An Evocative Journey 

Abraham takes guests through a journey of colours and textures, beginning with the receiving area showcasing the Tatler House logo mounted on a custom-built screen amongst a striking orange and black palette accented with a denim-clad SMEG fridge. The walls are adorned with large-scale artwork, namely Anniketyni Madian's Berasok wooden sculpture and Justin Lim's edgy mixed-media We Want You (Buden), are just the start of discovering the breadth of the AFK Collection who generously loaned all the art found in the suite. 

See also: Susan Abraham On Tatler House's Showcase Of Design & Art

The mood shifts walking into the living room where Abraham created a calming space evocative of California chic with a warm palette of soft neutrals against earthy tones. An eclectic range of furniture from Arketipo, Olta, Rozel, Nostaloft and Janine, to name a few, feature relaxed proportions, while statement pieces such as the handcrafted armchair with wicker detail from Nic Chris and contemporary hand-made carpets Persian Collections captivate the eye. Considered details add further visual interest and Abraham included lighting from Tong Ging and worked together with daun.com.my for the lush greenery.

Moving onto the dining room which has been transformed with a sophisticated palette of silvery greys and blues, including a sleek carpet from Carpet Village, to pick out the steel detail of the unobstructed Petronas Twin Towers backdrop. Contrasted with rich warm timbers and black accents, the space is impressive yet inviting. Tom Dixon's Fan Chair from Gudang and Stellar Work's Cabinet of Curiosity from Linds Furniture further add character to the space; the cabinet can be curated for events with appropriate drinks.

See also: 6 Of The Best Italian Sofas Worth Investing In

To complete the experience and engage the senses, Tatler House collaborated with Ken’s Apothecary so that guests get to enjoy the perfumed trails of Baies by Diptyque in each space. For auditory needs, Bowers & Wilkins outfitted the entire presidential suite with a state-of-the-art sound system which looks as good as it sounds.  

A Meeting of the Minds

During our search for the perfect space for Tatler House, we found a natural partner in Mandarin Oriental whose raison d'etre is to promote "a sense of place" in whichever location they inhabit.

Indeed Christian Tavelli, general manager of Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, is thrilled with the transformation of the space, believing it has brought a new life to the presidential suite where guests can enjoy eclectic style in a traditional suite.

He also believes that timing is ideal for intimate venues such as this: "These days, people are looking for places to gather in smaller groups and this setting is just so unique. On the 27th floor, in the presidential suite of Mandarin Oriental where you can almost touch the iconic twin towers; it's the right moment, the right space and with the right partner."

See also: The Spa At MO: De-Stress With Its Deep Sleep Treatment

Celebrating Malaysian Talents

Following in the footsteps of existing Tatler Houses that seek to embody the spirit of its home city’s cultural and design heritage, Tatler House Malaysia is a glorious celebration of local talents.

Layered with international names, Abraham was mindful to include pieces from talented Malaysian craftspeople, artisans and artists with a shared passion of storytelling through meaningful pieces and spaces.

"For instance, the rattan detailing of the furniture pieces and the curated artwork, working with local designers, brought a Malaysian flair to the space," she states.

See also: Inside The Fascinating World Of Nini Marini, Artist And Creative Entrepreneur

With regards to the artwork, Abraham sought the guidance of Leila Khan of AFK Collection. "Leila, Zena and their family were instrumental in conceptualising and curating the artwork that aligned holistically with the design direction," she enthuses. "We knew we wanted to keep the artwork relevant, evocative and contemporary. Our goal was to create an interactive journey for guests to learn more about our homegrown talents."

From established artists like Jailani Abdul Hassan and Anniketyni Madian to the cyber-punk installations of Nor Tijan Firdaus, every piece works seamlessly into the concept for the interior, almost as if these pieces were made to be there while adding another dimension to the suite.

See also: Sarawakian Artist Anniketyni Madian Sculpts Wood Into Stunning Works Of Art