“A Collector’s Alchemy, Weaving Stories Into Spaces”

Within the bustling urban tapestry of contemporary life, there exists an oasis of serenity, a home where every chair, table, and lamp whispers a story of eras past, of design revolutions that have shaped our very notion of comfort and style. This home  belongs to Goh, a connoisseur of furniture so dedicated to his craft that he has designed a personal sanctuary of timeless design. It's not just a house; it's a narrative composed of some of the finest chapters of furniture design history. 

 

In essence, Goh is not just a collector of objects but of experiences. He approaches life with a philosophy that finds beauty in simplicity and richness in functionality. His interactions, though marked by a quiet demeanour, reveal a subtle humour and a depth of character that make him a truly intriguing individual. Goh’s world is one where the everyday is celebrated, where the ordinary is revered, and where life, in all its simple glory, is a canvas for meaningful experiences.


 

The home is a homage," Goh shares with tender reverence, to the furniture he has meticulously collected, each piece selected not only for its aesthetic but also for its story, especially the Scandinavian pieces that he has been gathering for years. These pieces have inspired the home's interior design, dictating the colour palette, textures, and fabrics to perfectly frame and showcase his collection. “We opened up the whole space,” Goh articulates with a sense of pride, gesturing to where walls once stood, now giving way to a fluid continuum of living space.

 

“It used to be a yard, now it’s a canvas for our lives - a place that asks us to live with intention, with thoughtfulness.” "It's about making considered choices, not just filling the space but curating it." This space, once defined by boundaries, has transformed into a gateway, opening up to an expanse that breathes in harmony with Goh's curated collection.

 


His collection - a tableau of Mid Century Modern mastery - tells more than the story of an era; it reveals Goh's own journey in design. When you step into his home, you are greeted by the embodiment of style and substance. Here, pieces like the Erik Andersen & Palle Pedersen Lounge Chair do not simply sit; they offer a welcome that is both a visual delight and an invitation to sink down and unwind from the stresses of the day.

 

His passion for Mid Century Modern design is more than a preference; it's a reflection of his own personality. Much like the furniture he adores – functional, timeless, with clean lines – Goh embodies a sense of purpose and a love for enduring aesthetics.

 

"Each piece I collect is a considered purchase," Goh shares, his eyes reflecting the sheen of the Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Tambour Sideboard, an ode to his relentless pursuit of pieces that echo the brilliance of their makers. With its unique tambour door, the sideboard conceals and reveals with fluid grace. Among the curated array of furnishings, the Tambour Sideboard stands out as a treasure that Goh pursued with the tenacity of a true collector. "I waited and believed," he says of the process, a testament to his dedication.



Every piece has been a 'considered purchase.' "It's not that I needed a chair, and I bought a chair," he muses. His acquisitions are deliberate, each one chosen for a deep-seated connection to its narrative and design.

A visit to Goh's sanctuary reveals blinds that complement the Mid Century Modern hues and grains of the furniture. In a quiet corner of the study, the Hans Wegner Sewing Table calls attention to the ingenuity and integrity of its design. Beside it, the Safari Chair adds an element of worldly adventure, its robust form and leather upholstery recounting stories of distant lands and the craft of exploration



On the wall, an Arne Jacobsen-designed clock meticulously counts the passing moments, a minimalist marvel that exemplifies the fusion of function and beauty. The Tolomeo lamp, with its industrial finesse, provides not just illumination but also serves as a sculptural statement of Italian design excellence.

 

From the clock to the lamp, from quaint ceramic bedside lamps to Pepper Mills designed by Jens Quistgaard, each item is a narrative that Goh lovingly conserves within the walls of his home.

 

It's not just about the aesthetics; it's the stories that each piece carries, the epochs they've witnessed, and the hands that have crafted them. Goh's abode is a space where the spirit of Mid Century Modernism is reinvigorated. His meticulous selection process, driven by the yarns of heritage and design, ensures that each piece is a chapter in the larger story of his home.

 


The kitchen space isn't just a room; it's the warm, beating heart where family life unfolds. Here, he took on a labour of love, literally knocking down walls and re-laying out the original space to create something special: an island in the kitchen, a dream his wife had always cherished. It was about more than just remodelling; it was about bringing to life her passion for cooking and baking. Now, this granite kitchen island, with its distinctive swirls that add a unique story, enhances the room's charm and stands as a cosy centrepiece around which the simple joys of meals, laughter, and stories are shared.

 

Beneath the tapestry of stories, the herringbone flooring of Burmese teak stretches out, a foundation laid with the timeless allure of nature's artistry. It provides the perfect stage for Goh’s revered collection of furniture.

 


Here, furniture is not static; it's alive, evolving with Goh and his family, a testament to his belief that our spaces should grow with us, adapt to us, and inspire us. His home is a canvas, and the furniture he cherishes paints the brushstrokes of his life's work - subtle yet indelibly impactful.

 

Goh's journey in the furniture realm spans over a decade and a half, beginning in the corridors of advertising and winding into the embrace of his true passion. His fascination with shapes, from the leaves of his plants to the contours of everyday appliances and the sleek lines of his furniture, reveals a man attuned to the aesthetics of his surroundings.

 

His love for furniture transcends form and function, reaching into the soul that each piece brings into his home. It's about connecting to a time when designers infused their creations with a part of themselves, a quality that Goh both respects and seeks in every piece of furniture or collectible. Goh's home is not merely a space but an ongoing narrative of a life lived with intention and a deep passion for the timeless art of furniture.

 

In this cherished home, a By Hogen sofa borne out of Goh’s vision and his partner Neoh’s imagination stands as the centrepiece. It offers a comforting embrace where Goh’s world converges - a confluence of quiet reflection, design, and personal moments. Here, with his son by his side, Goh is not merely a collector; he is the curator of a living legacy. Together, father and son craft their own unique stories, enveloped by the legacy of the pieces around them.


Arthouse by Hogen ~ 001 . Word by Devi Theresa Suthen . Photography by TWJPO