Cover Pink Peony by Louise Hill Design, displayed above a sideboard in the home of Amy and Paul Landless

Louise Hill Design demonstrates several remarkably elegant ways to incorporate modern Asian elements in your home, as seen in the stylish abodes and showrooms of her clients

Singapore-based artist Louise Hill revels in mixing multicultural influences in her work. Trained as a graphic designer, the well-travelled artist draws from her experiences living in Asia; she was based previously in Shanghai and Hong Kong, before making the move to Singapore in 2014, where she currently resides with her husband.

The distinctive artworks from her eponymous brand, Louise Hill Design, celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Asia by combining photos of architecture, found objects, and various decorative details unique to the region; all of these images are photographed by Hill herself during her myriad trips.

Every shot is thoughtfully handpicked and edited to suit the overall theme and colour scheme of each design, with the result being an eclectic yet carefully curated fusion of styles, cultural elements, and eras. These artworks have garnered Hill fans from around the world; her work has been selected as focal points in numerous stylish abodes and showrooms.

Don’t miss: Artist Louise Hill On Her Design Process And The Importance Of Relationships

Take decor cues from some of these beautiful spaces for tips on how to incorporate such modern Asian elements into your home.

In case you missed it: Ask a Designer: How to Create a Modern Asian Look in Your Home

1. The black-and-white house of Amy and Paul Landless

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Above Singapore Streets artwork by Louise Hill Design in the black-and-white house of Amy and Paul Landless

Describing their style as “minimalist” and “clutter-free”, Amy and Paul Landless have found the artworks from Louise Hill Design to be the perfect accent pieces to match the interior design of their black-and-white house. “Given that black-and-white houses can be very plain inside, we have tried to inject pops of colour and some eclectic and unique pieces of furniture and artwork that we have collected from our time in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UK,” says Paul.

The couple admires the mix of the old and the new in the Singapore Streets artwork by Louise Hill Design that they have selected for their home, calling attention to the handpainted gold elements that to the intricacy of the piece. “We especially love how this reflects the light when observing the pieces from different angles,” adds Amy. “Louise is incredibly talented at capturing unique Asia images and intricately weaving this into her work. Louise absorbs everything around her and thrives on interesting themes and shapes she sees—she is a deep and reflective person who finds linkages and common character between objects, places and observed moments.”

Paul agrees, sharing: “We have admired Louise’s artwork for a long time and followed her work while she has been in both Hong Kong and Singapore. We selected Singapore Streets [for our home] as we wanted to find a piece that reflects the day-to-day images and hidden gems of Asia and particularly of Singapore which one would only recognise having lived here. The intricacies of her layering techniques give the piece a cool and fun vibe. Having been in Asia for 16 years, we thought the artwork captured beautifully our memories of Asia.”

2. The heritage shophouse of Amy Long, Asia-Pacific general manager of Vermillion

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Above A corner in the shophouse of Amy Long, Asia-Pacific general manager of Vermillion

As a global curator of Asian design, Vermillion is an online platform that features a beautiful gamut of furniture and artworks created by Asian talents around the world. “We select creators and items that have deep stories and which explore the intersections of heritage and modernity, East and West, and Asian cultures interacting with one another,” declares Amy Long, the Asia-Pacific general manager of Vermillion.

The brand’s modern Asian credo is writ large in Long’s shophouse home in Singapore. Long has picked the Little Chinese Windows print from Louise Hill Design for its play of “memory and nostalgia” which is wonderfully showcased through the scale of the print. “Some of the items are shown several times their actual size so their quirky details can be appreciated. The juicy hits of color amidst wide white mats are visually arresting,” says Long.

It is among the pieces by Hill that are currently retailing on Vermillion’s online platform. “Louise’s work really captures the essence of Vermillion,” explains Long. “She’s a collector and curator, assembling found items into vignettes that capture her unique point of view. She works in dialogue with the past, yet doesn’t act as a documentarian: instead, with joyous, celebratory zest, she turns up the volume on colour and irony by bringing together items that amplify one another until they reach a Pop Art-like crackle.”

3. Thorn & Burrow showroom in Hong Kong

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Above The We Love Hong Kong print by Louise Hill Design, pictured in the Thorn & Burrow showroom in Hong Kong

Tamsin Thornburrow, founder of Thorn & Burrow, has always enjoyed supporting the work of local and international studios and artisans. Her homeware brand is the very embodiment of Thornburrow’s passion. “Thorn and Burrow is all about being quirky and bold, stocking handmade and limited pieces, products that tell a story. We curate a selection of goods that will bring joy into anyone’s home; be it simply a hilarious card, a Hong Kong puzzle, or Louise Hill’s beautiful artworks which are like postcards of Hong Kong,” says Thornburrow.

As both Hill and Thornburrow have lived in Sai Kung in Hong Kong, Hill’s works carry a personal resonance by embodying elements of the town in the Sai Kung print. Adds Thornburrow: “Personally I’ve always admired Louise’s artworks, especially due to the fact that we both lived in the same town [Sai Kung] and she had designed an amazing artwork depicting it! It includes all the little reminders of my childhood. Her use of colour and prints, artifacts, and memories depict such a wonderful view of Hong Kong, bringing life into each piece. Her creative process is admirable and you can clearly see the deep passion she feels for Hong Kong and Asia.”

Comparing Hill’s work to “an Aladdin’s cave full of trinkets”, Thornburrow lavishes praise on the numerous tiny details included in Hill’s work. “The more you look at it the more it will tell you. It has layers and layers of artifacts, from fabrics to antique cups and dogs in prams to neon lights! It’s like a treasure chest of images. Her artworks bring life to our collection and we complement each other so well!”

4. The home of Andre Chalson

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Above The Chinese Lattice in Monochrome print from Louise Hill Design, as seen in Andre Chalson’s home

“My style is somewhat eclectic,” says homeowner Andre Chalson. To match the unusual blend of influences in his interior, Chalson handpicked the Chinese Lattice in Monochrome print from Louise Hill Design for his abode. Already familiar with Hill’s portfolio, Chalson praises the artist’s mix of traditional Asian imagery, and how she added a contemporary spin on the intricate blend of elements represented in the work.

“The modern take on Asian influences fits in really well with my own aesthetic,” he says. “The artwork definitely helped to convey the mood that I was looking for. I'm a big fan of Louise’s work so finding the right pieces for my apartment was no surprise to me. I love the monochromatic colour scheme and architectural details in this design but also like vibrant colours, what is most important for me though is to achieve an overall cohesive mix of styles that sit well together in my space.”

5. Emperor’s Attic showroom in Singapore

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 2 A console from Emperor’s Attic, pictured with the Sunrise Songbirds print from Louise Hill Design
Photo 2 of 2 Emperor’s Attic is known for sourcing and restoring handcrafted vintage and antique pieces from China

As a purveyor of handcrafted vintage pieces and antique furnishings, Emperor’s Attic founder and owner Chantal Travers discovered an almost instant creative kinship with Louise Hill Design. The Singapore-based retailer is known for its unique, high-quality pieces found in old countryside homes in Northern China, and updated in sprightly shades to create contemporary additions for homeowners in search of modern Asian designs.

“Louise's work is perfectly in line with our own concept in terms of making the traditional modern,” says Travers, who selected the Sunrise Songbirds print from Louise Hill Design to decorate her showroom. “In addition, many of our customers are looking to make a statement in their homes. Combining one of Louise's works with one of our pieces does that. We are a shop all about colours and Asia and so is Louise. Her work resonates hugely with our customer base who love Asia and all of its beautiful and unique motifs, icons, places, as well as flora and fauna.”

6. A home decorated by interior stylist Victoria Brenninkmeijer

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Above The Bird & Flower Market print, pictured in a home styled by Victoria Brennikmeyer

If UK interior stylist Victoria Brenninkmeijer had to sum up her personal style in a few words, she would describe it as “globally influenced eclectic maximalism”. “As an interior stylist, I encourage my clients to create a home full of happy triggers and use shared experiences to curate a living space where every family member feels seen,” she says.

Hill’s Bird & Flower Market stood out to her as it “encapsulates the multi-layered experience of travelling and living in Asia”, says Victoria Brenninkmeijer, in all of its vibrant mix of paraphernalia and cultural elements. As the interior stylist had lived in China previously, this work also represents memories that she has of living in the country.

She adds: “Louise’s joyous and exuberant prints sum up the Asia experience in a glorious explosion of vibrant colour. After an exciting stint spent living in China, Louise’s work really spoke to us and fits in well with our colour scheme and aesthetic.”

7. Anju Cawthra’s home

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Above The Singapore typographic print from Louise Hill Design, seen in the home of Anju Cawthra

With a background in graphic design and marketing, Anju Cawthra may have left her design career for a new path but her eye for design can still be easily evident in her beautifully vibrant home. She has selected the vibrant Singapore typographic print from Louise Hill Design to accompany an eclectic array of wall-hung pieces on a gallery wall in her home.

“The former designer in me loves everything graphic, and as I’m Indian, I have a huge love for bold colour and all types of patterns,” shares Cawthra, director of Seasoned Singapore Expat Women, a community and networking forum for female business owners and expatriates. “Marry them together and I suppose you’d call my style 'graphic maximalist'. Whatever the label, everyone who visits comments on how well my home reflects my personality!”

Cawthra has long been an admirer of Hill's creative sensibility and shares common ground with her, with both having worked in the design industry in London. The Singapore typographic print in particular, “spoke to me straight away”, declares Cawthra. “I love the bold typography and skilful juxtaposition of detailed imagery. Also, the pink colourway is really fun and jolly. The piece sits well on this gallery wall, both commanding attention and imparting vibrant energy; the hallmark of great art.”

8. Melody Chen’s apartment

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Above The Chinese Lattice in Monochrome print in the Melody Chen’s apartment

For homeowner Melody Chen, eclecticism is at the heart of her home design, which she dubs as being “modern American farmhouse, with an Asian twist”. With that in mind, the works from Louise Hill Design were the perfect fit for her multicultural theme.

Chen selected the Chinese Lattice in Monochrome print as she admired the monochromatic scheme, which was also an excellent match with the modern interior of her home. Chen shares: “I chose this special print from Louise firstly because I’ve always loved her work and wanted to have a piece of it in our home. Her usual pieces had vibrant colours which were so lovely but I had a soft spot for anything in monochrome. Hence, when she produced this one in black-and-white, and yet the different pictures still popped, I knew I had to get it.”

There were also particular elements in the piece also resonated with Chen and her husband, making it a no-brainer decision for the couple to purchase the work. “For example, we love playing poker with friends and there are a lucky eight of clubs in there. I also absolutely love the vintage black grill gate, and the Straits Chinese elements like the tiles and lanterns that speak to us as well as the heritage shophouse facade.”

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