Cover This Damansara Heights bungalow has a formal living area with a marble feature wall anchoring the seating arrangement, flanked by ceramic ornamental sculptures
This Damansara Heights bungalow has a formal living area with a marble feature wall anchoring the seating arrangement, flanked by ceramic ornamental sculptures
1 / 1
When low ceilings and structural constraints made renovation impossible, this Damansara Heights bungalow was demolished to make way for an 8,000-sq-ft residence with an extended attic level designed by Azura Safi Interiors.
Damansara Heights, with its mature trees and generous plots, provided the setting. The 1970s bungalow in this leafy enclave looked salvageable at first. Renovation seemed possible. But as Tengku Azura Safiyuddeen, founder and creative director of Azura Safi Interiors, who designed the home, evaluated the structure, the ceiling heights became a problem.
“The original property was a charming 1970s bungalow that we initially considered renovating; however, the low ceiling heights and structural limitations meant we were unable to fully realise our vision,” Azura says. The decision was made to demolish and start over, building an 8,000-square-foot residence from the ground up.
Read more: From formal to barefoot: the new philosophy of luxury yacht design at Azimut
Above The entry foyer features a full-height book-matched marble feature wall flanked by bronze metal screens
Above The staircase landing opens to views of the garden, with a contemporary artwork and sculptural chandelier marking the transition between floors
The entry foyer features a full-height book-matched marble feature wall flanked by bronze metal screens
1 / 2
The key move was raising the roofline to create an extended attic level. Rather than adding a conventional second storey or expanding the footprint, Azura created an additional floor that houses a gym, study, and mancave. “An inner sanctum,” as she describes it.
The four bedrooms occupy the main floors, while the attic level houses the more specialised spaces. Someone can use the gym at dawn without disturbing sleepers below. The study accommodates work without competing with shared living areas. The mancave provides retreat space separate from the main household flow.
See also: Inside Seoul’s chaebol neighbourhoods: where Korea’s wealthiest business families live
The open-plan layout connects living, dining, and kitchen areas, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden
1 / 2
Above The oval dining table seats ten beneath a geometric chandelier, with views through to the formal living room’s marble wall
Above The double-height formal living room features a book-matched marble feature wall flanked by bronze geometric screens, a sculptural woven wall art piece, and a cascading glass chandelier
The oval dining table seats ten beneath a geometric chandelier, with views through to the formal living room’s marble wall
1 / 2
Throughout, materials repeat: marble, wood, bronze metalwork, glass, and neutral fabrics. Sculptural mirrors with wavy or rounded edges appear in multiple rooms. Lighting fixtures, from chandeliers to wall sconces, carry as much visual weight as the furniture. Azura introduces enough variation, through colour, pattern or texture, to distinguish each room while maintaining consistency.
Don’t miss: Hoshinoya Karuizawa: two decades of biophilic design in practice
The kitchen combines wood-grain cabinetry with marble countertops and a central island
1 / 2
Above The cooking zone features a travertine-clad extractor hood above cream zellige tiles and wood cabinetry
Above A secondary kitchen features sage green cabinetry paired with marble countertops and a full-height marble splashback beneath a timber display shelf
The cooking zone features a travertine-clad extractor hood above cream zellige tiles and wood cabinetry
1 / 2
The open-plan ground floor connects living, dining, and kitchen areas, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden. An oval dining table seats ten beneath a geometric chandelier, positioned to allow views through to the formal living room’s marble feature wall. The layout accommodates both large gatherings and daily use, with distinct zones that still feel connected.
Read more: Home tour: a Dutch colonial home in Surabaya, Indonesia rejuvenated with a modern rear extension
Above The primary bedroom features chinoiserie wallpaper behind the upholstered headboard, a crystal drum chandelier, and a bay-window seating area
Above The primary walk-in wardrobe centres on a marble-topped island beneath a cascading crystal chandelier, with mirrored wardrobes featuring chinoiserie-print panels
The primary bedroom features chinoiserie wallpaper behind the upholstered headboard, a crystal drum chandelier, and a bay-window seating area
1 / 2
The staircase sets expectations early. A curved wooden handrail follows bronze balusters shaped in repeating arches, leading to a landing where a contemporary artwork and sculptural glass chandelier mark the transition between floors. Wooden plank ceilings with skylights bring natural light into the upper attic rooms.
See also: Beyond the runway: 7 architectural masterpieces created for fashion’s biggest names
The nursery features floor-to-ceiling botanical wallpaper depicting palms, birds, and tropical foliage, paired with a rounded wooden crib
1 / 2
The entry foyer establishes the material palette: a full-height book-matched marble feature wall flanked by bronze geometric screens. The formal living area repeats the marble treatment as a backdrop to sculptural seating and a cascading glass chandelier that drops from the double-height ceiling. Bronze screens frame the space, their geometric patterns adding texture without blocking sightlines. Ceramic ornamental sculptures and a large woven wall art piece add sculptural elements.
Neutral tones dominate the main living areas, but Azura introduces warmth selectively. A ground-floor living space centres on a large-scale abstract painting in blues and golds above a curved sofa. Contemporary artwork appears throughout: abstract canvases in the mancave, framed pieces in hallways and studies.
Don’t miss: 9 new museums shaping Asia’s cultural scene
A guest bedroom features neutral tones with overhead storage maximising the compact footprint
1 / 3
The primary bedroom features hand-painted chinoiserie wallpaper depicting palms, birds, and tropical flora, with an upholstered headboard. A crystal drum chandelier hangs above the bed, while a bay window creates a separate seating area. The ensuite bathroom features marble countertops, brass fixtures, and a freestanding sculptural bathtub positioned to catch natural light through plantation shutters.
The walk-in wardrobe centres on a marble-topped island beneath a cascading crystal chandelier. Mirrored wardrobes feature chinoiserie-print panels.
Above This bedroom includes a botanical-print upholstered headboard with brass wall sconces
Above A hallway console with sculptural details features a wavy-edged wood mirror above a table with curved legs
This bedroom includes a botanical-print upholstered headboard with brass wall sconces
1 / 2
Above A shower alcove features vertically stacked teal mosaic tiles beneath a circular skylight with brass rainfall fixtures
Above A powder room features marble countertops and grey stone wall tiles with brass fixtures
A shower alcove features vertically stacked teal mosaic tiles beneath a circular skylight with brass rainfall fixtures
1 / 2
A lighter approach was adopted in the nursery, with floor-to-ceiling botanical wallpaper wrapping the room in muted tones of palms, toucans, and flowering vines. A rounded wooden crib and an upholstered rocker keep the space soft, while Roman blinds filter light without competing with the patterned walls. Built-in wardrobes with rattan panel inserts provide storage.
Guest bedrooms follow similar principles: one features hand-painted chinoiserie wallpaper, while the other uses ikat-patterned wallpaper as a backdrop for a cylindrical three-drawer nightstand. Overhead storage maximises compact footprints.
See also: Building botanicals: How Lego creates lasting florals
Above An arched console table with sculptural lamps anchors a landing area
Above The stairwell connecting to the attic level features wooden plank ceilings and a skylight for natural light
An arched console table with sculptural lamps anchors a landing area
1 / 2
The main kitchen balances wood-grain cabinetry with marble countertops. Reeded upper cabinets add texture, while a central island seats up to eight on boucle-upholstered bar stools beneath a globe chandelier. A secondary kitchen introduces colour: sage-green cabinetry paired with marble countertops and a full-height marble splashback, beneath a timber display shelf with brass brackets and woven pendant lighting.
Don’t miss: Peter Marino on the Hotel Cipriani renovation: bringing art and architecture to Venice
The gym occupies part of the extended attic level, with vaulted ceilings, skylights, and mirrored walls, maximising the sense of space
1 / 2
The attic-level gym occupies a vaulted room with exposed wooden ceiling beams and skylights. Mirrored walls expand the space visually. Built-in storage displays kettlebells and yoga mats, while a neon “work it” sign adds personality. The space accommodates both cardio equipment and free weights without feeling cramped.
The attic-level mancave combines living and bar areas under dramatic vaulted ceilings with exposed beam
1 / 3
Above The bar area showcases three arched niches backed with reeded timber detailing
Above A seating nook features a boucle sofa beneath the wooden vaulted ceiling with contemporary art
The bar area showcases three arched niches backed with reeded timber detailing
1 / 2
Also under vaulted ceilings is the mancave, which combines a bar area with lounge seating. Arched niches backed with reeded timber detailing display guitars and house bottles. The bar itself features reeded cabinetry and a curved island topped with marble. An Eames lounge chair, contemporary abstract artwork, and guitar amplifiers occupy the lounge area. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden bring natural light into the upper level.
See also: Home tour: a pink concrete house in Kuala Lumpur formed by combining two terrace plots
Above A living area centres on a large-scale abstract painting in blues and golds above a curved sofa
Above The study includes floor-to-ceiling shelving with integrated LED lighting and a geometric three-dimensional panel treatment on the base
A living area centres on a large-scale abstract painting in blues and golds above a curved sofa
1 / 2
The study combines backlit shelving with a geometric three-dimensional panel treatment and a black desk facing the window. Open shelving displays books, framed photographs, and decorative objects, while a tubular pendant light provides task lighting.
The extended attic created space for activities that don’t fit traditional room categories—starting from the ground up allowed for the raised roofline and dedicated zones that wouldn’t have worked within the original 1970s structure.
NOW READ
Home tour: Kelly Hoppen transforms a London townhouse into a light-filled sanctuary
Bali hospitality architecture: how a century of tourism shaped the island’s design identity
Discover Soori Penang: how SCDA’s Soo Chan reimagined his childhood home as a luxury heritage hotel
Credits
Photography: Tian Xing
Topics
Best of Tatler Asia video highlights
Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
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.
