Dream Making

Summerhaus D’zign managing partner Larry Lim reminisces about the firm's early beginnings and how it has grown from strength to strength in the 12 years since its founding

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Having the freedom of time and space to do as you wish-that is the essence of what luxury means to Larry Lim, co-founder of Summerhaus D'zign. In fact, it was this very idea that inspired the former banker to launch the boutique firm with his interior designer wife, Jess Koh.

"We looked at it from the perspective that we'd have the flexibility of time for our children and being there for them [by running our own firm]," recalls Lim. "Jess had already been in the industry for a decade, and seeing the number of hours she put into her work, I convinced her into starting her own studio as something she could do to satisfy her passion for design and her 'workaholic' nature."

Since its inception in 2012, Summerhaus D'zign has specialised in designing private residences, and has successfully transformed the interiors of dozens of stunning abodes across the city-state; these span everything from stylish pieds-à-terre in condominium developments to spacious duplex apartments and houses. Here, Lim looks back at how their studio came to be, while offering insights into the firm's creative philosophy and design process.

NEW PATHS

194 Just over a decade ago, the husbandand-wife duo were experiencing a transitional period: the couple had recently welcomed their second child, and Lim was working on his graduate programme, while thinking about the next course of action for their growing family. To be able to spend more time with their children and flexibility with their schedules seemed to be the dream scenario.