From Aussie aisles to Kedah corner.
For a couple in their late 30s, patience truly paid off when it came to renovating their home. After purchasing the property in 2017, they chose not to rush into the renovation, as their family had to relocate multiple times across different states and even abroad. Each move put their renovation plans on hold but also became a source of design inspiration, particularly during the three years they spent living in Australia.
We had the pleasure of speaking with the homeowner, Norazila Azali, who shared the story behind her recently completed renovation, which she affectionately dubbed “Mini K-Mart” and was brought to life with a budget of RM150,000.
About Norazila and her family
Norazila (N): I’m a personal shopper and part-time content creator, while my husband, Mohd Firdaus, serves as an army officer. We first met back in secondary school when we were both in Form 1, but only grew closer during our university years. We’ve now been married for 14 years and are blessed with two children, an 11-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son.
Our family lives in Sungai Petani, Kedah, in a 1,800 sqft double-storey terrace with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. We chose this location because it's peaceful, family-friendly, and conveniently close to hospitals, shopping malls, and other amenities. Most importantly, my husband's work is based in Sungai Petani which makes it the perfect place for us to settle down.
About the renovation works
Since our family had to relocate multiple times — from Port Dickson (2019–2020) to Australia (2021–2023) — the renovation was carried out in several phases between 2017 and 2025. Although the process spanned several years, taking it step by step and carefully managing each stage allowed us to achieve the look we wanted without feeling rushed.
For the home renovation, we worked with a local contractor that we knew for years. Since they already knew our style and what we liked, it was much easier to communicate and bring our ideas to life for each phase of the renovation.
My husband also has a pretty good understanding of renovation work, which really helped make the whole process smoother and more cost-efficient. Even though he’s an army officer, he’s always been passionate about DIY and home improvement. What started as a simple hobby gradually turned into a useful skill over the years.
About the home’s name and her design choice
Our home is affectionately called “Mini K-Mart”, inspired by our time living in Australia, where I fell completely in love with K-Mart, a popular store known for its wide range of stylish yet affordable home and decor items. Back then, almost 90% of our home decor came from K-Mart, and I loved styling and arranging everything myself. Over time, our home started to feel like a little K-Mart showroom, and that’s how the nickname “Mini K-Mart” stuck!
When it comes to design, we don’t really stick to one specific theme. I’d say our home is a mix of modern, Muji, and modern farmhouse styles. I wanted the space to feel modern and on-trend but also have subtle, classic touches that make it feel timeless.
When planning our home, we wanted it to be comfortable, practical, and easy to maintain. With our busy schedules and two growing kids, having a space that feels calm, organised and easy to care for was really important.
That’s why we focused on using durable, low-maintenance materials. Most of the main areas, like the living room, kitchen, and bathrooms, feature ceramic and porcelain tiles, which are long-lasting, easy to clean, and perfect for Malaysia’s warm climate. At the same time, the wood textures in some of our furniture and built-ins help soften the overall look and give the home a natural, welcoming feel.
For our colour scheme, we went with soft, neutral tones like white, beige, and light wood. These shades help create a calm, airy, and spacious feel. Plus, having a neutral palette makes it so much easier to mix and match different decor pieces without the space looking cluttered.
Most of our furniture comes from SSF or is custom-made by local carpenters to match our design preferences. As for my decor and dinnerware, most of it comes from Australia, mainly K-Mart (as I mentioned earlier), with a few favourites from Target and Pillow Talk.
The living room
My favourite spot in the house has to be the living room. It’s the largest area and really the heart of our family life, where we hang out together, relax, and entertain guests. I always make sure this space feels refreshing and welcoming.
We furnished it with a comfy sofa set, TV cabinet, and a few accent pieces like rugs, decor items, and wall frames to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. We didn’t include any smart home systems, but I focused on creating a cosy and family-friendly space with soft, layered lighting. The white lights and plaster ceiling add a touch of elegance too.
Many of the decor pieces in the living room are some of my favourite finds from K-Mart, styled in a way that reflects the balance between simplicity and comfort.
The kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most functional yet stylish areas of our home. We had custom-made cabinets crafted by a local carpenter, designed to match my personal preferences and trending arch design. The cabinet doors are made of solid nyatuh wood, chosen for its durability and easy maintenance. For the countertop, I went with regular tiles, as they give a clean look, are resistant to stains and heat, and are much more budget-friendly. The backsplash features glossy white fish scale tiles, adding a simple yet timeless charm to the space.
The flooring is tiled in neutral tones to blend seamlessly with the rest of the space. I also added a barn-style sliding door to separate the kitchen from the dining area and main hall, inspired by modern farmhouse aesthetics. I chose a natural wooden door to highlight the area. I found the design on Pinterest and had it custom-made locally to bring the look to life.
When it comes to appliances, we kept things minimal, focusing only on the essentials to make the most of the space. For example, we use an all-in-one microwave oven and a 2-in-1 washer-dryer. This not only saves space but also helps create a clean, minimalist vibe throughout the kitchen.
The laundry room
Originally, this was just a small utility space, but I transformed it into a fully functional laundry area. We repainted the walls in soft, neutral tones to make it feel more spacious. The flooring was replaced with anti-slip tiles, which are perfect for wet areas, and I added a few floating shelves for detergents and storage baskets.
It’s now a bright, organised and cheerful space that makes chores much more pleasant.
The bathrooms
The bathrooms went through a major transformation. We retiled both the walls and floors with modern, hotel-style tiles in neutral and marble-inspired tones and added gold-coloured toilet accessories to highlight the overall look of the space.
All the sanitary fittings were replaced, and some plumbing work was done to reposition the sink and shower for better functionality. The end result is a clean, refreshing space that feels almost like a hotel suite, a little luxury I really appreciate after a long day.
To sum up
Renovating our home has been such a meaningful journey. We learned so much along the way, from planning the layout to choosing materials and managing the budget. Every decision and improvement made us appreciate our home even more, as it really reflects our effort and personal touch. We’re incredibly happy with how it turned out. It feels like our dream family home – cosy, practical, and a true reflection of our journey together.
My advice for first-time homeowners is to plan carefully and take your time before diving into any renovation. It’s really important to understand your needs and lifestyle first. Don’t feel like you have to do everything at once; start with the essentials and add on gradually as you settle into your home.
If you don’t have the time or interest, I wouldn’t recommend taking on the renovation yourself. There’s a lot to learn about materials, layouts, and budgeting if you want to make informed decisions and save costs in the long run. Thankfully, my husband’s renovation knowledge really helped. We were able to handle some parts ourselves, which made the process feel more personal and meaningful.
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