An Owner’s Eclectic Collection Finds Balance in This Kuala Lumpur Home
From Tintin figurines to Ming Dynasty chairs, Oryza Design Studio weaves a homeowner’s eclectic treasures into a serene Kuala Lumpur apartment
The journey of designing this 160-square-metre apartment in Kuala Lumpur began in the homeowners’ former residence. Their diverse taste in art, objets and collectibles set the foundation for Malaysian interior practice Oryza Design Studio’s concept. ‘They have an eclectic collection that spans different cultures, from an extensive Chinese teacup collection to art prints and iconic figurines such as Tintin,’ says Noel Tan, who co-founded the practice with Wee Jing Sia. ‘That gave us a window into their personalities and inspired us to craft an East-meets-West home.’
Oryza’s approach is exemplified by the juxtaposition between the apartment’s study and kitchen, which contrast strongly while still ensuring that deep, warm tones percolate throughout. Anchored by a captivating Mandarin calligraphic piece by Malaysian artist Jameson Yap, the workspace draws from Chinese culture with a vintage wooden table, a Ming Dynasty-inspired chair and louvred sliding doors. The floating shelf — which houses some of the owners’ most collectable tea ceramics — rounds out the room with a back panel of square quartz tiles that allude to Chinese temple floors, alongside matching wooden detailing.
The kitchen is decked out with a striking jade-green marble island, subtle Italian quartz countertops that blend into the cabinetry, and an English-inspired Minster textured glass door that lets light in. Complementing the elegant palette is a stainless steel TV panel sprayed with a copper-like finish, which introduces an industrial edge to the living room. ‘We worked closely with a metal fabricator to create a custom hue and a unique texture that adds visual interest while harmonising with the walnut veneers,’ says Tan.
Though the common spaces are outstanding in their own right, it’s the corridor — an oft-overlooked transitory space — that ties the entire home together. ‘Because of the unit’s squarish layout, the spindly corridor reaches all the rooms, which led us to create a sense of ceremony here,’ says Tan. With spas and sanctums in mind, he made a splash in this liminal space between the private and public areas with a mosaic-patterned silver quartz stone, engendering a grounding effect.
This touch is part of what sets a calming tone that loosens the body and mind, welcoming the visitor in conjunction with a monolithic custom ALPI-veneered seat, a small marbled niche and a globular overhead lamp that carve out a gentle space for recalibration.
The corridor’s outsized influence on the home is also reflected in the newly installed pillar in the main bedroom, which now anchors an elaborate clock. ‘It not only injects spatial depth drawn from the other end of the corridor but also acts as an additional element that plays with light and shadow,’ says Tan. The pillar’s waist-level opening has made space for a nightlight — an Oryza masterstroke that marries form and function.
Other thoughtful details include a clothing rack for lightly worn clothing with an inbuilt mirror, integrated wardrobe lighting and a chunky door handle that draws the owners into the right state of mind as they retire for the night. It’s this very intuition that has guided Oryza Design Studio in weaving such varied influences into one compelling home.
Text by Joseph Koh
Images courtesy of Oryza Design Studio
