For wealth management advisor Hanni Wong and her banker husband Nigel, living in a shophouse has always been the dream. Inspired by the rows of shophouses opposite her then-boyfriend, now-husband's penthouse apartment in the Joo Chiat area, the couple would often try to peek inside the houses. "I loved walking around the neighbourhood and seeing how these pre-war shophouses look as modern-day residences," recalls Wong.
It was the juxtaposition of the old-world charm of the exteriors and modern interior designs that appealed to the couple. So when they got married in 2017 and the opportunity to purchase a shophouse came knocking on the door, both Wong and her husband wasted no time setting up a viewing appointment.
Walking into the east-side property for the first time, though, Wong was not impressed. The almost 3,500sqft three-storey shophouse, which was then just listed on the market, looked very run down and was segmented into two separate units: The ground floor was rented out as a retail-cum-office space, while the upper two floors were rented out as an apartment.
"It was definitely not a love-at-first-sight moment for me, to be honest," she says of the property. Scrolling through her phone to show the pre-renovation photos, the 35-year-old recalls how dark and dingy the space was. "There was no natural light coming in except from the two windows at the front. It was in [such] a completely unliveable state that I wasn't able to visualize how it could be a home for our family," she says.
Despite her reservations, the couple made an offer and, within days, were homeowners to a 100-year-old conservation shophouse. Wong asserts that while she was not a fan of the property then, she relented as her husband could see its potential.
この記事は Harper's Bazaar Malaysia の December 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Harper's Bazaar Malaysia の December 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
In the heart of SUKKHACITTA
We get up close and personal with Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate, Denica Riadini-Flesch, on her expansive vision of her \"farm-to-closet\" brand, Sukkha Citta, and how winning the Rolex Awards will enrich the lives of the artisans and farmers in her homeland and across the globe.
IN CONVERSATION WITH Nazhan Fikri & Khabir Roslan
We paired two emerging Malaysian artists for an interview, allowing them to delve into each other's artistic worlds.
Liquid COURAGE
Experience the epitome of opulence and suaveness with the latest spirit in town, Belvedere 10.
Under ONE ROOF
Louis Vuitton unveils LV The Place Bangkok at Gaysorn Amarin, offering a new destination concept with an immersive exhibition, café, store, and restaurant.
Crème de la crème
Refined furnishings, eye-catching accents and extravagant proportions reign supreme at the interiorarchitect Dara Huang's Chelsea home.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, PASSION
Korean actor and heartthrob Lee Min Ho talks about the difference between Hollywood and Korean productions, taking on as many roles as possible, and why he's saving the Northern Lights for later.
CHRONICLES of a model
In an exclusive interview with Harper's BAZAAR Malaysia, Atikah Karim, Malaysia's celebrated model, recounts her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to international fame. Her inspiring story sheds light on her struggles, triumphs, and the relentless pursuit of a dream that propelled her onto the global fashion forefront, all while staying true to her Malaysian roots.
Feminine CHARM
TAG Heuer expands on its offerings for women with three new TAG Heuer Carrera Date timepieces.
Beauty & SUBSTANCE
The RM 07-01 Automatic Ladies watch collection from Richard Mille is a timeless ode to high design and technical ingenuity.
Out of this WORLD
Omega adds some cosmic wonder into its celestial-inspired Constellation watches.