Every project has a story. Project Cindia — a 1,650 sqft co-home apartment at Eden, Cyberjaya — is one of our most talked-about transformations. Here's an honest account of the journey: the brief, the challenges, the decisions, and the outcome.
The Brief
Our client — a young professional couple in their early 30s — had very specific needs: a home that could function as a creative workspace by day and an entertaining sanctuary by night. They wanted something that felt grown-up and curated, not off-the-shelf. Their references were a mix of boutique hotel lobbies, Kyoto ryokans, and a very specific shade of terracotta they'd photographed in Marrakech.
Budget: RM 180,000 for full ID works including furniture.
The Challenges
Challenge 1: An Awkward Layout
The original unit had a narrow, dark entryway that ate into the living space and a kitchen that was completely closed off. Our first move was to propose hacking the kitchen partition wall and replacing it with a peninsula island — opening the entire living-dining-kitchen into one continuous social space.
This required careful structural assessment (the wall was non-load-bearing, thankfully) and close coordination with the building management for hacking approval — a process that took four weeks.
Challenge 2: The Terracotta Problem
The clients' reference terracotta — pulled from a Moroccan riad photograph — was a very specific warm, slightly greyed tone. Standard paint charts didn't have it. We went through seven custom-mixed samples over three weeks before arriving at the right pigment ratio. The final shade — a mix of brick red, raw umber, and a trace of yellow ochre — now anchors the entire living room feature wall.
Challenge 3: Lead Time on Custom Furniture
The centrepiece sofa — a deep-seat modular piece in moss green boucle — was ordered from a local craftsman in Kepong. Original lead time was 8 weeks. Supply chain issues pushed it to 14 weeks, threatening our completion timeline. We managed this by sequencing all other works to complete around the sofa delivery, and kept the clients updated with weekly progress reports.
The Design Decisions
Several choices defined the final look:
- Ceiling height illusion: All joinery runs full height to the 3.2m ceiling, making the space feel taller than it is
- Material continuity: The same warm oak veneer appears in the kitchen cabinetry, the TV console, and the bedroom wardrobe — tying all spaces together
- Lighting as architecture: We designed three distinct lighting scenes — work, relax, and entertain — each on a separate circuit with warm 2700K LEDs throughout
- The flex room: The second bedroom doubles as a home studio with a full-height pegboard wall, fold-down desk, and a Murphy bed behind a fabric panel
The Result
Project Cindia completed in 16 weeks — two weeks behind original schedule due to the sofa delay, but within budget. The clients moved in January 2026 and have since hosted two dinner parties and one client meeting in the space.
Their feedback: "It's exactly what we described, but better than we imagined. It doesn't feel like an apartment anymore — it feels like our place."
That, ultimately, is what we're here for. The Cindia project used our full-scope interior design service — from concept boards to final handover. View more completed projects in our portfolio gallery. Curious which design style fits your home? Try our Design DNA Quiz. Read our guide on how to choose an interior designer in Malaysia before starting your own project.