March 2024
physical store
Older apartments may have the advantage of having more generous square footage, the passing of time often reduces them to look old-fashioned or even poorly maintained. This was the case for an apartment in the leafy Saujana Resort in Shah Alam, Selangor. A large unit with a roomy 3,000 sq ft, the apartment had been renovated a few years ago by the owner's father. However, the owner believed that the original design was outdated, and the space was juat too dark for herself and her two cats.
The privacy screen when it's open
The privacy screen when it's closed
Breezy and ample natural light
After coming across Endo's (Effendy Nadzri Design Office) work on Instagram, she approached the firm with clear goals in mind. "The client's brief was to revamp this 20-year-old condominium with a modern Parisian apartment aesthetic while maintaining certain classical elements from the original interior," recalls Effendy Nadzri, co-founder of Endo. "She requested to retain the open plan living space but to add adaptive elements where she could have privacy or openness subject to the occasion in the main living area."
Open shelving
Curved doorways
Curved sofa echos the architectural details
To capture this, the designers referred to examples of Parisian apartments and Bauhaus designs during the development phase. "Parisians are known to blend renaissance and modern elements cleverly. Also, the client loves the Bauhaus style," says Effendy.
Designed to create harmony between bourgeois opulence and chic contemporary design, this project features clean lines as well as a natural and muted colour palette over modern and contemporary furniture. The renovation's intention was to open up the space to let in as much natural light as possible.
The large bespoke dining table
The owner can choose between open plan or close the screens
An 8m-long sliding oak timber lattice was installed to run throughout the main living area. This device creates a beautiful backdrop for the main living space while providing privacy for the family when required.
Furniture and lighting played a significant role in achieving the desired look, and the designers obliged with bespoke pieces. A bespoke retro-style stainless steel cabinet was installed in the dining room, whose industrial look reminds the client of her years in culinary school.
The steel console
Detail of steel console
Juxtaposing materials of steel and wood
To suit the big spaces, furniture also needed to be of a larger scale. The designers assisted by designing a bespoke curved sofa and round dining table.
Scandinavian touches were added through a Hay design pendant lamp in the dining and decorative objects from Finnish Design Store. To add finesse to the home, giant commissioned artworks were painted by local artist Dani Omar.
Artwork is displayed on the floor as well
Open shelving
The view of the Saujana Resort
Although the renovation was done during the pandemic, and limited working hours and shortage of manpower and materials made it challenging, the effortlessness of the result speaks for itself.
Effendy sums it up: "We married the existing classical elements in the house with the new modern alterations to create a timeless chic ‘Parisian’ home."
