A studio built on
restraint & care
Kava Studio is a Kuala Lumpur-based interior design practice working at the quieter end of the industry — where decisions are made carefully and nothing is added without reason.
← Back to HomeHow Kava Studio came to be
Kava Studio grew from a straightforward observation: most interior design practices in Kuala Lumpur offer either high-end full-service work with prices to match, or budget renovations that leave clients feeling uncertain about the result. There wasn't much in between — and very little that felt considered at a mid-range scale.
The studio was founded in Bangsar with the intention of filling that gap. We wanted to offer design thinking that is genuinely rigorous — spatial, material, and relational — without the overhead of a large team or the expectation of a certain budget bracket.
The name comes from the Indonesian word for work, care, and the quiet discipline behind good craft. It's a reminder of the spirit we try to bring to each project: attentive, unhurried, focused on what matters.
Over the years, the studio has worked on apartments in Mont Kiara, a small office fit-out in Petaling Jaya, a shophouse conversion in Chow Kit, and many spaces in Bangsar itself. Each one different. Each one approached from the same starting point: listening first.
Our mission
To bring clarity and calm to the design process — helping clients make considered decisions about their spaces without pressure, confusion, or unnecessary complexity.
Our values
- Restraint: choosing what to leave out as much as what to include
- Honesty: clear communication about scope, cost, and timeline
- Craft: attention to the details that make a space feel right
- Respect: for the client's pace, preferences, and budget
A small, focused team
Siti Rahimah
Principal Designer
Fifteen years of design work across residential and commercial projects. Trained in Kuala Lumpur and spent several years in Singapore before returning to set up the studio. Particularly interested in how natural light shapes a room.
Arif Luqman
Design & Visualisation
Handles spatial planning, 3D visualisation, and technical documentation. Has a background in architecture and brings a precise eye to material selection and layout. Based full-time at the Bangsar studio.
Nurul Jannah
Project Coordination
Manages contractor relationships, procurement timelines, and quality checks during the build phase. Her background is in construction management, which means she speaks the language on site and keeps things orderly.
Standards we hold ourselves to
Defined scope from the start
Every engagement begins with a clear written agreement covering scope, deliverables, timeline, and cost. Nothing is assumed or left open-ended.
Data & client privacy
Client project information, photographs, and personal details are handled with care and never shared without explicit consent. We take privacy seriously in a practical sense, not just a policy one.
Quality inspection process
During build management, each key stage is inspected before proceeding. Issues are raised early, directly with the relevant contractor, and resolved before moving on.
Precise documentation
All design decisions, material specs, and procurement details are documented clearly. Clients leave each project with files they can actually use — not just mood boards.
Vetted supplier relationships
We work with suppliers and contractors we know personally from prior projects. Where new vendors are needed, we assess them before recommending or engaging them.
Honest communication
We update clients at every stage, including when something hasn't gone to plan. We'd rather have a difficult conversation early than a bigger problem later.
Interior design in Kuala Lumpur, done quietly
The design culture in Kuala Lumpur tends towards abundance — layered textures, rich finishes, maximalist arrangements. Kava Studio occupies a quieter corner of that landscape. We are drawn to spaces that breathe: rooms where the furniture earns its place, where light moves through without interruption, and where nothing competes for attention.
This sensibility shows up across all three of our services. In the consultation, it means focusing on what actually needs to change rather than proposing wholesale transformation. In the full design service, it means editing choices carefully — selecting materials that age well, layouts that feel considered, and furnishings that carry visual weight without crowding the room. In build management, it means keeping the process orderly so the client doesn't inherit a chaotic handover.
We work with apartments, landed homes, offices, and small commercial interiors across the Klang Valley. Our work in Bangsar is well-known locally, and we have completed projects in areas including Damansara Heights, KLCC, Puchong, and Subang Jaya. Each project is different in its physical character, but they share the same design approach: listen first, propose clearly, deliver precisely.
Ready to talk about your project?
Tell us about your space and what you're working towards. We'll suggest where to begin.
Get in touch