Studio Shan

Founded in 2021 by interior designer Lishan Tham, this London and Surrey-based practice has an approach that prioritises atmosphere, materiality and a strong sense of place.

At the core of the studio’s work is a measured design language defined by light, texture and tone. Rather than pursuing overt gestures, Studio Shan favours a quieter form of expression, creating interiors that balance restraint with richness and contemporary clarity with emotional depth. Each project is conceived as a layered composition, where meaning and lived experience are considered as carefully as form.

Tham’s Malaysian heritage informs the studio’s aesthetic vocabulary in nuanced ways. In some projects, this connection is articulated through batik artworks, traditional textiles or handcrafted objects. Elsewhere, its influence emerges more subtly through colours, space and materials. A recurring hallmark of the studio’s interiors is the dialogue between old and new: antiques are often placed alongside contemporary pieces, while bespoke furniture and carefully considered detailing reflect a modernist sensibility shaped, in part, by the work of architects such as Carlo Scarpa.

Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Tham spent her formative years in a striking Brutalist building, an experience that fostered an enduring appreciation for modernist and postmodernist architecture. Before establishing Studio Shan, she honed her practice at Studio Ashby and worked with Rose Uniacke Studio and Studio Reed.