Kaleidoscopic Illumination | Step into the eclectic home of interlink design solutions’ IDr James Yong

Urban, eclectic and colourful is the name of the game for this interior designer’s modern KL home

Text Monisha Sivanesan
Images courtesy of The Space Storyteller

Bright and airy yet urban and eclectic, these constitute the core ingredients for the KLCC-based but Manhattan-like duplex of IDr James Yong, founder of award-winning interlink design solutions. It is a most fitting concept for the creative soul, considering it was borne from the conversion of the borough’s abandoned manufacturing buildings into thriving artist lofts during the 60’s and 70’s.

Setting the idea itself into motion is the generous double-volume ceiling in the living area of the 3,960 sq ft home with two floors, 4+1 bedrooms with attached bathrooms and a family hall. Natural ventilation and ample sunlight are a given here, thanks to large glass panels and sliding doors that connect to the balconies, not to mention an unobstructed flow of space and pretty views afforded by selected wall removals.

Chock-full of character, a vibrant aura permeates throughout by way of carefully placed pops of colour amidst a canvas of white. A large contributor to this is Yong’s extensive collection of modern Italian designer furniture, oriental antiques and art frames which needed to be seamlessly mixed and matched into the design.

Some of the usual suspects include the clean but dramatic Flos 2097 chandeliers, the sculptural Gogan sofa from Moroso, the quirky Shanghai tip side table by Patricia Urquiola and Moroso and the comfy Poltrona Frau Archibald leather armchairs. A similar case is the commanding Maggese table by Paolo Cappello and the Dumbo dining chairs under minifroms; the dramatically extended Arco lamp by Flos; and the giant Kartell Misses Flower Power Vase.

The eclecticism continues in the study room with multi-functional furniture such as the Magis 360-degree drawer unit on wheels, the Minotti Pasmore armchair and the Cassina 241 Prive ottoman, highlighted by the Flos 265 swing arm wall lamp. However, the bedroom winds down, without losing a drop of personality, with the baby blue Poltrona Frau John-John bed, the Archimoon soft floor light and the glossy white Pedrali Pasha armchair. As a designer, creatively materialising your own cocoon is a uniquely mountainous feat, but Yong demonstrates that the toughest climbs often warrant the sweetest of views.