An appreciation of classical design re-interpreted with a modern sense of aesthetics best sums up this amazing home.

The homeowners were motivated by the desire to achieve a dream home that reflects a classical taste yet offers all the modern comforts. And their collective vision has been vividly brought to life by interior designers Mina and Daniel of Design Prenuer.

Royal purple Click on thumbnail to view

Inspired by neo-classical design concepts, the creative duo went all out to accomplish a design scheme that is also practical and stylish.

It is definitely extraordinary, from the skirted borders and detailed finish on the wall frames, to the pretty chandeliers juxtaposed against the wall coverings. The purple highlight in the colour scheme, especially with the sofas, lends a royal ambience to the setting.

The dining area will surely catch the attention of any visitor. The eight-seater dining table was custom-made to match the bar furniture. The combination of purple and black boldly showcases what contemporary living is all about.

And in bold contrast to the rest of the interior scheme, the kitchen seems like a centre of modern efficiency. Most of the accessories have been kept hidden behind white-washed cabinets with only essential appliances in open view. Recessed lighting adds another warm touch to the whole set-up. The use of white and blue mosaic tiles for the backsplash adds another contemporary feature.

The pictures showcased here, amply show off the rest of the elegant home.

Justify Juxtaposition

"I like a sense of juxtaposition when it comes to the home - even when it concerns food! It is like 'wow!' so not here (local), but the food is presented traditionally, because that is how my fashion is (presented) as well," says Rizalman.

This sense of creating contrast is so vividly achieved throughout the house that even the type of palm that now sits in his living room, juxtaposed against the creamy white shutters looks perfect in this charming corner - with the play of green-against -white to striking effect.

Original recipe

"It's all in the mix," quips Rizalman. To him, it all boils down to the right recipe to create the desired result. "Like cooking, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There is always a recipe. Even when it comes to certain recipes or formulas, if you don't follow the recipe, it becomes a disaster. One has to follow the recipe of keeping to a central theme and having the right mix of 'ingredients' such as lighting, furniture and accessories that complement the overall look. Temper this with the right balance and voila! The right mix will produce the recipe for successful interiors.

Follow your heart

There is a certain charm in personalising your home at selected corners with your favourite mementos. Like an open album, your home will serve to remind you of treasured memories every time you visit that space. In Rizalman's case, happy memories of time spent holidaying abroad with his nine-year-old son Umar Nair are captured in artistic black-and-white photographs.

Let there be light

Adding soft lighting will do a world of wonders for your walls and surrounding space. Allowing natural light into the room is a brilliant decision. In Rizalman's home, to counter the effects of a dark floor and the lack of windows near the living space, an airwell was created which allows natural light to stream through the intermediate window into the reading area.

Engage the senses

Think about engaging all the senses when it comes to enjoying your interior space as variety, is after all, the spice of life. Introducing different texture, colour contrast and comfortable furniture juxtaposed against a chic setting, will pique the senses. And background music (in this case, music from the Beatles was on during our interview) will enhance the ambience and elevate the mood of guests. In some interior space, the room "doesn't hug you", says Rizalman, so engaging the senses in simple but stylish details will make an everlasting impact.

Think masterpiece

Like all the right brushstrokes and colour rendering in all the right places, think of your interior layout plan like an empty canvas waiting to be filled with furniture, furnishings, accessories, colour and texture. The right item in the right place finally adds up to the final effect of a brilliant masterpiece.

Wow with Wallpaper

Umar's wallcovering selection is an unconventional as it gets. Shelves upon shelves of books immediately grab your attention as you enter his clutter-free bedroom. This precocious nine-year-old selected his own "chamber of books" reminiscent of a Harry Potter scene, so that he can access his walk-in wardrobe through this vivid contrast of ideas. In effect, Umar has created his own "library of clothes".

Storage savvy

Find ways to hide clutter with the introduction of savvy storage systems. Only limited by a host of ingenious styles, take for instance, Umar's idea of using his Union Jack treasure-trove to safeguard his toys. Hidden shelves and nifty cabinets that are useful and yet blend in with the interior are key to uncluttered space.

Mirror & furniture

"Glass doubles up volume, I only bought one chandelier, but now there's two," quips Rizalman, delighted with the instant effect brought on by introducing glass in the formal dining space on the second level. Mirrors add dimensions of interest to the space while doubling the impact of the surrounding. And the right furniture enhance the interior. And with the right details - such as matching cushions - elevate seating arrangements to a work of art.