Note from the editor, Diana Khoo:
Most design publications tell you what to do: what is in right now, trending styles and whatnot. But sometimes, it is equally helpful to know what not to do. For a mid-year checkpoint, here is a quick round-up of what the aesthetes and design aficionados are saying.
1. Don’t ignore the aesthetics and details: Forget subscribing to the John Pawson school of thought and maybe shove that copy of Minimum all the way back into the recesses of your shelves. Yes, the notion of simplicity can be wonderful, but filling space with the right choice of furnishings and materials should take precedence. Use architecture and design in a variety of environmental and cultural contexts to let your dwelling reflect who you are and how you want to live. Besides, while grey, beige and all-white have their place, sometimes a few pops of colour can be infinitely uplifting. After all, you wouldn’t want to live on just oatmeal, would you?
2. Don’t skimp on comfort: Living in a tropical climate eliminates the need for fully carpeted floors, but life should be more than cold hardness. Padding about on beautiful Persian carpets or antique kilims seems so much more attractive and comfortable. Even if you are decorating on a budget, a few simple sisal or jute rugs will make a big difference when pottering about the house.
3. Don’t leave the walls clean and bare: Unless you are renting a historic property or have a persnickety landlord, there is nothing stopping you from putting up artwork or original photography on the walls. Make it a point to visit local galleries. They do not have to be the equivalent of a Gagosian or Hauser & Wirth. Be brave and industrious. Instead of spending the weekends loafing about, scour the news for details on exhibitions or ask your contacts to invite you to the next solo by an up-and-coming artist. Be a patron, whichever way you can, and always #SapotLokal whenever possible.
4. Don’t follow the masses: Unless your accountant is giving you grief, avoid stepping into places peddling things produced in the hundreds of thousands. To inject your home or office with personal warmth, it is best to search for one-off treasured pieces that do not come off a factory line. What to do? Discover antique shops, weekend bazaars and even car-boot sales. And remember, one man’s trash could well be your statement-making treasure.
5. Don’t be sterile, let nature in: There are few worse things in life than witnessing the tiling up of what was once a thriving garden. Yes, the upkeep of greenery takes physical effort and labour, but it is well worth it. Even if all you have is a balcony, you can still arrange fresh flowers in a vase or place a few hardy, low-maintenance plants about the home. Not only does it accentuate the space, you will notice a difference in your mental, physical and emotional well-being.
Now, enough of being told what and what not to do. Please delve into this issue, of course, but also make time to enjoy the spaces you have worked so hard to create and pay for. Life is short. Go live.
Haven is complimentary with every copy of The Edge Malaysia (June 1 issue). Get the Summer 2026 edition at your nearest newsstands now.
