WITH the heat so relentless, I was pleased to finally find myself by the gates of a mid-sized double-storey terrace house in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Selangor, to meet someone who can be considered another Malaysian success story. UK-based interior designer Nik A. Ramli, recently seen doing the rounds on Malaysian TV, opens the door and makes me feel immediately at home with his sunny exuberance.
With just the slightest of British accent, he makes a couple of quick introductions and I soon become acquainted not only with him but also his lovely parents whom he lives with whenever he’s back in town. “The decor in here isn’t my most ideal or anything like me, but it’s certainly my parents,” he admits with a chuckle while passing me a glass of ice-cold sweet syrup drink.
His hospitality is apparent but his knack for furniture placement is even more so. I soon discover that the Kemaman-born designer has been shifting furniture in the family home from the age of 15, although not always well received by his mother. “We’ve had plenty of friendly arguments, especially nearing Raya because of our differing ideas on furniture placements. Let’s just call it an interior dispute that dad usually likes to stay away from!” he shares, cheekily.
INSPIRATION ACROSS THE GLOBE
The affable designer has seen his fair share of the world as his father, he says, had been somewhat of a nomad due to the nature of his work and studies. Meanwhile, his five older siblings have settled overseas. Hence, even before making Leicester home for almost a decade now, he has actually set foot in more houses than any average person.
“Being able to travel, to see the country, to smell the air, meet the people and even taste the food, it all inspires me on different levels,” he says. “These experiences abroad have become intangible references for my subsequent designs or projects. So it’s not surprising to see me stop to take a picture of the yellow letterbox or pocketing the butterfly serviette at the roadside cafe. Because all these eventually become my muse.”
Upon completing high school, Nik studied for a diploma in interior design from a private college here. After graduation, he sought employment in the architecture and interior design industry. However, he realised that a diploma wouldn’t be sufficient if he wanted to move up in the industry. So, he pursued a degree and later a Masters at Leicester University so he could carve his path towards his dream — to have his own interior design business.
“It wasn’t an easy route but it worked,” Nik confides, relief in his voice. “Being given a chance to study abroad and working alongside some well-respected companies in Britain helped open many doors and taught me a lot. More than I anticipated,” he reveals.
Nik shares that the interior design scene in Britain is much more competitive, wider in range and with a strong design confidence. It’s also highly established, giving him the opportunity to do and experience more as compared to a still-growing Malaysian market.
“I’m not saying Malaysia is bad, but it certainly needs more work and people should be more confident in showcasing themselves in their own home instead of just lifting it off home magazines or design websites,” says Nik.
Aside from his career development, exposure in Britain has also helped to bring about his personal developments. One is his dabbling in the art scene which led to the first exhibition of his Mama Celesse collection — a quick, fun, and pop-artsy portrayal of a full lip woman decked in a summer hat or punk rock hair-do. His collection is now available on a limited number of cushion covers. Continuing on with this path, Nik is in the midst of preparing for a new collection called Butterfly, which has nature as the theme.
YOUR IDENTITY, YOUR SPACE
A born-and-bred Malaysian, it isn’t surprising to find that Nik loves working with natural tactile pieces like silk and leather. These are imbued in most of his designs, making it a Nik A. Ramli identity.
“I’m Malaysian and I know Malaysians LOVE touching!” he says, laughing heartily, before adding: “Just look around and you’ll see that every decorative piece comes with a different sensation to the touch. You can say it’s our culture, no matter the race.”
However, he’s quick to say that his designs aren’t made for him but for the client, and that’s the most important aspect to remember as an interior designer. “I’m not decorating the space for me; I’m doing it for you. It’s not about putting in beautiful and expensive things, but it also shouldn’t look tired and old,” he says. “A home should reflect you. It should be your safe haven.”
Essentially, the space you live in should be your personal museum and it should tell your story, says Nik. “Your home should be filled with things that matter most to you. It can come from a thrift store for all I care, as long as it has a story behind it that means something to you,” he says. This is the reason why, he adds, that it can be quite tiring to be an interior designer as you need to understand the client’s personality and character before putting ideas to paper. “But it’s always satisfying to fulfil a client’s dream,” he confesses.
VISIONARY MODULES
What’s the one space you’d like to design, I ask. Without any hesitation, Nik exclaims: “The Queen’s palace or singer Donna Summer’s house!”
The revelation comes in a flurry as he excitedly relays that he’d be more than happy to be given just a corner to redecorate if the entire estate isn’t permissible. His playfulness doesn’t subside as he expresses that it would be amazing if he could be a pop star and overtake Michael Jackson’s popularity instead of being an interior designer.
However, joking aside, he soon divulges that he’s seeking to someday redesign an old or abandoned building in Malaysia that could be a safe refuge for the homeless. “For a charitable cause and from my heart, I’d like to provide my services to shelter those who don’t have a roof over their head. I always believe that everyone needs a place to call home, even if it’s just a social space with a couch,” Nik confides.
Before our little chat ends, Nik, whose personal ‘assistant’ and trusty tool is his laptop, is happy to provide some advice on how to make a house a home. “Just make sure to have your own identity, liven your space with life. Most importantly, always consult a professional! Even if it costs a bit, it’ll be worth it. And don’t over-budget yourself. Taking a loan just to buy that expensive Italian couch is definitely a no-no.”
For more information on Nik A. Ramli’s designs and collections, visit www.nikaramli.com