As a host and radio DJ for over two decades, multi-hyphenate Lim Peifen is a familiar face (and voice) to many Singaporeans. The artiste, who is also a wife and mother of two, juggles work with family duties on a daily basis— something that is made easier with the user-centric design of her new home.
A place of bonding for the whole household, the space was designed to feature warm wood accents, rounded corners, and diffused lighting, lending a visual softness to the space that soothes the mind.
In this edition of Lights On, Lim Peifen welcomes us into her Japandi-style home, a cosy apartment for a family of four (and their furry friends), and walks us through the process and development behind the creation of this space.
A spacious kitchen-dining space, complete with a pair of TEMPO luminaires by a-emotional light positioned above the kitchen counter.
Tell us about your renovation process and style inspiration for your home! Were there any major considerations or must-haves in your home?
I love cooking and baking, so I’ve always dreamed of having a real kitchen island. Ever since we viewed our apartment, I knew exactly where I would build it. Another requirement was to have dedicated work spaces for everyone, including a conducive study for our P1 boy to do his homework and e-learning. Style-wise, my husband and I prefer light colours and softer tones, so we decided on a white-on-wood colour and texture scheme, and used Japandi designs as references.
Describe your home in 3 words.
Bright, cosy, simple.
Is lighting an important part of your everyday life? Does it play a role in your daily schedule as a radio DJ and show host?
Lighting is so so SO important! I am very sensitive to light, so my biological clock depends on it. My mood is also very much affected by lighting. If I’m in a bad mood, I won’t be able to do a good show...and if the lighting is bad, how will I read my scripts?
Minimalist downlights like the Halo Mini and Line Mini were used to complement the statement TEMPO luminaire.
What do you look for in your lighting products?
I feel lighting products need to serve their functions well. The light in a work space is obviously not going to be the same as a light in a rest a"It is important to me that the right lighting creates the right ambiance or mood for every space, while enabling users to carry out their activities well within the spaces." - Lim Peifenrea, so it is important to me that the right lighting creates the right ambiance or mood for every space, while enabling users to carry out their activities well within the spaces. Aesthetics of lighting is important too, both how the light fixture actually looks, and how it creates brightness and shadows to help the space become more aesthetically pleasing. "It is important to me that the right lighting creates the right ambiance or mood for every space, while enabling users to carry out their activities well within the spaces." - Lim Peifen
Which luminaire from Sol Luminaire is your favourite? Why?
I will have to say it’s a tough fight between the TEMPO accent lamps at my kitchen island, and the cove lighting in our living room and master bedroom. I love the accent lamps for an obvious reason, they are pretty. On the other hand, my current favourite thing to do at home is lie on my back in bed and stare at our master bedroom ceiling. I love how the cove lighting plays with the curves and lines on our walls and ceiling fan, the warmth and brightness of the lights are just right too!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I don’t really have much spare time nowadays so I’m at a loss for answers...haha. When I do find some time on my own, I just want to read my book over a cup of good hot coffee!
One of Lim Peifen's favourite features of her home—the unique light and shadow formations projected onto her ceiling by LED strips.
Name 3 celebrities you will invite to your home.
Pope Francis (is he counted as a celeb?), Gordon Ramsay and Takeshi Kaneshiro.
Do you have a favourite area or feature within your home?
I love our cat balcony! I hope my cats love it too.
Complete this sentence: Home is a place...
where the family bonds.
