14th November 2014,
With its strategically designed spaces and ingenious dark palette, this is one house where smoky black won’t get in your eyes.
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White as a backdrop colour definitely works well in most interiors. But this 9,500 sqft home in Cheras by Turn Design Interior is not like most interiors. First of all, black is used as the key colour. This is not immediately obvious because the designers have ingeniously engaged it to bring out the style and atmosphere of the interior. Not surprisingly, it has not been easy for the designers to convince the owners to accept the darker palette. “One of the challenges of designing this home was assuring the owners that black would work out beautifully,” says Jeff Lee, TDI’s Creative Director. “It’s certainly reasonable doubt because darker palettes, if done carelessly, would result in a sombre and claustrophobic interior. But after showing our clients the 3D perspectives of just exactly how blacks would be used, they are convinced that it would be good choice.”
True to their words, the black palette is a visual success – in fact, blacks are actually used as a strong but subtle element to enhance the aesthetics of the house. For instance in the living room, a solid black timber panel feature wall accommodating the flat screen TV is used to anchor the 20 feet high living space. Done up in just the right height, the feature wall brings the eye to a comfortable level, visually demarcating the space in a vertical manner. Then, right across the living room, the kitchen also takes on glossy black surfaces, complemented by bright red cabinet panels. “Here, the combination of black and red is used to balance each other out,” says Christopher Chan, TDI’s Director. “Black brings out the strong application of red, while keeping it from getting too loud.”
Next to it, the dining room is also a conversation starter with its box-like design. Originally a home gym, TDI has taken down the walls, turning the space into an elegant and intimate dining space. With dark timber frames and mirror ceiling, this space features deep colours that are several shades darker than what we have observed in the rest of the living spaces. But through clever manoeuvre of the interior features, this results in a sophisticated appearance that truly makes the dining room stand out.
Upstairs, the bedrooms mimic the main theme and palette, but the carefully selected soft furnishing and furniture put in a plusher appeal. Most attention has been given to the master bedroom – a cosy sanctuary that combines chic furniture, lush furnishing and TDI’s custom designed cabinets and shelving systems. “See this wall here?” Jeff says, pointing to the gold painted feature wall behind the headboard of the bed. “We have tested and tried many ways to create the three-dimensional textural effect. Eventually, after several attempts, we finally got it right using a combination of the right shades of golden-yellow and the right kind of texture paint.” The same level of meticulous care and attention is consistent throughout the house; it’s no different when it comes to selecting the right furniture and materials for each room. “For this home, we worked hand-in-hand with our clients to pick the right elements,” Chris says. “However, we were fortunate that the client trusted us and has given us freehand to design it to reflect the contemporary designer-inspired interior they have been dreaming of.”
TURN DESIGN INTERIOR SDN BHD
Designers: Jeff Lee & Christopher Chan
Tel: +6012 2775 070 / +6012 318 5095
Email: jefflee@turndesign.com.my
