Cosmopolitan living

Years of living abroad in countries like Turkmenistan, New Zealand and Sudan has let this condo owner come up with an eclectic but fascinating beach house design all by herself. -The Star/ANN

Fri, Sep 21, 2012
The Star/Asia News Network

Having lived overseas for years in countries such as Turkmenistan, New Zealand and Sudan, condo owner Shahreen Deelaila Ramzi has developed a cosmopolitan taste in her interior design concept.

Her duplex condo unit at Damansara Perdana in Selangor, which she shares with her husband and young son, showcases her fondness for cultural artifacts.

Cosmopolitan living Click on thumbnail to view

Shahreen's corner unit spans 248sq m (2,670sq ft), and is decorated with an eclectic mix of furniture with clean-cut lines and antiques as well as furnishings with ethnic motifs in bright colours.

"I grew up in a house where art, culture, music and ethnic artifacts existed in every corner. Well, several houses to be exact, since my family lived in different countries due to my dad's job," says Shahreen, when asked how her condo home reflects her personality.

"I reckon my upbringing has something to do with the way I designed this home. When my husband and I decided to buy this unit, I knew that I wanted my child to be surrounded by the same elements I grew up with."

It has been eight months since Shahreen and her family moved into this duplex in Damansara Perdana. For Shahreen, it was an easy decision.

"My family home in Malaysia is in the same building. They have been away in Sudan for several years, but now they are back in Kuala Lumpur. Obviously, I'm happy to live near my family," says the psychology graduate from the University of Auckland.

As there was no structural renovation, it only took Shahreen six months to complete the interior design her own home.

Casual elegance "My objective is to create a living space that has a laid-back beach atmosphere to it. But I also wanted to incorporate beautiful ethnic items from the various places I grew up," points out Shahreen.

She realised that combining an interior concept with ethnic accessories and beach house elements wasn't going to be easy. Fortunately, Shahreen's mother is the noted interior decorator Winnie Choo Abdullah.

Winnie, known for her exquisite taste in antiques, lent her daughter a helping hand. To conjure a casual beachside mood, Winnie and Shahreen decided to paint the walls an icy grey shade on the first level, and a sandy champagne tone on the upper level.

The mother-and-daughter team designed a wooden chair and sofa for the living room. Winnie also designed her grandson's bedroom, which is plastered with Winnie the Pooh wallpaper.

At the dining area, there's a garden table bought from a shop in Sungai Buloh. According to Shahreen, the round table is perfect for dining, as it enhances the casual ambience of the home. Adding to the marine theme is a pair of starfish in the living room.

"One of the enduring attractions of a beach home is its simplicity; It allows you to be completely casual," remarks Shahreen.

Unique antiques While many young couple favours a modern, minimalist design, Shahreen insists that her home should be warm and inviting.

"A lot of people find my interior decor taste a tad too heavy, especially when they know my age. But I grew up in beautiful homes where more is more," she adds.

Much like her family home, designed by her mother, Shahreen's condo unit feels warm and welcoming. The first level consists of the living room, dining area, balcony and guest-room-turned-art-studio. There's also a kitchen, which extends to the maid's room. Here, Shahreen's artful collectibles come to life.

She decorated the living room with a number of antique accessories, namely flat-woven, tapestry-like carpets (also known as Kilims) from Turkmenistan and a cabinet with a built-in rice container from China. The latter, Shahreen points out, is a wedding gift from her mother.

"This (rice container) is rather special. My mum kept it for years. The fact that it is a rice container is very appropriate for a new family like mine, as it symbolises something that is fundamentally familial," says Shahreen.

While there are many pretty items, the decorative lamps that adorn the living and dining area stand out the most. Shahreen bought them from her mother's acquaintance, who acquired the lamps in Turkey and Morocco. Admittedly, the beach home theme is a rather curious backdrop for an interior full of antiques. But Shahreen's concept opts for a pared down look and celebrates the patina of genuine antiques.

Indeed, the young mother is brilliant in the way she combines two very different design concepts. There's a deliberate but calculated neglect here and there, which makes the home look effortlessly decorated and intriguing.