Although they cite Europe as the overarching design inspiration for their beautiful terraced house in Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur, any guest to this gregarious couple’s home would immediately discern that their heart lies unequivocally with good ol’ Blighty. With a façade that would fit right in with the stucco-fronted townhouses of London neighbourhoods like, say, Kensington or Notting Hill, the interiors, meanwhile, evoke a tasteful mash-up that brings to mind King’s Road, Vivienne Westwood and a stately pile all in one.
Upon entering, one is greeted by a full maximalist aesthetic, belying the prim and proper exterior. There is even a purpose-built vestibule, something you rarely find in a Malaysian abode. “We wanted a transitional space from the entrance to the living room. Besides, we needed a place inside in which to put the shoe cabinet,” they laugh.
English eccentricity is evinced by the clash of patterns, textures and textiles. Tartans, florals, a touch of chintz and an even more generous scattering of plump House of Hackney cushions on pink tweed armchairs and a lime green sofa all somehow work cohesively to look inviting as well as intriguing. Let’s be clear: This is definitely not your cookie-cutter modern tropical aesthetic. “I was going for a London members-only club vibe,” explains the man of the house. “I studied at the University of Kent in Canterbury, the UK, and have always wanted a pseudo-English home. And a fireplace — don’t ask me why. That’s why we now have one, although faux, placed front and centre in the living room.”
Another source of familial pride is a painting titled Born to Shine, created by his 16-year-old niece. He says, “I saw a picture of it on our family WhatsApp chat and how it won a prize in a competition. I promptly bought it off her and she’s so proud to see it framed up and on the wall whenever she comes to visit.”
Admitting to playful personalities, the couple shares a great dislike for taking themselves too seriously. “That’s why you see a lot of mixing and matching, and outright design clashes,” says the missus. “My husband and I had different visions for the various spaces but, in the end, we decided upon a modern European look. It is in complete contrast to our old home which was New York loft-style and very industrial.”
The young pair, who formerly occupied a condominium in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL, decided to purchase the double-storey terraced house in a quiet enclave of Bukit Bandaraya a few years back as both grew up in the vicinity and shared fond memories. “We know the area well. Both our parents live nearby, down the road and not far from each other, as a matter of fact. We began renovations in 2020. It took quite a while as work started and stopped as the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented intermittently during the Covid-19 years.”
Adopting a softer, more muted tone than the bright and bold living room, the open-plan Smeg kitchen with a rounded island counter — “We need to thank Katrine Cheong, our interior designer from Hoe + Yin, who personally persuaded the carpenter to take on the job” — is painted a daring and unusual shade of pale salmon. There is a generous deep farmhouse-style sink and gilded taps (“From Amazon”, they beam) keep things feeling plush. There are also vintage French lamps lovingly carted back from trawls around Paris’ famed Marché aux Puces in St Oeun while on vacation, set against backdrops of richly patterned wallpaper, mostly from Goodrich. “Sourcing for items with which to decorate the home was one of the most challenging parts but we had a lot of fun. Etsy and even [top Chinese online shopping platform] Taobao were go-tos for us,” they share.
Upstairs houses the expansive master bedroom, converted from an original allocation of four rooms, and a guest room which is still a work in progress. So, naturally, downstairs is where all the action takes place. The six-seater dining table is a favourite among the couple’s friends, who come over every two weeks for dinner without fail, although the hidden speakeasy-style bar is where all gatherings traditionally begin — and end.
En route to the bar is a little nook, transformed from the backyard, that hides utilitarian items like a washing machine and detergent canisters. Here, guests are always asked to look up as the ceiling boasts beautiful, decorative panels while other quirky touches, like a painting of techno group Daft Punk, which incidentally hides the entrance to the bar, and a “Press for Champagne” button (“Which my niece can’t resist pressing non-stop”), add interest.
Once inside, it is well and truly a recreation den, complete with a karaoke set. The entire room features insulated brick cladding. “I don’t want any neighbours to complain as, I can honestly tell you, none of my friends sing well.” An English pool table and a Chesterfield sofa beckon while, casting a glance back, you cannot fail to notice the English telephone box framing the door. Besides serving as a bar and entertainment room, it is also the husband’s hidey-hole and receptacle for all his acquisitions over the years. There are old cassette tapes, Kentucky Fried Chicken- and Benson & Hedges-branded ashtrays, Mardi Gras beads from a New Orleans holiday, a Notorious B.I.G. poster bought from a market in New York City, a framed Juventus jersey, Scrabble tiles that spell out cheeky words like “Sin”, and posters of The Matrix and Peaky Blinders which have been given the surrealist treatment. On the bar counter is an old-fashioned rotary phone.
“When we entertain, I am the official full-time bartender,” he grins. “I like serving White Russians although the Jimmy’s Lychee Special — my friends call me Jimmy for some reason — is also very popular. If you want to try making it yourself, it is one part vodka, one part sake and some lychee liqueur, topped off with Sprite. Oh, and if you think the champagne button was a hoot, don’t miss my bell at the bar. My friends all susah nak balik one, so this is an honest-to-goodness ‘last call bell’.”
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