This Dreamy Minimalist Bachelor Pad in Kuala Lumpur is a Serene Haven

We’re obsessed with these curved walls and ceilings!

A dentist wanted to transform his modern condominium into a serene, minimalist haven that felt unique and had a certain character of its own. He approached a local interior designer with a budget of RM130,000 to turn his vision into a reality.

Paperworks Studio rose to the challenge and successfully accomplished the task with aplomb. We spoke with Neo Chin, the project director in charge of overseeing the renovation process that transformed this condominium into an elegant and cosy bachelor pad!

About the client and the design brief

This 1239 sqft, high-end condominium in Desa Park City is owned by a bachelor who owns his own dental practice. It is a newly developed unit, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Prior to moving in, he enlisted our help (via a referral from a friend) to renovate his dream home.

During our initial meeting, he requested that we turn his home into a peaceful sanctuary where he can unwind, relax, and enjoy some quiet solitary time after a long day at work. He had a fairly clear idea of what he wanted his dream home to look like, but he was also open to our creative input and suggestions.

The goal was to create a bright and airy environment with light wood panelling and a white interior that oozed comfort and calmness. We were inspired by the Japanese minimalist concept, where less is more. This project pushes the boundaries of minimalism by combining simplicity in living with modern luxury design. Instead of accent pieces, we used textures and curvy forms and edges to add unique design elements to the home.

Each furniture and decor piece, as well as the material used, was also meticulously selected based on the owner’s requirements and desired aesthetic.

On renovation works done

The condominium has an open-plan layout, which allows guests to have an unobstructed view of the interior as soon as they enter the house. To improve privacy, we proposed to create a foyer at the entrance. The trick, though, was to ensure it wouldn’t make the space appear cramped.

So, we installed a floor-to-ceiling divider in a natural oak finish to help delineate the entryway from the adjacent kitchen. The divider has a silky smooth finish and rounded corners for a softer look in the living room. We also opted to camouflage the cabinet doors in the entryway with the same material used for the wooden divider to maintain a seamless continuity of surfaces.

The kitchen

As you may have noticed, the kitchen has a false ceiling that helps distinguish it from the living space. The light wooden tone gives the kitchen a natural feel while also providing comfortable acoustic absorption and an aesthetically pleasing ambience.

Despite the simplicity of the design details, one of the most difficult aspects of this home renovation was creating a lower ceiling height and incorporating many curved edges on the walls and ceilings throughout this home due to the complexity of the installation process.

To make the kitchen feel more intimate, we built a visual partition using an island and a fluted column with rounded corners to provide an unobtrusive break between this area and the living room.

To make the most of the small kitchen, we installed grey upper and lower cabinets. This lets the owner store utensils, dinnerware, and cookware out of sight while keeping the countertop clutter-free. The grey veins on the counter and backsplash complement the floor tiles, creating a visual flow between these areas.

Living room

Key to a minimalist home, the living room is filled with items that only serve a purpose, such as a grey sofa and a coffee table, and in order to make the space feel larger, we kept the walls and ceiling in textured grey and white tones.

Through gentle design and maximisation of the living room, we also designed fillet dividers, a floating TV wall feature with rounded edges, a room corridor, and L-shaped dividers painted in a grey texture that act as boundaries between the living and dining areas. The curved ceiling is also detailed, rising and falling in a subtly curvaceous focal point, creating a smooth transition and zoning device.

Meanwhile, the sheer curtain that wraps around the living room filters out harsh light while allowing gentle light in, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The dining area

In its simplicity, the adjacent dining area is understated and elegant. A rectangle table that seats up to six people takes centre stage in the dining room, while a simple pendant light hanging above the table adds to the space's modern and sophisticated feel.

Curved details can also be seen in the dining room through the fillet divider and the floating backlit display shelves with minimal decor. Following the ‘less is more’ philosophy, some negative space on the shelf is intentionally left for the eyes to rest, which allows the mind to rest as well.

The master bedroom

Moving on to the private areas, the master bedroom features the same curvy style ceiling that bows overhead, which draws the eyes upwards and adds a touch of drama to the space.

To increase the level of cosiness in the room, cove lighting was installed along the perimeter of the headboard. It is further enhanced by a smooth, textured wall with a little sheen, which adds another layer of aesthetic appeal to the room.

During the day, the sliding glass door, which leads to a balcony, allows plenty of natural light to fill the master bedroom, making it a cosy sanctuary. Further enhancing the restful setting is the panoramic view of the outdoor greenery.

The wardrobe area in the master bedroom, which includes a floor-to-ceiling mirror, is a convenient place for the owner to get ready every morning. It has tinted glass doors and integrated LED lights, allowing the owner to see all of his clothes without having to open the wardrobe doors.

The en suite bathroom

The master bathroom was designed in such a way that it visually expanded the space's look and feel. To prevent water splashing, we installed a glass divider in the shower area.

On top of the bathroom sink, we added a wall-mounted custom cabinetry with large mirrors integrated with LED lighting. Furthermore, we installed wall-mounted fittings for hanging a hair dryer as well as a floating cabinet around the sink. Ample storage allows the owner to keep his bathroom neat and tidy at all times, while a clear floor makes the bathroom much easier to maintain.

To sum up…

Working on this project has been extremely rewarding for us. The entire renovation process took two and a half months to complete without any timeline delays. We're very happy with how it turned out, but more importantly, with the fact that the owner is happy with it!

We also received compliments and praise, especially from the owner’s friends and family members, who were also impressed with the overall result of this home renovation.

Love this home? Get in touch with Paperworks Studio to help to renovate your dream space.

Send us your request for a free quote, and we will connect you with up to four interior design firms to assist you with your home renovation based on your budget and needs.

Aside from that, homeowners who enquire with an interior firm via our platform are automatically part of the Qanvast Trust Programme, including the Qanvast Guarantee that safeguards your renovation deposit up to RM50,000.

Meet interior designers. Get quotes. Based on your requirements, we will recommend you up to 5 firms with the Qanvast Guarantee. Get Free Quotes