+ THREE ECO-LUXE VILLAS

+ DAVID ROCCO’S TASTE OF SUMMER MENU

+ KELLY HOPPEN’S LONDON HOME

Th e Great Outdoors

Ride the heat wave in style with hits of colour, brightness and expansive interiors that let the exterior in

Issue No. 92 | Summer 2019IS

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808)

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IN EVERY ISSUE...10 EDITOR’S NOTE

62 MARKETPLACE

104 MY SPACE

NEWS + VIEWS14 CITY SLICKCelebrating art and Malaysian

grown enterprises at The Linc KL

16 SOFT SKILLSVersatile and vibrant Malaysian

designs as interpreted by Noox

ON THE COVERPHOTOGRAPHY: SOOPHYE

Ocean breeze and by-the-sea

bliss at Villa Sielen Diva, an

architecturally stunning new

villa in Talpe, Sri Lanka

Read it on page 68

98

DESIGN13 COASTAL COLOURSFeel like you’re on the beach holiday

of your dreams by incorporating

these pieces into your home

15 FUN IN THE SUNPatio upgrades for when it’s

summertime, and the livin’ is easy

17 YELLOW, YELLOW, HAPPY FELLOWAdd a dash of sunshine to any space

with the colour of energy, clarity

and joy

18 A GLASS OF ITS OWNOpaque or crystal clear, nothing’s

easier than having a bright,

beautiful new vase to liven up any

living space

48 THE TAO OF KELLY HOPPEN

The celebrated South African-

born British interior designer on

her preferred style of decorating

that incorporates a blend of

East-meets-West accents, a

neutral palette and an overarching

sleekness that has since become

her signature

54 SQUEAKY CLEAN Add boom to bathtime with our

curated selection of accessories for

your toilette

76 SUPER SPONGESWho knew these thoroughly

utilitarian household necessities

could channel quite so much cool?

88 IT’S MY PARTYWho says entertaining and

beautiful table settings have to be

the exclusive domain of grown-ups?

98 OF LOVE + LEMONS Infuse your entertaining with a

liberal dose of dolce vita with these

table accoutrements any mama

worth her pasta would approve of

13

06 HAVEN

SUMMER 2019CONTENTS

LIVING22 THICKER THAN WATERA serene, expansive family home, bathed in sunlight,

lovingly shelters three generations

28 ALL ABOUT ARCHITECTUREA spacious and rustic home born out of a love for

nature and the homeowner’s uncompromising passion

for design

36 A NEW HOUSE FOR MR CHIAM An eye for detail and sense of style creates a living

space that is a homage to the things that matter

most in life — family, friends and the making of great

memories

WORKSPACE58 SPACE ODYSSEYCombining futuristic design elements with the playful

appeal of superheroes, local tech specialist Fusionex

has created an office space that meets its employees’

needs on every level

TRAVEL + ENTERTAINING64 KIMPTON CAPTIVATES ASIAEven seasoned travellers will be all agog at this

sophisticated sanctuary in Taipei, its name a byword

for service with a personal touch

68 LABOUR OF LOVEOcean breeze and by-the-sea bliss at Villa Sielen Diva,

the Kumar family’s architecturally stunning new villa in

Talpe, Sri Lanka

74 A CORNUCOPIA OF CULTURE + COMMUNITYHistory and modernity continue to colour Armenian

Street in George Town, Penang where people live, work

and play in familiar surroundings or alongside changes

that enhance its rich tapestry

78 PASTORAL DIARIESRustic getaways near Kuala Lumpur where you can

get back to nature without leaving modernity too far

behind

90 TASTE OF SUMMERCanadian-Italian chef David Rocco on his idea of

wholesome Italian cuisine and how family has inspired

his gastronomic journey

36

6808 HAVEN

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EDITOR’S NOTE

PHOTOGRAPHY: SooPhye

It might be the exclusive pleasure of those in the northern hemisphere to indulge in the literal fancy of a summer holiday but summer may also, just as easily, be a state of mind. It is to this idea, warmed by words appro-priated from the German poet and dramatist Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller who wrote of “warmth and light a blessing both to be”, that we dedicate this issue of Haven.

Naturally, the homes featured within all bear testimony to this: lush spaces illuminated by streaming sunlight; charming courtyards paved with beautiful tiles and surrounded by foliage and greenery; living spaces punctuated by decorative touches in eye-popping colours; dining tables groaning under the weight of a generous-hearted Mediterranean feast (complete with the brightest table accoutrements to boot) and a com-prehensive round-up of villas — perhaps the best way to encapsulate the idea of summer — from nearby jungle settings all the way to the Sri Lankan coast.

We were also fortunate to have had the privilege of featuring design doyenne Kelly Hoppen’s stunning and spacious open-plan home in London. Hoppen is the talent behind a slew of celebrity homes, including those of Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and the Beckhams. Those who have fallen hard for her style (as we have) would be thrilled to know she will be debuting her fi rst project in Kuala Lumpur soon, as part of KSK Land’s 8 Conlay development. Read about it on Page 48.

But back to the subject of summer. For beyond sunlight and salt-kissed air, it would be remiss if we forgot to mention that the season is also about taste, a series of sun-speckled fl avours. And who better to grace our Entertaining section this issue than the celebrated chef, food author and television personality David Rocco? From antipasti sugges-tions (simply perfect for languorous dinner parties) to the simplest but most sublime recipe for a Negroni, may your summer days, likewise, be all about enjoyment, pleasure and escape.

Diana KhooEDITOR

OF LIGHT + WARMTH

10 HAVEN

PERMISSION & REPRINTS: Material in Haven may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.

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EDITORDiana Khoo

ASSISTANT EDITORSAnandhi GopinathTan Gim Ean

SENIOR WRITERPetrina Jo Fernandez

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WRITERSShalini YeapMae ChanLakshmi Sekhar

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ART DIRECTORSharon Khoh

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WHEN THE SUN SHINES BRIGHTLYSummer. It may be a season or a state of mind. Regardless, embrace and celebrate it in as many guises as you can. From exploring a variety of architecturally-exciting villa rentals just a stone’s throw from the Klang Valley to one that sits on its private patch of beach in Sri Lanka’s South Coast, or ensuring your dinner table is groaning with dishes piled high,each evoking the lemon- and olive oil-kissed fl avours of the Mediterranean, there’s something to be said for a lifestyle that basks in light and warmth. We hope you feel the vibe in our pages this issue.

88 Armenian, Penang

12 HAVEN

COASTAL COLOURSImagine that you are on the beach holiday of your dreams by incorporating these items into your home

Text Sophiya Sabapathy

1

2

3

56

4

1 This rug from Ruma is an ode to breezy summer afternoons

by the ocean, bringing the siren call of the sea right into your

home (RM159.90)2 Ralph Lauren’s fresh Ocean Lane single-wick candle is

scented with green ozone, water fruits, white floral and moss

(US$60, ralphlauren.com)3 The Designers Guild’s Bougival Cushion in cobalt, from

Janine, features a creative geometric tiled pattern in soft-

washed watercolour in shades of cobalt and azure

(RM390, janine.com.my)4 The Fan Chair in Natural finish by Tom Dixon is a modern take

on the classical Windsor chair. Despite its minimalist design,

this contemporary silhouette will certainly make a statement.

(RM10,453, gudanghome.com)5 Get your home’s coastal theme ready with this gold seashell

platter from H&M Home that is bound to remind you of sunny

days spent at the beach (RM69.95)6 This modern concrete glacier-themed cones from

BentukBentuk can hold many different items at a time and

make beautiful display pieces on their own (RM20)

HAVEN 13

DESIGN

The Linc KL is a new lifestyle hub located at the intersec-tion of Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak. The two-storey mall spans 130,000 sq ft and boasts beautiful art installa-tions, various restaurants, homegrown shops and more. A key design feature of the building is that it was built around the existing trees, with care taken to keep the greenery intact. The grand trees add a sense of serenity, making the space a sweet escape from the hustle and bus-tle of our vibrant city.

Colourful on the outside, each space in the mall has its own character and fl avour that complement the art instal-lations. One of the standout pieces is The Owl by Amarul Abdullah, a massive acrylic painting that faces one of the resident trees. The fi rst fl oor has a mural of tropical fl owers and plants by the same artist, which surrounds yet draws your attention to the tree at the centre of the space. The second fl oor has a dramatic installation of 41,600 colourful paper doves hung from the ceiling, which was put togeth-er by the staff of its Property Division in just six months.

There are many other artistic creations scattered around the space for visitors to explore and enjoy. There are also eateries such as Ben’s, Wrappe, Bo All Day Dining, De.Wan 1958, Bean Brothers and much more. You can do all your grocery shopping at Ben’s Independent Grocer and indulge in some Malaysian goods from Harriston Chocolatier, Kapten Batik, Bendang Artisan, Frangipani Bulk and other local brands.

CITY SLICKCelebrating art and Malaysian-grown enterprises at The Linc KL Text Lakshmi Sekhar Photography Shahrin Yahya

14 HAVEN

FUN IN THE SUNPatio improvements for when it is summertime and the living is easy

Text Shalini Yeap

1

2

3

6

41 Designer Marcantonio’s Giraffe in Love in fibreglass stands

4m tall, supporting a classic lamp in Maria-Therese style —

quite an extravagant addition to any outdoor space. Available

at XTRA. (Price upon application)2 Cosy up with your fellow coffee lovers for a tête-à-tête

over the brew served in this gorgeous English fine bone

china Jester coffee cup and saucer set with its

vibrant black-and-white Parterre design from

Halcyon Days and hand-gilded for a luxurious finish

(RM2,380)3 Alter both the aesthetic and function of your patio with

this pretty piece from Timeless Design, which is designed

to withstand the wind, rain and sun of our tropical weather

(RM4,999)4 This serving platter made from balau wood by Dapo, which

doubles as a chopping board, is just what every grazing table

at a party needs (RM230, www.dapoware.com)5 By sustainable woodworks brand, Harith Green Carpenter,

this sturdy table was beautifully crafted by breathing new life

into upcycled pinewood and construction metal (RM1,300)6 Sunny days call for a barbie, made stylish and easy with this

charcoal barbecue grill from IKEA that comes with a built-in

thermometer for grilling perfection, stainless steel counter

top and a cabinet for easy-to-reach storage (RM1,610)

HAVEN 15

DESIGN

SOFT SKILLSVersatile and vibrant Malaysian designs as

interpreted by Noox

Text Lakshmi Sekhar

Beautifully

made with a

flair for design,

Noox’s distinctly

Malaysian

inspirations

make it instantly

recognisable — the

range includes

cushions, playmats

and keychains

Noox KL Design sells plush toys and accessories for little grownups... and big ones. With colourful Malaysian-inspired designs, its products are made with child-friendly, washable inks that are fade-proof. The fi rst Noox shop was set up in Indonesia by founder Inoek Brouwer. The KL arm of the business is run by sisters Isliana Ismail-Bonnifay and Maslina Ismail, who believe in the quality and potential of the products.

Today there are Noox companies started by individuals in other cities as well. “The founder does not dictate how we should run things, she lets us decide … Today, we have Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and Indonesia. The business model for Noox is quite territorial. Meaning that if I am based in Japan then I only manage Japan, which is fair to all of us,” explains Isliana. As Brouwer has returned to the Netherlands, she has handed over the reins to Maslina and Isliana to manage the Indonesian operations.

Noox’s products range from cushions with iconic images such as the Twin Towers, to playmats featuring KL’s map and keychains. Their products are uniquely Malaysian, with recognisable designs. “We are proud to say that, in Malaysia, we are the only ones carrying products like this. You can see other bags and soft toys, but you cannot diff erentiate between them. We are quite prominent, like our bas sekolah soft toy — you know it’s from Noox,” says Maslina. Making great souvenirs, gifts or even quirky decora-tions for your home, Noox’s local designs are set for world domination.

16 HAVEN

DESIGN

1 Liven up a room with a striking statement sofa. The Osaka

sofa by BoConcept has a 1960s design with beautiful tufted

seats and brushed brass finish on the legs. (RM7,795)2 Kedai Bikin offers a selection of vintage glasses, such as this

one with a circular pattern, that were popular in 1950s and

1960s Malaya (RM18 each)3 The Yellow Diamond Jewellery Box from David Linley,

inspired by the rare canary yellow diamond and reminiscent

of its glistening facet cuts, was crafted from hand-dyed

sycamore and eucalyptus veneers (£9,500, www.davidlinley.com)4 A knitted cushion from John Lewis featuring two birds

facing each other will add a splash of sunshine to the bedroom

or living room (£32.00, www.johnlewis.com)5 A pop of colour can truly transform a space. Try it out with

this bright armchair in acapulco yellow from Kare. (RM380)6 Made from yellow-painted beechwood and enhanced by

the iconic GG jacquard upholstery interspersed with bees and

stars, Gucci Décor’s Chiavari chair will uplift any living space

with its exquisite glamour (Price upon application)

YELLOW, YELLOW HAPPY FELLOW

Add a dash of sunshine to any space with this colour of energy, clarity and joy

Text Shalini Yeap

1

2

3

5

6

4

HAVEN 17

DESIGN

A GLASS OF ITS OWNOpaque or crystal clear, nothing’s easier than having a bright, beautiful new vase to liven up any living spacePHOTOGRAPHY SHAWN LOR @ PIXEL PIX ARTISTIC DIRECTION JOANNE LIMSTYLING + COORDINATION ABBY CHUNG + LIEW SHUK KHUEN

18 HAVEN

LEFT TO RIGHT:TWO-TONED VASE, RM140.50, HOMES HARMONY.

TALL PINK VASE, RM288, LIVEITUP! @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. PINK SCALED VASE, RM80, KARE.

ROUNDED VASE WITH BLUE BASE, RM178.30, HOMES HARMONY. MINI BOTTLE YELLOW VASE, RM15,

HOMES HARMONY. GREEN VASE, RM89.90, SOGO KL. TWO-TONED VASE, RM93.30, HOMES HARMONY.

MINI BOTTLE RED VASE, RM15, HOMES HARMONY.

CLEAR CORRUGATED VASE, RM120, KARE. ROUND

BELLIED VASE, RM81.05, SOGO KL. GREEN FROSTED

VASE, RM93.30, HOMES HARMONY. CLEAR VASE

WITH NARROW MOUTH, RM131.15, SOGO KL. ROUND

BELLIED VASE, RM131.15, SOGO KL. TURQUOISE VASE,

RM288, LIVEITUP! @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE.

HAVEN 19

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbanespacefurniture.asia

Singapore 77 Bencoolen St.Kuala Lumpur Level 3 Intermark Mall Jalan Tun Razak

Bend-Sofa, seat system designed by Patricia Urquiola. www.bebitalia.com

D E S I G N PO R T R A I T.

THICKER THAN

WATER

22 HAVEN22 HAVEN

LIVING

Entering this serene, expansive house that is bathed in sunlight immediately puts you at ease. It is such a pleasure then to step right into the family home that lovingly shelters three generations.

Text Diana Khoo Photography SooPhye

Art Direction & Styling Sharon Khoh + Wennie Heng

“The love of a family makes life beautiful”, the say-ing goes. And in the case of Tan Shen Wain and Lim Ai San’s lovely home in a cul-de-sac in Taman Duta, Kuala Lumpur, this could well apply to making one’s home beautiful too. At fi rst glance, the architectural dimensions of the house appear challenging, daunt-ing even. It would have worried even the most stoic of interior designers to do up the vast expanse of space thoughtfully and beautifully. After all, the home is spread out over three levels and has four main bed-rooms. Thankfully, help came in the loving form of Puan Sri Wendy Lim, Ai San’s mother, who is famed for her eye for detail and artistic decoration.

“Most of what you see is due to my mum,” says Ai San, herself a mother of four young children. “The idea was for a seamless living space.” Transforming what was originally a typically 1980s structure — a pentagon-shaped house with a sunken living room — into what is seen today is the result of three years of intensive labour, from drafting the initial concept to applying the fi nishing touches.

The expansive space is also shared with Tan’s parents, who clearly dote on their young grandchil-dren. Having moved in barely a year ago, Ai San recalls: “My mum had the old structure torn down before doing it up from scratch. Although the renovations were done with the intent of renting out the house, we then decided to move in ourselves as I was just about to deliver my fourth child. Our family was growing and with my in-laws, we clearly needed the space.”

Entry into the home is via a beautiful door, chosen with particular care so as to complement the man of the house’s ba zi or birth profi le. “It had to be of a certain colour,” Ai San tells us. “And it is made of resak” — a fi ne and evenly textured heavy hardwood. An arresting white lattice panelling serves as a partition between the entranceway and the lower-level living room, fi lled with Chinese-style furniture and Persian carpets on the fl oor. “My mother believes screens and partitions give character to a house. You can see she

HAVEN 23HAVEN 23

Qoute: It is decidedly mal vu to call Lisette Scheers’ new house a Dutch treat. Given her creative eye and clever ways with matter and material, no one can deny how the founder of Nala Designs

has successfully carved out a most unique space to live in, one in which she and her precious daughter can truly call home.

24 HAVEN24 HAVEN

LIVING

also loves carpets,” Ai San smiles. Here, the mood is Zen-like and contemplative as this is where the fami-ly altar, from which a beautiful white marble Buddha from China casts its protective gaze, is placed.

A stunning painting by a renowned Taiwanese art-ist hangs behind the Buddha. Depicting Amituofo, a pure land where Buddhists believe suff ering does not exist, it is said some three million strokes were used to produce the work of art in a single year. The altar, also made of resak wood from Indonesia, is adorned with several ornaments that depict the many symbolisms of Buddhist philosophy, including lights (enlighten-ment); a bowl of water (how one’s heart should be clear and calm always); fl owers (to blossom and bear fruit in life); and incense (to be calm in all you do). The ancestral tablets of both the Tan and Lim families are also kept here — another poignant reminder that if one cannot pay homage to one’s ancestors, it would be impossible to love one’s parents or family members today.

From here, a short fl ight of steps leads to the primary living room — located on the same level as

the swimming pool and gardens. Here, natural light fl oods in and accentuates the textures and choice of materials used, from a patch of dramatic black-and-white marble fl oor arranged in a checkerboard pat-tern. A feature wall, presently providing the backdrop for a big fl oral arrangement, enlivens one side of the room. “My mother loves to entertain and this area was designed with that in mind. She really has an eye for detail, knows just what is needed where and sources for the most interesting things,” says Ai San proudly.

Strategically placed antiques from the Tan’s ma-ternal home in Melaka add interest and character to the home. A side table, for example, is topped by a collection of snuff bottles and an antique pewter pig from Royal Selangor. On one wall hangs a 2014 art-work of an apple by the artist K H Lim. “Ping guo, ping onn,” says Ai San, referencing the Cantonese phrase that plays on the words for apple and calmness. “We love art that is rich in colour and meaning and you’ll fi nd a lot of such pieces around the house.”

The sight of a cordoned-off swimming pool in-forms us that the well-being of the most important

FAR LEFT: The entrance

hallway is marked

by an interesting

lattice partition

The resak wood

front door

was chosen to

complement the

man of the house’s

ba zi

HAVEN 25HAVEN 25

A bright and

cheeerful corner

where the four

Tan children often

enjoy afternoon

naps on an antique

Melakan daybed

26 HAVEN26 HAVEN

LIVING

TOP:

The main living

room serves as the

primary stage for

when the family

entertain

LEFT:

Natural light

streams in from the

garden and pool

area

RIGHT:

Part of the marble

floor’s interesting

checkerboard

design

occupants of the sprawling home — all under the age of fi ve — comes fi rst. A Triceratops fl oat and another in the shape of a doughnut serve as more playful re-minders. A smaller second living room looks out onto this idyllic scene. “This is really the children’s space,” says Ai San. “This is where they hang out and play the piano, and the antique Melakan daybed is where they like curling up for an afternoon nap.” Here, another charming artwork, this time by Christian Pendelio and acquired from the well-known Ode To Art gallery, dominates. “It’s childlike and dreamy ... I love naive art.”

Tucked away between the pool and the secondary living room is the lady of the house’s creative nook, a small makeshift studio where she can indulge in her love of art and painting. “This outdoor terrace is my ‘me’ space, my corner, where I can enjoy working while feeling the breeze blow in from the pool and garden.” The garden is doubly striking with an abundance of pots of bright and beautiful petunias, courtesy of the green thumb of Tan’s mother. Looking around, anoth-er popular saying comes to mind: “It is not how big the house is. It is how happy the home is.” How lovely then that this dwelling of a three-generational family can be both at once.

HAVEN 27HAVEN 27

architectureabout All

28 HAVEN28 HAVEN

LIVING

A spacious and rustic home born out of the owner’s love of nature and the architect’s uncompromising passion for design

By Lakshmi Sekhar Photography SooPhye

Art Direction & Styling Sharon Khoh + Wennie Heng

When it comes to building a home, it can be quite dif-fi cult to hand over complete control of its design to one’s architect or interior decorator. But not so for Toh Chee Thin. After all, his architect — Kevin Mark Low — was someone he greatly admired.

“I love his creations. But it is not easy to get him to do your house because he is not a commercial architect … Low is a one-man show. He doesn’t have a full team of people; everything comes from him. He starts with sketches on tracing paper, free-hand drawings. The de-tailing of the whole house is in his head,” Toh explains.

It was only after he had found a piece of land in Tropicana which faced a golf course that he approached Low. As we sit in his courtyard facing the course, he says, “This tree out there is the oldest of them all. I bought this piece of land because of this tree. I told the sales people if they could get me house No 25, I would buy it.” Incidentally, his birthday falls on a 25th.

Toh then began chasing Low. “When you approach him, he will tell you, ‘I can do the house for you but you cannot change my design.’ He will ask you how many rooms you need, how many children you have, any particular feng shui, things like that. You have to leave the rest to him.”

With Low’s

help, Toh filled

his home

with art and

furniture

that suited

the rustic

architecture

HAVEN 29HAVEN 29

30 HAVEN30 HAVEN

LIVING

e spacious living room makes entertaining large parties easy. Once the surrounding

glass doors are opened, not only is there more space, but there is also a light breeze that

cools the space down.

HAVEN 31HAVEN 31

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT:

With comfy

outdoor furniture,

the courtyard is

a great space to

enjoy a relaxed

cuppa

This house enjoys

copious amounts

of natural light

because of the

many glass doors

The kitchen blends

wood and concrete

surfaces with

steel fixtures and

accents

It took Low about three years to fi nally come up with drawings that Toh and his family liked, and another four years to build the house.

The U-shaped house spans over 9,000 sq ft across four fl oors, including a basement. It also sits snugly among a whole lot of trees. “Initially, I planted hun-dreds of plants and trees of over 20 varieties… All these are tropical jungle trees. It’s dense so they grow taller to fi ght for sunlight rather than sideways,” ex-plains Toh. The slim, towering trees accord the home ample privacy and much-needed shade from the scorching sun.

According to Toh, there is a stark diff erence be-tween his previous Balinese-style home, which was fi lled with frangipani, and the cooling green stilts of his current abode.

The ground level of the house, complete with cement fl oors and tasteful paintings, has a study, a prayer room, a theatre fi tted with bright-red chairs and a spacious kitchen that features steel, wood and concrete accents. There is also an open-plan living room that leads into the wood-panelled courtyard that faces Toh’s favourite tree. The bathrooms are tile-free, featuring terrazzo polish instead for a sleek and unusual look. This retro material not only makes the space easy to maintain but also adds to the homely vibe. “I like concrete. The older it gets, the better it looks. It looks rustic, like the old houses,” says Toh.

In the centre of the U-shaped building is anoth-er courtyard filled with forest trees and concrete tiles. The glass doors here can all be opened up, allowing cross-ventilation, which makes air-con-ditioning optional. The courtyard is also a perfect breakfast spot with its comfortable wooden picnic

bench and relaxing verdant surroundings.The fi rst fl oor hosts the master bedroom and a bed-

room each for Toh’s three children. There is also a spa-cious TV room facing the golf course that is fi tted with louvres for ventilation. An added benefi t of the trees is that the view from every window is pleasing. The bed-rooms have little balconies with decorative black mesh in place of grills, where the family members can enjoy the fresh air and even touch the leaves and branches of the surrounding trees. While standing on one of the balconies, Toh points out another special feature of the building. “The outside columns are not touching the building. This is the architect’s detailing. The beam comes across but the building is set inside the columns, so you can see all the way up to the third fl oor.”

32 HAVEN32 HAVEN

LIVING

Through the small gap between the outer column and inner structure, you can also see all the way down to the ground fl oor, and across to the neighbouring balcony.

The top fl oor has another bedroom with a large second wardrobe for Toh’s wife, Kim. “Actually, the theatre was supposed to have been upstairs where the large guest room is, but it was too big. It was also in-convenient to go up and down with food and every-thing,” Toh admits.

Down in the basement is where Toh’s cars are parked and his wine cellar tucked away. He converted what was initially a storage room into a cellar for his impressive collection of whiskies and wines.

Low helped Toh to pick out the best furniture and

art to fi ll the house. Though he still used a few piec-es from his previous home, Toh went to places like Chinatown Treasures in Jalan 225 and Xtra to fi t the rustic aesthetic of the architecture. The bright-red chairs in the theatre are perhaps the only furniture in the house that Low detests. “He said, ‘I will never sit in those chairs; they are the ugliest things in the house.’ From time to time, he comes down here for coff ee. He told us to get black chairs but we bought red because they were on off er,” Toh chuckles.

Content with the creation of a spacious, verdant and homely house, Toh sings Low’s praises. “He is quite a detailed architect who follows through from start to fi nish. He doesn’t leave you halfway. Low is very passionate about his work and is very professional.”

HAVEN 33HAVEN 33

“Initially, I planted hundreds of plants and trees of over 20 varieties… All these are tropical jungle trees. It’s dense so they

grow taller to ght for sunlight rather than sideways.”

34 HAVEN34 HAVEN

LIVING

The courtyard

facing the golf

course has the

benefit of beautiful

views under the

shade of Toh’s

rainforest trees

HAVEN 35HAVEN 35

36 HAVEN36 HAVEN

LIVING

ose who know leasing supremo Jimmy Chiam well would also know his eye for detail, sense of style (both personal and decorative), hospitality and passion for entertaining, all of which add up to a home that is a homage to the things that matter most in life — family, friends and the making of great memoriesText Diana Khoo Photography SooPhye Art Direction & Styling Sharon Khoh + Wennie Heng

A new house forMR CHIAM

HAVEN 37

Spending a day in the company of Jimmy Chiam is akin to taking a fi gurative world tour. If you are unfamiliar with the CCN Consulting director’s name, chances are your work does not involve retail, property develop-ment or leasing as Chiam is one of the key people in the business. To those fortunate enough to count him as a friend, however, it is clear that Chiam’s larger-than-life personality and big generous heart constantly reward and enrich your life with fun company, stories that educate and inspire and, if you have a Baedeker streak, travel tales that take you places — without having to move an iota from where you are at present.

Today is our lucky day as Chiam has invited us to breakfast at his new home in Rawang, Selangor. Serv-ing us cups of freshly brewed coff ee, accompanied by home-baked pastries (“I love to cook and bake,” he says), it does us well to have a light caff eine jolt as it heightens our level of alertness, so as to take in the rich-ness and depth of his living space better. Even before you enter his home, a quick lesson in Chinese mythol-ogy and traditions begins. I learn about pixiu, mythical

creatures that resemble a winged lion and are auspi-cious symbols for drawing cai qi (wealth) from all direc-tions, that stand like sentinels, fl anking the entrance. This particular pair has followed Chiam from his last four homes. Above the doorpost hangs a chai kee, the red banner that denotes auspicious occasions, such as moving into a new house, for example.

Chiam’s new three-storey super terraced home gives him considerably more room to expend his deco-rative skills. “A friend of mine, who dabbles in property, told me about this development four to fi ve years back as she knew I liked landed homes. I visited the show-room and put in a booking straightaway!”

A small room to the left of the house, originally designed as a granny fl at by the developers, has been converted into a place of prayer, where Chiam’s altar, a beautiful piece from Tibet, is placed. Here, the dé-cor refl ects the room’s spiritual purpose. On the fl oor is a carpet, also Tibetan, peppered with cloud motifs, a symbol of the celestial realm between heaven and earth. Against a cerulean wall adorned with a painting

ABOVE: Mythical pixiu

guard the entrance

to Chiam’s home

The prayer room

is adorned in a

thoughtfully-

spiritual theme,

with cloud motifs

and the painting of

a monk.

38 HAVEN38 HAVEN

LIVING

HAVEN 39HAVEN 39

of a monk, a purchase from Chiam’s fi rst trip to Hanoi some 20 years ago, stand two Chinese hunter’s chairs, traditionally crafted from huanghuali wood, which get a pop of colour courtesy of cushions from renowned Sri Lankan fabric brand Barefoot.

A piece of glossy lacquer serves as a backdrop to the altar, upon which sit Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of wisdom, lovingly hand-carried home from Bhutan; Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy; and a jolly Laughing Buddha. There is also a thangka, a Tibetan-Buddhist painting, acquired during Chiam’s journey to the Himalayan plateau three years ago.

It is the living room attached to the open kitchen that serves as the main confl uence of life and activity in the home. One wall is completely adorned with Chiam’s collection of Chinese and Thai vases, although a strik-ing turquoise piece, bought from a shop at The Rocks in Sydney, where he was based for a while, stands out. The circular glass coff ee table is piled high with thump-ing tomes and the right side of the room is artistically

done up in bevelled mirrors, giving the room a hint of Art Deco chic. “I love mirrors,” says Chiam, handing us second cups of coff ee. “Even my previous home fea-tured a lot of mirrors. Friends did ask why I wanted to move from my condominium in Mont’Kiara, which is so central, all the way to Rawang. It was a nice condo but I missed living on landed property. I also wanted a resort home, a little paradise, to which I could easily escape and, you know, Rawang is closer than you think. It’s just 20 minutes to KL!”

On another wall hangs a 2017 painting by Joko “Gundul” Sulistiono, entitled Soldier of Fortune. It fea-tures images of ancient warriors, reminiscent of Shih Huang Di’s terracotta army but with esoteric details, such as an owl resting on a soldier’s shoulder. “I fell for its interesting colours and I was looking for something new for the living room too,” says Chiam of his latest purchase from Limanjawi Art House during a recent trip to Jogjakarta.

Not to be outdone, the fl oors boast scatterings of

A wealth of rich

details and objets

d’art vie for your

attention

40 HAVEN40 HAVEN

LIVING

ABOVE: The dining table

is by Friska and

seats 10

Moorish-inspired

titles give an exotic

accent to the

courtyard

bright and beautiful carpets from a vacation to Moroc-co last year, particularly a burnt orange one in the living room, ensuring there is richness and detail everywhere you look, from all angles. Lowering his voice to a con-spiratorial whisper, he says, “I am looking forward to my holiday in Iran later this year,” adding, less con-vincingly, “but I will limit myself to just one silk carpet.” Even the table lamps in beaten gold are dolled up with tasselled accoutrements from weekend jaunts to Bang-kok’s sprawling Chatuchak Market. “I always buy fast, maybe too fast,” Chiam grins.

The custom Friska dining table that seats 10 is matched with Drop chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen and a Murano crystal lamp from Lightcraft overhead. “My last dinner table was round and only sat eight. I have since learnt that that is not enough when I entertain.” And entertain is something Chiam loves to do, a lot. A dab hand in the kitchen, he often calls over friends to enjoy his generous hospitality, punctuated by delicious food, drinks and conversation that primarily

HAVEN 41HAVEN 41

creetly tucked away behind a large brass bell from Guangzhou, a marble-topped mahjong table, daring-ly painted in Klein blue. “It’s good for both games and gossip sessions,” Chiam laughs. A charming touch may be seen on the wall here, adorned with a vast selection of framed photos of Chiam’s family.

Each of the two staircase landings is graced by a Tang Dynasty-inspired fi gurine — the fi rst of an el-egant court lady and the second, a camel. From the fi rst level, where a room is kept for Chiam’s mother who visits often, as well as another dubbed “the red room”, which is dominated by a Chinese daybed and a painting by Hono Sun, the stairs lead to a further two rooms on the uppermost fl oor. The fi rst, decorated with a piece by the young Australian artist Bilich of a young man playing chess and contrasted by a punchy turquoise headboard, is both bright and inviting. But it is the master bedroom, Chiam’s inner sanctum, that is a study of calmness and quiet luxury. There is a sculp-ture by ceramic artist Umibaizurah Mahir as well as a Tom Dixon lamp while the walk-in wardrobe holds,

revolves around travel — exotic adventures to far-fl ung lands and the all-important “where shall we go next?” question. The kitchen, divided into wet and dry areas, is compact but effi cient. “I hate black, so my consul-tant and I fi nally decided on a masculine shade of blue,” Chiam says of the island counter that separates the kitchen from the dining area. Even the humble and utilitarian refrigerator is not denied a touch of Chiam’s wanderlust, adorned with a collection of magnets. Do not, however, expect to see the usual humdrum Lon-don, Paris and New York ones. Considering it is Casa Chiam, all the mementoes are of a more exotic nature, coming from places like Taormina, Iguazu Falls, Mon-golia, Bratislava and Ketchikan. And just outside the kitchen is Chiam’s little herb garden where he is trying to cultivate lemongrass and pandanus.

On a wall by the entrance to the kitchen is displayed a small collection of plates acquired from all over the world, including Turkey, Morocco and Australia, while a modest-sized original by Eng Tay adds further inter-est. “This is probably the fi fth or sixth home I’ve lived in now,” says the Melaka-born boy. “So, I thought it’s time to fi nally be a bit more daring with the décor and play around a whole lot more.”

The fi rst fl oor is a particular favourite among Chiam’s friends as it is where the entertainment lounge is, complete with a huge television screen and, dis-

42 HAVEN42 HAVEN

LIVING

besides clothes, Chiam’s array of luggage, making con-stant packing and unpacking a breeze. A self-portrait hangs on one wall and an expanse of space is saved for impromptu morning yoga sessions.

As his is a corner unit, Chiam enjoys the added luxury of a courtyard, presently occupied by a striking red bench — “From Ikea,” he laughs — paired with a collection of striking cushions from Chatuchak. Here, he has chosen Moorish-looking tiles for the fl ooring. “I am Peranakan and somehow the patterns and de-sign remind me of my hometown, Melaka.” Perhaps the old adage is true after all, about how people travel in search of things, only to come home and fi nd them-selves there. But few, it would seem, capture the es-sence of that statement quite as beautifully as Jimmy Chiam does.

FAR LEFT: The marble-topped

mahjong table is

painted in a daring

shade of Klein blue

THIS PAGE: Artworks and

framed family

photographs

remind you this is a

home crafted with

love, care and an

expert eye

HAVEN 43HAVEN 43

COCO CHANEL FAMOUSLY said, “Luxury must be

comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury”. The idea of

exquisite, opulent living is something many aspire to,

but what does that mean in the 21st century home?

In many ways, that statement was the starting

point for award-winning Dutch designer Piet Boon,

when he founded his now internationally renowned

interior design company, Studio Piet Boon. The former

contractor started his firm when he realised there

was a big gap in the market for refined aesthetics that

went in tandem with functionality, after clients kept

bringing him designs that were either functional but

not beautiful, or vice versa.

One can argue that luxury today — to the

discerning, at least — is about the language of

design underscored by good communication

of it. That is the first impression one gets upon

stepping into AIRA Residence, a development by

Selangor Properties Berhad that also marks Studio

Piet Boon’s first project in Malaysia.

The name itself denotes a new beginning.

Taken from an Arabic word that also means

“breath of life”, it hints at what the residential

towers, which sit at the peak of Jalan Batai, Bukit

Damansara in Kuala Lumpur, aspire to. Bearing

concrete testimony of its design excellence

are the creative brains behind the project: Alex

Nikolovski of multi-national architectural firm

Aedas acting as lead design consultant, and

Franklin Po, founder and chief of Singapore’s

Tierra Design, who did the landscape architecture.

On the exterior, the two towers are kept

visually understated, yet still exuding a sense

of discreet elegance and serenity. Perhaps this

is deliberately done to give focus to AIRA’s best

kept secret — an unparalleled and unobstructed

view of KL’s skyline and the surrounding area of Sri

Hartamas.

Dutch-based interior design fi rm Studio Piet Boon sets the bar for contemporary luxury in its maiden project in town

D t h b d i t i d i fi St di Pi t B t th bRECONFIGURED

LUXURY

Text Mae Chan Photography Mohd Izwan Mohd Nazam

That doesn’t mean that what’s on the inside does

not hold its own. Tierra Design brings its award-

winning experience to the table with the creation

of a lush green oasis above ground. Features include

sensuous draws such as cascading water terraces

by the pool, a path for sunset strolls, the Fragrance

Garden and the Tranquillity Garden.

If the exterior offers an introduction, the interior

reveals the soul of a home. In comes Piet Boon, who

personally led the project alongside his partner, co-

owner and creative director of interior and styling,

Karin Meyn.

We arrive at the showroom gallery to find Meyn

busying herself in one of the bedrooms of the show

unit, adjusting a side table to just the right angle. Her

presence and final touches have become an integral

part of Studio Piet Boon’s “effortless living” hallmark,

which she helped define over the years.

As we take a walk through the show residence of

Tower A together, Meyn says that AIRA embodies an

East/West approach — a pairing of Western design

values with attention to the Eastern way of living. She

makes this point as we arrive at the living room that

opens up into the dining area.

Here, we see a modern, airy living area that seems

almost too clean and simple. But a second glance

reveals a rich, albeit subtle, amount of detail, which is

Meyn’s signature. Taking advantage of the abundant

natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows leading

out onto the expansive balcony, she plays on colour

and textures with calculated deftness, keeping the

overall tone neutral but adds accents and contrast

through soft furnishings — velvet, silk and cotton

cushions, the cluster of decorative items in one corner,

a plush carpet with geometrical-shaped patterns, and

art. “Always have art,” she says.

ABOVE:The dining space

connects the

living room and

dry kitchen

Open doorways

connect the

living space,

foyer and

entrance,

enhancing the

connectivity of

spaceCo-owner and creative director of

interior and styling, Karin Meyn

ST

UD

IO P

IET

BO

ON

HAVEN 45

Equating her collaborative partnership with

Boon to the philosophy of “yin and yang” balance,

we see this manifest in the spaces — a conversation

of effortless flow and focal points; of masculine

materials warmed up by soft touches. And

underscoring it all are their core philosophies of

functionality, aesthetic and individuality.

The result is a contemporary, but also somehow,

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE:

The wall-to-wall and

floor-to-ceiling glass

doors provides ample

natural sunlight in the

living room

Adjoining the master

bedroom is a walk-in

closet

Gold leaf accents

are also used in the

dry kitchen’s built-in

cabinet areas

timeless feel. For example, while an industrial-

looking counter top in the kitchen is a norm these

days, their pairing of what looks to be concrete

and black-and-white tones with the likes of gold-

leaf wallpaper and gold lighting fixtures, creates a

refreshing turn. Along with ample natural light from

the nearby window, the effect is a sophisticated yet

warm dry kitchen that just may become the true heart

of the home — one to which everyone gravitates.

A similar approach can be seen in the walk-in

closet in the master bedroom, which combines

brown, cream and black tones with a matte-finish

concrete countertop tempered by wood drawers

and a cushioned leather seat cover. A warm lighting

feature keeps things cosy.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT: The master bedroom’s

neutral tone is accented by a

custom gold leaf headboard

and velvet carpet

When open, the large balcony

becomes an extension of the

living room, doubling its size

Each bedroom carries a

similar design DNA, from

complementarycolour

scheme to the floor-to-

ceiling headboards

The master bathroom is one of

the house’s most impressive

highlights, equipped with

bathtub, steam shower and

double sinks

At over 5,000sq ft, the show residence

is essentially a bungalow in the sky. Yet, the

spaciousness doesn’t feel overwhelming, despite

an interconnected living room, dining space and

dry kitchen.

Meyn shares some design tricks — starting

with the sizeable foyer. Transformed into a

“roundabout” that leads off into every other

section of the house, a large round table sits

as a centrepiece, paired with a contemporary

chandelier on top. “People always think of filling

up a space by placing things around the perimeter

of the walls. But filling up just the middle creates

a focal point and keeps this first room of the house

spacious,” she says.

The living room, dining space and dry kitchen sit

in an open plan L-shaped layout. Studio Piet Boon

managed to maintain a balance of space and sense of

cosiness, flowing with a cohesive use of colour tones

and materials but with enough differing details that

offer a visual separation of space.

Meyn points to the oval-shaped dining table.

“Because the living room and dry kitchen counters

are done in such a way to promote straight lines,

we wanted to break with a curve in the dining

room to make things less severe and angular.

This also makes the flow better from one room to

another,” she divulges.

Being in the midst of good design is truly

satisfying, and you’d just want to keep going

back to it again and again. If AIRA Residence’s

show residence is anything to go by, the idea of

exclusive, private living is about to be taken to

new heights in more ways than one.

Note: The show residence is a Type A1 unit. Tower A

has 105 units, with build-up ranging from 2,679sq ft

to 7,730 sq ft. Meanwhile, 49 units each measuring

1,894sq ft in Tower B were recently released

for booking. Each unit has an option of full

customisation by Studio Piet Boon.

HAVEN 47

THE TAO OF KELLY HOPPENThe celebrated South African-born British interior designer takes us through her London home and talks about her preferred style of decorating, which incorporates a blend of East-meets-West accents, a neutral palette and an overarching sleekness that has since become her signature

Text Diana Khoo Photos Kelly Hoppen / Mel Yates

48 HAVEN

DESIGN

Tell us how you discovered the space for your London home.My London home is an old converted auction house. I’d lived in a townhouse before — narrow and spread across many fl oors. It was not ideal for our type of liv-ing. As soon as we walked in, we knew the space had something special about it. It was entirely derelict at the time, but we immediately knew it was what we were looking for. It seems crazy but that is why I do what I do! It had everything I wanted and more, and I was stunned that this kind of space existed in London

at all. Firstly I planned, as I do with all of my projects. I looked at the grid, the zones and the fl ow of the space.

In total, the project took a year and three months to complete, and the property size is 7,000 sq ft. As with every project, there are challenges and this is some-thing to embrace and take on positively. One aspect we noticed quite early on that required careful consid-eration was the huge columns that are the core of the structure. These keep the whole building up, so it was paramount to keep them where they were.

What was your initial brief to the architect?It was a team eff ort as we have architects here at Kelly Hoppen Interiors. As mentioned, the space was derelict and looked like a run-down warehouse when we fi rst walked in. It was literally rubble, but we knew it was something very special. The volume of light and the sheer amount of space are very diffi cult to fi nd, especially in London. I really loved it.

It looks seamless and expansive.I must admit I really adore the open-plan living area. It has always been my absolute dream to fi nd a space like this, which, let me tell you, is not easy in London! I have always been a big fan of open-plan areas as they create such scope for fl owing design and the light is usually fantastic. And I absolutely love our bedroom — it just has the perfect comfortable feel to it, with massive glass windows that give a great view over the main space of the house.

HAVEN 49

I am known for my neutral palette and signature style of clean lines and layering diff erent fi nishes — for over 40 years now. So it is only natural that our own home is designed this way. The sleek geometric fl oor at the entrance is made of marble and reinforces the grid design. Overall, the idea was to make a state-ment entrance that aligned with the black-and-white photograph that hangs in the entryway.

Your home spans two levels and has six bedrooms. Where are your preferred spots for relaxing?The entire space is special to me, but specifi cally I would have to highlight the living area. It is a true haven — made for entertaining! We have these gorgeous sofas that are piled high with luxurious linens and pillows, providing ultimate comfort after a long day. The TV room is wonderful, it’s just so cosy and we do love a TV boxset. I also adore my walk-in wardrobe; fashion is a big love of mine.

The dining area looks particularly marvellous.I designed most of the furniture in our home. The pendant light above the dining table, for instance, took six months to produce, and is perfectly aligned with the 6m stone table. I wanted something show-ing some movement without fi ghting with the lights above the dining table. The glass bubbles are almost fl oating and create a balance in the main space. They were designed to be see-through, so as not to disrupt the impressive view.

By having more height under the ceiling, we em-phasised the vertical lines of the concrete columns. We created some wooden arches to light them up and added some monumentality to the main space. We balanced this huge volume by lowering the lights above the seating area and the dining table. The long marble ledge is the continuity of the entrance step that folds back against the facing wall and runs all

50 HAVEN

DESIGN

along it. It even continues into the study, which is on the other side of the open space. This is a great archi-tectural feature that creates display, depending on my mood of the season.

My dining table is certainly a key piece in my home. It fi ts 28 people comfortably and allows me to throw the most wonderful dinner parties. We try to do this once a month as there is no better feeling than having all of your family and friends over.

How do you balance the aesthetic and practicality?My aesthetic is all about clean lines, harmony and classic, timeless design. My colour scheme is always neutral. I use a lot of whites, greys, beiges … and taupe is my absolute favourite! I fi nd these colours incredi-bly soothing and harmonious and they are the perfect base for any design. I never compromise practicality when designing — the two qualities, aesthetic and practicality, go hand in hand. For instance, I always add a chair to the bathrooms I design, as I know that people spend precious time in that room, and there should be a practical, comfortable option.

Wallpaper versus paint. Your thoughts?Wallpaper is very in. There are incredible textures and it is a very economical thing to do. Wallpaper is and should be a wonderful luxurious piece of texture that draws you in but, at the same time, serves as a back-drop to whatever style you want in any space.

“Harmony and calm come into play in the

Spring concept suites. Nature serves as the

ultimate inspiration with this Spring-themed

master bedroom. Brimming with warmth and

ease, this serene space features appealing

organic taupe and green details. The design

features soothing swathes of green, set against

a fresh naturally hued backdrop. These spaces

make the most of neutral materials, weathered

surfaces, unbleached fabrics, deep pile carpets

and white milky glass, gently bringing to mind a

sense of renewal, as well as long, leisurely days

spent in a luxurious country hideaway.

The Urban concept suites exude timeless

elegance and sophistication. I designed

this space by keeping the design-savvy

urbanite in mind and by appealing to the

inner cosmopolitan. Linear, muted tones

and repeated motifs bring on a feeling of

understated glamour. Enhanced with ambient

lighting, aesthetic harmony is achieved

through the inclusion of taupe stone, dark

timber flooring in addition to specialist plaster

finishes and textiles.

Malaysia is a wonderful country and

8 Conlay is truly a marvel. KSK’s belief is in

crafting personal spaces where residents

can carve their personalities. And herein, my

designs echo the accent on living, places you

can share with family and the people around

you, just like the project’s tagline, ‘Your Place.

Your Story’.”

The designer talks about her upcoming project,

YOO8’s Tower B in Kuala Lumpur, which is in

collaboration with 8 Conlay by KSK Group Bhd.

It will be defined by two main concepts — Spring

and Urban.

KELLY HOPPEN IN KL

HAVEN 51

However, I also love paint! It is a classic option and can be very subtle and sophisticated. I always start with my neutral base, and I build on that. At present, white is a favourite of mine. I do love to complement my calming and neutral shade palette with great ac-cents of colour, which can also transform a room.

Flowers versus cacti and succulents. What are your all-time favourites and what will feature in your home this summer? And what are your thoughts on faux fl owers/plants for the home?Flowers are a terrifi c way of bringing life and colour

into your home. Bringing nature into the home is absolutely key. I love organic trees that grow indoors to bring a little oxygen into the home and also some life! Ret-ro plants, palm trees and rubber plants

are huge, very 1960s. My new favourites at the moment are bonsai trees — I can’t get enough of them.

How often do you move things around or make changes to the décor?

I like to experiment with my style within our own home and usually change everything

every few years. It would need to evolve as I do. But with my schedule as busy as it is, it does not change that often.

What has been your latest acquisition for the home?

My very own limited edition “Mickey by Kelly” lifestyle Mickey sculpture has arrived! It’s a 140cm sculpture

into your hohome is abthat growinto the ro plants,

are huge, vethe momentenough of th

How often dmake change

I like to expown home

every feas I do.it is, it d

What hafor the ho

My very Keha

that is in my neutral colour palette — taupe and black with a touch of gold on Mickey’s ears. I was so delight-ed when it arrived!

Tell me a little about your collection of artworks and photography.In our entrance hall, I have these two fantastic pho-tographs. One is of Marilyn Monroe that was taken by Gene Korman and the other is this stunningly impos-ing photo of Mohamed Ali by Flip Schulke. I’ve been collecting art and photographic pieces for years now, so it’s great to be able to bring them into this fabu-lous new space. One of my favourite pieces is a huge Peter Beard picture of a black-maned lion, which the

Hoppen’s

prized life-size

Welcome Mickey sculpture by

Leblon Delienne

52 HAVEN

DESIGN

photographer did specially for me. It boasts all of his usual trademarks; it’s primarily black and white but has fl ashes of colour. It hangs in our dining room and looks fantastic.

The life-size Welcome Mickey sculpture is by Leblon Delienne. I have been an admirer of Juliette de Blegiers, the CEO of Lebon Delienne, for years and bought one of her pieces a few years ago. More recently, I collaborated with Leblon Delienne and customised the iconic Disney character for its 90th anniversary! I have done a select few collaborations with Disney this past year for this special occasion.

Why do you think it is important to have a beautiful home to return to at the end of each day?Our home is elegant and luxurious, but it also very re-laxed and meant to be lived in, which is so important for me. I adore the enormous love seats in the televi-sion room and could spend hours there watching old movies. A home is a place to rebalance your body and soul. You must feel at ease and at one, and I most cer-tainly do here.

For people looking to instantly uplift their living spaces, what advice would you give?Be passionate and be fearless but, as I always say, do not overdo trends. Keep things individual and clas-sic because it is not about how much you have, but about how happy and comfortable you are. As a basic guide, three things to keep in mind when designing any space are: texture, colour and proportion. These keep harmony in a space.

Also, take your time. People often rush into styles or designs because they see a trend, or fl ick through pages of magazines and see the same styles over and over again. Do not be fooled. A style is individual and should be crafted to suit you. Use mood boards and Pinterest and whatever you can to layer colours, tex-tures and designs and then sit with them for a while.

You also mentioned once that your dream house would be by the sea. Can you describe your vision of it?It has to be by the sea; I have to hear the sea, see it, walk along it, smell it, everything! My dream house abroad is one that I’m currently designing — in my head. The whole house would be, literally, creased loose covers, with massive, comfortable seating. It is incredibly basic and that’s probably because the way I live is so organised. The outside has to have an amaz-ing infi nity pool with big cabanas, lots of shade and palm trees everywhere, and massive plantation shut-ters. I want to walk through the house and for it to feel like you’re inside a breeze. Alas, I am still dreaming!

1. Softness and texture give any living space character and

what easier way than with a scattering of cushions? Any of Hoppen’s

linen cushions would easily (and stylishly) do the trick (£45-£95 each).

2. Filled with flowers or as an objet d’art, vases are an easy way

to immediately inject freshness or design-consciousness into a

space. Hoppen’s favourites are the Jewel (£45), Raven (£18) and

Quill Bud (£12).

3. Scented candles are a must for Hoppen and her

favourite is the Scent One candle. Match it with

music to enhance and create a more harmonious

balance (£25).

4. A striking piece of beautifully designed

furniture is a definite statement-maker. Hoppen’s

recommendation? The Dorothy Corner Sofa (£2,250).

All items are available on kellyhoppen.com

GET THE LOOK!Whether or not you end up acquiring a Kelly Hoppen-designed unit

(or two), these items should be on your shopping list regardless.

12

3

4

HAVEN 53

Bathrooms are utilitarian in essence but there’s no reason they have to be boring. Add boom to bathtime with our curated selection of accessories for your toilette.

PHOTOGRAPHY SHAWN LOR @ PIXEL PIX ARTISTIC DIRECTION JOANNE LIM

STYLING + COORDINATION ABBY CHUNG + LIEW SHUK KHUEN

SQUEAKY CLEAN

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: URETHANE FOAM 3-LAYER BATH SPONGE, RM13,90, MUJI. BLUE FACE TOWEL, RM5.50, HOMES HARMONY. OLIVE SOAP DISPENSER

(SOLD WITH MATCHING TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER AND SOAP DISH IN A SET), RM69.90, PARKSON PAVILION. MALIN+GOETZ VITAMIN E SHAVING CREAM, RM109.

BATH TOY, RM3.60, BATH & KIDS @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. BROWN PLASTIC SOAP DISPENSER, RM13.90, MUJI. JACK BLACK SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER,

RM159. MALIN+GOETZ RUM HAND AND BODY WASH, RM129. JACK BLACK TURBO BODY BAR, RM79. JACK BLACK DOUBLE-DUTY FACE MOISTURIZER, RM129.

CLAY JAR CONTAINER, RM23.90, SOGO KL. SHAVING BRUSH AND RAZOR, RM551, AESOP. SOAP HOLDER AND TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER (SOLD WITH MATCHING

SOAP DISPENSER IN A SET), RM69.90, PARKSON PAVILION. HERMÈS TERRE D’ HERMÈS PERFUMED SOAP, RM91, PARKSON PAVILION. PUMICE STONE,

RM16.90, MUJI. CERAMIC SOAP DISH, RM15, PARKSON PAVILION.

ALL MALIN+GOETZ AND JACK BLACK FROM KENS APOTHECARY @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE.

54 HAVEN

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: FRAMED MIRROR, RM65.90, AKEMI UCHI @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. TOOTHBRUSH, RM13.90, MUJI. PORCELAIN CUP, RM22.90,

MUJI. ORANGE CERAMIC SOAP DISPENSER, RM13.10 (SOLD WITH MATCHING SOAP DISH IN A SET), HOMES HARMONY. JO MALONE LONDON LIME BASIL & MANDARIN

SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER, RM125 AND RM143 EACH, JO MALONE @ PAVILION KL. BATH TOY, RM3.60, BATH & KIDS @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. AISEN PRINTED

DINOSAUR SPONGE, RM12.90, SOGO KL. SOREMA STRIPED TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER, RM72, PARKSON PAVILION. SOREMA STRIPED SOAP DISPENSER, RM111, SOREMA @ PARKSON PAVILION. SUCCULENT PLANT DÉCOR, AKEMI UCHI @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. FRESH VITAMIN NECTAR VIBRANCY-BOOSTING FACE MASK, RM276,

SEPHORA. AISEN DENTAL BRUSH, RM16.90, SOGO KL. MUJI FACE CLEANSING NET, RM4.90, MUJI. HERMÈS TWILLY D’HERMÈS EAU DE PERFUMED SOAP, RM135,

PARKSON PAVILION. PRINTED SOAP DISPENSER, RM13.10 (SOLD WITH MATCHING SOAP DISPENSER IN A SET). DESERT PRINT SOAP DISPENSER, RM39, ISETAN KLCC.

JO MALONE LIME BASIL & MANDARIN BATH SOAP, RM132, JO MALONE @ PAVILION KL. KOZIOL LEAFY PRINT JAR WITH LID, RM59, PARKSON PAVILION.

HAVEN 55

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: THE GATHER SHOP LOOFAH SCRUB, RM8.90, SOGO KL. EVE LOM BRIGHTENING CREAM, RM415. AISEN SPONGE, RM32.90, SOGO KL.

BATH TOY, RM3.60, BATH & KIDS @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. GLASS JAR CONTAINER, RM23.90, MUJI. MARVIS LICORICE TOOTHPASTE, RM20. MARVIS TOOTHBRUSH,

RM29. SOAP DISPENSER, RM16.90, MUJI. SPONGE SOAP TRAY, RM10.90, MUJI. FOAMING NET BALL, RM4.90, MUJI. MARBLE PRINT CUP, RM87.20, SOGO KL. SPONGE,

RM17.90, MUJI. PUMICE STONE, RM5.90, MUJI. BATH TOY, RM3.60, BATH & KIDS @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. EVE LOM BRIGHTENING LOTION, RM329. CERAMIC JAR

WITH BEAR LID, RM19.90, ISETAN KLCC. MAISON DE REVE MARBLE PRINT SOAP DISPENSER, RM69, PARKSON PAVILION. MARVIS CONCENTRATED MOUTHWASH, RM79.

MAISON DE REVE CERAMIC SOAP DISPENSER, RM39.90, PARKSON PAVILION. SOAP DISPENSER, RM16.90, MUJI. SUCCULENT PLANT DÉCOR, RM33.90. MALIN+GOETZ

RUM-SCENTED BAR SOAP, RM79. MARBLE PRINT SOAP DISH, RM25.90, SOGO KL. SQUARE BASE ACRYLIC SOAP DISPENSER, RM59.90, AKEMI UCHI @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. MARBLE PRINT CUP, RM19.90, SOGO KL. THE GATHER SHOP FISH-SHAPED SOAP HOLDER, RM17.90, SOGO KL. EVE LOM CLEANSER, RM225.

ALL EVE LOM, MALIN+GOETZ AND MARVIS PRODUCTS FROM KENS APOTHECARY @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE.

56 HAVEN

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MAISON DE REVE ACRYLIC SOAP DISPENSER, RM17.90, SOGO KL. JO MALONE RED ROSES SOAP, RM132,

JO MALONE @ PAVILION KL. MAISON DE REVE ACRYLIC SOAP HOLDER, RM17.90, SOGO KL. GLASS JAR CONTAINER, RM19.90, ISETAN KLCC. BATH TOY,

RM5, BATH & KIDS @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. PUMICE STONE, RM11.90, SOGO KL. WHIPPING FACE CLEANSING NET, RM4.90, MUJI. BLUE SHELL

SOAP DISPENSER AND HOLDER, RM28.20, HOMES HARMONY. CHANEL LE BLANC BRIGHTENING TRI-PHASE MAKEUP REMOVER, RM196, CHANEL.

CHANEL EAU DOUCEUR CLEANSING WATER, RM176, CHANEL. RAINBOW STRIPED MAKEUP SPONGE, RM4.90, SASA. RING HOLDER, RM29.90, ISETAN KLCC. RED FACE TOWEL, RM5.50, HOMES HARMONY. BATH TOY, RM3.60, BATH & KIDS @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. PURPLE CERAMIC SOAP

DISPENSER, RM13.10, HOMES HARMONY. GLASS JAR CONTAINER, RM19.90, ISETAN KLCC.

HAVEN 57

The kind of workspace that tech companies have sought to create in recent years is a refl ection of the businesses they have become — highly

fl exible, incredibly creative and supportive of a di-verse manpower that, because of the nature of its work, occupies the offi ce at various times of the day. The goal, then, is to produce a welcoming, nurturing and well-provided-for space that becomes a home away from home. Its Instagrammable features are great but they are the cherry on top of an already tasty cake.

These ideals may have originated in Silicon Val-ley but they have taken root in the Klang Valley as well. Multi-award-winning data technology provider Fusionex, which is based in Plaza 33 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, has the kind of offi ce that Californian tech giants like Google and Facebook made famous, but it has given things its own spin. The ultra-modern space of the specialist in analytics, big data, machine learning and artifi cial intelligence is spread over three

SPACE ODYSSEY

Combining futuristic design elements with the playful appeal of

superheroes, local tech specialist Fusionex has created an office

space that meets its employees’ needs on every level

Text Anandhi Gopinath Photography Fusionex

Fusionex’s distinctly futuristic, neon-lit reception area doubles as an event space that profiles the company’s

suite of multimedia facilities, setting the tone for the company’s vibrant and forward-thinking personality

58 HAVEN

WORKSPACE

The meeting

rooms are all

superhero-

themed, each

equipped with

top-of-the-line

facilities that cater

to a multitude

of needs

fl oors and boasts a distinct futuristic aesthetic tem-pered with something surprising — the playful appeal of superheroes.

“This offi ce was designed by the staff , for the staff ,” Fusionex’s remarkably youthful founder and CEO, Datuk Seri Ivan Teh, says proudly as he takes me on a tour. “We created a suggestion box and everyone sub-mitted their ideas. As CEO, I took on the role of medi-ator, wading through all the suggestions and working out a theme that everyone would be happy with.” The superhero theme that came out of this collaborative process refl ects the value Fusionex places on its staff ’s input. “Here, everyone who works above and beyond is a superhero. This company won’t be what it is today without the people who work here every day — they are all superheroes,” grins Teh.

From a practical standpoint, deciphering such

HAVEN 59

a broad theme was an extremely time-consuming exercise, especially since Teh wanted it to be 100% suited to his employees’ needs — this included custom-designed wallpaper with a depth eff ect so that rooms appeared larger than they really were and carpets that incorporated colour without being overly distract-ing. “The design process actually took longer than the renovation,” he admits with a laugh. “But it’s an offi ce where everyone is happy to be, every day, and ultimately that is what matters.”

Teh’s room — unusually located right by the re-ception area — is a combination of black, white and wood, the only colour coming from the superhero fi gurines on display. A fi rst-edition Captain America shield and a grimacing fi gure of The Hulk are easy fa-vourites, as is a life-sized fi gure of Yoda. Within shiny white cupboards, where fi les and books might have found a home ordinarily, Superman and Spiderman have taken residence. Teh even has a reproduction of Thor’s hammer on a shelf. “It’s defi nitely a collection to be proud of,” he smiles.

All three fl oors of Fusionex’s offi ce boast a slightly diff erent aesthetic within the overarching superhero theme. Level 12, the main fl oor, is where the senior management team sits and is suitably serious to match the darkened walls and a more sombre look and feel. Meanwhile, the bulk of the staff works on Levels 11 and 13A, where things are brighter and more compact. As far as workspace goes, it is great. Gener-ously sized with gleaming white tables on grey carpets and adequate storage lining the walls, it is practical, functional and unfussy. Fusionex does not practise hot-desking. Instead, it lets each member of staff make his space his own.

The anchor of the main fl oor, the largest, is a vast reception area that can easily fi t 100 people. “The idea

Straight out of Star Trek, the auditorium has both traditional

chairs as well as bean bags, making it a versatile space

60 HAVEN

WORKSPACE

is that when we have events, we can do it right here,” Teh says. “That’s why we have a screen that extends across a whole wall here, and also our fully operational bar.” Curved LED panels in the ceiling can be adjusted for brightness and colour, allowing event managers to customise the entire experience.

Also located right by the reception area is a games room with a jukebox (into which you can plug a thumb drive), pool table, foosball table and elec-tronically powered dartboard. A football signed by Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo takes pride of place in this space, present-ed to Fusionex when Teh hosted viewing parties for selected games from last year’s FIFA World Cup. Stay-ing active is another theme at Fusionex as Nintendo and Playstation consoles are located on each fl oor for

everyone to let off steam. For anyone needing a diff er-ent kind of digital detox, there is even a private garden — faux grass and a water feature provide a break from the hustle and bustle — allowing staff to get away for a bit before returning to their work.

The many meeting rooms in the offi ce are named after superheroes, from both the Marvel and DC Com-ics pantheons, with one wall in each space featuring custom-designed thematic wallpaper. Some of the rooms even include life-sized models — if you fi nd yourself with an invitation to Fusionex, ask for R2D2 and Iron Man on Level 13A. Of special note is also the Innovation Gateway, a tunnel-shaped meeting room with multi-sensory facilities. Each of the other meet-ing rooms is fi tted with the best possible tech support systems, befi tting Fusionex’s business interests.

Putting the needs of its employees above all else, the company also has on-site napping rooms and sleeping pods for quick breaks, a small gym, a media room for karaoke sessions, fully stocked refrigerators and pantries on every fl oor and even a play area for children whose parents need to pop by the offi ce after hours and on weekends. A formal dining room with a full kitchen is also available to host clients and busi-ness partners, and off ers unimpeded views of a lush and leafy part of Petaling Jaya. I am amazed to fi nd out that even shower stalls and laundry facilities are provided, which come in handy every time there are water supply disruptions across the Klang Valley.

Creating this sort of sanctuary involved a substantial investment but a well-deserved one, says Teh. “The company is what it is today because of the people who work here, and the tech industry is not an easy one,” he remarks as we wrap up the tour. “Creating this sort of working environment makes things that much easier for our people, and I strongly believe it is worth it.”

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: The needs of the

employees, the

real superheroes,

were central to the

design of the space

and inspired a series

of amenities like a

gym, well-stocked

pantries, a games

room and playroom

HAVEN 61

12

STYLISH ACCOUTREMENTSThe latest upgrades for your home

Text Shalini Yeap

62 HAVEN62 HAVEN

MARKETPLACE

1. Designed by Tom Fereday and available at Space Furniture,

the Eileen table has a minimalist design with an industrial

edge while the powder-coated bent steel wire of the

Jeanette chairs have three protective layers, ensuring

durability (table: RM15,505, chairs: RM1,965 each)

2. Samsung’s new 98-inch QLED 8K television — its largest

yet — presents a screen experience of top-notch

picture quality and clarity. Offering an unrivalled home

entertainment experience, it is equipped with Samsung’s

propriety Quantum Processor, which employs its AI

capabilities to compare millions of images to calibrate

lower-resolution sources and optimise them into

8K-quality content, regardless of the original format.

(RM299,999)

3. Stay comfortable indoors and beat the heat with

Samsung’s wind-free air conditioner. Its WiFi control

pushes cool air out through 21,000 micro holes in the

front panel, producing a dispersed flow of still, cooled air

that infiltrates the room gently and softly.

(RM2,899: 1.0HP, RM3,299: 1.5HP, RM3,999: 2.0HP)

4. Equatore from Lightcraft is a contemporary

reinterpretation of the classic lamp with a glass shade. Its

light — generated by two luminous discs — comes from

within a central metal band. (Price upon application)

5. Inspired by the natural curves of trees, this Flo cabinet

by Lumbermart is made of solid American walnut wood

from the Midwest plains of the US and comes with hand-

cut dovetail joints and a hand-buffed finish (price upon

application)

6. This modular chaise longue from King Living, made from

high-quality weather-resistant materials and backed by

a 10-year outdoor steel frame warranty, is perfect for

lounging outdoors (RM21,781)

3

6

5

4

HAVEN 63

KIMPTON CAPTIVATES ASIA

Even seasoned travellers will be all agog at thissophisticated sanctuary in Taipei, its name a byword

for service with a personal touch

Text Tan Gim Ean

So, you have booked your room at Kimpton Da AnTaipei and are wondering what best to do, eat or discover in Taiwan’s capital city. The clue

comes in an email days before you set off , from the hotel’s guest experience manager, a “local expert”, asking about your plans and with a newsletter attached to put you in holiday mode.

Such is the welcome guests get from Kimpton’s fi rst property in Asia, which opened offi cially in March. The personalised attention continues at the front desk, where staff cheerfully check you in while you catch your breath after a fi ve-hour fl ight from Kuala Lumpur, and look around.

There is much to keep even seasoned travellers all agog in the pet-friendly,129-room hotel designed by Neri&Hu Design and Research Offi ce, from white tiled walls to iron grilles and wire meshes used for décor, customised lighting, soothing water features, a rooftop terrace and an outdoor garden.

Husband-and-wife team Lyndon Neri and RosannaHu, named Designers of the Year at Maison & Objet

64 HAVEN

TRAVEL

Asia 2015, married tradition and modernity in their vision of this asset, situated a stone’s throw from main streets lined with trendy malls and boutiques, restaurants, a studio with handmade eyeglasses and the bustling Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station.

In quieter parts of the neighbourhood where alleys fan out, old trades still fl ourish. Nose around and you will come across family businesses in shophouses, stores stacked with household goods, temples, offi ces and stalls and pushcarts selling steaming noodles, rice dishes, braised meat, drinks and confectionery.

There is easy access to heritage and culture from Kimpton. Nearby Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, a memorial to the “Father of the Republic of China”, has room for a library, art exhibition centre and per-formance space while hipster joints — crowded tea rooms — serve enticing cold concoctions.

This blend of old and new inspires Kimpton’s design. Old iron grilles — commonly fi xed at the en-trance of Taiwanese homes — propped against walls

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT:

Sit back and relax at

the lobby while the

staff check you in

Kimpton Da An’s

design cleverly

incorporates

tiles and old iron

door grilles

The Honour Bar is

where liquor and

conversation flow

Place your key card

here and you will

not need to hunt

around for it

Make a quick stop

at the Morning

Kick-Start corner

and pick up your

takeaway drink

HAVEN 65

surrounded by plush carpets or fl oors patterned on grid tiles — another familiar feature — clearly refl ect that fi ne balance.

Guests will fi nd bespoke furnishings using warm wood, metal rods and surfaces with shiny or matte fi nishes, designer toiletries, huge bathtubs that promise a good soak, premium bedding and pillow menus laid out in luxurious rooms that are simple yet contemporary and stylish, but fuss-free.

Thoughtful little touches include small metal holders attached to stands where you can place a wallet or key card the moment you enter the room; a small bench beside the bathroom door to sit on as you dry your hair; a hand-held massager for weary backs; wellness classes and in-room yoga mat; as well as feeding bowls and a tiny tepee for furry travel-ling companions.

Early risers who cannot wait to explore Kimpton’s lived-in surroundings can grab a takeaway coff ee, tea or soya bean milk from the Morning Kick-Start corner before pedalling off on a Gochic bicycle, both complimentary, of course. For a mid-day aperitif, the honour bar is well stocked and inviting. No one

keeps watch, but the hotel trusts guests to do the right thing and charge what they pour to their room.

In keeping with Kimpton’s tradition of building a sense of community, guests are welcome to the man-ager’s reception every evening, where drinks and conversation fl ow freely. After a much-needed wine o’clock, where better to share a meal with the friends you have just made than at The Tavernist, the hotel’s signature restaurant?

James Sharman, former Noma chef and a Tom Aikens protégé, works closely with Taiwan’s organic farmers and food producers to create fl avour ful meals that please both the eyes and palate, such as Grouper Pumpkin with Pine Nuts, Hay Chicken served with Bread Sauce, Burnt Mackerel with Cori-ander, Barley Sauce and Celtuce, Pork Belly Tender-loin with Pineapple and Sugarcane, and Taro & Cognac Baked Alaska.

Friendly service by helpful staff makes lasting impressions on visitors to Kimpton Da An. Questions about where to eat are answered with a list that names favourite places. A request for transport to the airport early next morning is followed by a farewell

66 HAVEN

TRAVEL

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT: A simply stylish

room with space

for furry travelling

companions too

Chef Sharman’s

tempting spread at

The Tavernist

Designer toiletries

for guests

The contemporary,

clean look extends

from the lobby to

the bathroom

message confi rming the booking, with the driver’s details.

This personal touch was what brand founder Bill Kimpton had in mind when he set up his fi rst prop-erty in San Francisco in 1981. Decades on, the bou-tique hotel chain continues to give travellers bespoke experiences that make them feel “warm and cosy”.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is owned by Inter-Continental Hotels Group. Kimpton Da An is a col-laboration between IHG and Cornerstone Partners Group, an integrated asset owner, developer and manager headquartered in Kuala Lumpur.

Kimpton plans to open new hotels in Shanghai, Beijing, Sanya, Tokyo and Bali in the next few years. Neri&Hu, which designed Alila Bangsar in KL, is currently working on the Sentul Contemporary Art Museum, also in the city.

HAVEN 67

Labourof love

68 HAVEN

TRAVEL

LOcean breeze and by-the-sea bliss at the Kumar family’s architecturally stunning

new villa in Talpe, Sri LankaText Diana Khoo Photography SooPhye

Living in Malaysia, a country that is fl anked by the rel-atively calm waters of the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea (monsoon season aside), the tempes-tuousness of the great Indian Ocean is something to behold. And it is a serene patch of beach in Talpe, con-trarily buff eted by wild waves, along Sri Lanka’s South Coast that particularly captivates me.

A quiet village along the Galle-Matara coastal road, Talpe is set away from the resort hubbub of nearby Unawatuna and yet is still conveniently close to the Unesco-listed charms of Galle. It is idyllic, all golden beaches and swaying coconut palms, and it is easy to see why the Kumar family chose it as the site of their new holiday villa. Sri Lanka, after all, is not known as the island of serendipity for nothing.

Christened Villa Sielen Diva, the house takes its name from the ancient Greek name for the island, although other historical texts argue that it was the 6th-century Greek merchant and explorer later turned monk, Cosmas Indicopleustes, who named it so. The seven-room property hides behind high walls along the coastal road and it is only when you enter the prop-erty, past the gates and onto the grounds, that the ar-chitectural beauty of the space overwhelms you.

In a country dominated by the design style of the late great Geoff rey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s foremost architect, it is refreshing to see that Villa Sielen Diva cuts its own bold path, adopting a predominantly white palette and composed of sharp, angular lines tempered by objets d’art, pops of colour and soft textured furnishings. Here, the family worked with the architectural talent of Sara Franco and the keen eye of interior designer Philippe Villeroux. The only concession to Bawa may, perhaps, be detected in a general melding of the outdoors with the indoors, an expansive courtyard and wide open spaces.

Although originally conceived as a private holiday home, the family decided it was simply too lovely to

HAVEN 69

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT:

The villa is located

in Talpe, a sleepy

village away from

the hubbub of

Unawatuna but still

conveniently close

to Galle’s Unesco-

listed charms

The lap pool is

crafted using stone

from Jaipur, India

A photograph of

a bull elephant

dominates the

living room

Meals are a

gourmet’s delight,

thanks to the in-

villa chefs

have it occupied only a few times a year. From a practical point of view, it also made sense as things tend to fall into disrepair easily if not tended to, particularly in the hot and humid tropics. So last September, Villa Sielen Diva opened its doors to also receive paying guests. Once past the gates, a wall, painted deep red to reference the colour of monks’ robes, comes into view and a small fl ight of steps leads you up to the main house, evoking the feeling of ascending to-wards a temple or a sacred pavilion.

Taking pride of place in the garden courtyard is a massive one-tonne Ganesha statue. Here, Hinduism’s re-vered remover of obstacles, sculpted from black granite in Mahabalipuram, India’s city of renowned sculptors, sits se-renely under the shade of a young red plumeria tree — red being the colour most associated with Ganesha. The tree is also planted on a patch of sacred durva grass, the three-blade grass that represents the three principles of the pri-mal Shiva, Shakti and Ganesha and which is said to have the highest ability to attract the elephant headed god’s aura.

Guests then make their way through a long passage-way that immediately teases you with glimpses of the ocean and the sound of the surf. Once in the living area and main dining hall, the magic begins. A salt-kissed breeze buff ets you and, somehow, a tall glass of chilled tea sweetened with kithul, a type of local treacle, or perhaps a beautifully carved, bright orange king coconut, a variety native to the island and known locally as thembili, fi nds its way into your hand.

Set on an acre of beachfront land, the views and ocean breeze are completely capitalised on, thanks to the clever use

70 HAVEN

TRAVEL

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: Yoga sessions may

be held on the

expansive lawn

Sip iced kithul tea

or king coconuts by

the pool

The corridor on

the first floor is

lined with original

artworks by Segar,

Sri Lanka’s greatest

living artist

Villa Sielen Diva’s

owners, VU and

Suria Kumar

of glass folding walls by Parthos, allowing for a great sense of openness and feeling of vastness. The lounge is dominat-ed by a massive black-and-white photograph of a bull ele-phant by the KL-based restaurateur and entrepreneur Abbi Kanthasamy — a housewarming gift to the family — and elsewhere are artfully placed works by Malaysian artists Abdullah Hamdan and Mahzurah Shaari.

Meals are taken at a 17ft-long timber dining table that seats 14 and complemented by views of the garden or the big blue ocean vista beyond. And the villa’s in-house chefs are particularly adept at ensuring you are loath to give up your seat at the table. Amazing spreads, from milk rice to hoppers, grilled lobster and spicy sambols, are laid out for your pleasure, from sunrise to suppertime.

The only possible temptations that could lure you away from a second helping of eggplant batu moju or dev-illed cuttlefi sh, perhaps, would be the sun-warmed waters of the 15m freshwater lap pool crafted from Jaipur stone or the sapphire blue of the ocean just mere steps from the villa. Also imported specially from Jaipur are the beautiful 1.8m-long pieces of granite tiles, giving texture, colour and a lovely seamlessness to the living space. Between laps, stop for another glass of kithul tea, this time taken while lounging on a recliner under the shade of specially select-ed Janus et Cie sun umbrellas.

There are seven en-suite rooms in total: four on the fi rst level, accessed via a corridor lined with original art-works by Segar, Sri Lanka’s greatest living artist; one by the pool; and two ocean-facing suites on the lower level, by the gardens. All the beds, however, are positioned so

HAVEN 7 1

you may enjoy the view fully, which changes dramat-ically from day to night and includes picture-postcard images of the region’s famous stilt fi shermen who may be seen plying their trade at dawn and dusk in the shallows. A charming touch — each room is named after the Tamil and Singhalese words for the peacock (Mayil/Monara), mouse (Eli Kunji/Musikaya) and el-ephant (Yanai/Aliya) as well as the shark (Mora). Eli Kunji is also the family’s childhood nickname for their daughter Lavanya. Villa Sielen Diva’s rooms may be rented out individually or as a whole.

In case of inclement weather, do know also that massages may be called in to be performed in the comfort and privacy of one’s own room. Yoga classes and cooking classes may also be arranged likewise. A special entertainment and recreation room, named Baba’s Den and done up personally by the villa owner’s daughter Priyanka, may be found on the lower level of the home. Here, amid the punchy brightness of post-ers chosen from the famous Stick No Bills shop in Galle Fort, feel free to choose from an extensive selection of television programmes, board games and books.

Eco-consciousness is also part of Villa Sielen Diva’s ethos and little to no plastic is used on site while the roof is fi tted with energy-saving solar panels. There is a rainwater harvesting system in place and even the wooden fl ooring is made using repurposed Jarrah

72 HAVEN

TRAVEL

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT:

All the beds are

positioned to maximise

the stunning views

A variety of charming

towel art awaits

guests each day

Shopping trips to

Galle Fort or for fresh

lobster for the evening’s

barbeque is a breeze at

Villa Sielen Diva

The famous stilt

fishermen of Sri Lanka’s

South Coast

Even a soak in the tub

comes with a million

dollar vista

wood, which was collected from old tea plantations.Granted, the recent Easter Sunday attacks in Co-

lombo have only served to further batter a country that has already been through so much and plunging its just-picking-up tourism industry into shambles once again. But we all know the answer does not lie in isolat-ing oneself but to continue travelling, seeing the world and enriching our lives through it. And believe us when we say a few languid days spent in this lovely architec-tural villa in a magical part of Sri Lanka will do you a whole lot of good. The quote “to get to the heart of the matter” is all too-often bandied about. We forget some-times that what matters, instead, is heart. And you will fi nd plenty of it at the Villa Sielen Diva.

Villa Sielen Diva is at 776/1, Galle-Matara Coastal Road, Talpe, Galle, Sri Lanka. For enquiries or bookings, visit www.sielendiva.com.

HAVEN 73

ARMENIAN

A CORNUCOPIA OF CULTURE +COMMUNITYText Tan Gim Ean

If you told someone on Armenian Street in Penang to take a hike, they would only be too happy to trot off . A core zone of the George Town World Heritage Site, the street has everything the island is famous for, from food, fruit, street

art and souvenirs to private homes, shophouses, places of worship, museums, a park and the waterfront at the end of an adjoining ghaut where trading vessels docked in the late 19th century.

There are still reminders of early industries here: a stonemason who makes headstones for the diff erent ethnic communities, two shops that fashion anchors for fi shing nets and a recycling centre overfl owing with discards. Joann Khaw (facebook.com/joann.khaw), one of 22 tour guides in Malaysia to obtain a Unesco certifi cation and the only one based in George Town, is only too happy to share tales of this colourful stretch of unassuming asphalt.

History and modernity continue to colour Armenian Street where people live, work and play in familiar surroundings or alongside changes that enhance its rich tapestry.

1. SUN YAT-SEN MUSEUMDr Sun Yat-sen set up his base in

this shophouse built in the 1870s,

where his Kuomintang party hatched

plans that ousted the Qing Dynasty

government and turned China into a

republic. A good guide will point out

the tiles on the roof and walls of the

Sun Yat-sen Museum and tell you

stories of the building that Britain’s

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker

Bowles visited in 2017.

3. IRON ROD SCULPTURESPenangites call Armenian Street

“Pak Thang-Ah Kay” (Hokkien

for coppersmith street because

of its bustling copper and brass

trade in the mid-19th century).

This iron rod sculpture is one

of 52 caricatures created by

Sculptureatwork to portray the

history and culture of George

Town.

IRON R3 ROD SCULPTURES

1 2

3

74 HAVEN

TRAVEL

STRE

ET

2. RECYCLE, RESELLYou might just be able to get old

lamps for new at this recycling centre, the only one on the street

that is still turning trash into

cash. Surrounding families used

to collect individual items, such

as newspapers, bottles, tin cans,

books and old clothes, for the

centre. But they moved out after

their houses were sold.

4. 88 ARMENIANHeritage and luxury make great

bedfellows at 88 Armenian,

a new boutique hotel that

beckons the traveller who cares

for modern comforts and design

aesthetic. Formerly a shophouse

that burnt down, was renovated

and then rented out, the

refurbished property now has

six posh suites and a bar-cum-

restaurant.

5. PEDAL POWERWheels are a good way to get around

George Town’s heritage enclave and

discover its hidden charms. Many shops

offer bicycles for rent, such as Chin Seng Leong, said to be the first one to

do so. Every Sunday morning, certain

roads are closed to vehicular traffic, so

cyclists can whizz around in safety.

7. BATIK PAINTING MUSEUMBatik, which is popular with tourists

charmed by fabrics painted with unique

motifs and designs, was used as a

medium by artists such as Chuah Thean

Teng (credited as the pioneer), Khalil

Ibrahim, Koay Soo Kau, Fatimah Chik and

Cheong Soo Pieng. The more than 70

works by about 25 artists housed at the

Batik Painting Museum show the craft’s

evolution over the years.

6. LOCAL FLAVOURSMake a pit stop to sip cold white

nutmeg juice or a steaming cup of

kopi luwak (civet cat coffee). For

something stronger, nothing beats

durian cake, crepe, cream puff or

ice cream, sold along the street. Ice

kacang, fruit juices and kuih baked

in home kitchens tempt locals and

foreigners alike.

6 LOCAL FLAVOURSOCAL FLAVOURS5 PEDALL POWER

4

5

6

78

8. LITTLE CHILDREN ON A BICYCLEArt bleeds into real life in this arresting mural that

prompts visitors to jump up behind the siblings and

shoot. Pictures, we mean. This is the first street

mural by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, who

painted a series that captured the spirit of George

Town and the vivacity of Penang island.

MUSEUM

HAVEN 75

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76 HAVEN

ONGES

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HAVEN 77

Rustic getaways near Kuala Lumpur where you can get back to nature without leaving modernity too far behind

Pastoral

As the city fades from your rear view mirror and plantations and forests fi ll your peripheral vision, you might second-guess the decision to “get away from it all” for the weekend. In the hands of astute landowners, however, immersing

in the great outdoors does not have to be terrifying or too foreign for the uninitiated. We visit three properties — a hilltop bungalow, a hillside villa and a forested camp-site off ering comfortable lodgings — to see how man works his design into nature’s.

Diaries

78 HAVEN

TRAVEL

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP: The roof of The

Cedar is supported

by slanting external

beams

An open layout

encourages

communal activity,

from corners to

chat to a pool table

for a game

Upstairs, a massive

couch fronts the

karaoke set-up, and

mirrors create an

illusion of space

Among the oldest settlements in Malaysia, Bidor seems to be the town time forgot, as though it established itself early in Perak’s history and then merely carried on quietly. Today, it is a quaint mishmash of old tradi-tions and new seedlings. Shophouses with weathered façades and quaint kedai runcit purveying everything from cooking gas tanks to preserved treats vie with KFC, 99 Speedmart and a gentrifi ed Petai Lane dedicated to traders who tout their bundles of stink beans plucked fresh from the hilly slopes of the Titiwangsa Range.

In fact, it is food and agriculture that puts this little town on the map. Travellers on the way north pull off the PLUS highway to ease their stiff backs here, enjoy-ing duck thigh noodles in fragrant herbal broth at Pun Chun before leaving with lush fruits and vegetables. If especially fortunate, their visit might coincide with a rare catch of empurau — the most expensive edible freshwater fi sh in Malaysia — by the Orang Asli or local fi shermen.

All this to say that Bidor is typically a place one passes through, not a destination in itself — until The Cedar. Just 10 minutes from town, along a quiet road fenced by wild greenery, is a signpost marking the turn-off onto a rough lane that slopes down in parts and is made narrower by thickets of trees. Oil palm and rubber plantations share the land with an orchard where plastic bags protect fruits from birds and bats.

The olden, golden daysBy Petrina Fernandez

HAVEN 79

The Cedar occupies a fraction of a four-acre par-cel and is safeguarded by iron gates and a caretaker. A swiftlet nesting house sits on the left of the driveway and ahead, at the peak of the incline, is a bungalow partially hidden by trees. The ground fl oor of the dou-ble-storey structure is wrapped in reinforced glass and external beams affi xed slanting away from the house into the ground support the sloping stacked roof.

Exploring the indoors is postponed in favour of savouring the magnifi cent view. The second fl oor pro-trudes over the fi rst and in the shade of the overhang, a wooden deck hosts an al fresco dining area and a fi sh pond. The patio gives way to an infi nity pool, whose strategic position catches both sunrise and sunset while facing a verdant panorama of rainforest, planta-tion estate and the mellow Gepai River.

The foyer can be accessed via the glass doors on the patio or the main doors at the side of the house. Sun-

light fl oods the long, open-plan fl oor that is segmented by function: a coff ee table under the stairs creates a cosy corner, a pool table invites a larger group to gather and the dining table indicates the fully equipped kitchen is close by — just through the next doorway, in fact. This social nexus is complemented by a children’s playroom, decorated with small artworks and a heap of toys.

A tiered chandelier and a cityscape scene hanging at the staircase landing are oddly glamorous notes in an otherwise laidback design scheme. However, har-mony returns upstairs. A massive curved seven-seater and an armchair create a half-circle in the living room,

CLOCKWISE, FROM RIGHT:

The patio, fenced

by a fish pond and

freestanding wall,

overlooks the pool

and surrounding

plantations

Glass doors and walls

invite in sunlight and

create a seamless

continuation of space

All the rooms are

minimally outfitted in

white and wood

80 HAVEN

TRAVEL

the better to see the elaborate karaoke set-up with.This back-to-nature retreat encourages recon-

necting with others. Sure, this means no Wi-Fi, TV or plug points in the social areas to charge devices, but it also doubles up as a great barbecue area and a space for play. You will not have much use for your devices anyway — 4G only returned when we got back onto the main road later. Take a cue from the resident cats and while away the day by lounging around, then compete with the crickets come sundown with your best rendi-tions at the karaoke machine.

Eight bedrooms with low-slung queen beds and en-suite bathrooms can be found down a long corri-dor, identical in layout and decor and executed almost entirely in crisp shades of white. The blank canvas pro-vided by the neutral palette lends itself to daydreaming or quiet contemplation. Families might opt for rooms with connecting doors.

Rest comes easily in the peace and quiet, especially after a full day exploring the town or picnicking by the riverside or the nearby Gepai waterfall.

A reasonable distance between the surrounding green and the premises means visitors are close to nature without being uncomfortably enclosed by it — not many insects fi nd their way indoors — and the villa is not without some modern conveniences. For the wary city slicker, it is a gentle balance between the old and new ways of life.

www.thecedarbidor.com

The pool was strategically positioned

to catch both sunrise and sunset

HAVEN 81

To the ancient Greeks, time ran in two parallels: chronos, meaning chronological or sequential time, and kairos, opportune time or timeliness. Michael Greenall interprets the former as man’s idea of time and the latter, that of the divine. His getaway villa on a hillside in Seremban is named after the latter for the almost preordained condi-tions of its purchase.

In his search for a weekend home reminiscent of his childhood years spent amid nature, Michael and his wife Sue headed for the tranquillity of the hills in 2013. Like some of its neighbours — a term used loosely as plots of land in this agricultural reserve were sold by the acre, ensuring that the properties are well spread out — the site of Kairos Villa originally hosted a bird nest house. Poor business — eagles favoured the elevated location, which deterred the swiftlets — spurred the owner to sell the land.

Qué será, seráBy Petrina Fernandez

82 HAVEN

TRAVEL

The Greenalls levelled the structure and took four years to build Kairos. The four-fl oor villa has eight rooms, enough for each member of the family — which includes fi ve children and their paternal grand-mother — to have their own space. The penthouse is reserved for Michael and Sue, who have a separate entrance and stairway, which works beautifully for Kairos’ current status as a homestay. Each room has a green view, either of the sloping descent that takes up half the property, the forest that hugs the single wind-ing lane along this part of the hill or the fern-dense slope ascending immediately behind the house.

Apart from a large room with an adjacent parking spot for accessibility, all the bedrooms are upstairs and set in various confi gurations. They include a dou-ble chamber with a connected bathroom for a couple and a young child, who has a race-car-themed bed. Attention has been lavished upon all the beds, with fi rm Dreamland mattresses nestled between individ-ually designed frames and headrests off ering a good night’s sleep.

The neutral palette off sets a large collection of art-works and decorative pieces — ranging from quirky technicolour portraits of cats and dogs to copies of classics by the Masters, including a Degas dancer scene — featured on certain walls. Sunlight pours in through the sliding doors on each of the upper levels, which all have a wraparound balcony. The porch roof acts as an extended terrace for the fi rst fl oor — the

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT: Kairos Villa cuts a

striking silhouette

on its hillside plot

Wood is used

liberally

throughout the

interiors, recalling

the forested

surroundings

Bedrooms

dominate the

upper floors, while

the ground floor

has a wheelchair-

accessible room

and communal

areas

HAVEN 83

perfect spot for a barbecue grill. Each bedroom has access to the balcony, so guests can wander in and out as they please. Seating — indoors and al fresco — is eclectic, from beautiful woven rattan frames with thick cushions and lazy loungers to oversized arm-chairs that beg you to sink into them with a book.

“There are no televisions in the house, apart from the one in our bedroom,” says Sue, who works as a remisier in KL. “I come up weekly for maintenance work and it is such an escape that I don’t even have any screens on to perpetually track the stock mar-ket. I check in every three hours, but am completely switched off otherwise. It’s just so diff erent up here.”

The private quarters, designed kampung-style in heavy plank, occupy part of the rooftop deck. The walkway is shaded but the rest of the deck is left ex-posed, the better to see the stars.

“We knew we would run this as a homestay and wanted to come and go without disturbing our guests,” says Sue of the fi re escape that acts as a pri-vate staircase for the homeowners. Guests are wel-come to climb up the ladder-like steps on the third

fl oor to the rooftop, which is equipped with wide benches to enjoy the 270° view. The Greenall’s acreage is visible from here, much of it a fruit orchard off er-ing petai, papayas, musang king durian, mangosteen, rambutan and pandan coconut. Fauna is naturally attracted to the fl ora. Beehives on the higher branch-es of the petai trees and all manner of winged and multi-legged insects share their domain with squir-rels and wild boars. The chirrup of crickets heralds dusk while birds and frogs add to the wildlife chorus. Fret not about them seeking human company in the bedrooms: ultrasonic pest repellents keep nature and man apart. The couple plan to build a path through the orchard so guests can wander through the trees.

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: Rooms are swathed

in a soothing white

palette

Kairos sits above

an agricultural

reserve that acts

as a theatre for the

elements

Seating throughout

spans individual

and group

configurations

The wraparound

balconies

accessible from

every room offer

unhindered views

of the valley and

night sky

84 HAVEN

TRAVEL

An infi nity pool will overhang the slope so you can swim straight into the sunset.

“Guests don’t mind that we don’t yet have a pool; they come up here just for the view and quiet,” says Michael, pointing out the lush valley and the layered mountains fading into the horizon. “Few vehicles pass this way and the road is closed at 8pm, so you have ab-solute silence. You sit down here and look at the scen-ery and you simply have to glorify God. This is the real thing, it’s so beautiful.”

Lest you think you might tire of even this splendid tableau, there is nothing static about the scenery. We spotted an iridescent kingfi sher keeping tight hold of a struggling lizard. Grasshoppers and beetles landed on the balcony, somehow fl ipped themselves over, then made a ruckus trying to right themselves. A hike up to the waterfall at the neighbouring Hutan Berem-bun produced a fat centipede the length of a forearm and odd bird calls — trilling, cackling and whooping.

As we photographed the villa, the light changed al-most minute by minute. The scuttering clouds forced sunlight down in moving shafts to highlight diff erent parts of the valley. Rain clouds then drew close, but the heavens came through anyway, fi rst sending a dense, white rolling fog that quickly passed through us, followed by a defi ant sunset that cast fi ery amber and pink sapphire across folds of hanging clouds and slivers of pristine blue sky. It was a scene right out of a movie: There should be yogis doing sun salutations on this rooftop, or Monet furiously trying to capture the drama in a corner.

“We’re going to take our time,” says Michael, de-scribing the plans they have to further upgrade Kai-ros Villa, but he could well be referring to the leisurely pace of the place too. Kairos, chronos, call it what you like — time is of little consequence up here.

facebook.com/kairosvillaseremban

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT: Michael and Sue

Greenall built

Kairos Villa as a

weekend getaway

but find themselves

spending more and

more time here

Long benches

along the rooftop

deck were designed

for quietly taking in

the vibrant hues of

sunrise and sunset

HAVEN 85

Just a short 15-minute drive from Kuala Kubu Baru is a gravel parking lot next to the narrow road that leads to Fraser’s Hill. After I parked, a security guard emerged from a little shack. Mumbling my name into a walk-ie-talkie, he directed me down a fl ight of steps that led into the jungle. Below was a gushing stream and a sturdy bridge labelled “The Sticks” — which signifi es that I am in the right place.

Across the bridge, I met Rubin Gan, my host and guide for the afternoon. Having created similar rus-tic resorts in Thailand, Rubin returned to Malaysia in search of the right piece of land. “I found this place by sheer chance. The owner was willing to sell and I

Back to basicsBy Lakshmi Sekhar

was willing to buy. So I brought my partners here. It was a complete jungle then,” he said. The Sticks hap-pens to be a privately owned property in the middle of a gazetted state park called Taman Warisan. This guarantees seclusion and the only neighbours are the surrounding thicket and its animal inhabitants.

Gan insists on using natural materials as much as possible to be one with the environment. “Whatev-er you do architecturally, you must remember to not overwhelm nature … you should blend in with it.”

Even the Dewan area, a communal place for meals, has a thatched roof and rattan furniture.

Offi cially opened in 2016, The Sticks has 12

86 HAVEN

TRAVEL

tendoks — a cross between a tent and a pondok (hut) — that can accommodate up to seven guests each. Each tendok is unique and has a memorable name. The Bamboo House, for instance, is made mostly of bamboo, including the roof and most of the furniture. In The Opera House, you can open the louvred doors to enjoy the sun and a light breeze. The Riverside Ten-dok, in which you can hear the fl owing water below, is a cozy structure with a balcony and tent-like canvas

in place of a door. The rooms are scattered across the property, with enough distance and jungle foliage to aff ord guests lots of privacy. Gan lives in his own ten-dok to keep an eye on things.

At noon, while the ruthless sun bakes KL residents, we are comfortably cool. Butterfl ies fl y around happi-ly. The Sticks gives guests a sense of escape without the harshness of regular camping. The serenity and quiet begins to grow on me and the lack of a constant-ly buzzing phone is a sweet feeling indeed. I am loath to leave, but back to the bustling city I go, that little bit more at peace.

thesticks.my

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT:

Each tendok has its

own personality

The Dewan area has

plenty of seating

for all guests

The natural

surroundings are

great for romantic

getaways

The tendoks can

accomodate

varying numbers of

guests

HAVEN 87

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88 HAVEN

IT’S MYIT’S MY

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HAVEN 89

Canadian-Italian chef David Rocco on his idea of wholesome Italian cuisine and how family has inspired his gastronomic journey

Text Anandhi Gopinath Photography Rockwell Entertainment Recipes David Rocco

SummerTaste of

90 HAVEN

ENTERTAINING

The tradition, the simplicity, and a little

bit of the chaos of the Italian family

table is what Dolce Famiglia, David

Rocco’s latest cookbook, is all about.

Inspired as always by the frugal yet

comforting traditions of the humble

Italian kitchen, Rocco offers exceptional,

delicious recipes that are the essence of

family cooking, and will make you want

to head into the kitchen, bang some

pots and cook up a storm for your family,

however you define the word.

ABOUT THE AUTHOROU U OR

There are a lot of parallels between the cultures and cuisines of Italy and Malaysia — both countries are intensely community-driven, there is an undeniable sense of la dolce vita that we both share and, most importantly, food is our holy doctrine. For Italians and Malaysians alike, sitting down to a family meal is almost a spiritual experience, with recipes and rituals specifi c to each family, and no food is ever as good as our mother’s and grandmother’s.

This is perhaps why Italian food is so well loved in Malaysia — what do you mean, spaghetti isn’t local? — and also why Canadian-Italian author and chef David Rocco is too. “I am especially well loved by the older aunties here,” he quips. “I guess because they are the ones who do the cooking at home anyway!” Rocco is totally at home in KL, and has visited often enough to adjust easily to the heat — both of the climate and in our food.

One of Canada’s most successful celebrity chefs, Rocco is not professionally trained, and instead, draws from his experiences and lessons taught by his family members. “I always understood the power of food,” he says. “Ours was the only immigrant family in our very Anglo-Saxon, middle-class street. We were the ones who ate strange food — in the 1970s, spaghetti and meatballs was considered exotic!

“As the son of an immigrant, I was very aware of how diff erent, and yet how much better, my food was compared with the baloney or peanut butter-and-jelly basics that people mostly ate at the time,” he adds.

Rocco’s mother often had people over and that was his earliest lesson on how food brings people together, and it is these experiences that have inspired his work — cookbooks and television programmes that focus not only on food but also the people who make it.

“I like eating with people, and I love learning about what people eat and the stories that come with the food,” Rocco remarks.

This spirit is most palpable in his television series, Dolce Vita, which has moved from Italy to India and Af-rica, where he experiences the best that each location has to off er — checking out the storied Tuscan fi shing lagoons of Orbetello, exploring the Portuguese infl u-ence on Goan food in India and immersing himself in the sights, sounds and tastes of Africa. South East Asia is the subject of Dolce Vita’s next season, which is cur-renlty being fi lmed.

Rocco has published three cookbooks thus far, and although they do not quite refl ect his worldliness, they do however exemplify him as a person — a man who cooks by instinct and with heart.

“I don’t colour within the lines — I never have — and I think diff erently. This has worked for me because cooking is about personal expression and freedom. The benefi t, I think, of not being a professionally trained

chef is that I can consider things in a very domesticat-ed way. I cook with touch and feel, and my cookbooks were developed with a measure called quanto basta (“QB” in the following recipes) — in Italian, that means as much as you need. That philosophy applies to life in general — just because something is good, it doesn’t mean you want too much of it.”

The local version of quanto basta is secukup rasa, which means to your own taste. This is another marked similarity between Malaysian and Italian practices.

“My cookbooks are a guide, not a rule book,” he adds. “Try the recipes and make adjustments, or fol-low them to the T — it is up to you, and how you want something to taste like.” He has one rule, though. “Just make sure you use as good ingredients as you can fi nd, because that is what really makes or breaks a dish.”

Seafood and beef constitute a large part of Rocco’s repertoire, along with plenty of wholesome pasta and rice dishes. Interestingly, there are a lot of meat-free op-tions too, and a nice array of desserts to end the meal with.

At the core of what Rocco does isn’t a particular cui-sine, but the idea of cooking and dining as family. This is why the chefs he most admires are not necessaily helming Michelin-starred eateries, but the ones head-ing family-run trattorias that serve honest-to-good-ness, wholesome food. This is also what inspired his latest cookbook, Dolce Famiglia.

“It was about me celebrating the recipes I had learnt, the impact these people have had on my career and the eff ect family has on the continuation of im-portant gastronomic traditions,” he says.

The following recipes were taken from this book, which he says best represent the chef he has become.

“Good food should be accessible to anyone,” Rocco says thoughtfully. “And I hope to inspire people to look at my recipes, or footage of me cooking, and think that they can do it too.”

HAVEN 91

92 HAVEN

ENTERTAINING

INVOLTINI DI BRESAOLAPork has its prosciutto, and beef has bresaola. This is an Italian cured beef, sliced paper thin so that the pieces are almost trans-lucent. First, the beef is seasoned with a dry rub of spices and coarse salt, and hung to dry for a few days. That is followed by a curing pro-cess of one to three months. The result is beef that is tender and full of fl avour. Bresaola is usual-ly served at room temperature or slightly chilled as part of antipasti.

INGREDIENTS:16 slices of Bresaola

250g ricotta cheese

A generous handful of fresh

arugula

30ml extra virgin olive oil

Pepper, QB

1. Mix the ricotta with the extra vir-gin olive oil and pepper.2. Lay a slice of Bresaola on your work surface, drop a large spoonful of the ricotta mixture in the middle and arrange a few arugula leaves on top.3. Roll it up, arrange on a serving plate and drizzle with olive oil be-fore serving.

Serves about four.

Ingredients:

50ml extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley,

chopped

1 15oz tin of peeled plum tomatoes

2 fresh red chillies, chopped

1 19oz tin of brown lentils

Water, salt and pepper, QB

1. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic, parsley and chillies until fragrant.2. Add plum tomatoes and juices from the tin.3. With the back of a wooden spoon, break up the tomatoes into little chunks.4. Add the lentils and water and season well with salt and pepper.5. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the lentils are cooked and the soup has thickened.

LENTIL TOMATO SOUP

HAVEN 93

RISOTTO PUTTANESCA

INGREDIENTS:60ml olive oil

1 shallot, finely diced

4 anchovies, roughly chopped

2 to 4 tbsp capers

12 black olives, pitted and halved

500ml Carnaroli or Vialone Nano

rice

250ml white wine

500ml tomato purée

1 litre water or vegetable stock

1tbsp red chilli flakes

½ cup of pine nuts, toasted

Finely chopped fresh flat-leaf

parsley, QB

Salt, QB

Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling,

QB

1. In a risotto pan or a saucepan with a large bottom, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.Add the shallots, anchovies, ca-pers, olives and chili pepper flakes and cook gently until the shallots are slightly browned.2. At this point, add the rice, giving it a good stir — the rice should toast nicely and absorb all the flavours.

INGREDIENTS:6 medium-sized squid

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 cup of white wine

½ cup of olive oil

FOR STUFFING:2 cups breadcrumbs

1 cup spicy salami, cubed

1 cup provola cheese, freshly

grated

1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley,

chopped

1 cup parmigiano cheese, freshly

grated

2/3 cup olive oil

1 large egg

Salt, QB

1. Combine the ingredients for the stuffi ng, and set aside.2. Clean the squid and cut the ten-tacles off , making sure the opening is large enough to stuff .3. Fill each squid with the stuff -ing, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Seal the opening by threading a toothpick through.4. In a large frying pan, heat up the olive oil on medium heat and sau-té the garlic until it begins to turn golden.5. Add the calamari to the pan, and cook on both sides until the meat becomes opaque.6. Add the parsley and wine and re-duce the heat to medium low.7. Cover the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, until the wine has reduced and the squid is com-pletely cooked.

STUFFED CALAMARI

3. Add the wine and the tomato purée.4. Stir it well as it begins to thicken.Lower the heat to medium and pour in the water or vegetable stock a cup at a time, adding more as it gets absorbed. Do this for the next 16 to 18 minutes, until the ri-sotto is al dente and creates a bit of un’onda, or a wave, when you lightly shimmy the pan. Season accordingly.5. Once it’s cooked, remove it from the heat and add the parsley, a drizzle of olive oil and half of the pine nuts.6. When you serve, garnish it with the parsley and a bit more of the pine nuts

TIPMost risottos call for a flavourful stock but when I came up with this dish, I didn’t have any on hand and decided to use water. The in-gredients were so flavourful that I figured they would be enough, and I was right! So at this stage, if you’re not using vegetable stock, that’s okay; you can feel confident using water.

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ENTERTAINING

HAVEN 95

TIRAMISU

INGREDIENTS:5 egg yolks

1/3 cup cane sugar

Pinch of saffron threads

500g mascarpone cheese

500ml espresso

20 Italian ladyfinger cookies

1. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar and saff ron until they are fl uff y and have taken on a pale yellow colour. Set aside.2. Whisk the mascarpone cheese until fl uff y and fold it into the egg and sugar mix.3. Dunk the ladyfi ngers into the espresso, enough to soak them but ensure the biscuits don’t become soggy.4. Line your shot drinking glasses with the biscuits and then a layer of the cream.5. Repeat the layers, if you have space in the glass.6. Chill for at least an hour before serving.

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ENTERTAINING

NEGRONI

THREE EQUAL PARTS OF:Sweet Vermouth,

gin and Campari

Combine well in a shaker, and pour it over ice in a glass. Garnish with an orange wedge.

HAVEN 97

All Italian dishes from MARCO and ISETAN’S LURETTA D.O.P ITALIAN DELI @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE.

All Italian refreshements, mineral water, cooking ingredients from JASONS @ BANGSAR SHOPPING CENTRE.

Inspired by our recipe and food pages this issue? Infuse your entertaining with a liberal dose of dolce vita with these table accoutrements any mama worth her pasta would approve of.

OF LOVE OF LOVE LEMONSLEMONS

PHOTOGRAPHY SHAWN LOR @ PIXEL PIX ARTISTIC DIRECTION JOANNE LIMSTYLING + COORDINATION ABBY CHUNG + LIEW SHUK KHUEN

+

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LEFT TO RIGHT: PRINTED CERAMIC BOWL, RM33.02,

MAXWELL & WILLIAMS @ ROBINSONS. SHALLOW CERAMIC

BOWL, RM49, KOZIOL @ PARKSON. LONELY PLANET’S ITALY

FROM THE SOURCE, RM110.21, KINOKUNIYA BOOKS. PLANT

DÉCOR FROM CHERI PINK FLOWERS & GIFTS @ PLAZA BATAI. VASE, RM89, KARE. WOODEN SPOON, RM15, HOMES

HARMONY. ORANGE GLASS, RM26.30, GUZZINI @ PARKSON.

LIME GREEN PLATE, RM121, KARE. MINI PRINTED PLATES,

RM73.58, TYPHOON @ LIVEITUP! @ 1 UTAMA SHOPPING CENTRE. GOLD-PLATED CUTLERY SET, RM404.72 (SET

OF 16), MAXWELL & WILLIAMS @ PARKSON. TURQUOISE

SQUARE BOWL, RM79 (SET OF 4), PARKSON. STRIPED PLATE,

RM22.64, PARKSON. STRIPED COLOURED GLASS, RM5,

DAISO. PRINTED OBLONG SERVING PLATE, RM89, PARKSON.

MULTI-COLOURED SERVING SPOON SET, RM130.10, HOMES HARMONY. GLASS PITCHER, RM177, KARE.

HAVEN 99

LEFT TO RIGHT: MINI “TOMATO” POT, RM158, STAUB @ ROBINSONS.

CERAMIC BOWL, RM49, KOZIOL @ PARKSON. ACRYLIC WINE

GLASS, RM26.30, GUZZINI @ PARKSON. RED ACRYLIC GLASS,

RM45, PARKSON. BLUE EDGE CERAMIC BOWL, RM29.35, PARKSON.

GOLDEN EDGE CERAMIC PLATE, RM69, KARE. JAMIE COOKS ITALY

BY JAMIE OLIVER, RM150.95, KINOKUNIYA BOOKS. FRUIT DÉCOR

BOWL, RM94.20, GUZZINI @ PARKSON. GREEN PLATE, RM219,

KOZIOL @ PARKSON. GREEN FORK AND SPOON SET, RM29.90, KOZIOL @ PARKSON. PRINTED CERAMIC PLATE, RM29.90,KOZIOL @ PARKSON. WHITE CUTLERY SET, RM49, KOZIOL @ PARKSON. OVAL

TRAY, RM89.90, KOZIOL @ PARKSON. GOLDEN TUMBLER, RM89,

TYPO. BLUE GLASS, RM5, DAISO. ORANGE PITCHER, RM102.80,

GUZZINI @ PARKSON. TOUCAN ON A STAND DÉCOR, RM376.90,

PARKSON. RED OVAL PLATE, RM65.09, ROBINSONS. PRINTED TABLE

MAT, RM121.70 (SET OF 6), MAXWELL & WILLIAMS @ ROBINSONS.

100 HAVEN

HAVEN 101

LEFT TO RIGHT: WHERE TO EAT PIZZA BY DANIEL YOUNG,

RM93.23, KINOKUNIYA BOOKS. RED GLASS, RM5, DAISO.

WINE GLASS, RM69, KARE. GREEN ACRYLIC WINE GLASS,

RM85, KOZIOL @ PARKSON. PRINTED CERAMIC BOWL,

RM39, PARKSON. GOLD EDGE PLATE, RM129, KARE.

SCENTED CANDLE, RM75, TYPO. RED GLASS, RM5, DAISO.

PLANT DÉCOR, RM49, KOZIOL @ PARKSON. CLEAR PITCHER,

RM84.50, KOZIOL @ PARKSON. PRINTED CERAMIC BOWL,

RM39, PARKSON. SPAGHETTI SERVER, RM15, HOMES HARMONY. WINE GLASS, RM69, KARE. YELLOW PRINTED

BOWL, RM5.90, HOMES HARMONY. BLUE PRINTED BOWL,

RM5.90, HOMES HARMONY. PRINTED COASTERS, RM6.90

EACH, KOZIOL @ PARKSON.

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HAVEN 103

ARE YOU WORKING ON ANYTHING NEW FOR ROYAL SELANGOR?We’re still fi nishing up work on the Savoy collection, so we haven’t discussed what will happen next. But I defi nitely want to continue the relationship. Working with Royal Selangor was fantastic because it incorporates design thinking into every aspect of the company. When we dis-cussed various issues about the designs, we were always on the same page, trying to achieve the best result.

WHAT IS FOREMOST ON YOUR MIND WHEN YOU START TO DESIGN SOMETHING?I always start by thinking about what experience I want the customer to have when they use the product or space and how they can benefi t. This informs all the other design decisions, such as materials, colours, forms, functions and features.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE TRADITION WITH MODERN CONCEPTS?It depends on the context of the object or space. For Savoy, I did try to bring more traditional elements into the designs as I wanted the user to [get] the feeling of opulence and sumptuous elegance. But I also made sure the pieces were not just classical style, so there was a balance be-tween traditionalism and modernism. Finding the correct balance is more a case of trial and error during the design phase. Testing out diff erent variations and see-ing what works means we can refi ne them until we are happy with the results.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD DESIGN FOR YOU — IS IT FORM OR FUNCTION?For me, form really does follow function in a very pragmatic sense. A product has to function very well, otherwise the form

is not important. I often see designs that look great and are sold as a high-val-ue item but sometimes, they don’t even function as well as their cheaper, uglier siblings.

WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH MOST?Every material has its own merits and it is up to the designer to discover and en-hance the qualities of each one. Diff erent materials work better in diff erent situa-tions and each can provide the user with a diff erent experience. I’ve been working a lot with wood over the past few years, owing to its easy availability in Southeast Asia. I enjoy designing with a lot of dif-ferent materials as each one provides me with new inspiration and direction.

DO MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE DESIGN?Most people intrinsically understand what works and what doesn’t but they of-ten cannot articulate what it is they like or dislike about a design. They simply feel they do or don’t like it because they have not been exposed to a wide enough range of ideas to be able to evaluate why they feel that way. People can always tell you when something doesn’t work but they

J A R R O D L I MThe Singapore-based designer who regularly collaborates with Royal Selangor

on its collections talks about what inspires him and how his mind works

M Y S PA C E :

Text Tan Gim Ean

often cannot provide a solution that does. This is where the designer steps in and begins forming solutions.

DOES RUNNING JARROD LIM DESIGN PUT A DAMPENER ON YOUR CREATIVITY?Sometimes it does. I fi nd that I come up with many more good ideas when I’m alone and undisturbed. But I also fi nd that once I’ve begun to propose ideas to the rest of the team, we can re-fi ne them far better than I could alone. I’m a bit lazy when it comes to doing all the business-operations work. I tend to leave it all and bunch it all up, then try to complete everything at one go.

WHAT ITEMS MUST YOU HAVE TO MAKE WHERE YOU LIVE A HOME?I’ve lived in quite a few diff erent coun-tries and I still travel quite a bit. Each time, I haven’t really brought anything special with me and have had to adapt to the lifestyle of each place. I’m hap-py to do my work from anywhere, es-pecially in hotels or cafés, because it is quiet and I’m by myself. Mostly, my wife and two children make me feel at home and I think they, too, would be able to live happily almost anywhere. At the moment, we prefer Singapore.

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LAST LOOK