Everyone knows who Najip Ali is – that zany, spontaneous and bubbly personality who hosted amongst others, his signature programme Asia Bagus.

Now you would be right if you suspect his house is just as zany as he is. Within the placid exterior of his apartment in Kampong Glam lies an unpredictable explosion of shapes and colours characteristic of its inhabitant. But it would be wrong of me to just dwell upon the superficial for beneath that colourful façade lies a sensible thoughtfulness influencing the design to suit Najip’s lifestyle. Beauty and comfort, perfect.

Najip had come to know about ID Emboss through his clubbing friend Chrys. Trust is important to him in picking a designer and since the home is where the heart resides, trust and expertise is crucial. “Without Chrys, I would have wasted a lot of money” mused Najip. With his good eye for colour, his ability to garner the best buys, Chrys’ contribution to Najip’s dream home is very significant to say the least.

The apartment was spacious and resembled an art gallery. Where there were walls, there art will be, consisting of Najip’s personal collection over the years as well as recent purchases to complement the style. In a word, the modern paintings were an apt metaphor for his home – a 3 dimensional canvass filled with spatterings of colour from his art, furniture and lighting fixtures.

Dissatisfied with the stolid wooden textures and blank white washed walls ubiquitous in many magazines offering but a superficial coat of sophistication, he has opted to do away with it and furnish it in tune with his instinct. What could be more telling of this than his kitchen which was left literally un-titled, showing raw concrete and unhidden pipings and circuitry to produce an urban/street vibe nicely matching the killer gerbil paintings which adorn his kitchen walls. The lime green cabinets add a notch up to the edginess of the kitchen atmosphere.

   

But it’s not just bright colours and funky shapes. To truly reflect an individual, the home must tell a story and it is up to the keen eye to pick pieces of that story from the garnishings that stand out. At first glance, some of the furnishings which didn’t fit smoothly into the scheme of things could be attributed to the pseudo sophisticated eclecticism which is quite pervasive nowadays. Only when Najip sheds light on their inspiration does one see the congruity.

The lime green, purple, blue which colour the house together with the metallic hanging lamps and other antique looking furniture all contain hints of memories of his mother, the kampong and his childhood. It’s incredible how he manages to fit in a pensive, wabi-sabi feel amidst the spattering of bright colours, giving a unique mix of spontaneity and maturity.

To those looking for ID to materialize their dream home, Najip advises finding
someone they can trust and who fits the budget. Patience and tirelessness in finding

that perfect piece of lampshade would also be crucial as one shouldn’t settle for less. He has driven island wide to find the furnishings that fit perfectly with his style. For those partial to his tastes, he shops at Just Anthony and gets his ideas from Elle Décor London and Australia. And of course, one would do best with a prudent ID when going furniture shopping.

Having lived in many countries over the years, Najip’s return finally comes full circle. What he now has is aliving space reflective of his colourful life, conducive for large gatherings of friends and underlying that, an atmosphere reminiscent of his childhood, adding depth to the apartment’s character. After many apartments and houses, Najip finally has a home.