A Livable Space

23 December 2011,
An apartment with logical spacing in the high rise of Tiara Faber Condominium, Taman Desa.

What’s the number one problem that many new home owners face when they acquire the help of an interior designer? The space ends up exquisitely picturesque, but lacks the ease of functionality. Deciding how to section off a home is much more than just having the highest grade amenities, floorings and walls; the space itself must be livable—practical, so to say. When Cheph Chaang, bar owner, entrepreneur and Chairman of Tiara Faber Condominium, purchased the 1,300+ sq. ft. apartment, all she could think about was how to widen the limited area. “I have other apartments and the one thing I can’t stand is impractical wastage of space,” Chaang shares. “So I made it a point to knock down whatever unnecessary walls and place in usable structures.”

The living area, simplistic as it may be, houses an open concept dry kitchen and dining area. The floor is lined with warm tiles reflecting the overhead hidden lighting. To create a contrast and compliment the adjacent square pillars, matte-black wood covering and black paint are used to accent the ceiling separators. The dining area is the result of removing a room too small for anyone to live in, and too big as storage.

Across from the dining area is the dry kitchen with a wide and long countertop that acts as both a serving table and duo side storage (the cabinets below opens from both sides. “We humans have a habit of collecting appliances and goods that rarely ever sees the light of day,” Chaang says, “that’s why it’s important for every house to have storage spaces that are kept out of the way.” Which is why the dry kitchen has an extended row of cabinets above the countertop—all finished with the same material as the square pillars in the living room.

The wet kitchen is an elongated hall with all the latest kitchen technologies. “The most important thing about a kitchen is humidity and residue control,” Cheph explains. “The counter, appliances and even the cabinets I’ve chosen all cleans easily.” That, of course, goes without saying the flooring and walls must also adapt the same requirement: Cheph used coated wood floorings and enamel tiles for the walls.

Chaang removed one of the original three-bedrooms to create the dining area, so the property is left with only two rooms. However, the two bedrooms are reasonably sized and spacious. Using unpolished natural wood as floorings and dark teal for the walls, the master bedroom offers a different ambience altogether from the rest of the apartment. “A bedroom should be cozy, hence the colors.” The master and guest bathrooms are simplistically designed with standing showers, offering a hygienic atmosphere.

The best floor plan is one that doesn’t feel cluttered. This apartment, which has a view of KLCC, is suitable for young professionals or young family. Cheph Chaang created a space that is good for entertaining guests without all the unsightly dangling of wires and fixtures. Making a space ‘livable’ is top priority when it comes to interior design.