About Lirien
A studio shaped
by how people live.
Lirien works with homeowners and developers in the Klang Valley who want contemporary interiors that last beyond the first year — and survive the build process intact.
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Founded on a simple observation
Lirien began in 2019 when its founder, having spent several years working for larger Kuala Lumpur design firms, noticed a consistent gap between what was drawn and what was built. Specifications were written loosely, contractor communication happened verbally, and the modern intent of a design often dissolved somewhere between the architectural drawings and the site.
The studio was set up to close that gap — to produce documentation tight enough to survive the build process, and to stay on site long enough to notice when it wasn't. The name Lirien comes from an old word for a plant that grows along water — a quiet nod to the way Malaysian homes have always needed to negotiate humidity and light.
We work exclusively in a contemporary direction, drawing on the logic of how modern Malaysian households actually use their ground floors: fewer internal walls, furniture that earns its place, ventilation treated as a design element rather than an afterthought.
Our Mission
To produce interior design documentation and coordination that holds its intent through the construction process — so that what the client agreed to is what they move into.
Our Approach
Every project starts with a conversation about how the client uses their home. We draw from that, not from trends. The result is usually quieter than the client expected, and more liveable than they'd hoped.
Our Focus
We work primarily in the Klang Valley, with a studio at The Linc KL. All coordination is conducted in writing. We keep a small roster of active projects to maintain quality across every engagement.
The people
A small team, on purpose
Siti Rahmawati
Principal Designer
Leads all design direction and client consultation. Background in architecture, with eleven years in residential interiors across the Klang Valley.
Ahmad Kamarudin
Documentation Lead
Produces the studio's construction drawings and specification sets. Works closely with contractors to resolve technical questions without compromising the design intent.
Lee Yan Ling
Site Coordination & Sourcing
Manages on-site coordination and material sourcing. Maintains written progress logs and handles contractor communication throughout the build phase.
How we work
Standards we hold ourselves to
Written Specification
Every design decision is documented in writing before the build begins. Verbal agreements are confirmed in follow-up email. This protects both the client and the design.
Regular Site Presence
On coordination projects, the studio visits site weekly. Observations are logged the same day. We raise issues in writing, not in informal conversation that disappears after the walk.
Material Sampling
We handle physical samples for all primary finishes before specification. Digital images are insufficient — colour, texture, and reflectivity read differently in person and under Malaysian light conditions.
Client Data & Privacy
Floorplans, photographs, and personal information shared with Lirien are held in confidence and not used for marketing without explicit written consent from the client.
Climate-Aware Planning
All layouts are reviewed for ventilation adequacy before finalisation. We consider prevailing wind direction, ceiling heights, and shading as part of the design process, not as an add-on.
Direct Client Access
Clients deal directly with their assigned designer throughout the project. No account managers, no handoffs. Questions get answered by the person who made the decision.
Interior design for contemporary Malaysian homes
The Klang Valley's residential market has changed considerably over the past decade. Homeowners in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding areas increasingly arrive at interior designers with a clearer sense of what they want — and a healthy scepticism about what they'll actually receive. The gap between a design presentation and the finished space has, for many clients, been a source of frustration on previous projects.
Lirien's approach to this problem is straightforward: produce documentation detailed enough to leave little room for contractor interpretation, and maintain site presence long enough to notice when something is diverging. This isn't a novel idea, but it requires a studio to be deliberate about how many projects it takes on at any given time.
Contemporary interiors in Malaysia have their own logic. The climate calls for layouts that work with natural ventilation rather than relying entirely on air conditioning. The most successful modern homes in this region tend to have open ground floors that move air, materials that wear gracefully in humidity, and furniture placed with enough space around it that the room can breathe. These are the conditions Lirien designs for — not an imported European minimalism that ignores where the space actually sits.
The studio's three services — concept direction, full documentation, and on-site coordination — can be engaged separately or in sequence. Many clients begin with a concept brief to test the direction, then proceed to full documentation if it feels right. Others come with drawings already in hand and engage the coordination service alone. The process is designed to accommodate how residential projects actually unfold, not how they're supposed to.
Work with Lirien
A project starts with a conversation.
Tell us about your space and what you're working toward. We'll be straightforward about whether and how we can help.
Get in Touch