Priscilla Tan

We chat with interior style Priscilla Tan from STYLEDBYPT to find out more about how she transforms regular houses into stylish homes

- Germaine Cheah

How did you get started in interior styling?

It started when I first moved to my new home five years ago. My family and friends loved how I styled my home and asked me to design and decorate theirs. Initially, I did it on the weekends and in my free time, before then taking the leap of faith to start STYLEDBYPT two years ago.

Do you have a styling philosophy? If so, how would you describe it?

I believe in practical homes with a good use of space for storage, function and design. Without these three main elements, the home will not be complete and will not last through the years. After all, a home is a longterm commitment and a sanctuary of comfort. Styling helps to add in the personality and warmth to the space but it’s not everything.

Are there any hard and fast rules homeowners should follow when styling their homes?

I believe people should see styling their homes as a way to tell their own stories, their adventures and what makes them happy. It is good to adapt a trend but not to overdo one. For example, with the terrazzo trend, an example of taking such a trend more casually is to get a décor item like a vase or a tray with this pattern, instead of investing in carpentry or countertop materials in this finish that may become dated as the years go by.

Is there something people usually get wrong about interior styling?

A misconception I often hear is that the stylist just comes into the space and place things around the home, and that they do not care about function of the home. There is so much more to what a stylist does as we prepare mood boards, do sourcing, shop with the clients, plan the colours and all the soft furnishings in the home from wallpaper to rug sizes to the pairing of throw cushions and even to the type of plants and flowers used in each home.