Gita Bayu Lifetsyle: Splendid Bathrooms and Kitchens

Utter chic: This state-of-the-art Alno kitchen concept from Bina Warehouse features a high gloss black-and-white colour scheme. It also costs over RM200,000.

We have heard of people spending over RM200,000 fitting out a kitchen and an equal amount just for their master bathroom. Who are these people and where do they live?

For those answers, we got the help of Leon Chan, public relations representative for Bina Warehouse – the supplier of luxury brands of bathroom and kitchen fittings and accessories.

Our destination was Gita Bayu, a gated and guarded, upscale housing enclave in Seri Kembangan, on the southern outskirts of KL city. We were to meet travel consultant Linda Lee and her neighbour, retired civil engineer Andi K.

A search on the StarProperty.my portal revealed that the typical asking price for detached houses inGita Bayu range from RM3.2mil to RM4.5mil each. And cost per square foot range from RM290 to RM750. The average size of the plot here is about 7,000sq ft but the built-up space of some properties can exceed 10,000sq ft.

“Actually, we are not shooting the photos at this house,” said Lee when we visited her home. “It is my new house nearby. Construction is almost complete but the kitchen and bathrooms ready.”

Apparently, Lee bought her 7,992sq ft landed property last year at “only” RM140 per sq ft. Prices for Gita Bayu lots have shot up to RM200 per sq ft. She had paid an even lower price of RM89 per sq ft five years ago when she bought her first housing lot here.

Her newest house has four levels, seemingly exceeding the maximum of 21/2 storey restriction here. But her multi-storey property is on a sloping piece of land and the lower two floors are actually below the road level. Construction of her “modern style” house took only a year. Designed by a lecturer in architecture, the house has six bedrooms, one study and one audio-visual lounge. It even has a compact Desjoyaux workout pool at the side of the house.

The focus of our visit was, of course, her German-made Alno kitchen set she bought from Bina Warehouse. Then, there’s the bathtub in her master bathroom recommended by her interior designer who matched it with a chunky but funky chandelier.

Work in progress: The main lounge of Andi’s new home is dominated by a de Sede sofa that costs some RM200,000. Note the main door with a marquetry pattern combining 44 timber components and the ceiling feature that lights up like the galaxy in the night sky.

Only RM1mil  Said Lee: “Building and furnishing this house cost about RM1mil. I simply love to shop and the things I buy need not necessarily be expensive. My designer is a nice man. He controlled my spending habit by advising me on how to save money – with substitutes – and what to splurge on.

“He was the one who introduced me to Bina Warehouse. I always thought that the things there are very expensive. But when I walked into their showroom and compared the kitchen accessories, wah, the soft-closing mechanism of the Alno kitchen and the Apple green colour scheme had me convinced. It cost me about RM200,000 plus gadgets, of course.”

But Lee has changed her mind about moving into the house as her teenage son has decided to further his studies in England, earlier than expected. “With him gone for several years, this house would be too big for myself, my husband and two young daughters. But I enjoyed fitting out the house. I had spent RM30,000 on an anti-termite NLC system when the ground-breaking commenced. I also opted for a central vacuum system where the maid can plug into the ceiling vacuum vents to clean.

“My house is fully furnished with a hotel-like ambience and there’s even piped music throughout the house. My selling price is RM4.98mil,” said Lee.

Four houses  Bidding her goodbye we hurried to another house where consultant engineer Andi K was supervising the finishing touches to the last of his four houses in Gita Bayu. His other properties – completed some time back – have been rented out.

Bathing beauties: The Pharo Comfort Plus handshower is matched with the Hansgrohe Raindance Air-300 overhead shower system (not in picture).

“This is my final project as I’m getting too old for this. Too tired. A lot of work,” lamented Andi, who took a hands-on approach in sourcing for all the luxury materials including Italian and French marble as well as solid walnut wood.

As it turns out, Andi knows just about everything about the development of Gita Bayu as he was the consultant engaged for the land conversion application. According to him, typical lots here span 70ft by 110ft.

“I bought four lots at RM40 per square foot at the time. This was agricultural land and the acquisition cost of the land wasn’t expensive. This is an award-winning development with the clubhouse designed by a Thai architect (Lek Bunnag) and Bill Bensley (Bangkok-based American architect and designer).” Sited on a corner lot, Andi’s 2 ½-storey house has a built-up space of 9,000sq ft but it only has two bedroom suites. There is also an exercise room, library, study, entertainment lounge with a Runco audio-visual system and a Domuslift elevator installed.

Being in the luxury property development business on a “small-scale”, Andi has come to know suppliers who have become friends. Thus, companies like Bina Warehouse, Lumbermart and V-Ply offer him “friendly” deals.

“While I sourced for things like the latest Sonos sound system, Italian Jacuzzi tub and the Benoa marble from France, my wife is in charge of bathroom accessories like the Kohler sanitary ware and Hansgrohe and Flexdoccia shower fittings, Hydrabaths bathtub and Yatin towel rails.”

But apparently, a professional designer was engaged to help with the nitty-gritty such as the walk-in wardrobe. But Andi is particular who is sent to his house to work on the carpentry, masonry and electronics. He has hand-picked certain craftsmen noted for their exceptional skills. And it shows, for example, the wood grain on the cabinetry matches seamlessly.

To shield the home from glaring sunlight and ultraviolet exposure, Hunter Douglas blinds have been installed. The owner also showed us the RM200,000 de Sede sofa that he has just bought for the main living room, plus the magnificent front door with a 44-piece marquetry design, custom-made for his house.

As Andi is fond of saying, “Oolala!” the house is really an exercise in luxury living. But he has a reason for spending his money as splendidly as he can.

For the kitchen, the high gloss, black and white Alno kitchen with all the high-end gadgets is another stunning example of money well-spent. “I have seen so many die young from stress. I want to enjoy life,” said Andi, who toasted us with Australian sparkling wine of Grant Burge pinot noir chardonnay and his favourite curry puff, pineapple roll and Chinese “dragon ball” biscuit.

 

Source by: The Star

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