Cover The neutral palette and tactile materials present a serene ambience in the open-plan living room by Joey Khu Interior Design
The neutral palette and tactile materials present a serene ambience in the open-plan living room by Joey Khu Interior Design
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Joey Khu Interior Design welcomes its 10th year with projects that exemplify clever spatial planning and celebrate tasteful blends of textures and hues specially tailored to each client
“Creating spaces that inspire and delight”—this is the mantra that guides the creative philosophy of Joey Khu Interior Design, a Singapore-based practice established in 2014 by eponymous founder Joey Khu, who has over two decades of experience under his belt. Khu branched out to start his own studio with the goal of crafting beautiful, functional and inviting spaces for his clients, no matter the scale or typology of the project. Here, the designer tells us more about his creative journey and explains how it continues to shape his team’s beautiful work.
As a child, Khu was always interested in art and design and was often found with a pen and paper in hand. “I’ve always been drawn to art and beauty from a very young age. I drew a lot, and art was my favourite subject,” he recalls. “I love the thought of creating spaces where people could feel at home, where they could live, work and create memories. A career in interior design felt like the perfect way to combine my love for art and design with my desire to create beautiful, functional spaces.”
Above An Artek Rope chair is among the stately black seats in this dining room
An Artek Rope chair is among the stately black seats in this dining room
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Khu grew up in Malaysia and moved to Singapore after graduating with a diploma in 1997. He started as a drafter on technical drawings, honed his interior design skills and steadily worked his way up the ladder for over a decade before starting his own practice in 2014.
Khu leads a team of six, who work closely with their clients every step of the way so that their requirements and preferences always inform the design decisions of each project. To date, the firm has realised dozens of renovations for residential and commercial clients.
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Above Backlit shelves populated with books and decorative items catch the eye at this staircase landing
Backlit shelves populated with books and decorative items catch the eye at this staircase landing
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“This collaborative approach results in spaces that are not only visually stunning but also deeply personal and reflective of our clients’ unique personalities and lifestyles,” shares Khu.
Each project starts with a “deep dive” into the client’s needs and preferences. Next is the conceptualisation stage, in which Khu relishes his “old-school” methodology. After the initial site visit, Khu and his team start sketching ideas as part of the concept development stage. During this phase, the interior designer also ponders on the sensory aspects of a space and gauges the ways in which it can evoke positive emotions.
Above The artwork lends personality to the space
The artwork lends personality to the space
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“To me, design is not a precise science, but about how we feel in a space; and there are no limitations,” elaborates Khu. “This is where the magic begins. It’s like solving a puzzle—it’s a process that requires creativity, problem-solving skills and critical thinking, which I really enjoy.”
These drawings are then translated into 3D renderings that are presented to the client. After this, the site managers take over and work closely with contractors and suppliers to bring the design to life.
“They ensure that the project stays on schedule and within budget, and is executed to the highest standards,” he shares.
Above The monolithic form of the island paints a striking composition in the space
The monolithic form of the island paints a striking composition in the space
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The design director emphasises the importance of creating timeless yet characterful spaces, focusing less on “fleeting trends of the present” and more on future-proofing the home with functional, evergreen and aesthetically pleasing details.
He admires the work of modernist architects such as Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright and Eileen Gray, and designs influenced by the Bauhaus movement, while also drawing inspiration from the work of contemporary talents. Currently, Khu is most interested in the minimalist, clean-lined works of Vincent Van Duysen as well as David Chipperfield.
This poised design language is readily evident in two recent projects: a semi-detached house that references the work of French design maestro Christian Liaigre, and a walk-up bachelor pad in District 9 that fosters feelings of relaxation and comfort.
Above Screened off and illuminated from below, this indoor planter glows with a sense of intrigue
Screened off and illuminated from below, this indoor planter glows with a sense of intrigue
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In the first project, Liaigre’s influence is conveyed through the use of clean lines, natural materials and an understated neutral colour palette in the landed property. An array of furnishings was selected with care to match the pieces from French design brand Liaigre, which the clients adore.
“Each element was chosen with care, contributing to an overall atmosphere of understated elegance. The bespoke furniture pieces, subtle lighting design, refined aesthetics, meticulous attention to detail and harmonious balance of elements all speak of our commitment to craftsmanship,” says Khu.
Above This landed house’s understated material palette takes a cue from the work of French designer Christian Liaigre
This landed house’s understated material palette takes a cue from the work of French designer Christian Liaigre
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“We’ve embraced the loft’s unique architectural features and turned them into design highlights. For instance, we’ve used the high ceilings to our advantage by installing a beautiful black metal fishbone staircase, which serves a functional purpose and adds a striking visual element to the space,” he says.
Furnishings hand-picked from Made & Make, Space Furniture and W. Atelier complement the thoughtful selection of Asian art, creating restful vignettes throughout. The home by Joey Khu Interior Design thus embodies the studio’s core principles: “Simplicity, functionality, and timeless elegance”.
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Above This bedroom continues the home’s serene design language beautifully
This bedroom continues the home’s serene design language beautifully
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While Khu’s firm is known for its elegant and understated design language, he does not shy away from the use of colour, while taking a leaf from hues that originate from the natural environment.
“Nature, for instance, is an endless source of inspiration to me. The way the colours blend and the patterns in it—all these elements can spark ideas for colour palettes, textures, patterns and lighting,” he shares.
The firm marks a key milestone this year: it celebrates its 10th anniversary, having also been featured in dozens of design publications in Singapore and around the world since.
At the end of the day, however, it’s the simple daily joys of the job that bring Khu and his team a sense of success and fulfilment.
“We want to continue the good work that we do and explore more creative ideas. To me, interior design is more than just a job—it’s my passion. When a client walks into a space and feels a sense of joy, comfort and belonging, that’s when I know I’ve succeeded,” he says.
Joey Khu Interior Design
1 Jalan Pisang, #02-01, Tel: 6440 7920
joeykhu-id.com
Credits
Images: Courtesy of Joey Khu Interior Design
