Interior designer Rabiatul Adawiyah Rasol, or more fondly known as Bee, has a good track record and has won some awards, but she was still a little taken aback when tasked with renovating the home of a renowned business mentor two years ago.
The successful business coach and leader reached out and asked her to renovate his 20-year-old bungalow.
“During the pandemic, the house went through some major repair issues such as piping, leaking and others that frustrated the homeowner. When we came on board, our initial suggestion was to remodel the home and salvage what we could from the existing home,” shares Bee.
“But the homeowner was determined to totally demolish the old home and rebuild it from scratch.
“We were honoured to have had the opportunity to work on his home and create a space that reflects his values and beliefs.
“We had high expectations on ourselves and realised at the same time that it’s a huge responsibility. The vision was ‘how do we ensure that the new home reflects him and is suitable for his family for the next 10 to 20 years?’”
Manifesting a dream
Beautiful homes take time. And the final outcome of this massive renovation undertaking took Bee and her team almost 18 months to achieve. The result is a 14,000sq ft (1,300sq m) mansion named Seri Putih Villa inspired by contemporary American interiors and boasting a stunning all-white exterior with intricate cornice details.
The sprawling nine-bedroom home is equipped with solar power and centralised air-conditioning systems. As you step inside, soaring ceilings and marble floors match with carefully curated furnishings and accessories; every room and nook of the house is meant to impress and inspire.
The grand foyer area welcomes guests with its stunning wall marble that is one of a kind in Malaysia. The custom pattern marble floor is equally impressive with a design that complements the wall marble perfectly.
“The homeowner enjoys spending time in the glass terrace area, which we designed as a comfortable and powerful space for him to relax and unwind after a long day. It was a space that had existed in the old house so what we simply did was recreate a similar but much better designed version of it. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of the natural surroundings with access to the outside garden,” she says.
One of the most important spaces in the house is the homeowner’s surau area, designed to be a sanctuary where he can feel comfortable and at peace. To ensure there is ample space for the homeowner to conduct activities and gatherings, the area was extended to include a convertible porch space that can accommodate up to 150 people.
One beautiful feature of the surau is a specially designed wall space that showcases a Makam cover originating from 600 AD.
This breathtaking work of art adds a touch of serenity to the space while creating a calming atmosphere.
As for Bee, she readily admits that she too has her own favourite part of the home.
“It has to be the formal living area. This space does not have direct access to windows to the outside as it is sandwiched between the garage and the dining area. So we created a concept of diamond mirrors that acts as a feature wall and is a trademark of this house.”
To ensure that the living area receives ample natural light, this concept of diamond mirrors on both sides of the room was introduced to create a sense of openness and brightness.
This unique feature allows natural light to filter through, highlighting the exquisite details of the custom-made furniture and decor.
“Building a home is all about the owner. As designers, we have to open our heart and mind to read the underlying desire that perhaps even the homeowner himself is unaware of,” says Bee.
“We have to take into consideration the owner’s past, present and future goals to help manifest his life into the home of his dreams.”
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Inspired by the concept of a glass house, this living area offers a panoramic view of the landscaped garden. Photos: IDW Design & Build
Diamond mirrors on the walls inject brightness and openness into the inner rooms.
The homeowner’s surau area is designed to be a sanctuary where he can feel comfortable and at peace.
The all-white formal sitting room is the designer’s favourite space.
The kids’ bedroom features a beautiful bed panel, adorned with soft textures and detailing.
The large windows at the home office allow the homeowner to connect with nature while working.
The furnishings are carefully selected to create a serene living space.
The formal dining area has great views of the greenery outside.
White is the soothing colour palette chosen for the family’s rest area.
The play of light and the simplicity of the colour white create a tranquil atmosphere for the home.
