Cover Mosh Interior brings a sociological lens to luxury interior design, crafting spaces that reflect each client's heritage
Mosh Interior brings a sociological lens to luxury interior design, crafting spaces that reflect each client's heritage
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Mosh Interior founder Shermaine Maena Ong translates the unseen “code” of clients’ lifestyles into spaces focused on a sense of belonging
It is hardly startling that Mosh Interior’s designer Shermaine Maena Ong’s affable and empathic spirit would inevitably filter into the spaces she crafts. Imbued with a deep sense of storytelling and a human subtext, her creations highlight a client’s childhood memories, heritage, or professional drive, transcending mere “showroom” aesthetics to create unique abodes that honour the homeowner’s lifestyle and backstory.
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A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Ong has worked with high-end luxury retail, corporate offices and bespoke F&B brands; each sector elevated her technical vocabulary and distinct spatial skills. These days, she helms Singapore-based boutique firm Mosh Interior, which takes on high-end A&A (Addition & Alteration) and full-scale reconstruction assignments. Ong is assisted by her “left-hand man” Darrion Loo and “right-hand lady” Yann Guo in the design team, project director Michael Lee, along with Josh Lim and Gabriel Ong in the project team.
Above Shermaine Maena Ong, Yann Guo and Darrion Loo
Shermaine Maena Ong, Yann Guo and Darrion Loo
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“Sustainability in this trade is entirely dependent on human capital,” she says. “Finding the right talent is a perpetual exercise in trial and error, requiring me to evolve as much as a business leader as a designer.”
Soul sister
Ong views design as a form of “behavioural alchemy”, in which the nuances of homeowners’ living habits should be evident in the architecture. This results in residences with true hearts that feel authentic. “Every individual is a unique composition of habits and desires; when designing for a family, these disparate ‘ethos’ must be merged into a harmonious, singular narrative,” she explains. “Much like an original painting, no two spaces can—or should—ever be identical.”
Above The downstairs living room of this house on the fringes of Orchard Road adjoins the entryway of the home with a refreshed, modern staircase
The downstairs living room of this house on the fringes of Orchard Road adjoins the entryway of the home with a refreshed, modern staircase
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Deciphering this “puzzle” of human behaviour is a boundless source of inspiration to her. “I look for the subtext in conversations [with clients],” Ong reveals. “Often, a joke or a casual anecdote reveals more about their aesthetic soul than a Pinterest board ever could. There is profound satisfaction in reconfiguring a floor plan in a way the client never imagined possible—unlocking a lifestyle they didn’t realise they could have.” And to her, the meaning of “luxury” is the “intelligent and creative manipulation of materials”. “If a rare material is used without a dialogue with the surrounding space, its value is lost,” she declares.
Tatler Homes profiles some of Ong’s most memorable projects, each balancing technical rigor with a sense of empathy to reveal spaces that not only look good, but facilitate a better way of being.
In case you missed it: How Mosh Interior harnesses natural elements in this Singapore terrace house
White palace
Above The poolside area is perfect for relaxed, Aussie-style afternoons at home
Above Outdoor dining and relaxed barbecues are made possible with the Quay ceramic dining table, Quay outdoor woven dining chairs, and a set of Quay outdoor sofas from King Living
The poolside area is perfect for relaxed, Aussie-style afternoons at home
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An effortlessly airy vibe pervades this refurbished semi-terraced house located on the fringes of Orchard Road in Singapore. Its mix of restful outdoor spaces, and sprinkling of Australian and European-inspired design elements cleverly recall the owners’ previous residence Down Under and carve out a cosy personal sanctuary in the heart of the Republic.
The family room upstairs
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A pale colour scheme enhances the brightness of the interiors, while the doors and windows were also extended to let in more light. The owners’ beloved collection of art jazzes up the sedate scheme with dashes of colour. A spacious garden at the front of the house, coupled with a pool and a barbecue and breakfast zone in the backyard, are perfect for leisurely afternoons and a throwback to the owners’ Australian roots.
For all seasons
The dark walnut veneer distinguishes the entryway from the open-plan living and dining spaces, which predominantly feature the use of light wood
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Three generations of a family live in this elegant 2,885 sq ft apartment, which is characterised by pale timber and creamy tones in the common areas, given a lift by metal trimwork and marble fittings. Tailored to meet the lifestyle and individual needs of each occupant, this sleek, modern abode boasts exquisite detailing and practical inclusions in equal measure. Furniture from Italian brands Poliform and Poltrona Frau add a dose of artisanal craftsmanship and classic design.
Above A textured rug contributes to the cosy ambience in the master bedroom
Above Backlighting accentuates the linear details of the dark-wood joinery in the master suite
A textured rug contributes to the cosy ambience in the master bedroom
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Compared to the home’s light and breezy common areas, the bedrooms feature enveloping dark wood fittings and an earthier palette. Soft backlighting adds a gentle glow and breaks up the uniformity of the gloomy scheme, creating the ideal zone for relaxation and recuperation.
Walk on air
Above The street-facing facade of the terrace house named the Breeze House
Above A light well beside the terrace house’s staircase invites sunlight and breezes in
The street-facing facade of the terrace house named the Breeze House
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The Breeze House pays homage to the outdoors with its emphasis on natural light, biophilic elements, and considered cross-ventilation. Putting nature front and centre in its design concept, the five-bedroom terrace house boasts a capacious light well that aids in natural illumination. Concrete breeze blocks on the facade ensure privacy while enabling circulation, while cascading plants add greenery and life.
The terrace house’s living area with a staircase featuring “floating” timber treads that lend a sense of lightness
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A floating staircase with suspended wooden treads adds a feeling of lightness and encapsulates the home’s spirit of openness, while the split-level construction of the house itself invites light and breezes in. Overall, it is an excellent example of architecture co-existing harmoniously with the natural world, and of a well-crafted home blurring the boundary between the indoors and outdoors.
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