceiling shoe rack. DC Design recommended using laminate material for the shoe rack for easy maintenance if there are fingerprints or stains - small details from DC Design we are appreciative of.

Living room and dining area

The house has an open-plan layout that incorporates the living area, dining room, bar, and dry kitchen into one single space.

Beside the bar is a storeroom and an entrance to a room. We opted for a concealed door design to blend seamlessly with the wall for that sleek look.

The bar area

The bar area is located next to the dining area. The bar was designed to maximise storageware for wine and liquor bottles, and other glassware.

A peninsula was fitted in the bar area for social gatherings and our breakfast communions.

The kitchen

For the pantry design, I wanted pull-out shelves for condiments and ample storage for dry food items. We measured the compartments according to the size of our condiments and snacks, using items such as Maggi Mee packets as a reference for sizing.

For the kitchen backsplash, we chose quartz for both the countertop and backsplash to achieve a seamless look. We opted for quartz instead of tiles because grout can be difficult to clean.

Service yard

We converted the yard into a functional laundry space by installing a skylight and installing the necessary wet works. What’s lacking now is storage cabinets for our laundry supplies which we will add in the future.

Master bedroom

In the master bedroom, our top priority was storage for both our clothes and belongings. For the colour scheme, we chose neutral tones that create a calming atmosphere, perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.

Since I love arches, I requested an arched design for the dressing table. We didn't want the master bedroom to look cluttered with cords/wires, so we requested DC Design to create a built-in dressing table that would conceal plugs and wires to give the area a tidy appearance.

Home office

Since we occasionally work from home, we converted one of the bedrooms into a home office and furnished it with loose furniture for the flexibility to move things around in the future.

Challenges faced during the renovation

I believe that any renovation will come with its share of hiccups, whether big or small. For us, it was mostly minor issues, like initially we thought we could fit a fan in certain areas based on the 3D design, only to realise later that it would hit the cabinet door. In situations like this, we had to make adjustments, such as moving the fan to the centre of the room.

Since this is a strata development, there are several restrictions in place. For example, we're not allowed to change the house's facade. On top of that, any interior renovations required approval from multiple parties, which prolonged the renovation process. We began the renovation work after Chinese New Year and it was completed in June.

To sum up

Overall, we’re very pleased with the outcome of the renovation. The house turned out exactly as we had envisioned, reflecting our style and needs. The thoughtful design choices and attention to detail have made the space not only functional but also a true reflection of our personality.

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