Cover The entertainment room is populated with sculptural objects
The entertainment room is populated with sculptural objects
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J House Studio designed a house in Sibu, Sarawak for a newlywed couple inspired by wabi-sabi
Located in Sibu, Sarawak, a young professional couple in their early thirties were preparing their a home to move into as newlyweds. To bring their marital home dreams to life, they engaged in transforming the double-storey semi-detached corner unit with a build-up of approximately 4,500 sq ft.
“The house was newly built and empty when we visited it. What attracted us to the project is the house is totally bare, so we have plenty of freedom to play around the design,” recalls Joyce Wong, founder and lead designer of J Hous Studio.
“Our scope was to design the entire house. We arrived at a wabi-sabi design concept that emphasises a sense of serenity and authenticity within a space.”
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The curved TV wall
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Upon entering the house, the designers noticed the extra-height ceiling on the ground and first floors.
The significant extension at the rear of the house gave the house two additional compartments that need to be planned and designed into functional spaces.
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Above A peek in to the dining room
Above The dining room
A peek in to the dining room
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Within the main living room, a white, glossy, curvy TV wall in solid core laminate was designed to avoid the appearance of black joints.
The upper and bottom parts of the TV wall were created in a wooden fluted panel to add an appealing texture to the wall.
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The entertainment room is populated with sculptural objects
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An entertainment room was separated from the dining area by a double curvature textured paint wall, which also serves as a sculptural feature.
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Above Rounded corners
Above Timber details
Rounded corners
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The staircase, in particular, is a central feature where the designers created a curved staircase handrail in oak veneer finishing following the natural curvature of the stairs, thus making a seamless transition between the ground floor and the first floor.
See also: Home tour: A Malaysian home designed like a jewel box and for entertaining
Above A view from the staircase
Above The entertainment area
A view from the staircase
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“It was a challenge to determine the degree of radius and curvature of the staircase, and we needed skilled craftmanship to construct the staircase,” recalls Wong.
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The staircase is a focal point
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“The ‘just right’ degree of radius and curvature of the staircase strikes a visual balance between being too sharp and too gentle. The right balance gives a visually pleasing appearance.”
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The bedroom is an oasis of calm
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The sofa in the living room was sourced from King Living to finesse the space.
Additional pieces and objects were curated to suit the wabi-sabi theme, which showcases the characteristic natural materials and craftsmanship associated with the style.
See also: Home tour: A Japandi-style nineteenth-century townhouse in London
Tonal shades in the bedroom
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For the clients, the journey of creating and finishing the home fulfilled their expectations and more, with Wong reporting: “It is a mind-blowing experience for them.”
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Photography: TWJPTO
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Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.
