Our “I Am Her” series features the female movers and shakers of the industry to learn how femininity and power coincide beautifully and seamlessly together.
“A man’s house is his castle,” as the saying goes. Yet, even the most beautiful castles serve more than just an aesthetic purpose — they are designed for protection and practicality. In this modern era, how do we strike the right balance between functionality and beauty in our living spaces? This is a challenge that interior designers like Phan Min Er often face.
Interior designer Phan Min Er.
The former air traffic controller made the leap of faith, where she transitioned into an entirely different industry. Shifting from directing aircrafts on the ground, she turned her attention to managing her clients’ expectations and directing a team of contractors to build functionally designed interior spaces. In the process, she rekindled her love for design that began during her teenage years spent as a homebody. Discover her story below.
Fill in the blank: I am an interior designer, former air traffic controller, and .
“A homebody!”
Tell us more about your transition from working in the aviation industry to interior design. How does your previous job give you a unique perspective on the interior design industry?
“It was quite a huge transition and a step into a career that I never thought I would ever be in. Moving from a behind-the-scenes job to one that requires me to be client-facing was a huge step. I had to overcome the introvertedness in me to decide if this was something that I could do.
Min Er during her days as an air traffic controller.
These are two entirely different industries with vastly different scopes of work as well. Air traffic control was very niche, whereas stepping into interior design was something I had to start from scratch.”
What was it like to leave one career for a new chapter in your life?
“A very scary one. Stepping into something so different also meant that I had to work harder to make it work. Having started this career later than others, I felt the need to put in more effort to catch up. Furthermore, because it was something so different, I had to quickly find out if this was something that I wanted to build my career on and if I could excel in.”
Why interior design, specifically? What makes you feel the most passionate about your current role as an interior designer?
“I have been such a homebody since I was young, so interior design has always sparked an interest in me. I saw myself as someone who would spend a lot of time at home, whenever I could. Being an interior designer would allow me to see all the different possibilities I could have while having the opportunity to execute it.
This minimalist design focused on simplicity and use of storage spaces to keep things uncluttered. A light and neutral palette was used to expand the space.
Clichéd as it may sound, I feel the most passionate when my ideas resonate with what my owners have in mind. This makes creating a dream home for them much easier and more fun as it feels like we are creating something together with a common goal in mind.”
What is a day in the life of Min Er, the interior designer, like? How do you start and end your day on a good note?
“My favourite kind of day is one where my itinerary is tightly packed ‘til the day ends. So typically, mornings are spent at our ongoing job site where we check on the renovation's progress. After a few site meetings, I typically have lunch at around 2PM.
Once that is done, I start on the paperwork. I sit in front of the computer to create proposals, quotations or check through invoices until 7PM. On some days, I have meetings with my cients as that is when they are usually available.
On days that I have my evenings free, I will head back home for dinner and continue the rest of my work in the comfort of my home.”
A modern minimalist theme that focuses on simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with colour used as an accent.
As an interior designer, what other skills do you need to have to “make it” as an interior designer? Any valuable learnings you wish you knew before starting this chapter in your life?
“I do not think there is a skill per se that you need to have to make it as a designer. However, I think it is important to design a place that caters to the needs of the owners. A home should be a place where they can head back to every day for a respite from their busy lives. So, while it may be nice to propose an out-of-the-world design that could win design awards, I think the most important thing is to put yourself in the owners’ shoes, understand what they like, and design their homes accordingly.”
What is the meaning and purpose of a well-designed space for you?
“As mentioned before, I think a well-designed space is somewhere that provides the person staying in a sense of belonging and comfort. It’s a place that makes them wish to come home for all sorts of reasons, be it good or bad.”
How do you balance aesthetic creativity with functionality within a space? How does this spread into your personal life philosophies?
“To be honest, I sometimes prioritise functionality over aesthetics. The busy and fast-paced life in Singapore means that we sometimes do not have the energy or time to clean up the house. Hence, my design philosophy has always focused on how I can blend a touch of aesthetics with practicality into a person’s home. Low-maintenance houses have always been my focus. This ensures that even after I hand over the house, my clients can keep it in pristine condition with minimal effort.”
Taking inspiration from other spaces.
What’s the current landscape of the interior design industry in Singapore? Any developments you’re currently keeping the pulse on?
“I think minimalist and clutter-free designs seem to be what most homeowners are looking for nowadays. They like incorporating organic materials into the design of their space — I think it is because they want to come home to a place that they can relax. Additionally, as homes in Singapore are getting smaller, most homeowners seek ideas that can make their homes look more spacious.”
What is your advice for women looking to switch careers into seemingly completely different industries from their current ones?
“I would say to just go for it because ‘you never know until you try.’ It’s a waste to think of all the ‘what ifs’. If you have the opportunity to switch careers or try something new, take the adventurous step and just try it out. There really is no harm in stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something different — you might end up loving it more than what your current life brings you.”
What does living ’your most beautiful life’ mean to you?
“‘[Living my most beautiful life would be to] do what I love without caring about others’ judgments. I feel many people are always concerned of what others might think or say, but I think that is a burdensome way to live life. It is YOUR life, so have the freedom to do what you want that makes you happy.”
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
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