Inside Lum May Yee's bright, airy home

Former model Lum May Yee has a white, open-concept home. -ST
Natasha Ann Zachariah

Mon, Oct 08, 2012
The Straits Times

Former actress and model Lum May Yee likes her living space to be bright and airy.

The walls in her three-room condominium in Bukit Timah are mostly in white, and she had the false ceiling taken out to allow for more light.

The 39-year-old businesswoman, who distributes American jewellery label M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza, says: "I don't like the dark and dingy feel. With more sunlight coming in, I think the house looks more lively."

A peek inside Lum May Yee's home Click on thumbnails to view

She lives with her husband Steven Lam, 37, director of home-grown jeweller The Canary Diamond Company, in the 2,000 sq ft apartment. They have an 18-month-old son, Aiden, as well as two schnauzers, Juno and Oska.

The couple declare that they are fans of local furniture designer Nathan Yong's work, and have bought pieces such as their living room sofa and TV console set from his eponymous label and Grafunkt, his other store.

Yong's low-lying wooden pieces are great for Aiden, who often climbs and jumps on the furniture, she says.

"I don't have to worry when Aiden or the dogs roll and climb around. The height is safe enough."

Their other furniture features a mish-mash of styles, with retro pieces from Lorgan's in Pasir Panjang Road and Like That One in Bukit Batok sitting alongside more contemporary pieces such as a wooden dining table from Lava East.

Lum is unfazed if Aiden colours or dirties it during play time. "It's no biggie," she says. "If it's damaged, we'll just get it fixed when we can later on. But that's the beauty of wood - it hides flaws well."

To create an open concept for the apartment, Lum had the kitchen walls removed so that the space opens up to the living and dining rooms. They cook minimally to keep the area clean.

Fortunately, Lum's in-laws live three floors above them so they often go to their place for dinner.

One thing that stands out in the couple's home is how they have decorated it with paintings and framed photographs of their friends and family.

A large painting with a colourful flower motif catches your attention the moment you walk into the apartment. It was done by Bali-based Australian artist Steve Castley in 2009.

Among Mr Lam's favourites are two photographic prints by renowned National Geographic photographer Peter Lik. The Luna Bella photograph of the moon with a tree in front and a starry-lit sky behind hangs in the living room, while the Lunar Fringe, a photograph of the moon behind sand dunes, hangs in the master bedroom.

Mr Lam says: "We don't specifically buy expensive art, just art that we like. They are just pieces that will brighten the home."

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