Alena Murang dedicated the past six years telling stories of her people through art form. Born and raised in Sarawak, Alena is the first Kelabit and English-Italian female to play the sape’, a traditional lute instrument of the Kenyah and Kelabit communities.
Although she never formally studied music, Alena spent most of her life receiving the dance, song and music from her elders. As a result, culture has played a big role in her life, as evident in her chosen profession, lifestyle and home.
When Alena first moved to Kuala Lumpur eight years ago, her family chose a condominium in the heart of the city for practical reasons. She was about to start her first corporate job. Since Kuala Lumpur is known for its notorious traffic, it made sense to pick a home right next to her office.
They kept the condo as is with minor touch ups and never renovated nor decorated. While it was certainly convenient and functional, it never truly felt like home. Despite leaving her corporate job shortly after, she was constantly on the road sharing her people’s stories with many others around the globe.
Until the pandemic hit and travel was not an option anymore.
With more time on her hands, Alena started to fill the condo with all the things she loved – music, art and plants. Finally, her family’s city condominium is now an urban jungle that feels like home.
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Name: Alena
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Type of home: Condominium
Size: 1500sqf – 2000sqf
Years Lived In: 8
Rental / Owned: Owned
How would you describe your home style?
Earthy, rustic, Dayak.
What inspired your home style and decor?
My hometown, Sarawak, inspires me. Traveling inspires me too. All of my knick knacks, artwork and textiles have stories behind them.
Tell us your favorite room or element in your home.
My favorite area in my home is the living room. We used to have a TV and a console but I removed them during the pandemic. I wanted to create a background for my Instagram Live sessions so I curated the set.
I change the paintings, knick knacks and plants there often! But I usually have my musical instruments hanging on the wall or on the floor. I currently have a sape’ and a pagang from Sarawak, an ukelele from Tahiti and a talking drum from Nigeria.
The textile runner came from Burma. It was a gift to my mom from her friend in the early 90s. The black jar is called labu sayung – it’s a traditional earthenware from Perak, Malaysia. I have a chunk of charcoal – a remnant from our longhouse that burnt down a few years ago.
The large pink painting is by a friend and a young artist, Cara Holloway. The bright orange symmetrical painting is by a Malaysian artist, Kian. The orange one, which is a view of Vesuvius in Napoli, is a gift from our Italian family.
What is the best investment you’ve ever made for your home?
My plants! That takes monetary and some emotional investment. Besides that, I have a painting by artist Russell Powell. He did my album cover in 2016 and my brother and I have always wanted to own a piece by him. I saw this piece on his Instagram account in 2020 and felt it. After consulting with my brother, I purchased it!
Name one thing you would like to change about your home.
I’d love to revamp the kitchen. It’s currently a closed space and I dream of having an open kitchen. Ideally, I’d also love to move my home to the seaside.
Where do you shop for furniture and home decor?
I don’t have a fixed place. For home decor, it’s mostly things I pick up from my travels like artwork and musical instruments. I get most of my Dayak artifacts from the main bazaar in Kuching, Sarawak.
What is your next home project?
Nothing planned for now. But, I would love more plants in the future if I can manage the ones I have first. I’d also love a large rattan lamp for above the dining table.
What would be the ONE advice you would like to share about homemaking with others?
Make your house a home for you and your family, and not for anyone else!
What do you love most about this city condominium turned urban jungle home? Follow Alena’s journey on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube.
