A true home is a quiet sanctuary. For Lim Thong, Design Principal of LA Design Studio, this belief stems from a childhood spent exploring work sites alongside his father.
Today, the second-generation designer leads the Singapore-based practice rooted in restraint over excess. Stepping away from the ‘more is more’ approach, Lim uses thoughtful lighting and spatial design to eliminate small frictions of day-to-day life, shaping homes around natural routines to genuinely elevate the everyday.
Could you introduce the core philosophy behind your firm?
As someone who is naturally an introvert, I have always found comfort in the quieter corners of a room, the way walls hold a space, and the way a room can feel like a retreat from the noise outside. Early on, I became fascinated by how the same space could feel completely different depending on how it’s lit: a living room that energizes you in the morning and helps you unwind at night, without a single piece of furniture moving.
This belief that true luxury is an atmosphere led by light became the founding principle of the studio. Aesthetics is the baseline, but our real value lies in shaping a home around a person’s habits. We work in modern luxe, where atmosphere, including how light falls, how a material feels under the hand, and how a room holds silence, comes second to function. At its core, our approach is holistic: vision, execution, and collaboration come together so the final space isn’t just beautiful; it works seamlessly for the people living in it.
How do you define modern luxury?
A truly luxurious home removes small daily frictions and quietly serves the rhythm of your life. Lighting is central to this—through layered design and smart controls, a single room can shift from a bright, functional space to a relaxed, movie, or romantic mode without moving a single object. Ultimately, real luxury is a home so well-designed around your lifestyle that it simply adapts with you.
What core design values do you believe will stand the test of time?
Restraint, functionality, and a true fit to the homeowner’s life. Rather than relying on templated luxury, we dive into a client’s character to curate a space that is uniquely theirs. A clean layout and disciplined palette only become meaningful when built around the homeowners’ actual habits. In the end, a home that is personal, functional, and free of decorative noise will remain timeless long after trends fade.
Looking forward, what are you most excited to pursue in your design journey?
I am focused on redefining modern luxe within a distinctly Southeast Asian context—responding to our light, climate, and ways of living rather than importing aesthetics wholesale. A big part of this is integrating layered lighting and smart home technology so every space can shift its mood and function at the touch of a button.
Most importantly, I am excited to reach more homeowners and help them create truly personalized spaces that reflect their own character, rather than a borrowed theme. Bringing this value to more people and elevating the industry standard is the next chapter for LA Design Studio.
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