Cover Open-plan living area showing the connection between spaces after the renovation, with custom-made furniture and restored family pieces creating a personal and layered environment
Open-plan living area showing the connection between spaces after the renovation, with custom-made furniture and restored family pieces creating a personal and layered environment
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One Letter J Studio founder Jian Hao Liew’s terrace house renovation creates a light-filled family sanctuary with custom joinery and sustainable features
When interior designer Jian Hao Liew, founder of One Letter J Studio, decided to renovate his childhood home in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, the project presented both practical and personal challenges. The two-storey corner terrace house, originally built for a family of 12, had developed structural issues over time. What began as necessary repairs evolved into a comprehensive transformation guided by the concept of craft connection.
Above The white exterior shows the relocated side entrance and the corner terrace house structure
Above Entrance area with natural wood door and stone framing, demonstrating the welcoming arrival experience created by relocating the main entrance to the side.
The white exterior shows the relocated side entrance and the corner terrace house structure
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“As family members moved out and issues like roof leaks and old piping emerged, it felt like the right time for a full renovation,” Liew says. He now lives in the house with his parents.
The house is approximately 1,500 square feet per floor. Liew reduced the number of rooms and created a double-volume void near the entrance to bring natural light into the interior. The main entrance was moved to the side of the house.
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Above Landscaped garden area showing the curated outdoor spaces that were designed to encourage a stronger connection with nature from within the interior, enhancing the overall sense of calm and well-being
Landscaped garden area showing the curated outdoor spaces that were designed to encourage a stronger connection with nature from within the interior, enhancing the overall sense of calm and well-being
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“We reconfigured the layout by reducing the number of rooms and introduced a double-volume void near the entrance to draw light into the heart of the home,” he explains. “The main entrance was also relocated to the side, creating a more welcoming arrival experience while preserving privacy.”
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Above Covered outdoor area showing the landscaping elements that were curated to enhance the connection with nature and the overall sense of calm and well-being
Above Detail of natural materials showing the interplay between stone and wood finishes that create the warm, grounded atmosphere Liew wanted to achieve
Covered outdoor area showing the landscaping elements that were curated to enhance the connection with nature and the overall sense of calm and well-being
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The exterior was kept minimal with clean lines. “The exterior was kept minimal, like a white canvas with clean lines, allowing nature and daylight to take the spotlight and subtly shift the mood throughout the day,” Liew says.
Inside, natural veneer covers wall panels and cabinetry. “We leaned toward natural, matte finishes, minimised anything glossy,” he notes. “I wanted the textures to feel grounded and warm, bringing depth without being loud.”
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Curved living room seating area with natural veneer backdrop and large windows that transform the mood of the house throughout the day with changing light
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The renovation included several environmental features. A skylight with a ventilation window sits above the staircase. The central void eliminates the need for artificial lighting during the day.
“We created a skylight with a ventilation window above the staircase, and sacrificed one room to introduce a central void that brings in more natural light,” Liew explains. “During the day, there’s no need to switch on any lights; the sunlight is sufficient throughout the house.”
Above View through the double-volume void showing the upper level natural wood elements and the skylight system that eliminates the need for artificial lighting during the day
Above Staircase detail with natural wood and stone finishes, part of the architectural intervention that brings natural light through the double-volume void
View through the double-volume void showing the upper level natural wood elements and the skylight system that eliminates the need for artificial lighting during the day
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“The void also helps with passive ventilation by allowing warm air to rise from the ground floor and exit through the upper ventilation window,” he adds. Solar panels were installed to reduce energy consumption. “We also added solar panels to reduce our energy usage even further. It’s part of our effort to live more sustainably, beyond just good design.”
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Open-plan living area showing the connection between spaces after the room reduction, with custom-made furniture and restored family pieces creating a personal and layered environment
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The landscaping outside the windows was planned to strengthen the connection between interior and exterior spaces. “We also curated the landscaping outside the windows to encourage a stronger connection with nature from within the interior, enhancing the overall sense of calm and well-being,” Liew says.
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Kitchen island with matte finish cabinetry and natural stone surfaces, demonstrating the approach of minimising glossy finishes in favour of grounded, warm textures.
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Managing the project required navigating family opinions and concerns. “Since this was a personal project, everyone had their own thoughts when it came to our parents’ house,” Liew recalls. “I was basically dealing with five different clients, including myself! It was interesting how we all grew up under the same roof, yet had such different opinions. But somehow, I managed to get everyone on the same path in the end.”
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The double-volume void area with natural wood staircase elements, created to draw light into the heart of the home
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The furnishing process combined restoration and new purchases. “We incorporated some older family pieces that were restored, adding sentimental value to the space,” Liew says. “The living room sofa is from King Living (Richmond model), while most of the other furniture was custom-made to suit the space. Decor items were collected gradually over time, making the space feel personal and layered.”
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Above Bathroom featuring natural stone surfaces and custom cabinetry, maintaining the natural materials approach in wet areas
Above Powder room with natural veneer cabinetry and stone surfaces, showing how the material consistency extends to all areas of the house
Bathroom featuring natural stone surfaces and custom cabinetry, maintaining the natural materials approach in wet areas
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Liew identifies the windows as his preferred element of the renovation. “Definitely the windows, and how they invite sunlight into the space,” he says. “They completely transform the mood of the house throughout the day, creating something quiet and deeply alive. It gives both the interior and exterior a shifting, almost poetic character.”
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The bedroom features floor-to-ceiling natural veneer storage and demonstrates the tone-on-tone palette that creates a cosy atmosphere
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The project required compromises due to the existing structure. “As with any old house renovation, there were some compromises with structure and layout,” Liew acknowledges. “But overall, I’m grateful for how much the space has transformed, and how it now truly reflects our needs.”
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Above Built-in shelving with decorative objects, showing how the natural veneer provides a backdrop for the gradually collected decor items
Above Built-in natural veneer shelving with curved elements, showcasing the custom joinery work and the warm wood tones used in the interior design
Built-in shelving with decorative objects, showing how the natural veneer provides a backdrop for the gradually collected decor items
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His parents have responded positively to the changes. “My parents love it. They say the house feels calmer and easier to move around in,” Liew reports. Their only complaint? “It is a little too comfortable; it’s turned them into introverts who want to stay home all the time.”
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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.
