Meet Jaime, the co-founder of HYJK Design and the creative force behind a design philosophy that goes beyond trends and aesthetics. With a deep belief that interior design should reflect a person’s lifestyle, habits, and aspirations, she founded her own firm to fill a gap she personally experienced while renovating her own home.
At the heart of Jaime’s work is a passion for helping clients feel truly at home in their spaces. Her approach combines space planning, storage solutions, and lifestyle functionality, all brought together under her signature blueprint. Today, she continues to transform homes and offices into purposeful environments—where design isn’t just seen, but lived.
What inspired you to start HYJK and how has your vision of “design at its best” evolved over the years?
We started HYJK when my husband and I were doing up our own home. We were looking for an interior designer who could create a lifestyle-based design tailored to our needs.
At the time, we had a very active lifestyle with a lot of equipment—sports gear, camping gear, etc.—and we wanted to store everything efficiently within our space, especially since our condo didn’t come with a storeroom. We needed someone to plan this properly.
During our search, we realised that most interior design firms in Singapore didn’t offer this kind of customisation. They typically provided standard wardrobes, shoe cabinets, and so on, without taking the time to understand our specific lifestyle needs.
Since my husband is design-trained, he felt strongly that interior design should begin with understanding the user’s lifestyle and needs, then planning the space around that. That’s how we identified a gap in the market and found it interesting to enter the industry ourselves. Initially, we focused on space planning, space optimisation, and storage solutions.
Over the years, we’ve evolved to create spaces that feel more personal, reflect the identity of those living or working in them, are timeless, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting HYJK, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was acquiring new clients and building trust. As a new firm, we didn’t have a long track record, so clients naturally compared us to more established companies. We had to keep listening closely to our clients, pay attention to the details, anticipate their needs, and deliver each project to a high standard.
Integrity was also very important—we were always upfront about costs and focused on building long-term relationships. We made sure every project was completed well and that our clients were happy, so they’d confidently recommend us to friends and family, especially during housewarmings or when showing their offices. Word of mouth became our most powerful marketing tool.
HYJK developed the Space Optimisation Blueprint. Can you share what this blueprint involves and how it sets you apart from other design firms?
The Space Optimisation Blueprint is a structured process we developed to ensure every space we design is both functional and beautiful. It involves studying how clients use their space—their routines, storage needs, and long-term plans—and translating that into thoughtful design.
We’re not just designing for looks; we’re designing for the actual users. This human-centric approach is what sets us apart.
We’ve refined this blueprint over the years and go the extra mile, not only handling construction but also advising on furnishings, accessories, and everything else that contributes to a complete, cohesive space. We take ownership of the entire environment.
Create good habits. If you want to achieve something big, it starts with many small, consistent actions. Your space can help support those habits.
Many homeowners struggle with clutter and storage. What are some simple tips you can give to optimise their living spaces?
Start small. You don’t have to wait until Chinese New Year to declutter everything. Begin with a small section—maybe a desk in the study room or just one part of your wardrobe. Tackling it bit by bit makes the process less overwhelming.
Also, consider multifunctional or flexible furniture, which can save a lot of space. For example, for one client, we designed a dining table that folds into a console table. When not in use, it makes the dining area look much more spacious.
Another tip is to make use of vertical space. Many homeowners overlook this. Even if you’re not building cabinets, you can use shelves, hooks, or racks to maximise wall space and improve organisation.
What trends do you see shaping the future of interior design in Singapore?
Sustainable and eco-friendly materials are definitely trending, although much has already been said about them. A more immediate shift we’re seeing is the shrinking of spaces. Condos, shops, and offices are getting smaller, and everyone wants to maximise every inch.
Space optimisation is therefore crucial. In recent years, wellness has also become a growing priority. People are beginning to view their environment as a way to support their well-being—through natural light, better airflow, calming aesthetics, and reduced clutter.
There’s a movement toward nature-inspired interiors and wellness-centred design, which I believe will become increasingly mainstream.
What advice would you give the younger generation in terms of living a better life?
Create good habits. If you want to achieve something big, it starts with many small, consistent actions. Your space can help support those habits. For example, if you want to exercise regularly, make sure your workout equipment and clothes are easy to access.
You shouldn’t have to climb a ladder and pull things down every time. They should be within reach and ready to go. Be intentional about how your space supports your lifestyle and goals. When your surroundings are aligned with your habits, it becomes much easier to maintain a better life.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
I hope Singapore becomes more outward-looking. Right now, many Singaporeans are quite focused on their own lives, careers, and families. I’d love to see more emphasis on community relationships—getting to know our neighbours and supporting each other. A return to the kampung spirit would be wonderful.
I also hope we truly embrace sustainable living. Right now, it’s still costly to renovate using sustainable materials, but I hope people will find creative ways to live sustainably and that it becomes an affordable lifestyle choice.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I’d love to be able to stop time—just to take a breather for self-care and wellness, to go out into nature and reset between meetings instead of rushing from one to the next.
Connect with Jaime: HYJK Design, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Jaime is a member of Rainmaker, a revolutionary movement that rallies like-minded people together based on the values of Love, Authenticity, Respect, Kindness and Youthfulness (LARKY).
