To turn clients’ dreams and aspirations into reality—that is the mission of SkeTchwork Design & Style, a design practice founded by interior designer Sulini Tjoeng. As the chief of design, Tjoeng aims to create spaces that are warm and hospitable, whether she’s designing a restaurant or a cosy home.

Backed with over a decade of experience, Tjoeng currently lives in Singapore, previously based in Australia and Dubai to be on the ground for her international projects. She has designed a wide array of interiors, ranging from offices to hotels for multinational companies, as well as luxurious residences in Asia. Notable projects by the firm include the design of Rumours Beach Club at Singapore’s Siloso Beach in Sentosa and a modern monochromatic house in Singapore.

“Each design assignment that I lead exemplifies the integration of art, design, and technical expertise. My strength lies in producing creative concepts for all the projects that I lead,” says Tjoeng. “I am very passionate about creativity, using my imagination, being inspired by, and inspiring others. We listen, we sketch, and we tailor and customise your space to fit your style. We work closely with our clients to complete extraordinary projects and have a robust framework that allows us to complete our projects on time, within the budget given, and in an efficient manner.”

As evident in the name of the firm, sketches make up an important part of Tjoeng’s creative process. She takes pride in the fine detailing seen in her portfolio; all joinery in her projects is custom-made and designed to suit each client’s needs. Explains Tjoeng: “I’ve always loved to draw. Most of my work starts from hand sketches that are approved by the client before we create the 3D renderings for the project. I wanted to become an interior designer because the role allows me to express myself creatively while requiring analytical and technical skills; to study the details and apply these to my designs.”

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Rooted in the belief that illumination can elevate the beauty of spatial design, Lighting Design Atelier was founded in 2018 by Singaporean lighting director TingYu Ng. As an industrial designer by training, Ng found her calling after an apprenticeship at Parsons Brinckerhoff (now renamed WSP), a multinational engineering firm. After graduating with a Master’s in Architectural Lighting from the Hochschule Wismar in Germany, she embarked on a stint at Hirsch-Bedner Associates’ Illuminate design consultancy, which set her on track to spearhead her award-winning studio.

Based in Singapore with projects all over Asia, Ng is steadily growing her portfolio with customised solutions tailored to best fit each clientele’s lighting needs. Having clinched the coveted achievement of being named one of the 40 under 40 lighting designers by Light Collective in 2021, Ng is going places with her firm; she has also scooped up multiple accolades from the LIT Lighting Design Awards, which recognises the achievements of talented lighting product designers and implementers around the world.

In line with her firm’s mission of “letting people experience the magic of light”, Ng works closely with her experienced team of lighting design professionals, such that every commission holds a special place in her heart. “Lighting can affect one’s mood drastically and also evokes many emotions. We create a unique atmosphere for each space by realising its full potential and bringing a new identity to the space,” says Ng.

Since its inception in 1999, Metaphor Studio has believed that design should be a “contemplative process.” Staying true to this humble endeavour, the local interior architecture consultancy constantly seeks to create impactful design solutions for numerous residential and commercial projects across Southeast Asia. With a portfolio spanning over two decades, Metaphor Studio remains true to its vision to deliver beautifully crafted spaces and fulfil each client’s needs, and can account for both “technical and emotional aspects of [different] materials and spatial requirements.”

“We [place emphasis] on the craft of design instead of obsession [over] the final product,” shares Angela Tantry, design principal, alongside Stephen Goh, creative director. “Only through a significant and mindful process, profound results will emerge that [are] honest to [each project’s] context, requirements, and expression.”

The homegrown firm has several award-winning properties under its belt, including Faber Terrace, Jalan Suasa, and Seletar Hills, which have received accolades from past editions of the Singapore Interior Design Awards and Interior Design Confederation Singapore’s Design Excellence Awards.

What drives Summerhaus D’zign is the belief that good design goes beyond creating the most aesthetically pleasing spaces, instead delving into the synergy of great aesthetics marrying smart functionality.

This two-pronged approach has served the boutique interior practice well, aiding it in its quest to design eminently elegant and liveable homes, inspired by their owners’ lifestyles and personalities. Founded by Jess Koh and her husband, Larry Lim, in 2012, the multi-award-winning firm has worked on homes at some of the most exclusive addresses in Singapore, such as The Grange, Reflections at Keppel Bay, Lincoln Suites, and The Tessarina, as well as numerous landed properties throughout Singapore.

A bespoke uniqueness and a sense of timelessness characterise the homes the design firm has worked on, eschewing a blind subservience to trends and fads for truly tailored solutions. With the credo of “Bespoke solutions, novelty designs” guiding its work, the firm takes pains to craft thoughtful interiors that bear the unique identities of its occupants for each abode.

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Kelly Kawahara Cheah founded K2SD driven by the following mission: to articulate her passion for architecture, interior design, and styling, and evolve spaces to their fullest potential. Each project by the firm showcases the interdisciplinary expertise of the seven-member team who have been in the industry for over a decade.

Drawn to multifaceted, enlivening designs, K2SD places thoughtful emphasis on implementing a harmonious blend of details, ranging from materials and forms to colours, patterns, and textures. The firm also offers an appointment-only lounge where clientele and homeowners can view and be inspired by bespoke, beautifully furnished spaces decorated with art and accessories.

“I travel to Japan frequently with my family and have been in love with the unique compositions of spaces designed by Japanese architects since a young age. Being married to a Japanese and experiencing the culture first-hand, I have also begun to appreciate the intrinsic beauty of order and unity. On the flip side, I also enjoy the bold use of materials, textures, forms, and finishes,” shares the founding director on her sources of inspiration and what makes her work unique at K2SD. “The designs we indulge in, together with my team, very much drive this dialogue [between] boldness and calmness.”

Led by designer-director Shermaine Ong, Mosh Interior Design has simplicity and timelessness in its DNA. The projects conceptualised and executed by the skilful team balance trendy styles with classic appeal, underscored by lucid functionality. This is in line with the firm’s creative philosophy: “To create things that are as simple as possible, yet trendy and timeless.”

Ong has dedicated herself to art and design from a young age, inspired by her childhood days playing with dollhouses to envision the gorgeous abodes she would end up designing throughout her career. The decision to start her own firm was born out of the desire to take charge of a good team and push her designers to execute quality projects. “Working for a company has restrictions, and I love working in a team rather than working solo,” she tells us. She knew instinctively that starting her firm would be the best way for her to excel and let her creativity flourish. As she asserts, “It has been 14 years, and I am enjoying every single bit.”

Over these years of invaluable work, Mosh Interior Design has accumulated a wealth of experience and hands-on expertise. Through application and direct feedback, the team has refined its ability to balance clients’ practical needs with their individual aesthetic preferences, unearthing unexpected hacks and stellar solutions that can be tailored to each unique project.

Among the firm’s proudest works are condominium units at Nassim Park Residences, Corals at Keppel Bay, and Ardmore Park. Always spurred towards the future, Ong tells us conspiratorially: “There are bigger achievements on the way.”

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