Inspired by her clients’ stories, the interior designer redefines the way they live with unique, emotive designs
In the What Matters To Me series, a Generation T honouree describes what they do, why they do it, and why it matters
After cutting her teeth at architectural, design and furniture agencies such as Woha, Asylum and WTP—The Furniture Company, Cherin Tan co-founded boutique interior architecture firm Laank. Aiming to translate her clients’ hopes and experiences into designs, she has worked for the likes of Singapore chef Violet Oon and Thailand’s The Boathouse Phuket, and is currently working on a new upcycled furniture line. Here, she describes her work in her own words.
I’m a typical Taurus: strong willed, stubborn and fiercely loyal—maybe too much for my own good. My friends sometimes describe me as an Amazonian woman—physically and mentally strong. By contrast, my husband once told me that I have this other side that’s emotional, soft and introverted—he’s also right.
I never thought of setting up my own design firm, but my "aha moment" came when I was working at Asylum. Founder and creative director Chris Lee showed me how design is not limited by boundaries and taught me to connect it back to the client in an innovative and considered manner, instead of purely for a functional reason.