Contemporary Balinese

		Friday, Apr 20, 2012 The Star/Asia News Network
"The concept is Balinese and we included some natural elements like wood, plants and water features to make it feel like a tropical villa," said Belle Lam, who remodelled this terraced house together with Annie Low, her business partner in the design firm, A Piece of Art. Lam set up the design firm with Low in 2006, driven by their common passion for creativity and a love for turning houses into literally, works of art. The best example of the talented duo's creativity is reflected in Lam's own five-bedroom property featured here. It has a built-up space of 372sq m (4,000sq ft). It is home to Lam, her maid and four dogs. Contemporary Balinese Click on thumbnail to view "It's a place where I can unwind and relax after a long day at work," explained Lam, who pointed out that nearly all the furnishings and fittings were sourced from Bali. When you step into the house, you don't see walls or a series of rooms. The visitor has an uninterrupted view of the whole house, from the living and dining space right to the backyard. Lam has incorporated clever design elements to ensure that the house enjoys a bright, airy and spacious ambience. "To create a sense of spaciousness, we tore down the wall in the kitchen and replaced it with glass panels to brighten up the space," said the 43-year-old designer. Numerous paintings and sculptures in bold colours further enliven the space. Wood, in various shapes and forms, appears to be a dominant element, from the pine flooring to the chengal ceiling panels. "I love to use wood in its natural state because it conveys a different type of appeal," explained Lam when referring to the many types of wood chosen for the house. She also added a unique touch to the living room by getting a local artist to work on the ceiling. With the tight security in gated and guarded neighbourhood, Lam can afford to have an outdoor dining room and kitchen in the backyard. The space is also enhanced with a water feature complete with koi fish. "The backyard is my favourite area - it's where I have parties," pointed out Lam, who loves to entertain and always have friends over for drinks and a barbeque. Massage A flight of stairs, lined with glass panels, leads to the first floor where Lam's study and two guest rooms are located. The living area is designed with an oil painting of a peacock as the focal point. One of the unique features is the use of solid wood cut to different sizes and fixed to the walls. Another flight of stairs leads to the master bedroom, which boasts a vanity area, a spacious bathroom that comes with a bathtub and an outdoor shower space. And hidden behind a mirrored wall is a walk-in closet. At one end of the master bedroom are two massage beds that overlook the balcony, which is converted into a small garden. With lush plants, water features and warm lighting, the space offers a cosy spot, perfect for a session with a professional masseur. When asked about the details of the renovation, Lam explained that the process took six months to complete and cost around RM500,000 (S$204,700). Good investment "In 2005, I bought this house for RM1.2mil and now the market price now has shot up to RM3.5mil - that's more than 100% increase! It is certainly a good investment," said Lam, who bought the house as an investment. When asked why she chose this location, Lam explained, "I love the gated community concept and the fact that it's low density and close to amenities and conveniences. When I bought it in 2005, it was quite a daring move as there were no shopping malls or shops around. The surrounding area was just vacant land. However, I bought this house without hesitation because I liked the design and it's from SP Setia - a reliable developer." Since then, Sri Hartamas has developed into an affluent housing estate with luxurious condominium developments and commercial buildings such as the Kompleks KDN Jalan Duta Immigration Office, Publika Shopping Gallery and Solaris Dutamas. When it comes to property investment, Lam stressed that location is the key factor to a good investment. Consultation "A Piece of Art provides everything you need from consultation, construction as well as furnishing ideas," said Lam. "At our office in Petaling Jaya SS2, we also sell imported and customised furniture, wood and stone craft as well as oil paintings. Most of our products are from Bali." She added: "We allow customers to change the paintings. For example, if you want to change the look of a particular area in your house, you can bring back the old painting and exchange it for another painting. We will only charge you 50% for the second painting." Specialising in residential projects, Lam said most of her clients are repeat customers or from referrals. "We don't do many projects in a year - less than 10. This is because we don't want to rush. We want to ensure the best for our clients."