“We have Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian minimalism. Why can’t we have a Malaysian style? We have a very strong identity and it’s very beautiful,” the Taiping, Perak-born interior designer told FMT Lifestyle.
To achieve this, 33-year-old Yeap founded Studio Pandan in 2022. With a growing portfolio of clients from the Klang Valley, Penang and Sabah, Studio Pandan boasts a team of seven professionals who share her vision of creating beautiful, meaningful spaces that incorporate cultural, heritage, and artisanal elements.
“I named my company Studio Pandan because pandan is a very Malaysian leaf, and it’s also very versatile. That’s how I envision my design studio to be: a versatile company with diverse projects,” said Yeap, who graduated from Inti College Subang.
According to her, central to Malaysian minimalism is the blending of modern finishes with traditional craftsmanship. She describes her design philosophy as “a simplified version of our heritage”, using shapes, forms, and colours from Peranakan culture.
Her approach also turns decorative elements into functional items, embedding cultural heritage into everyday objects.
Yeap draws inspiration from the likes of Egyptian industrial designer Karim Rashid, and the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. This admiration for unique, distinctive creations is evident in her work, which seamlessly blends tradition with modernity.
Raised in a musical family, she originally pursued a path in music, following in her mother’s footsteps as a piano teacher. Her interest in interior design began when she helped her mother redo her music centre post-renovation.
“I learnt a lot about spatial planning and fell in love with the process instantly,” she recalled.
This set her on the path towards her present career. After graduating in 2017, Yeap gained invaluable experience working for a Swedish company and other firms as a commercial designer.
The pandemic, however, prompted a pivot. “During the movement control order, as many people worked from home, I wanted to see if redesigning their homes was something they might be interested in,” she said.
Yeap soon received requests from friends and acquaintances seeking her expertise, and recognised the demand for her design perspective. She thus embraced the opportunity.
To Yeap, design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an ambience that resonates with occupants. She believes spaces should evoke feelings of calmness and relaxation.
To that end, Yeap advocates simplicity and elegance – wall and surface finishes, clean lines, minimalism – to create timeless yet liveable spaces.
For quick home upgrades, Yeap encourages homeowners to make small changes that have a big impact. “Changing pillowcases is one of the easiest ways to refresh your home decor. It’s about how to glam up easily without busting the bank.”
Looking to the future, Yeap envisions Studio Pandan as a global ambassador for local design – Malaysian minimalism in particular.
“I hope to export this design to the world. I want the world to see what we’ve got,” she concluded.
Learn more about Studio Pandan here as well as on Instagram.
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