The art of intentional living: Inside Kantan Kollektiv at The Campus Ampang

What inspired you to open Kantan Kollektiv?

During our time making furniture, we were also spending our spare time renovating houses and Airbnbs, and we discovered that there were limited options in everyday household essentials available locally–just heavy plastics and synthetic materials with no other alternatives.

The store is really an extension of a personal passion. After years of collecting and curating for myself and family, I felt it was time to share that passion more widely. I wanted to offer ordinary items that were functional, sustainable, and beautiful to encourage people to reduce disposable materials and invest in pieces that are likely to last. This new direction allows us to create a more comprehensive vision of intentional living beyond just furniture.

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What’s the inspiration or vision behind the store’s physical design? 

Reminiscent of European artisanal shops that I didn’t feel were represented anywhere else in Kuala Lumpur, the store is designed to feel like a living space–warm and intimate. 

I wanted people to walk in and feel as though they were stepping into a kitchen rather than a typical retail space; one that celebrates intentional living, slow design, and the artistry behind handmade sustainable goods.

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How does your personal style influence the design of the store?

My design preferences were largely shaped by my travels; travelling truly provides the chance to soak up the style and culture of a country. In recent years, I’ve travelled to Greece, Italy, and Turkey, and these countries solidified the love of things I always come back to: organic textures and materials, imperfections, and items that tell a story with patina and age.

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This appreciation for lived-in beauty and timeless design informs everything from our store layout to our product selection: a balance of earthy minimalism and understated elegance, reflective in clean lines, natural textures, and curated imperfection.

The space invites you to touch, feel, and imagine how these pieces might integrate into your own daily life–just as I’ve integrated influences from my journeys into this space.

How does the design reflect your brand values, and in creating the store’s atmosphere?

Kantan Kollektiv is grounded in values like craftsmanship, cultural continuity, and conscious consumption. As such, the store design mirrors these principles through an emphasis on honest materials–natural wood and stone, brushed metals, and textural elements that showcase their authentic properties.

Nothing feels too polished, and that’s intentional, which imbues a calm and considered atmosphere for visitors to slow down, appreciate the details, and connect with the intention behind each piece.

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Tell us more about the colours and materials selected for the store, and how they help in achieving the aesthetic and atmosphere for the store.

Inspired by my recent Greece trip, the use of natural materials, as well as imperfect and uneven textures evoke the authentic rustic charm of traditional Mediterranean homes. Our backsplash and sink feature olive glazed fired clay tiles to add some colour and artistry.

Furthermore, I wanted to create a charming vintage European storefront with the use of an uneven brick wall, large windows and doors. Meanwhile, inside the store, we use soft, diffused lighting to create intimacy and draw focus to the craftsmanship of each product.

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What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned, both in terms of setting up the store and designing the look of the store?

I’ve discovered how much a space takes on a life of its own. You can plan and mood board every detail to perfection, but once the products arrive and people begin interacting with the environment, the space evolves organically. As such, I’ve learned to let go of rigidity and trust that good design is as much about feeling as it is about form. 

One unexpected joy has been witnessing how customers use the space as a source of inspiration–they linger, ask questions, and connect. It’s a powerful reminder that retail can be deeply personal when approached with intention.

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