You have an impressive portfolio of luxury projects. What is your secret to ensuring they are opulent without being garish?

I place a big emphasis on coordination. An opulent living room with marble features, huge crystal chandeliers and adorned walls will need to be paired with a minimalist and sleek sofa set, for example. An ornate sofa with a lot of detailing will not work in this case because it can look overwhelming and dated. It’s all about a sense of balance. Timeless luxury is not about jumbling various complex elements together. A balanced dynamic that harmonises the whole space with a few main highlights is key to creating instant posh minus the gaudiness in an interior. 

As a designer who originally hails from China, what do you think you bring to the interior design scene in Singapore that allows you to stand out? 

Coming from a country with a rich history has given me a wider perspective and a receptive mindset towards different cultures. At the same time, I’ve also been in Singapore for more than 20 years. I’ve long integrated into the society, so I have a strong grasp of what local clients want, what foreign clients want, what a local client with international experience wants and vice versa. This translates into versatility and diversity in my design approach. I speak with my designs, and the designs speak of my calibre. 

Which three designers, from the past or present, do you most admire?

Bruno Tarsia is an Italian architect and interior designer known for his unique taste. I resonate with his interest in taking inspirations from beauty, art and design. Steve Leung from Hong Kong can achieve both minimalist or maximalist styles readily, and then there’s Ferris Rafauli, a Canadian interior designer to the stars. I like the glamorous aspects of his designs as well as his sense of humour on social media. 

What are your three favourite buildings in SE Asia? 

I love Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers and lastly, the Manila Cathedral in the Philippines for its old-world glamour and ever-changing facade. Each time the structure was destroyed by a natural calamity, a new one was built on the original site, with each one created in the current architectural style. This really struck a chord in me. In today’s design world, it is vital that we don’t forget our roots, while also constantly evolving to keep up with the times.  

Your future plans include starting your own furniture and fittings collection. Can you share a bit more about this?

The reason why we want to branch into bespoke furnishing is because we want perfection. We want to design furnishings that will fit in exactly the way we want them to in our designs and complement our clients’ lifestyles, while possessing the following important components: 

1. Functionality and comfort: This is the most vital aspect as furniture are items that we use on a daily basis. 
2. Proportion and dimension: Furniture that are either too big or too small will affect the eventual visual outcome of a particular space. The only way to achieve the perfect fit is when we customise it. 
3. Exclusivity: The made-to-measure element is the ultimate indication of exclusivity, both literally and figuratively. We want our clients to feel distinguished, knowing that they own something that is unique, the one and only in the market, something that no one else has. Exclusivity is perfection. 

An outfit needs to be carefully coordinated to showcase the best effect. It’s the same with furnishings. Good interior design is alive with distinct factors. I travel to different countries just to seek out the best materials for my clients. I also personally design and match the various elements to make sure the quality is a true reflection of DM Interior Design’s standard. The ultimate goal is to achieve a perfect fusion between bespoke, luxury and creativity. 

Wang Linfeng is the Managing Director of DM Interior Design.