Cover The complete living space showing how all materials work together- from the terracotta tiles to the cherry wood door
The complete living space showing how all materials work together- from the terracotta tiles to the cherry wood door
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Creative director Mandy Gioh and Wunderwall Design used bold materials to transform a dated developer unit in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, mixing warm materials throughout public spaces while keeping private areas cool
Mandy Gioh’s 800-square-foot flat in Bangsar started as a standard developer unit. The built-ins were dated, the finishes uninspiring. Nothing survived the renovation except the bones of the space—one bedroom, a study room, and a shared bathroom.
Gioh runs creative direction for two local brands—beauty brand Chuck’s and lifestyle brand Motherchuckers—giving her a deep appreciation for creative work and design. When she approached her long-time friend, Wil Ken Ee from Wunderwall Design, he was intrigued by the challenge. His studio typically works in neutral palettes, but Gioh had a different sensibility. “She is very sensitive to colour, which is in contrast to me and how our studio practises,” Ee says. “I wanted to change that and take it up as a challenge.
Above The living area features a Kartell Thierry coffee table cluster and Montana Furniture modular side table by Verner Panton, complemented by fresh tulips and warm evening light
Above The iconic Ligne Roset Togo sofa anchors the living space, with the terracotta-toned Mutina tiles designed by Michael Anastassiades
The living area features a Kartell Thierry coffee table cluster and Montana Furniture modular side table by Verner Panton, complemented by fresh tulips and warm evening light
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They landed on eclecticism as their guiding principle. “We talked about the word eclectic, which means someone with a diverse range of ideas and inspirations, not bound or rooted by any specifics but more by intuition and personal taste,” Ee explains.
For Gioh, this meant freedom to combine unlikely materials. She cites Melbourne’s David Flack as an influence—someone who “matches different materials together to create an interesting space."
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Above Gioh relaxes in her living space next to the California burl cabinet, which now houses her collection of “interesting plates and vases” gathered during travels.
Gioh relaxes in her living space next to the California burl cabinet, which now houses her collection of “interesting plates and vases” gathered during travels.
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Ee chose a Mutina tile designed by Michael Anastassiades for the floors. The selection was instinctive. “I picked the tile and showed the client, we both loved it,” he recalls. Gioh took a sample home anyway, making sure the decision wasn’t impulsive. The terracotta tone became their starting point.
From there, materials accumulated: cherry wood veneer, leather, dark sintered stone, piano gloss maroon paint, California burled veneer. Warm tones dominate the public areas. The bathroom breaks the pattern entirely—matcha-coloured glass mosaics cover every surface. “We took a long time to consider it because the choice was quite bold,” Ee admits.
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The dining area features Ee’s custom round marble table with faceted legs, paired with the black Rey dining chairs and illuminated by the Verner Panton FUN pendant lamp
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The compact layout demanded careful planning. Gioh is particularly fond of the dining area, which anchors the flat. “That space is definitely something that positively impacts my daily life,” she says. “I like how it creates a very good centre point to the space where I can easily access my kitchen, bedroom, and wardrobe.” She works there, eats there, and hosts dinners there.
Ee designed a California burl veneer cabinet that functions as a bar, separated from the kitchen. Inside, behind pocket doors, piano gloss surfaces display glassware and bottles. Bronze handles, made by a Belgian maker, complete the piece. For Gioh, it connects to memory: “It derives from this shelf that my grandmother used to have, where she kept all her pots and pans and her collectable stuff."
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Above The closed cabinet shows the full beauty of the California burl veneer, a material choice that exemplifies the eclectic approach both designer and client embraced for this Bangsar flat.
Above The cabinet opens to reveal its piano-gloss interior with red lighting, functioning as both a display and a bar, exactly as Gioh envisioned for entertaining and showcasing her collected pieces
The closed cabinet shows the full beauty of the California burl veneer, a material choice that exemplifies the eclectic approach both designer and client embraced for this Bangsar flat.
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Above A detail of the California burl veneer showing the intricate wood grain pattern, finished with bronze handles from a Belgian maker to complete this standout piece
Above The cabinet’s interior reveals piano gloss surfaces and glassware, visible through the circular opening that frames this “very nice element" Gioh wanted to recreate from family memory
A detail of the California burl veneer showing the intricate wood grain pattern, finished with bronze handles from a Belgian maker to complete this standout piece
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The cabinet now houses her travel finds—plates and vases collected during trips. “When you open it, the door will slide in and it can be used as a drinking bar and also a featured cabinet for the space,” she explains.
Gioh brought existing furniture: a Ligne Roset Togo sofa, Rey dining chairs by Bruno Rey, and a Montana Furniture modular side table by Verner Panton. Ee added a Kartell Thierry coffee table cluster, a Jaipur rug that grounds the living area and designed a round marble dining table with faceted legs. The pendant lamp took longer to settle on—a Verner Panton FUN model chosen after cycling through numerous chandeliers and pendants.
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The kitchen showcases the warm material palette with cherry wood veneer cabinetry paired with white units, set against dark sintered stone surfaces and terracotta Mutina tiles
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Details matter here. Kitchen cabinet handles are circular recesses that play against the grid of the floor tiles. The bedroom has the flat’s only door, fitted with a chunky handle called FAT designed by Tom Dixon for Danish brand, d line. The bathroom mirror from GUBI was chosen specifically for its shape, which complements the gridded mosaic.
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Above The bedroom maintains the cooler colour palette that Ee used for private spaces, with warm timber flooring providing continuity throughout the flat
Above The doorway from the living area reveals the wardrobe space beyond, framed by the same burgundy marble that appears throughout, creating visual continuity between rooms
The bedroom maintains the cooler colour palette that Ee used for private spaces, with warm timber flooring providing continuity throughout the flat
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Material sourcing stretched timelines. “A lot of the materials that Ee and I wanted to explore take time," Gioh reflects. "If I were to have a bigger space in the future, definitely we’ll need to plan way ahead in terms of getting the right material.” But she was patient. The results justified the wait.
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Above A view through to the bedroom shows the cooler tones used in private spaces, contrasting with the warm palette of the public areas
Above Looking into the wardrobe through the marble-framed doorway, where organised storage maximises the compact flat’s functionality—one of Gioh’s key priorities for efficient space usage
A view through to the bedroom shows the cooler tones used in private spaces, contrasting with the warm palette of the public areas
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Above The GUBI bathroom mirror was chosen specifically for how its unique shape works with the gridded mosaic, whilst dark timber vanity drawers are integrated into the marble countertop
Above Wall-mounted taps in brushed brass complement the gridded mosaic tiles, with the burgundy marble providing a warm contrast to the cool green tones of the private spaces
The GUBI bathroom mirror was chosen specifically for how its unique shape works with the gridded mosaic, whilst dark timber vanity drawers are integrated into the marble countertop
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Ee sees the completed project as collaborative. “It is more complete after the owner has put her touch to it via artworks and personal collections.” Gioh calls it “a fresh canvas for her to start collecting new pieces of art and furniture."
The flat resists simple categorisation. It works because it reflects genuine taste rather than following rules, exactly what Gioh and Ee set out to achieve.
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Credits
Photography: TWJPTO
Topics
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.
