Designing With Soul: The Dialogue Between Craft and Emotion
Atelier V&A was born from a simple truth that design holds power when craft and emotion sit side by side. Our feature in Solitaire Magazine explored this idea in depth, and we wanted to share a closer look at the philosophy behind our work, our space, and the partnership that shapes every piece we create.
A Partnership Built on Contrast and Connection
When we first met, the creative connection was immediate. Venetia brought the discipline of traditional craft; Aisha brought the language of story and emotion. Two different starting points, one shared instinct.
“It was like two halves of the same idea finding each other,” Aisha reflected in the article. That balance — between structure and feeling, restraint and expression — became the foundation of Atelier V&A.
Craft as Rhythm, Precision and Purpose
Venetia’s world began in a carpentry studio. Raised within the legacy of Interics Decor, one of Singapore’s oldest interior and construction firms, she learned early that true craftsmanship is slow, intentional and deeply respectful.
“Craftsmanship is not about speed but about respect — for the maker, the process and the material.”
Her approach is grounded in discipline. Every joint, curve and proportion in our Atelier One collection is studied by hand, in dialogue with our craftsmen. This is how the Prologue Console, Intermission Mirror, and Dialogue Table take shape — as functional pieces that hold the quiet presence of sculpture.
To Venetia, longevity comes from intention. A piece must have a reason to exist.
Emotion as Form, Story and Sensory Experience
Aisha’s design language begins with feeling. With a background spanning performance, writing, interiors and film, her practice is rooted in connection.
“Every object begins with a feeling that finds form and triggers joy.”
Her process considers mood, light, texture and the intangible qualities that make a space feel alive. Lived experiences across Sydney, London, the Netherlands and Singapore inform this emotional fluency — a layering of cultures that brings warmth and imagination to each design.
Where Venetia listens to material, Aisha listens to atmosphere. This interplay creates a depth that defines Atelier V&A.
The Space: A Living Gallery in Singapore
Our atelier in Kaki Bukit is both studio and sanctuary — a three-storey workshop above a ground-floor gallery where ideas take physical shape. It is a home for craft, collaboration and experimentation.
“It’s a living gallery, a sanctuary, a creative playground.”
The space reflects Singapore’s spirit: disciplined yet daring, grounded in heritage yet open to reinvention. It also serves as a platform for makers, with collaborations from local artists such as Beeyarnd, Daisy Toh and Lavavella. Together, these partnerships reinterpret traditional craft in contemporary form.
Designing With Purpose
Purpose is embedded in everything we do. From the sculptural forms of Atelier One to our community-driven initiatives, design must carry meaning.
Aisha’s belief in “beauty with purpose” is embodied in Gather in Light — 60 Lights, One Future, a marble lighting collection supporting the Singapore Red Cross Young Hearts programme. It connects creativity with compassion, craft with community.
“Success is when design inspires emotion — when someone pauses and smiles.”
Looking Ahead: Craftsmanship With Global Vision
Our commitment is to champion Singaporean craftsmanship — to nurture a home for emerging designers and master artisans, to create work that feels rooted here yet speaks globally.
We want to build a family of sculptural design lovers who believe in the power of craft, story and soul.
“Timelessness is emotional endurance. A piece lasts because it continues to mean something.”
This is the heart of Atelier V&A.
A dialogue between hands and heart.
A space where craft becomes story.
A reminder that true beauty — the lasting kind — is always made with intention.
You can read the full article here.
Big love,
Aisha & Venetia
