A black and white world

		Saturday, Apr 28, 2012 The Star/Asia News Network
Life has never been better for jewellery designer Tan Sze Yoong. She runs a successful online jewellery shop, was recently married to her longtime boyfriend and subsequently moved into a chic condominium unit that the couple bought and renovated prior to the wedding. As the sole owner and designer of beautiful trinkets sold at www.szeaccessories.com, Sze Yoong is arguably the first Malaysian designer who has successfully leveraged the web to break into the mainstream fashion market after less than three years in business. Chic design for businesswoman's apartment Click on thumbnail to view It is not surprising that this entrepreneurial designer was nominated as Personality of The Year at 2009 Martell VSOP Rising Personalities Awards. Others nominated were luminaries such as Douglas Lim, Will Quah and Chelsia Ng. Although she did not bring the title home, Sze Yoong says that being nominated itself was a great experience. "The nomination is a public acknowledgement of my modest business," says the unassuming designer. With a combination of a creative mind, sharp business instinct and disarming personality, the beautiful Sze Yoong quickly became the 'it' girl, appearing in major glossies and newspapers. And it seems like we will see more of her in the coming future, as Sze Yoong claims that she is nowhere near the finish line. When not working, Sze Yoong admits she likes to spend time at home. Therefore, it is important for her to have a comfortable and soothing abode. Star Property had a tête-à-tête with Sze Yoong at her oh-so-stylish Bandar Utama condominium unit. A thriving online business, an award nomination, a marriage followed by a new place to call home... What a year, Sze Yoong! Yes, what a wonderful year! It has been a rollercoaster ride but I have nothing to complain about. Tell us about your jewellery line. How did you get into it? I started my business a little less than three years ago, right after I quit my 9-5 job. I am a Mass Communication graduate with Film and Television major, so I practically have no design background whatsoever. But I always have my way with arts. Making accessories are not new for me. I grew up making my own jewelleries. Little did I know that I can make a living out of it. Do you personally design and craft all the jewellery pieces? I do design and craft most of them. Each piece is unique, as I do not make identical piece for any of my design. When I have too much on my plate to make one, I scour jewellery suppliers, thrift shops and flea markets from all around the world. Running an online business isn't an easy task. Why did you choose to run your business on the web? I decided to run an online shop because I did not have the financial capability to rent a shop. My husband, who works in online marketing, helped me set up a proper website from which I can sell and promote my jewelleries. While many seemed to be pessimistic about my venture into online business, and doubt my design ability, my husband has always been the support I needed. I suppose we are on the same wavelength when it comes to business. As it turned out, it was the best decision I have made professionally. Are you guys on the same wavelength too when it comes to home design and décor? I think so. Although I must say that my husband is a better visionary and executor. He renovated this condominium unit all by himself. If it wasn't for his diligence, this 1,300 sq. ft. unit would just be a bland living space. How much renovation work went into this unit? Everything from floor to wall. The living room, which is the focal point of the unit, went through the most dramatic makeover with a big white couch props against black-and-white wallpaper. The dining area emphasises a modern aesthetic, with a dining table, chairs and a mini bar that employ sleek elements such as glass and steel. The guestroom, which has been converted into my office, is kept simple and sweet with mostly white and turquoise furnishings. Meanwhile the kitchen has a splash of daring red tones. My husband, who is a big fan of Coke logo, dedicates the kitchen to the symbolic American icon. A made-to-order sliding door separates the kitchen from the dining area. From the dining area, the door looks like a mere decorative wall with a rather playful design. But from the kitchen, it looks just like a normal door. With a lot of simple elements in black and white, this unit looks very modern. What is the design concept? We always knew that we wanted a neat design with neutral colours to give an airy feel to this compact unit. That explains the black and white theme. We were going for a minimalist concept. However, we didn't really like the idea of rough finishing and stark atmosphere, which are commonly used in houses with minimalist concept. Therefore, we decided to have a little baroque twist and opt for a sleeker finishing, evident in the ornate wallpaper and polished furniture. As a result, many of our friends say that our house feels like a lounge. Where is your most favourite corner of the house? I like every corner of the house!