Standing by the window, the breathtaking view of the park’s greenery and the serene atmosphere of the lakeside immediately catches the eye. This beautiful scene is located in Tijani Ukay, Ampang, Selangor, Malaysia.
“The garden at the back of the house is the most valuable asset,” says Isaac Teo, the project consultant from GI Design.
After thorough discussions and understanding the needs of the family members, combined with the clear design direction specified by the homeowner, the new home’s appearance embodies the three key concepts of “simplicity,” “minimalism,” and “Zen” in a Japanese style.
The GI Design team incorporates the inherent advantages of the layout and environment by introducing abundant natural light and green views, ensuring smooth circulation in the public areas. Oak wood is used throughout the entire space, with planted bonsai trees and bamboo creating a Japanese Zen garden. The landscape is adorned with black and white pebbles, and a wooden fence frames the tranquil and pleasant living environment.
The homeowners are a young couple who are new parents. They have a fondness for the minimalist wooden style of Muji, and as such, the entire space is crafted using natural wood and a palette of pure white tones, creating a foundation that exudes a visually warm, bright texture.
To showcase the minimalist aesthetics of Muji, the large windows at the entrance offer expansive views, while the warm and rustic ambiance of white oak sets the initial impression upon entering the house.
A wall is utilized to create a large hanging shoe cabinet, providing ample storage space for the footwear of the entire family. Simultaneously, on the right side, carefully arranged open shelves are incorporated to showcase the homeowners’ beloved lifestyle items, creating a beautiful focal point. Soft LED lighting is embedded to create a gentle and warm atmosphere, welcoming the family members back home during the night.
As you enter further inside, a spacious and bright corridor quietly comes into view. The walls continue to feature white oak veneer, creating a cohesive visual flow. Cleverly hidden within the wall near the staircase is a storage room, maintaining a minimalist and refreshing look.
On the opposite side, the main wall is adorned with a gray textured paint, vertically and horizontally expanding the sense of space. Hidden light strips diffuse warm white light, guiding residents to walk inward through the corridor and reach the living room, where their fulfilling life journey awaits.
Following the sequence, sunlight streams into the room through sheer white curtains, accentuating the pure and minimalist atmosphere of Muji-inspired space. The white TV cabinet is designed without handles, achieving a clean visual effect. Below, a deliberate hollowed-out design creates a long display platform, using light-colored wood to maintain a warm visual tone.
The distinct grain patterns of the wood contrast with the white cabinet, while black open shelves are seamlessly integrated, adding a visually intriguing dimension to the overall design.
On the other hand, corner utilization creates an L-shaped bench area. Taking into consideration the couple’s future plans of expanding their family, they decided to incorporate additional storage functionality beneath the wooden bench. This provides ample space to store their children’s toys and everyday items.
The beautiful outdoor scenery is the highlight of this project. The designer used unified materials to create a warm wooden frame, seamlessly embedding the natural landscape within. It allows the residents to enjoy the touch of greenery and experience a serene “plant-inspired” lifestyle under the warm sunlight.
Due to the hospitable nature of the homeowners, hosting events and gathering friends for conversations is a common occurrence. A spacious and conducive space for interaction and ample seating are essential in the public areas. As a result, the designer relocated the dining area to the rear of the living room, expanding the gathering space and promoting social interaction.
The use of simple, light gray walls resonates with the TV wall in the living room, while windows bring in natural light and the swaying shadows of trees. The dining area is instantly filled with a vibrant and refreshing natural atmosphere, creating a comfortable and pleasant environment.
Upon opening the folding doors, one steps into the outdoor area, which exudes a warm and inviting ambiance with its wooden texture. The wooden flooring serves as a defining boundary between the indoor and garden spaces, creating an “Engawa” or a boarded floor commonly found in traditional Japanese houses.
Accompanied by the view of trees, the couple leisurely engage in casual conversations, enjoying the gentle aroma of tea while surrounded by the beauty of nature. Each precious moment of these small yet blissful times becomes cherished memories.
The garden is adorned with elements of traditional Japanese style, such as bonsai trees, wooden fences, stone lanterns, pebbles, white sand, and wooden flooring, creating a serene and Zen-like atmosphere.
Additionally, an irregular path is paved with white stones, allowing people to leisurely stroll along. Immersed in the healing scent of lush greenery, one can feel the abundant vitality of life filling their heart, as every blade of grass and every tree becomes a glimpse of paradise.
Upon entering the dining area, the consistent wooden theme is maintained. The upper cabinets are wrapped in a light oak grain, creating a harmonious contrast with the light gray tones. Taking into account the homeowner’s love for baking, a spacious L-shaped open kitchen is designed, with upper and lower cabinets used to store kitchen utensils, small appliances, and dry goods.
A wall on one side is embedded with a floor-to-ceiling gray mirror, reflecting the depth of the space and creating an illusion of a U-shaped kitchen, expanding the visual perception of the area.
In consideration of the homeowner’s emphasis on parent-child interaction, the dining and kitchen area is designed with an open layout. The homeowner can engage in baking activities with their children, turning it into a playful game. This fosters a warm and lively dining atmosphere for the whole family.
With the combination of a kitchen island and a solid wooden dining table, it encourages affectionate interaction among family members. Sitting in this area, their gaze is drawn to the vibrant green bamboo ahead, infusing the daily dining experience with the beauty of Zen.
The combination of pristine white and deep, serene wooden tones creates a minimalist and stress-free atmosphere in line with the principles of Muji. It provides ample storage for everyday clothing, seasonal attire, bedding, and luggage, effectively reducing visual disorder. Simultaneously, on the opposite wall, a dressing table is incorporated. A stylish chair complements the setup, adding a touch of refinement and charm.
Entering the master bedroom features a bedhead that combines rich wooden textures with upholstery fabric. Bedside cabinets are placed on both sides of the bed, providing storage space for personal items, decorative pieces, photo frames, and books.
In a secluded corner, there is a white armchair and a stool accompanied by a floor lamp, creating a tranquil reading nook. Here, one can immerse themselves in a book and temporarily escape the realities of the world, achieving a state of complete relaxation and serenity.
Moving further inside, in consideration of the female homeowner’s love for practicing yoga, a raised platform is created to separate the sleeping area from the activity space. The platform is constructed with wooden flooring and adorned with light gray cushions, providing a comfortable space for yoga practice.
It also serves as a meditation area for the male homeowner to face the window and engage in contemplative meditation. In the evening, this area can be transformed into a personal home theater, where one can enjoy drinks while watching TV shows or movies, creating a unique and cozy family cinema experience.
The bathroom follows the main theme of the space with a combination of white elements and wooden accents. It features a double vanity, allowing the couple to have their own space for grooming simultaneously and saving time by eliminating the need to wait for one another.
Beneath the countertop, wooden cabinets are incorporated to serve as storage areas for bath products, toilet paper, towels, and other essentials.
To cater to the young age of the children, the entire room is adorned with hues of aqua and baby blue. The main wall is decorated with outer space and galaxy patterns, creating a sense of wonder and exploration.
Above the mattress, a wooden structure resembling a “roof” is installed, while a small tent made of Native American-inspired fabric is placed by the window, creating a whimsical and playful corner for the children.
“During the initial consultation, the male homeowner expressed his desire for a ‘man cave,’ a dedicated space that would cater to his entertainment, leisure, fitness, and work needs all in one.”
In contrast to the light and minimalist aesthetics found in other areas, this space incorporates his preference for deep gray tones, red brick walls, black metal accents, leather, and wooden furniture, creating a rugged and industrial-inspired ambiance. When he needs to unwind, this area becomes the perfect retreat to relieve stress, relax the mind, and escape from the fast-paced routines.
In response to the male homeowner’s hobby of collecting action figures, he expressed a desire to have a dedicated corner for displaying and storing his collection. The designer carefully selected a corner space and incorporated a combination of open and closed display cabinets, along with embedded spotlights, to create a special platform for showcasing rare action figures, fulfilling a childhood dream.
Beneath the display area, a brown leather sofa in a linear arrangement is provided, offering enough seating space for him to gather with his friends and engage in shared conversations and camaraderie.
| This project was designed by GI Design
Article by: Lee Khe Ying
Read more:【住宅開箱】一步一景日式禪庭園！雪蘭莪無印簡約親子宅｜GI Design
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