By Willy Wilson | Mar 25, 2010
Living the high life
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| Shan Khoo strikes a pose in her living room |
Life for Shan Khoo revolves around travel, beauty and luxury. But if you think that she is one of those Tai-tais who only come out of their mansions for lunch, then Khoo begs to differ. For although she lives a life of luxury, Khoo, is no stranger to strict disciplines and deadlines.
Born Xu Cai Ping in Alor Setar, Kedah, the young housewife is a published author who became known to the public after releasing a semi-autobiography book in May 2008. The book, aptly entitled By Air SK 825, reveals bits and pieces of her life as a flight attendant.
Khoo, who had worked for 11 years as a cabin crew member of Malaysia Airlines, wrote the book in Chinese. Following the success of her debut book, Khoo released a bilingual (English and Chinese) book, Beauty and the Feast, in June 2009.
“Beauty and the Feast is a reference book and travel diary. It is a culinary map that contains 36 recipes from all over the world,” she says of her second book.
Her 6-bedroom mansion is a classic example of successful couple's home... featuring designer furniture with matching tableware, marble-clad powder room and a good selection of art pieces from local and international artists.
Located at one of the most prestigious residences in Sri Hartamas, Khoo’s Kiara Hills mansion is a perfect mix of resort concept and contemporary finishing. Sitting on 8,700 sq. ft. piece of land, the mansion offers a magnificent selection of indoor and outdoor living.
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Guest room-cum-studio on the third floor sees a beautiful contrast between colourful modern furniture and classic teak wood flooring.
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There are three big panels of sliding doors on the ground floor that connect the living room to the courtyard and the pool, allowing for a cosy affair at dawn and dusk. Signature outdoor furniture by Dedon – Leaf, Soho and Yin-Yang – are placed around the swimming pool.
Tell us about your journey from a flight attendant to a published author.
I have come a long way since the days I was a nomad [laughs]. I started my career as a flight attendant in Malaysia Airlines in 1995. After flying for 11 years, I knew that I needed to do something else. I love the job and the perks that come with it, but I think it’s about time for me to settle down. I don't wake up and think ‘Am I in LA or in London now?’ anymore.
When you travel extensively for a number of years, you would have so much in your head that you want to share with others. I thought it would be interesting to share my traveling and working experience, and that’s how the idea of my first book came about. Next thing I knew, I got hooked on writing!
Now let’s talk about your house. How big is the house and what are the main areas?
Sitting on approximately 8,700 sq. ft. plot, the built-up area of this house is 7,500 sq. ft.
It is a 3 1/2 storey Semi-detached house with six bedrooms, two living rooms, a dining room, a family and entertainment room plus two kitchens. On the ground floor, there are two storerooms and a spacious driveway enough for six vehicles. There is a swimming pool located next to the living room. It is a big house [laughs]!
The layout of the house displays a fusion of indoor and outdoor living concept. It also has a hint of modern resort concept. Yet, it resists the stereotypical Balinese style house.
I decided to avoid Balinese garden, which is tropical home de rigueur in Malaysia! Frankly, Balinese style is so outdated. It is easy to fall into this stereotype when your house has that resort feel to its layout.
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Dedon signature outdoor furniture items Leaf (top and bottom left) and Yin-Yang (top right)
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My strategy is to keep it simple, clean and modern when it comes to the garden and courtyard. Around the courtyard, I only have lemon grass tress to repel mosquitoes, outdoor furniture by Dedon and dark timber decking.
Do you apply the same ‘simple, clean and modern’ concept to the house interior too?
Contrary to the outdoor, I prefer an elaborate style when it comes to the house interior. In fact, I don’t conform to any specific type of style or concept for the interior.
In the entertainment room, for example, you would find a modern purple sofa, an eclectic metal coated chandelier, a vintage fan and a Chinese embroidered fabric framed on the wall. I also like the idea of putting together some exclusive designer items with the more affordable ones.
How does this house reflect you and your husband?
Both my husband and I enjoy travelling. You can see bits and pieces of the places we went to in this house such a crystal chandelier from Czech, some paintings from China, art pieces from Greece and a tea cabinet from Sri Lanka.
But while I am always about furniture, my husband is all about art pieces. He is particularly fond of paintings and he himself paintas whenever he is free . His collection of paintings includes the works of local artists such as Raffi Ghani and international artists.
What is your most favourite item in the house?
There are so many things that I like in this house [laughs]! My Noritake chinaware and grey Ligne Roset carpet with steel panel in the middle are definitely some of my favourite items in the house.
But if I have to pick one item, I would have to choose this old Chinese window panel that I bought in a flea market in Hunan, China. It only cost me RMB100 (RM50), which just proves that not everything is about money.
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