Note from the editor, Diana Khoo:
The author Charles Bowden once wrote about how “summertime is always the best of what might be”. And indeed, it looks as if we are all stepping into the light, now that the darkest days of Covid-19 seem to be behind us at last.
Summer always calls for brightness and lightness — in the choice of colour palette, textiles and decorative touches. An abundance of plants and flowers, both in the home and garden, is a must. It is this very thought that spurred Steph Low of Yong Studio to create a light-filled home for a young family of four in Kuala Lumpur’s Desa Sri Hartamas. Opening up the entire ground level, she created a space that not only celebrates natural light, but is also airy due to the clever use of design that promotes cross-ventilation — a boon in our sometimes-muggy climes. Read about it on Page 25.
Those of us who love the idea of English summers would equate the season to parties, gatherings and celebratory moments. And if you have the means to own a home solely dedicated to this purpose, why not make the most of it? The desire to create a safe haven in which to enjoy the company of his many godchildren, nieces and nephews compelled Datuk O K Lim to commission a space in which his large and close-knit family could come together to rest, relax and play. It certainly helped that his brother is a celebrated Hong Kong-based architect, and two nephews are making a name for themselves in the world of design. Read about the all-in-the-Lim family labour of love on Page 32.
With summer being the season for the great outdoors and enjoying Mother Nature, we must commend companies that employ biophilic design to reduce workplace stress, improve cognitive function and enhance mood and creativity. Philip Morris International’s office in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya offers such a space. As companies all over the country are calling staff back to the office fulltime, turn to Page 52 for ideas on how to use design to elevate the overall employee experience in a post-pandemic world. We trust you will be inspired.
I’d admit that all this talk about the season might appear moot considering that we live in a tropical climate and enjoy summer pretty much all-year round. But I am sure you will agree that after two years of enforced isolation, summer is in fact a state of mind that needs to be embraced wholeheartedly! After all, it is summertime — the living is meant to be easy.
Haven is complimentary with every copy of The Edge Malaysia (June 6 issue). Get the Summer 2022 edition at your nearest newsstands now.
