The magazine feature didn’t just highlight their work—it sparked a decade-long trend in mid-century modern Scandinavian design. Moreover, it positioned Surry Hills as an emerging design destination, where colourful prints, custom fabrics, and innovative decorative arts helped transform the neighbourhood into a hub for design-oriented shops and high-end restaurants.

Don’t miss: Roche Bobois: French luxury furniture giant makes Malaysian debut

Tatler Homes sits down with Khik to explore the humble shop that has now blossomed into a 29-year passion business, now located in Redfern, and its curated journey through design, vintage collectibles, and unique interior styling.

Tell us more about setting up shop in Redfern in 2013, and how it differs from the initial start in Surry Hills.

After 17 years in Surry Hills, we decided it was time for us to start a new chapter in our story in Redfern, where [12 years ago], had an uncanny resemblance to the feel and creative vibes of our early days in Surry Hills. 

With this move, we began to evolve more into a lifestyle shop as opposed to being a “design” shop. We decided to have our shop filled with contemporary, vintage and antiques pieces; in a way, continuing with our hobby of collecting antique and vintage pieces for our own collections, and displaying what we love in one spot.

Read more: Home tour: A timeless apartment in Potts Point, Sydney infused with continental charm

How would you describe your personal style, and how does it influence the curation process for the store?

I would describe my personal home style as simple, in terms of colour palette—red, blue and dark wood tones are my “calming” colours. But, as I am intrinsically a collector, it’s also constantly evolving, with new items finding a place in my home while I study and learn more about them. 

This flows into what I choose for our shop’s product range. Everything that goes into the shop will be items that I would happily have in my own home, and not items that I saw and ordered from an industry gift fair or design fair.

See also: How local artist Red Hong Yi crafts a creative haven at home

Do you have any quick tips in home designing, especially when it comes to vintage pieces?

As we have been collecting antique/vintage pieces for many years, it has become part of what we do in our shop where we impart our knowledge on how to display and look after vintage pieces alongside other items that our clients have at home. For example, certain pieces like textiles should not be in areas with high exposure to sunlight. 

Another observation that I have gathered over the years is that all good designs will sit well together, regardless of when they were made. We tell our clients to always trust their own instinct to choose which item to go with what they already have at home. We are here to help guide them also for that extra bit of reassurance.

Don’t miss: Home tour: A restored heritage bungalow in Singapore that retains its vintage charm

Chee Soon & Fitzgerald also custom makes a selection of textile and decor products using vintage materials.
How do you approach sustainability in your custom product lines?

One of our specialties is our custom making service, and besides soft furnishings and lamp shades using our fabrics both new and vintage, I have also custom designed floor rugs for clients, and also have designed a small range of hand-printed wallpapers.

We help our clients choose textile-based soft furnishings using the range of fabrics that we stock here. In order to extend the lifespan of some cushions, for example, especially those made from one-off vintage pieces, our advice would be to have a second or third set of cushion covers made over a period of time so sets of cushion covers can be rotated in use, perhaps seasonally.

Read more: A history untold: The timeless allure of Malaysian batik

After almost 30 years in business, what major changes have you observed in interior design tastes and trends, either locally in Australia and internationally?

What I have observed over the past decades is that interior design tastes and trends go in cycles. We have seen cycles of neutrals moving into colours, then textures, then minimalism, so on so forth. Currently, I’m seeing more of a restful luxury trend: well-padded structured sofas, high quality textile furnishings and beautiful timber finishes.

See also: Home tour: A grounded home in Perth inspired by the modernism greats

What do you think makes the business in Chee Soon & Fitzgerald thrive after close to 30 years?

The best testament is that we have a really good band of loyal customers who have continued to follow us over the past almost three decades, and now some of their children have become our customers as well. 

Coming to Redfern and also now in the era of social media have allowed us to be known to new audiences and introduce new clients to us. Ultimately though, I have to say both Bryan and myself are old fashioned shop keepers who love to interact with customers face-to-face, and chat with them about our shop items, which is important especially in our custom making services that we provide.

NOW READ

Talking hospitality, craft and honest design with Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa

5 considered resolutions for the modern home

Peranakan porcelain: Inside Malaysia’s largest heritage Kamcheng collection