A metric of success in life often is the freedom to choose what to do and who to do it with.
Hani Ali says she selects her clients, rather than the other way around.
Each of her limited edition pieces not only takes time to craft by hand, but is uniquely designed. For instance, a bespoke sculptural dining table inspired by a local fruit, mangosteen, exudes elegance.
For Hani, it is not just a piece of furniture. It is a form of art or sculpture that fits into any home or cafe.
The pieces, from wood like oak, showcase simplicity with clean and straight lines, fine craftsmanship and functionality, such as the one-of-a-kind Food and Beverage trolley.
Hani likes to challenge herself in design and grow from the experience.
“There is nothing plain in ‘Lain’,’’ says the designer, who founded the firm nine years ago.
What inspired you to become a furniture maker?
I became intrigued with furniture design in the course of my internship with an interior firm after I completed my diploma of interior architecture.
I decided that I must pursue this uncharted course and got myself to study furniture and industrial design in Perth and Adelaide.
I stayed on after graduation for two more years in Australia to gain work experience.
How did your journey into furniture making begin?
I landed a full-time job as a junior designer. Since I had knowledge of interior design, I worked on drafting home plans and layouts. After a year, I joined a renowned design centre for two years.
I familiarised myself with design and furniture-making and learning the business ways of an entrepreneur.
After living in Australia for seven years, I finally came back to Malaysia in 2009. Before I started Lain, I was mentoring and judging at a couple of furniture design competitions for three consecutive years, from 2010 to 2012.
I started Lain in April 2012, a furniture design workshop that creates limited volume wood creations.
What sets you apart from other furniture designers?
When I studied furniture design and making in Australia, I was exposed to a lot of Western designs.
I had to build a working prototype in the workshop because the courses I did were mostly hands-on.
I implement the basic traditional wood joineries into all my designs.
Wood joineries take a lot of labour, effort and skill. This is where Lain is different from other bespoke makers in Malaysia.
The design we do also sets us apart from other rivals and carpenters.
What influences you when it comes to designing?
Everyone has different eyes when they look at things.
I look at objects that other people call ‘rubbish’ as interesting and beautiful things. Although I have been running Lain for nine years, it is always a challenge when it comes to making new furniture as we don’t run a cookie-cutting business.
Our main business is bespoke furniture. So each time we are given a new brief, it also comes with a new set of production solutions.
As I was born in the era when colonial furniture was typical in every household, I love the functions in vintage furniture – the clean lines, wood tones and wood joineries in Danish furniture.
I love the eclectic designs in Dutch style and the traditional joineries in Malay wooden houses and how they complement its natural surroundings.
We go back to basics and that is what I want Lain to be.
What is your most memorable creation?
I have different kinds of memorable projects.
One is sweet and gives you confidence, another is unpleasant but matures you.
In 2018, Lain was chosen to design furniture for KLOE Hotel in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
As per the founder, it is a boutique hotel for creative nomads.
We were given the opportunity to create and design out-of-norm products for them. Lain worked closely with the founder and the architect from MMN Architects. That was one of my proudest moments because I got to work with clients who appreciate and respect what we do and also to collaborate with local architects.
Last year, I was requested to design and make a sculptural dining table using reclaimed timber. We managed to complete the job but it ended up disastrously due to different expectations from both parties.
I will remember this because it taught me to be alert in choosing the right clients in future.
