Amber Pan Reveals Favorite Amsterdam School Lamp and More: Discover Her Top Book & Sculptures!

Amber Pan has always been fascinated by the concept of shaping spaces. She completed her bachelor’s degree in architecture, initially focusing on building structures. However, she eventually discovered that her true calling was in interior design, which she likens to setting the stage for a scene. “Interior design has a subtle yet profound way of storytelling. You can almost guess the protagonist of a space just by noticing the intricate details,” Pan explains.

Her passion for adding distinctive touches to various rooms became evident when she bought and customized her own apartment. This personal project confirmed her belief that she could make a similar impact for others.

Pan joined forces with Michelle Song to establish Studio ŪMA, a London-based firm specializing in interior architecture. Their work celebrates the beauty of imperfection, incorporating elements like oxidized metals and weathered wood, which are seen as marks of time rather than flaws. Pan carefully balances purpose and simplicity in her designs, which often fuse different cultures, histories, and materials, whether for residential or commercial spaces.

Pan enjoys the initial, often disordered stages of a project where ideas can be freely exchanged. Despite the occasional uncertainties and the necessity for trial and error, these phases lead to moments of clarity that she finds deeply satisfying.

Looking ahead, Pan is interested in exploring visual storytelling and envisions her design principles being applied to film. “There is a shared language between interior design and filmmaking, focusing on the creation of worlds using space, light, and composition,” she observes.

Today, Amber Pan joins us for Friday Five!

1. Bleached Tree Vine

This piece of nature, bleached and sculptural, blends strength with fragility, anchoring the space with a raw, organic beauty and a sense of time’s wear.

2. Sculpture by Sasa Works

This sculpture by artist Craig features a delicate metal leaf balanced by the weight of a mining chain, a juxtaposition of elements that defies expectation, yet achieves perfect harmony through its design.

3. Chair by Bořek Šípek

The first designer chair I acquired, which symbolizes a blend of functionality, emotion, and whimsical craftsmanship, marking a personal revelation in design appreciation.

4. Amsterdam School lamp

Its substantial form and soothing illumination add architectural significance and a touch of historical romance to any interior.

5. In Praise of Shadows

This influential book has profoundly shaped my understanding of space, lighting, and the beauty of the unseen, emphasizing the allure of what is not immediately visible.

Works by Pan

Brook Green Flat

An artful, contemporary apartment set within a Victorian structure in West London, where the essence of the city is woven into the color palette, all while preserving the historical integrity of the building.

South Kensington Residence

Located in a Victorian townhouse from the 1860s in South Kensington, this space merges the charm of the past with modern artistic elements, creating a seamless blend of old and new.

Fulham House

Nestled in a classic terraced house near the Thames in London, this space serves as both a home and studio for Michelle Song, co-founder of Studio ŪMA; it’s a place where Eastern philosophy meets Western lifestyle, facilitating both living and creative work.

Her Room Breathes showcase with Larry’s List in Shanghai

A unique exhibition set in the historical Guang’er Warehouse along Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, exploring the narrative of personal space through a dynamic mix of furniture, lighting, and art that interact to form a coherent habitat.