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Be Bold and Beautiful! |
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Story : Liz Smailes |
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Sixteen years experience in the interior designing/decorating/consulting field has made Eric Leong one of the most sought after interior designers in Malaysia. Eric Leong is to the Malaysian home what many a Westerner would describe as a cross between Jamie Oliver for the UK kitchens and Anneka Rice in her 1980’s Challenge Anneka show, only Eric has a little more grace and panache. A famous Malaysian decorator and designer, Eric’s claim to fame came with the television series Casa Impian which features him redecorating people’s homes within 8 hours, without the home owner realising it and then seeing the reaction on their faces when they return home. With one of the most lively websites around, www.ericleong.com.my, Eric’s authorative opinion and message is promoted in projects, events, road shows, contests and informs visitors where he will next appear on the judges panel at top notch competitions for young(er) designers. After his appearance at the Architect Expo in Bangkok this year, I interviewed the intriguing man that is causing Eric-Mania to sweep across Southeast Asia. LS: Where did the inspiration to choose a career as an interior designer stem from? EL: Ever since I was young boy, I had a dream to become a designer. However my first dream was to be a fashion designer rather than an interior designer. In the early 80’s, at that time the opportunity to explore the fashion world was not encouraged but rather the opportunity to enter the interior design industry was limitless, so that was why I explored the world of interior design. LS: There are many interior designers in the market and while your character from the homepage comes across as open, bold, flamboyant and intelligent, when and how did your big professional breakthrough happen? EL: My big breakthrough in my career was back in the year 2000 when I first arrived in Kuala Lumpur from my hometown Johor Baharu, in the South Gate of Malaysia. At that period of time I found KL had more opportunities to showcase my work and of course my biggest breakthrough was the start of my TV programme -Casa Impian.
LS: In your assignments and projects from the past and present, can you elaborate on where you see the future of interior design heading? EL: The Future of Design will head to what I call “NEW PAST” whereby the designer will obtain their inspirations from the past and give a new life or a new twist to an old item. For Example; crystal lights are now back in a big way, but instead of an old fashioned goldish look it is now in the design of stylish black or red crystal colour. Another example; classic furniture, the NEW classic or NEO classic is “IN” too. The new twist by designers is to take the existing product and head it towards the future now. LS: Can you explain your methodology from approach to completion of a project - the “PhilosoEric” on interior design, if you like. My design statement is the same as my tag line - BOLD & STYLISH LS: In relation to being Bold and Stylish - would you say there is an “Eric Thumbprint” to your work that is instantly recognizable as an “Eric Leong” masterpiece and if so, what or where? EL: Well?as for my masterpiece, I am still creating my masterpiece? But coming this autumn is my very first pewter Home Ware collection, which will be out in the market place and is called - NEW ASIA by Eric Leong for ROYAL SELANGOR. LS: Where do you draw your inspiration from? Is there someone you admire above others in your work? EL: Generally?People! I love to see how people dress and their behaviour and of course their life style. From there I can create a space, a product that suits all. I am a great fan of Martha Stewart. LS: Please tell me a little about the radio and television shows you host - how did that come about, who is the audience and how do you decide on the content? EL: Regarding my TV show -Deko Bersama Eric (previously known as Casa Impian), it’s Malaysia’s first interior design make-over show, every episode I choose a “normal” home and give a designer touch to the home and during the show I educate my audience why I am using a particular product to beautify their home. The audience is then informed as to where they can obtain theses products. Also in every episode I like to introduce a new interior concept, new d?cor ideas and latest products in the market and many more. Throughout the years I noticed our (Malaysian) TV scene had a lack of local-made interior related shows and on many occasions the programmes on air are from a foreign country whereby the style may not suit the tropical countries like Thailand or Malaysia. As for my radio show I haves 4 radio shows in 3 languages -English, Mandarin and Malay. On a daily basis on my personal web site, we constantly receive many emails asking me interior related questions and many of the fans know one of my daily jobs is shopping either for my TV programme or for my project, thus they will constantly ask me about where to get certain things or where to have a good cup of coffee, etc. Due to these constant requests I decided to have 2 radio slots on interior design topics and 2 radio slots on a more lifestyle related talk show. LS: What was your impression of the recent Architect Expo in Bangkok? EL: An eye opener!!! Especially on the Architect Showcase area, I really love the set up! I have always admired Thailand’s design scene especially in Bangkok, and I do hope to collaborate with any Thai company or designer if given the opportunity. LS: When you judge at the various interior and design competitions, what are you looking for? What do you base your judgements on and do you see a distinct trend in younger designers? EL: In fact I am constantly searching for opportunities to showcase young designers’ work and organising a few young designer competitions. My judgements have always been based on the creativity of the designer, as I always believe a designer has to be creative. Secondly is the end user, as I believe a good design is not only in the appearance, but it has to suit the end user who is/will be using and living with it. LS: Whenever I meet people in a creative profession, I discover their focus to perform often comes from an unrelated source. Do you practise meditation or yoga and if so, does this have an effect on your work? EL: I do practise meditation, it does help me to organise my thinking especially after a long hard day’s work. Due to my hectic routine I have stopped practising yoga for over a year now. I love to do my thinking (organise ideas) on the track mill with my i-pod on. LS: Finally, what or where would your ultimate dream interior design assignment be? Who would the client be, and what would you do there? EL: My ultimate dream interior assignment - to design a Boutique Hotel in any Metropolitan city because I love the urban life style. With his cheerful, helpful and happy go lucky character Eric has gained the title as “Malaysia’s most favourite interior designer”. Following his success in the design industry, Eric now represents niche brands and products that are creating waves in the industry. For more information
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Currently the show is running in it’s seventh season and this year we are re-branding it as Deko Bersama Eric, which is airing on Cable TV -Astro and local free-to-air TV station. Due to the popularity of this programme I am able to showcase my work to Peninsular and East Malaysia and it is also transmitted to Brunei.|
Tropical Living: July 2007, Volume 7 Issue 2 |
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