A home for a family for 5 plus a helper, even 4 rooms may not seem to be sufficient. Both in terms of bedrooms and space around the house.
In this feature, we go through the total makeover of a family home overlooking a lake (Lake view) in Subang Jaya with plenty of natural lights and ventilation and try to maximise this advantage at the request of the owner.
While limiting the amount of wet work (hacking, tilling, concrete works) in the bedroom by not hacking any walls down, we experiment with reposition of elements (beds, wardrobes, storage) to help gain space while fulfilling the essential needs.
Project: Laman Baiduri, Subang Jaya
Type: 4-Bedroom Apartment
Notable works: Refurbishing all bedrooms and baths, including expansion of Kitchen
Strategy: Keeping individual spaces as open as possible, both visually and practically especially in common areas, with sliding glass doors for utility areas (Kitchen & Laundry).
Existing layout, which was left unchanged from the original purchase condition, there were many pockets and segments of spaces within a bigger area. Sure that helps maximise the usage like counter tops and proper dining area, it did not take advantage of the views of the property and it's size.
The first glance upon entry created a cluttered mix of many programmes.
By removing the existing sliding door to the Lanai/ Study area, natural light will start to pour into the centre of the home. TV area and Study's storage was kept to a minimum and kept as clean and sleek as possible.
Another move to increase space while maintaining practical elements, a standard Dining set up is replaced by a compact Dry Kitchen with a giant spaceship of an Island.
The Kitchen island where the ovens will be placed doubles up as a family Dining, large enough to fit 6 pax.
The existing Yard did not have a pleasant transition from Dining to Laundry. Yes it may be practical, but feels like a redundant area of the house that no one wants to see.
Entry to Wet Kitchen is opened with the cabinets rotated to have easier access to the windows. A proper but smaller Yard area is now tucked into a corner with pocket sliding Doors for flexibility.
This principle Bedroom is spacious and yet feels under-utilised. A Walk-in Closet seems like a plus to keep the room as large as possible, but insufficient.
By moving the wardrobe out, the small nook is now used for a spacious dressing area. The enlarged wardrobe is placed upon entry to the room and have it act like a feature wall by creating contrast to the rest of the room.
Corner windows are great, not so when it overlaps with the bed or nightstand. By creating a faux-wall, the bed can now be centred to the room and wall behind it. Windows will be left untouched, where the curtains can hide behind this new headboard.
As spacious as a room can get, it wlll never be sufficient when trying to fit 3 children and their belongings.
Platform sleeping arrangement is requested which gives us opportunity to carve out more storage spaces beneath them. A semi-playful headboard ties all the mattresses together.
Not intentionally, but we may have carved up this home with minimal carpentry works in the common areas.
Stay tuned for the progress of this humble abode, as we have a surprise installed within the series in the form of bathrooms.
Erm, yes. I did say bathrooms.
