The white exterior of the house. Photos: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
If “barn style” doesn’t immediately conjure images of elegant living, take a look at this recently renovated family home in Shah Alam.
Designed by the homeowner, a successful caterer and mother of five, this house will have you swooning over its chic barn-inspired style, complete with sliding barn doors, painted white shiplap and layers of neutrals.
Inside this five-bedroom abode, homeowner Ruhani Hamim worked with an interior designer to flesh out her design.
“We had lived in this house for many years. When we bought it from its previous owner in 2001, it had already been renovated into a five-room house. With the kids getting bigger, we knew it was time to renovate,” says Ruhani.
With the help of an interior designer, Ruhani was able to see her vision – turning the home into a one-and-a-half-storey house with double-height ceilings and an expansive ground floor plan that comprises the living space – come to life.
The porch is another inviting space of the house.
Designed with the intention of creating a comfortable environment, the ground floor gets plenty of natural sunlight through large windows from the main staircase area.
“Pinterest was my go-to. And according to my husband, that caused me to constantly change my mind and delayed the renovations,” laughs Ruhani, who shares that there were a few false starts before renovations got under way.
“We had rented a place nearby before the Covid-19 pandemic but ended up staying there for a few years. The renovations were finally completed about a year ago,” she says.
Away from the chaos
As someone running a successful catering business, Ruhani works long hours and is on her feet most of the time.
The living room is the perfect spot for the family to gather, unwind and recharge.
“So when I come home I want to feel happy and restful. Most importantly, I want a house that is neat and clean. I’m not a fan of having small decorative items around the house.
"Even when my kids were small, I taught them to always put away their toys to keep the house tidy,” says Ruhani.
She was adamant that the house be a calming sanctuary from the chaos of the outside world.
“I wanted guests to feel like they’ve been transported to a different place when they enter my home. A place that looked and felt different than anywhere else,” she says.
However, the actual renovation process was not as smooth sailing as she had hoped for.
“I changed two contractors during the renovation process. I wasn’t being shortchanged or anything, but the first contractor just wasn’t able to deliver the final finishing that I wanted. So we parted ways, on good terms to be honest, and I found another contractor to complete the renovations.
“I like things done in a certain way and to me it is important that everything is done well since my family and I will be living here for a long time,” shares Ruhani.
“I jokingly tell my family if they see any defects or anything that is not right in my house, don’t tell me!”
A cosy nook with barn-inspired vibes.
A space for memories
“When we started renovations, we donated or gave away all our furniture and fixtures. We literally only kept our clothes and personal belongings. I wanted to ensure that we started fresh when we moved in,” shares Ruhani.
That gave Ruhani the opportunity to construct the cosy and elegant look that she wanted for the home. Most of the furniture, such as the console tables, was custom-made in Indonesia, while the plush sofas and chairs were sourced locally from Fella Design and Ashley Furniture.
Taking cue from the exterior, Ruhani sprinkled modern barn elements throughout the interior while making sure the home would also feel warm and welcoming.
Natural elements and plenty of texture, all within a tranquil palette of whites, creams and wooden tones, greet you the minute you step into the main foyer.
The sliding barn door hides a mini surau inside.
On one side, a large sliding barn door closes off the surau area for guests.
Beautiful wood-like flooring adds to the rustic feel, as does the sleek yet dramatic black chandelier illuminating the living area that includes a faux fireplace and sculptural side tables.
The dining area serves up the same mix of cosiness and sophistication. A large eight-seater mahogany dining table emphasises both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the space, highlighting its role as a central gathering place within the home.
“Obviously I love entertaining at home whenever I can. My home is now the place where my whole family gathers, especially during the festive season!” shares Ruhani.
Then, there are some elements that are anything but barnlike. Chief among them is the modern guest bathroom situated next to the dining area.
The creamy white cabinetry adds classic charm to the serene dining space.
“It’s the one area that I purposely chose to be more luxurious and glamorous. I just felt that with the area being quite tight, having a barn-inspired look wouldn’t work for the space,” says Ruhani.
Luckily, she adds, “I think it goes well with the house and breaks the monotony of the barn look.”
The white exterior of the house. Photos: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
The large mahogany dining table is custom-made in Indonesia.
The different atmosphere of the main living area (left) and the dining space.
The warm glow of natural light floods the staircase area.
The living room is the perfect spot for the family to gather, unwind and recharge.
The spacious main living room, seen from the upper floor of the house.
The sliding barn door hides a mini surau inside.
The warm glow of natural light floods the staircase area.
Warm hues and soft textures create a welcoming first impression at guests' steps into the main foyer.
The porch is another inviting space of the house.
The creamy white cabinetry adds classic charm to the serene dining space.
A cosy nook with barn-inspired vibes.
