This Bungalow Has an Entire Playroom Just for the Owners' Cats

This residence has a special room purr-sonalised for their four-legged family members!

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The bigger the family, the harder a designer must work to fullfill the design brief in order to please everyone. Such was the case with this bungalow - home to a married couple with four children and six cats - in Selangor designed by Blaine Robert Design.

Blaine Robert, the founder of his eponymous firm accepted the challenge and accomplished the home renovation with aplomb. We sat down with him to find out more about how he successfully transformed this once-outdated space into a luxury abode that looks just like a five-star hotel. Read on to find out more!

About the client

Blaine (B): As mentioned earlier, this bungalow is owned by a family of six. The client was a referral, as are many of Blaine Robert Design's clients. As a referral client, we already had a foundation of trust and integrity in place. Hence, our job was to get to know the client better, find out what their needs were for the house, and establish realistic expectations based on those needs.

About the property and the design brief

The property is a 6000 sqft bungalow located at Glenmarie Gardens in Subang. It has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, as well as a clean contemporary façade layout. Given that it is an outdated property, there were a number of issues that we had to deal with (more on that below).

As a family that has travelled the world extensively, they were well-versed in elegant and sophisticated design. They desired a setting reminiscent of a luxury hotel. At the same time, they didn’t want it to be too showy/over-the-top.

They also wanted a space that separates ‘social’/communal areas (such as the kitchen and living room) from private spaces such as the bedrooms to ensure the comfort of all occupants.

Another interesting fact is that they wanted dedicated space for their six cats to roam and play, so incorporating a room specifically for the cats was one of the top priorities during the design process.

About the renovation

This project was a complete turnkey operation where every aspect of renovation from wet works to final staging was performed to pull the entire home together.

Among the numerous renovation works done was the incorporation of hidden doors and hidden storage throughout the home, particularly in the children's bedrooms, who are still in school.

This is also visible in the dry kitchen area. We installed dark wooden cabinets that complement the sliding doors/pocket doors to create visual continuity and a clean, uncluttered appearance. Clutter is a 'four-letter word' in design, and the main goal was to present the home to its best potential while taking the clients' needs into account, who wanted plenty of storage space to keep their home looking neat and well-organized.

We also did some extension work to make the most of the available space. For example, we extended the upper floor to make room for a home office with direct access to the master bedroom. This ensures that the homeowner has easy access to his/ her workspace.

The master bedroom has a contemporary vibe to it. It was designed with an earthy colour palette with pops of blue and green to liven up the space. A retractable TV separates the bed area from the lounge area and provides the ideal setting for the couple to relax in the privacy and comfort of their own room.

About the room for their cats

While the upper floor is reserved for private spaces such as the bedrooms, the lower floor is mainly a shared space for the family members to spend time together or for entertaining guests. The state-of-the-art cat room, located right next to the dining room, is a highlight of this social space. It comes with a glass door and a horizontal glass window that allows people from the dining area to peer in.

The family have a collection of cats of various breeds that they consider to be members of their family. According to the clients, having the cats brings both love and joy to the family while also instilling a sense of responsibility (in caring for the cats), particularly among their children.

Based on their request, we turned one large room into a cat's playground. It is outfitted with climbing towers, scratch posts, beds, nooks and crannies and accessories that resemble a mini ‘gym'. By providing a designated spot for the cats’ daily routine or to keep them busy, the family are able to keep the rest of the house fur-free.

One of the most difficult aspects of designing this cat room is ensuring that it complements the overall vibe of the home. We put a lot of thought into creating this special space for the homeowners’ much-loved furry family members and are very pleased with the outcome!

About the overall colour scheme of the house

Colour schemes play an important role in creating the home’s decadent atmosphere. We incorporated plenty of muted tones and subtle hues that represent elegance and luxury, plus this colour palette is timeless. Subtle shades of blue, vibrant whites and autumn colours pull the space together.

When combined with eye-catching decorative lighting, it adds a level of sophistication, drama, and elegance to the home that is reminiscent of elements found in a luxury hotel. Aside from that, we used simple, understated pops of colour (such as green) to add contrast to the space.

About the renovation challenges encountered

During the renovation process, we encountered leakage issues. This is a common problem when renovating an older home, so we resolved it before beginning the on-site renovation work.

As the project was carried out during the pandemic, we faced on-site work delays due to government restrictions. It took us approximately one year to complete the renovation, from start to finish. This includes not only the interior renovation but also a moderate façade revamp and full landscaping works.

To sum up

As with any space we design, I must stand proudly next to it and fully stamp my brand upon it. There is no doubt that the family members will fill this home with love and joy for many years to come!

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