What High-End Homeowners in KL Really Want in a Designer (It’s Not Just Good Taste)

If you're moving into a high-end condominum in Kuala Lumpur — like Pavilion Damansara, Menerung, or other upscale condos — you're probably already familiar with good design. But here’s the truth most homeowners only realise later: what you really need from an interior designer isn’t just good taste.

I believe it’s someone who listens. Deeply. Thoughtfully.

It’s someone who designs not from a catalog — but from your life.

We believe that the best homes aren’t about styling. They’re about storytelling. Over the years, we’ve worked with top professionals, celebrities, business owners, retirees, and families from around the world. And each home has been different — because each family lives differently.

For Datuk Iain’s (ex Shell CEO) home at Kia Peng, we prioritised flow, comfort, and elegance. The brief wasn’t flashy. It was thoughtful — dignified living with seamless storage, understated finishes, and calm materials that work with the space, not fight it.

In another project, we completed a 6,800 sqft residence at Menerung Bangsar a refurbishment of a 20-year-old building where we had the opportunity to work with Malaysia's ex Bank Negara governor and her family, it was one of our most fulfilling collaborations. This wasn’t a renovation to impress — it was a home that needed to respect legacy. We worked closely with her and the family, integrating beloved furniture, designing storage that served function but kept the calm, and curating textures that felt grounded and gentle. It became a space of quiet pride — just as it should be.

We’re now designing two more new homes — one at Pavilion Damansara, and one more at Menerung both for large families as well. The Pavilion Damansara home is for a multi-generational family, with elderly parents at the centre. So every design decision is made with care — wider passages, easier movement, subtle seating support, soft surfaces, and no sharp transitions. But it’s also designed for joy: shared meals, holiday reunions, and multi-use spaces that bring generations together. From display walls to dining extensions — we’re designing for real life.

The upcoming Menerung project is for a well-travelled family who’s just relocated back to KL. They have two children and a deep appreciation for thoughtful design. We’re currently finalising spatial zoning, materials, and even display units for their aviation figurines and collectible aircraft models. (Yes — we’ve measured each one to ensure they all have a perfect home.)

That’s what makes good design great.

Top to down: A completed home at Sierramas Garden Manor, An artist impression of work in progress of our on going residential projects at Menerung Bangsar

It’s never just about saying, “I want a TV wall here,” or “I want a marble dining table there.”

It’s about asking:

What will your family need in five years?

Where will your memories take shape?

What calms you, what energizes you, what helps you breathe?

To me, luxury isn’t about what’s expensive — it’s about what feels right.

By: IDr. Mak Mil Yung

Interior Architect. Founder. Storyteller of Spaces