Beyond the Tour: Founder of Maison Q shares 5 things closest to her heart
Homeowner, Suhana Ab owns and manages homegrown kids wear label, Maison Q, with her husband. She tells us how the design of her home supports her multiple roles as mompreneur, mother and wife, and shares with us five things in the home that are closest to her heart.
By Lynn Tan -
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I have long acknowledged that I cannot have it all. For example, I was recently in Kuala Lumpur for eight days running our bespoke pop-up and during this time, my youngest son finally cycled on two wheels completely without any help. I was sad that I missed witnessing it firsthand, but it is what it is.
We are very lucky that we have a good helper who is excellent at her job. She supports my husband and I completely and runs the household for me with minimum prompting. Over the years, she has learnt to anticipate our needs and prepare them ahead of time. She really takes a lot off my plate.
As she is so busy, it was important to me that she had her own space to wind down and rest at night. This was indicated clearly in my brief and we managed to carve out a comfortable space for her on the first storey. She has her own privacy to talk to her family and can rest without being disturbed by my kids.
My island has three seats and I wanted it as I have three children. When designing the home, I imagined the kids seated there and talking to me while I prepared their food. This happens daily when I catch up with them after a long day of work.
Even though the home is bigger now, there is still a limitation of space. My husband built a pull out table for me in our bedroom should we need to do our work and can be put away when we do not need it. I like to watch television before I go to bed, but not every day, so my husband had the television built into our wardrobe (in front of my dresses) so that it too can be put away when we do not need it.
King Living Sofa
This is a modular sofa that my husband loves as it allows us to fully recline. We started with two modules at our previous home and added another unit in our new home. Apart from its excellent quality, it also serves as a reminder how we have grown as a family.
St Regis Kuala Lumpur x Maison Q
In October 2024, we did a special collaboration with St Regis Kuala Lumpur where we glowed up their suites and poolside restaurant and created a line of merchandise for them using an exclusively designed print. I have a set of coasters and table mats from the collaboration for use at home.
They have special meaning to us as it is the biggest collaboration that we have done to date and an indicator of our progress in the Malaysian market. To be entrusted with a project of that magnitude is humbling and it is a wonderful reminder on bad days that we are doing something right.
Orchid Lego
This was put together by my middle child and assisted by my daughter. I love flowers but not so much building them. My son always takes the time to assemble things like these for me. I think he did very well given that he is only nine years old. It serves as a reminder of my family.
Thermomix
I discovered this when my helper was away for eight weeks. My husband and I were struggling to manage the kids and our workload, but I was still bent on cooking our own meals as I felt that it was healthier and more economical for my family.
The Thermomix has changed the way my family eats. I have cooked dishes that I would have never attempted in this lifetime and baked chocolate molten cakes that were a massive hit during the Raya season. It is a staple in my kitchen.