Cover The spiral staircase, which the clients fell for on their first visit, was retained and made the centrepiece of the home beneath its new pitched roof, with a grand piano tucked into its curve
The spiral staircase, which the clients fell for on their first visit, was retained and made the centrepiece of the home beneath its new pitched roof, with a grand piano tucked into its curve
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In the Klang Valley suburbs, Lebeau Interior has crafted an elegant family home anchored by a striking pitched roof and a centrepiece spiral staircase
"The design development was a dialogue between old and new,” says Kingsley Lim, founder of Lebeau Interior (LBI). The existing building for this property in PJ, Selangor had elegant bones, but it was clear that an update was in order. Among other things, the interior layout often felt awkward and cramped, while the façade felt a bit too reminiscent of old British colonial architecture across Malaysia. It made sense, then, to pursue a renovation that was both extensive and comprehensive, encompassing not only interior works but also full architectural redesign, carried out with Wan Hui Architect.
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Above The new façade, with its pitched roof and floor-to-ceiling glazing, at dusk
The new façade, with its pitched roof and floor-to-ceiling glazing, at dusk
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Besides transforming the façade and the spatial circulation, LBI added a bold two-storey extension, running from the second floor down to the first. The outdoor section was also reworked: it was furnished with a custom-built swimming pool and a lush landscape design.
Above Low-slung sofas from King Living furnish the covered terrace overlooking the pool and garden
Low-slung sofas from King Living furnish the covered terrace overlooking the pool and garden
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Curve of potential
Above One of the two stone portals that frame the staircase
Above A walnut-clad column and an upholstered bench on a walnut base
One of the two stone portals that frame the staircase
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Walnut panelling wraps the TV wall in the living area, which flows into the dining room
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One important element that has been retained is the spiral staircase. In fact, this was the feature that originally captured the hearts of the clients, a young professional couple in their 30s with one child and another on the way. They shared their first impression: “We saw more than a staircase, we saw a future. Little feet racing up and down, laughter echoing, stories unfolding with every step.” As for Lim, he was impressed by the “story and life they had already woven into the staircase” and was inspired to make it the physical and emotional heart of the house.
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Above The elegantly curved staircase
Above The light as air chandelier suggests flight
The elegantly curved staircase
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Above Seen from above, the staircase curves around the piano and the chevron-patterned solid wood floor, beneath a glittering chandelier
Above The staircase viewed from another perspective
Seen from above, the staircase curves around the piano and the chevron-patterned solid wood floor, beneath a glittering chandelier
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This broad sculptural curve thus acts as the residence’s centrepiece. There is drama in the overall composition, with the austere off-white of its solid balustrade, the glittering chandelier, and the two luxury stone portals that frame it on either side. At the same time, the staircase is also a warm, inviting space, as it is not only bathed in natural light during the daytime, but also connects easily to the other areas of the house. As Lim puts it, “this staircase anchors the daily rhythm of family life”.
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Above The dining table and chairs are by Minarch, set beneath a cascade of glass pendants and a timber-slatted ceiling
The dining table and chairs are by Minarch, set beneath a cascade of glass pendants and a timber-slatted ceiling
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Above A sculptural stone island anchors the kitchen
A sculptural stone island anchors the kitchen
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Pitch perfect
Above A covered terrace with low-slung King Living sofas opens onto the timber deck, flanked by slim vertical windows, linear wall lights and a potted olive tree
A covered terrace with low-slung King Living sofas opens onto the timber deck, flanked by slim vertical windows, linear wall lights and a potted olive tree
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One of the most striking features of the whole project is the new façade with its pitched roof and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The clarity of the façade’s geometry lends the house a distinctively classical character. There is no extraneous ornamentation or fuss; instead, the language of angles and planes is allowed to take centre stage.
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Above The carport, set beneath a flat timber-lined canopy, leads to the front entrance, while a gabled dormer punctuates the pitched roof above
The carport, set beneath a flat timber-lined canopy, leads to the front entrance, while a gabled dormer punctuates the pitched roof above
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Now, there were some challenges in designing and constructing the pitched roof. The clients were keen on a slim, refined finish throughout. The difficulty was that this aesthetic choice had to be achieved while also dealing with concerns about structural load, drainage, and the prevention of water stains (teardrop marks) on the exterior walls. LBI had to work through several trials with the architect and subcontractors before getting everything right.
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Above A gable-shaped window in the upstairs lounge echoes the pitched roof
A gable-shaped window in the upstairs lounge echoes the pitched roof
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Above An arched opening leads to a vanity area
Above A bedroom with an arched timber headboard
An arched opening leads to a vanity area
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The pitched roof design also prompted a reconfiguration of the upper floor’s layout. The initial plan had extended the length of the master bathroom, but this would have eaten away into the bedroom area and even reduced the storage space. The solution was to shift everything around the fixed point of the shower area, thereby creating enough room so that the bedroom and storage did not get diminished while allowing for the bathroom to have a bathtub and a long vanity with dual basins. Lim’s team found this workaround of the layout particularly satisfying: “It was a puzzle we truly enjoyed solving.”
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A child’s bedroom with a curved, built-in sleeping nook and shelving
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Fine-tuned details
Above The master bedroom, finished in dark walnut and soft neutrals; a view through the master suite
The master bedroom, finished in dark walnut and soft neutrals; a view through the master suite
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Much of this residence’s clean yet inviting aesthetic derives from the material palette. Stone was a natural choice, of course, due to its durability and elegance. Scratch-proof quartzite was selected for surfaces with heavy usage; earthy-textured travertine is found in highly visible areas such as the kitchen entrance and as the TV console; and marble brings a touch of luxury to the bathroom countertops. Wood is no less prevalent. In the common areas, master bedroom, and home office, the cabinetry balances the rich depths of dark walnut with the cheerful brightness of white oak stained veneer. Meanwhile, solid wood flooring in a chevron pattern was installed in the main living areas to add visual rhythm and a pleasant feel underfoot.
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Above Reworking the upper floor allowed the master bathroom a freestanding bathtub and a long vanity with dual basins
Above A view through the master suite through the arched doorway
Reworking the upper floor allowed the master bathroom a freestanding bathtub and a long vanity with dual basins
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The most notable application of tilework would have to be the outdoor paving. Instead of using off-the-shelf tile patterns, the LBI team custom-designed a unique layout using three different sizes of tiles in the same colour and series. It was a painstaking process for the contractor to realise the paving plan, laying it all out tile by tile, and piece by piece, but the results were well worth the effort. Lim shares proudly: “It’s one of those details that most people won’t consciously notice, but it adds a subtle richness to the outdoor spaces.”
Above The nursery, with a padded arched wall and open shelving in white oak, is ready for the family’s second child
The nursery, with a padded arched wall and open shelving in white oak, is ready for the family’s second child
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LBI opted for furniture and lighting that strike a tone of restrained sophistication while still allowing for an undercurrent of playfulness. Plush indoor sofas came from Big Brain; Minarch was the supplier for the dining table and chairs with their streamlined silhouettes; and the low-slung outdoor sofas were purchased from King Living. The majority of the lighting fixtures came from Alfo while additional pieces, including some decorative and accent lights, were sourced from Lo and Behold MY.
All these carefully curated details have come together to create a home whose elegant aesthetic also manages to be warm and welcoming. The stage has been set for the family to grow together and to make memories for years to come.
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