Anchor the look of a space with a bold statement piece such as the Up series armchair from B&B Italia, available at Space Furniture. The 50th anniversary edition of this seat comes in striped beige and petrol green upholstery, referencing the original colour palette in 1969. “It was love at first sight when I first saw it in 1998; the Up armchair has been constantly updated since its inception in 1969,” says Hartati.

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Hartati recommends including casual accent pieces as an easy way to make your living area more convivial. Among her favourite designs are the Kartell Stone stool by Marcel Wanders from Space Furniture, which is present in her family home, too. “These stools are light, flexible and interesting. They allow the grouping to shrink and grow whenever the occasion requires it. They also serve as incidental side tables for drinks, books and other accoutrements,” she explains.

It’s the little details that add up to make a space truly feel like home. “The best accessories and art for a room are those that are the connectors to the owners’ history,” says Hartati. She and her team often select handmade ceramics for their projects to impart that cosy touch. “Some of the works we love are by ceramic artists such as Kyra Cane, Akiko Hirai, Karen Swami and Kaori Tatebayashi,” she shares.

To create a home that represents comfort and tranquillity, keep your spaces neat with adequate storage for all your bric-a-brac. “Storage is important to generate a clutter-free environment, while good-quality furnishings and furniture contribute to the overall ambience,” says Hartati. “Some of our favourite brands where comfort and elegance are put together well are Poliform, Flexform, Cassina, Holly Hunt and Liaigre.”

Tasteful pieces from the Flexform Earl collection are good picks. The range comprises consoles as well as low and tall cabinets in various sizes which are crafted in wood veneer; their tops can be clad in various marble varieties. As each piece from this collection is fully finished from the front to the back, it can function as a room divider in an open-plan layout to signal a visual division between the living and dining areas.

A well-designed sofa is often the hallmark of a cosy living room. “The best seats have gone through rigorous prototyping to ensure that the materials, ergonomics and design will serve users well, not only in their comfort level but also in anchoring the ambience of the environment,” shares Hartati.

She highlights the Giorgetti Wally sofa from Space Furniture, which she purchased for her home. “It’s so amazing that my daughter calls it the ‘magic couch’ because it never fails to lull her to sleep. I have always respected the level of attention that Giorgetti lavishes on all their products, especially the joinery in their woodwork; the Wally has truly brought us joy all these years.”

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