Cover Espresso and latte tones create a soothing sense in the room interiors
Espresso and latte tones create a soothing sense in the room interiors
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Exploring how interiors can evoke warmth and seasonal comfort through Deanne Lim’s design sensibility
In this conversation with Tatler, designer Deanne Lim reflects on the spatial, material and cultural dimensions of creating cosy bedroom interiors. Through the lens of seasonal change, the discussion examines how texture, light and narrative objects converge to shape intimate environments, revealing a design practice attentive to both sensory experience and conceptual clarity.
Lim’s practice, Twenty Third by Deanne, situates itself within a discourse on domesticity and material culture rather than commerce alone. Emerging during the lockdown years, the brand operates as an inquiry into how objects articulate belonging and identity in the home. Lim’s approach resists the homogeneity of contemporary interiors by foregrounding texture, provenance and the irregular beauty of the handmade. The result is less a catalogue of decor than an evolving study in cultural continuity, how inherited craft traditions might inhabit modern life without losing their integrity. In this sense, Twenty Third functions as a modest ethnography of design: attentive to form, but ultimately concerned with what endures through use, touch and time.
More from Tatler: Objects of affection: a look at Ella Pangilinan Miranda’s furniture
Above Cosy can mean very casual and relaxed
Above It can also be stylised such as this photo suggests. Comfort is a matter of preference.
Cosy can mean very casual and relaxed
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How do you define the idea of “cosiness” in the context of interior space?
Cosiness is when a space instantly makes you feel comfortable and at ease, when it invites you to stay a little longer. It engages all your senses: the warmth of lighting, the textures you touch, the scent in the air and even the quiet mood it evokes. A cosy space doesn’t just look good; it feels good and familiar.
What role does materiality, particularly texture and fabric, play in shaping that atmosphere?
Soft fabrics naturally invite you to slow down and lounge; they make the space approachable. Texture adds depth and visual interest without overwhelming the eye. It’s what gives a room character and dimension, creating comfort through subtle layers rather than loud statements.
Above Beautiful prints against solid colours add a dimension to the space
Above Beautifully paired pieces give the room a sense of order
Beautiful prints against solid colours add a dimension to the space
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How does lighting influence the spatial and emotional character of a bedroom during the cooler months?
Lighting sets the emotional tone of any room. Warm light feels intimate and comforting, like the glow of a café or a boutique hotel that makes you want to linger. Cooler light, on the other hand, feels more clinical or task-oriented, like in offices or hospitals. For cosy interiors, warm lighting always wins because it evokes a sense of calm and belonging.
How do you approach layering without compromising clarity and balance in composition?
Layering works best when there’s a clear colour palette guiding you. Even when mixing textures and patterns, sticking to complementary tones keeps everything cohesive. Balance comes from restraint. It is knowing when to stop so the eye can rest.
Above The light fixture and traditonal bed frame work cohesively
Above The stripes in the pillow match the wall panels’ linear style
The light fixture and traditonal bed frame work cohesively
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What is the significance of artisanal or handcrafted elements in your design process?
Artisanal or handcrafted pieces bring soul into a space. They’re never perfectly symmetrical, and that imperfection makes the room feel more human and personal. I always try to include handcrafted details because they connect the user to the maker, which transforms a styled space into a lived-in one.
How do objects and personal artefacts contribute to a sense of intimacy and narrative?
Objects tell stories; they ground the space in memory. Whether it’s a vintage vase or a framed photo, these details remind you of people, places or moments that matter. They make the space feel real and personal, not like something pulled from a catalogue.
How do you reconcile the impulse for seasonal refresh with the principle of longevity and sustainability?
It’s about mixing the old with the new. You don’t have to redo everything each season, just layer small changes, like new textiles or accents, while keeping timeless pieces as the foundation. That way, your space evolves with you without losing its roots.
Above Nautical blues balancing well with neutrals, creating calm
Above This room in a mix of checkered and stripe blues is a study in lines and cubes as a pattern in textile
Nautical blues balancing well with neutrals, creating calm
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How does your practice reflect or respond to broader cultural attitudes toward “slow living” and domestic space?
My approach to design always centres on comfort and intentionality. I want people to truly feel at home, to slow down, rest and reconnect with their surroundings. Designing with warmth and authenticity naturally supports the idea of slow living. It’s about creating spaces that encourage people to pause.
How do you envision the evolution of the cosy bedroom within contemporary design discourse?
I think the idea of cosiness is becoming more layered. It’s not just about plush textures or warm lighting anymore. It’s also about emotional comfort, mindfulness and personal storytelling. The future of cosy design is one that blends calm minimalism with lived-in warmth.
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