Furniture Designer-maker | Secret Life of Trees

SECRET LIFE OF TREES

UNCOVERING EMBEDDED STORIES

PHILOSOPHY

The way a space is furnished can tell you a lot about the people who live and work there. Thoughtfully created objects, made for a specific place and purpose, ignite curiosity and give meaning to a space.

I hope the objects I create make people feel a repertoire of emotions – perhaps the same quiet joy I feel when working with my hands.

Working with wood allows me to reflect on Nature's gifts and reminds me of the fragility of our environment and of the diminishing resources on earth. I strive to be more mindful of the things I use and throw – and ultimately, to do less of the latter by choosing to purchase and use furniture and objects that are thoughtfully and lovingly made, and that are made to last.

FURNITURE

Memory Chest (In Memory of Mizah)

A memory chest to house the belongings of a loved one. The flower carving on the front of the chest and the inlay on the lid was referenced from the beautiful sketches that client's wife, Mizah, did. The inlay was made from crushed eggshells, a nod to the kitchen, where Mizah manifested "her love, care, and joy to others and herself through food... the twinkle of her eye when she was in her zone, and the joy on her face when the dishes come out beautifully, as it always does." (Words in quotations from Adib Jalal)

AER COFFEE TABLE

Inspired by a combination of the sharp lines of an aircraft and the gentle curves of a bird’s wings in flight, the AER Coffee Table was designed and made for a pilot who spends most of his days up in the air amongst clouds, having what I imagine to be the most incredible sweeping views of the earth and sky.

L 1200 X W 550 X H 400 mm

BUTTERFLY CHAIR

A chair specially created to be paired with the client’s vanity table. A variety of wood species were laminated to give character to the otherwise simple design of the chair. Wedged tenon-and-mortise joinery for legs, with wax-oil finish.

L 540 X W 480 X H 450 (height of seat) mm

MOTHERSHIP SIDE TABLE

This side table is the perfect accent piece for the modern home. The unique tambour-slide doors are inspired by mid-century sideboards and television consoles.

L 510 X W 305 X H 770 mm

CANYON HALLWAY TABLE

An experiment in sculpting twisted timber into table legs. A 3mm steel plate was inlayed into the cherry table top and the legs then joined to the top using steel inserts. The legs were then charred and waxed to a finish that emphasised the natural grain pattern of the wood.

Made in collaboration with JT Design

L 1040 X W 550 X H 830 mm

SONGJUN CREDENZA

Made from a beautiful garry oak slab rescued from the floor of a sawmill. Look out for a shiny silver bullet lodged within the wood, which I kept in one of the panels as an easter egg for sharp eyes!

L 1070 X W 380 X H 690 mm

TONBO MEDIA CABINET

A charred gable divides the cabinet into a pleasing 3:2 ratio, and separated the book-matched doors from the rest of the more abstract doors.

Made in collaboration with JT Design

L 2130 X W 430 X H 860 mm

OBJECTS & ART

1/2

Yu Hua is a designer-maker working primarily with wood. She shuttles between two islands in juxtaposition - the tropical, manicured garden-city of Singapore and the rugged, rocky coast of Vancouver Island. She has drawn inspiration and energy from trees for as long as she can remember.

Her work is a manifestation of the intertwined stories of the tree and the eventual user of the piece, as well as a vehicle for personal creative expression.

Media Mentions

Avontuura

Channel News Asia Lifestyle

Channel U (video only viewable from Singapore)

Chippendale School

Design Singapore: Profile

Design Singapore: Women designers to watch

Female Mag

Habitus Living

Home and Décor

The New York Times Style Magazine

The Straits Times

联合早报

晚报