Inside interior designer, art gallerist and collector Isabelle Miaja’s wonderfully unrestrained Bukit Timah house
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Les coups de coeur
“My style is eclectic. I’m an avid collector, and I’m always adding coups de coeur from my travels, as I encounter beautiful pieces. Designing a home is about creating and revisiting your own memories… I love setting eyes on these pieces and recollecting a person or a place. And then I can’t help but collect the artists I represent – such as Isabelle Van Zeijl.”
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Harmony is the rule
“I designed the bar with narra wood and stainless steel, and the little red statue is by Tsai Wei Cheng. Whether you’re a maximalist or a minimalist, there are rules to follow to create the perfect ambience. Colours, materials and shapes should bounce off the eye without clashing. You can create a moment of surprise, but it must be followed by something calming.”
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A shared journey
“I often reposition the house to shake the energies and look at things from another angle – pieces tend to take on a new life – which is why I like loose pieces and move them around to create a new atmosphere. But when I’m designing for clients it’s more about their style and temperament; it’s a shared journey and we’ll weave their wishes into materials and textures to create their unique home.
Go further with Miaja Design Group.
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