DOYENNE OF DESIGN

Lim Siew Hui, designer and founder of Hui Designs, shares with us her fondest memory and what makes her tick.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Q Describe your fondest memory as a child.

My father was an architect, and I was fascinated by his work. I remember sneaking into his study as a child and unrolling his blueprints when he was not around. I would trace the lines with my fingers and marvel at the intricacy and details. I think that was what influenced me to pursue interior design as a career.

Q Name one music track you listen to, while at work.

It really depends on my mood, as my music taste is very diverse and eclectic. I could be listening to French rap by MC Solaar one moment, and switch to songs by Goldfrapp, Leonard Cohen, Madonna or even P.Diddy, the next.

Q One worthy or charitable cause you'd fight for?

I believe strongly that the fate of our future lies with children and the next generation, that’s why I support World Vision. I am sponsoring three children and hope to do more when I have the time, in the future. I believe that in order to create a good society, we have to start with instilling good values and nurturing children to grow up to be great human beings.

Q Your design style is...

I don't think I have a specific design style, but I do feel I am an intuitive designer. I approach the concept and design of each project by understanding the brief and having a good feel of the site. In that sense, the style of every project is influenced by, and developed with respect to, various factors.

Q Which room of the house do you spend the most time in and which natural element do you find most inspiring?

I don't like to be confined to small spaces, so my favourite spot has to be lounging in my living room. It's a fairly large space and situated close to my balcony, so it offers me a great view of the scenery outside As for inspiring elements, I’m drawn to the mountains and ocean because they give me a feeling of unbounded freedom and a new perspective on life. For that reason, I love hiking and spending a lot of time connecting with nature.