Remodeled 80s bungalow

		Saturday, Aug 06, 2011 The Star/Asia News Network
By Daniel Sim Living in an award winning home may just be a dream for some but not for Malaysian renowned interior designer, James Yong. With more than 10 years experience designing residential and commercial projects, Yong has broadened into the high-end niche residential market. He set up his own company, Interlink Design Solutions that specialises in designing private residences. The artistic designer recently bought an old bungalow in Taman Desa and transformed it into his showpiece. Yong put to good use the knowledge he has gained from his frequent overseas trips to his work. One of his pride projects is his own bungalow cum office. This "transformed" 80s bungalow went on to bag the Malaysia Society of Interior Designers (MSID) award in 2009. The award-winning bungalow Click on thumbnail to view StarProperty.my caught up with the Melaka-born interior designer and visited his showpiece. How it started Yong confides that it is more challenging to do an interior designing job for a private residence because unlike commercial clients, "it is harder for the homeowners to visualise what an interior designer can do to spruce up their homes even with the help of a 3D artist." As a creative person, he decided to look around for the right property to showcase his work. The moment he sat eyes on an old bungalow built in the 80s in Taman Desa, he knew then that would make a good showpiece for his ID business. The property boasts a built up of 4,500 sq ft on a land area of 8,000 sq ft. "I wanted to maintain the original design concept and at the same time bring out the elegance of the place," says Yong, who confides that he has a soft spot for veneer. Using a combination of a myriad of colours - white, black and gold, accentuated by natural wood veneer for the interior, he managed to retain the strong architectural forms of the bungalow's exterior with a white palette. "I love to go to Europe to soak in their design culture and be inspired by new and creative concept. I have just visited Barcelona and was very much inspired by the work of Gaudi especially his masterpiece Familia Sagrada cathedral," he shares. Yong only recommends original designs with strong aesthetic values to his clients. One of the designers he frequently talks about is renowned French product designer Phillip Starck as he thinks the designs are ingenious. For his own bungalow, specially imported Black Marquina marbles from Spain were used for the flooring of the entire ground level of the property. Some walls were knocked down to make way for a 12 feet kitchen island-cum-bar area complete with Citterio's white spoon barstool - a signature design by Italian renowned furniture designer Antonio Citterio. The grandest part of the house has to be the dining area with its custom-made 10 feet Turkish Marmara white marble table matched by uniquely designed Eames white dining chairs. Yong also uses lighting designs from Phillip Starck's Gun Series to enhance the rich golden color of the living area. He manages to pull a stunning yet simple layout for the second floor where the family area, a walk-in wardrobe, the study and a second bedroom are located. The highlight of this floor is the master bedroom that comes with an attached bathroom. Balau timber is used for the flooring which matches perfectly with the wooden cabinet fittings. "I wanted something different for my house, and I realise I can do this in my master bathroom," says this chic and practical interior designer. For a start, unlike your typical bathroom, the floor is decorated with Turkish Marmara white marble. Large frosted glass windows ensure constant flow of ventilation and natural lighting. "It is satisfying to know that some of my clients are amazeD that this showpiece is my home; they had initially thought that this is an overseas property when they first read about this showpiece in magazines," beams Yong with pride. "I bought this bungalow for RM2 million (S$810,500), but recently I received offers from interested purchasers to buy it for RM5 million. I think the good interior enhances the value of the property," reveals Yong. He relishes spending time with his friends at his favorite area in the house - the patio which can be quite breezy in the evening. Personal notes "Since young I knew that I wanted to become an interior designer as I used to decorate my family home and my own room," recalls Yong. He did not hesitate to enrol himself for an interior designer course at PJ College of Arts and Design. Recently, he published a book, "James Yong Interlink Design Solutions" which highlights some of his works. His company offers a comprehensive service from design consultancy and turnkey to furniture and colour sceheme selection. His clients are usually repeat customers or from word of mouth referrals. And what is his advice to new homeowners? "If you want to hire an interior designer, you need to understand their background and capability. Do not make your decision based on fees alone. I have come across a number of clients who seek for my advice as their designer could not deliver on their promise." He advises those who want to pursue a career in interior design to be "responsible with their designs." "One way to do this is to get the relevant experience working with a reputable interior designing company," Yong shares.