The sticky heat of another thirty degree night hung in the air as I led them through the empty, dark, air-condition-less rooms of the tired old rubber plantation bungalow. Its outdoor lean-to a hint of where a kitchen should be and out into the yard teeming with slithering lizards and the shadow of bats.
My first home in Singapore wasn’t quite the usual ‘expat experience’ but I’ve always been a tad impulsive and the sensible, fully furnished condo with its postage-stamp balcony just wasn’t going to cut it. After two long months of visa delays and soulless serviced apartments, I was ready to jump in.
I arrived in a taxi, with only a few overstuffed suitcases to my name. My hastily packed boxes slowly made their way, balanced, or so I fearfully imagined atop a container ship as it sailed across the Indian Ocean.
I filled my tropical garden with plants before I even bought furniture, threw parties without ever having a proper kitchen, and created a truly unique home on the other side of the world that was the backdrop to many precious memories of mine and my new friends lives.
It was a home that came to life with treasures from my travels, vintage finds from a jungle-hidden junk shop, and my art adorning it's walls. It was where I’d curl up with a book under thunderous tropical rainstorms and wake each morning in my sun-drenched, white-washed bedroom to the sound of the Javan Mynas quickstepping on the hot tin roof.
While expressing myself through my interiors had always been second nature, it was this experience of living, really living, in a far-flung corner of the world that transformed my perception of “home.” I realised that home is something that you can create anywhere, shaped by your passions, and brought to life in a way that inspires and grounds you in the present moment.
For me home isn’t about following trends but creating a space that reflects who you are — a space where you belong. When we lean into living creatively, we go beyond aesthetics. It’s about embracing spaces that encourage us to live more fully, connect more deeply and experience life more richly.
This philosophy is at the heart of my practice. For me, design isn’t just about how a space looks — it’s about how it makes people feel. It’s about crafting places where people gather, where conversations flow, and where connections are made. I design with a creative approach, enriching spaces through art and building connections to nature to create environments that make people feel alive, inspired, and deeply connected.
Spaces have the power to tell stories, to inspire creativity, to bring people together, and to make life feel more intentional.
Whether it’s the privacy of a home, the inviting buzz of a boutique hotel lobby, or the intimate charm of a best kept secret restaurant or bar, the purpose is always the same: to make people feel something. To create a sense of belonging, of community, of connection.
They’re where life happens, where moments are made, and where we find ourselves living more fully.
So, whether you’re a homeowner looking to create a space that truly reflects who you are or a business seeking to craft an unforgettable experience for your guests, I’ll help you bring your vision to life.
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