By Willy Wilson | Apr 23, 2010
Wong Chui Ling – Hong Kong girl, Malaysian taste
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| At ease: Wong Chui Ling strikes a pose in her living room |
For many Malaysian celebrities, Hong Kong is the place to be. But just when you thought that everyone in the entertainment industry wants to be on the busy island, a Hong Kong native Wong Chui Ling found a place to call home in Kuala Lumpur.
35-year-old Chui Ling made her debut as a singer at age 22, and subsequently dabbled in acting. After filming several episodes with TVB Hong Kong, she was signed on to act in a Malaysian TV drama in year 1996. But it was not until year 2000 when she hosted weekly variety infotainment show, On The Beat, that Chui Ling found stardom.
Following her success as a host, Chui Ling has been staying busy as a radio DJ and as an emcee for corporate events. She has even published several books. After 12 years in Malaysia, Chui Ling has not only built a solid career here, but also a colourful life and a home.
Located at Desa ParkCity, Chui Ling confesses that the 1,540sq ft home is where her heart is. The Genetic Engineering graduate from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology invited StarProperty.my to her newly renovated home.
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| Spacious effect: A glass-encased Japanese garden separates the living room from the dining |
Tell us about your home. How big is it and how many rooms are there?
I live in a double-storey, three-bedroom residence in Desa ParkCity. The built-up area is 1,540sq ft. Kitchen, dining area and living room are located on the ground floor, while all the bedrooms are on the second floor. There is an encased Japanese garden that separates the dining from the living, which allows natural lighting into the house.
How would you describe your home?
Modern contemporary, with minimalist furniture. The house is a reflection of myself and my lifestyle - simple, classic and practical. See, I am not a girly girl and I favour the more classic approach when it comes to home design and decor, which explains the warm colour palette as opposed to pink, turquoise or other feminine colours.
Do you consider Malaysia your home?
I certainly do. There are things that you can pack with you as you travel, but there are also crucial, albeit intangible, things such as credibility, audiences and trust, which I have earned in Malaysia.
You have lived in Malaysia for 12 years. Do you ever miss Hong Kong?
I do, but I can only take so much of Hong Kong's chaos. My family's house is located at Causeway Bay, and we all know how jam-packed that area is. And I know it may sound strange coming from a real Hongkie, but I can’t stand busy pedestrian walkways!
Is that why you chose to live away from Kuala Lumpur city too?
That’s right. I live in Desa ParkCity, which is relatively near the city, given the highways and all, but at the same time, it is away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
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| L-R: Warm and bright: The show-stopper bedroom in red. Simple and cosy, perfect for relaxation. |
I bought this house four years ago, when the surrounding environment was literally rocks and bushes. I was quite reluctant to buy this house at first, until I noticed the precise craftsmanship that was put into house. I think I have made the right decision by investing in Desa ParkCity, as the value of my house has appreciated over 100 percent since I bought it.
That is one good investment! We heard that you recently renovated this house.
Yes I did. The folks at iN Publishers and Fix Interior proposed an idea to renovate my house two years ago, but we only started doing it late last year. Their collaborative efforts include getting sponsors for my house and conceptualising design according to my preference.
What was the brief given to Edwin Cassian of Fix Interior, who was in charge of the renovation works?
I am not very adept at design language. So instead of pretending that I knew anything at all about design, I chose to let Edwin do the work. I came up with a long list of things that I didn’t want to see in the house.
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| Clean lines: Marble-clad breakfast bar in the kitchen |
For example, I told him that I didn’t like the metal handrails. But since removing them was not an option, Edwin proposed that we build a wall to cover the handrail. The result was amazing.
How long did the renovation take?
The renovation started in September 2009, and I was supposed to move into the house in December 2009 [Chui Ling was away throughout the renovation period]. But I only moved in six months after that.
This is not because the team worked too slow, but because my friend, Joey Yap [the Feng Shui guru], had advised me that it is best to move into the house in the Year of Tiger.
Where do you see yourself in the next five to ten years?
I have always been aspired to become like Oprah Winfrey and Larry King, who engage their audiences not with their psychical appearances but with sheer sincerity, intelligence and hosting skills. I see myself hosting my own talk show on TV.
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