From public service to design, Cassandra, the founder of Eden Living shares her inspiring journey of building a brand centred on the philosophy of restful living. Drawing inspiration from everyday life and her father’s entrepreneurial spirit, she’s created a design studio that blends purpose with aesthetics, offering more than just home décor — it’s a pathway to a well-lived life.
We speak with Cassandra to find out how Eden Living’s thoughtful creations bring calm and beauty into homes and what sets this brand apart in a competitive market.
Tell us about yourself.
My journey began in public service, where I believed that good policy and governance are the foundations of a flourishing society. While working at a community centre in the heartlands, I was immersed in the everyday routines of people from all walks of life, observing how they interacted within their social and physical environments. On the ground, there are always needs to be met, whether physical or psychological, recognized or unknown. The key is to meet people where they are — it is through genuine human connection that we can truly understand what someone needs.
This experience fundamentally shaped my worldview as a designer and sparked my interest in designing for everyday living. Through Eden Living, I believe that good design has the potential to empower people like you and me to make a meaningful impact on society in deeply personal and fulfilling ways.
What inspired you to start Eden Living,and how did the brand come to life?
My greatest inspiration for entrepreneurship is my dad, affectionately known as
Uncle Ray. Self-taught in resin art and woodworking through YouTube, he
founded Hands Design in 2020 during the pandemic, and we encouraged him to sell his work online. This experience was my first foray into entrepreneurship and led me to reconsider my values in work and life. I decided to reset my career while working full-time with my dad, a challenging but necessary move. Without a career title, I struggled to define my social value and find rest — but from what, exactly?
In 2022, I founded Eden Living, a design studio focused on restful living, as part of my reflection on what truly constitutes a well- lived life. Rest is often seen as the absence of activity, but in today’s complex world, I see it as a purposeful state of mind. At Eden, we take inspiration from around the world, particularly South Korea, to curate collections and design pieces that reflect our shared values. Our main partner, Design Studio Rising, specializes in handcrafted wooden lamps and home décor, and together we are inspired by light, a theme we plan to explore for years to come.
How does Eden Living differentiate itself in the highly competitive home décor market?
What sets us apart in the market is that we are not just about home décor. Instead of curating items solely for their aesthetic appeal, we focus on creating with a strong sense of purpose, reflecting our ideas of living well so that our designs resonate with people and they can see their true value.
Additionally, Eden’s style of visual storytelling is recognisable, or so I’ve been told. As a photographer and designer, I exclusively shoot, design, write, and curate for the brand. I want viewers to experience firsthand what we do — whether it’s enjoying moments of calm on Jeju Island, visiting our partner’s workshop in Yangpyeong, or seeing the world through our designs. Our goal is to share human experiences and complex emotions, creating a vibe that people can always return to amidst the noise. We envision Eden as a community where people learn and live together.
What challenges did you face while establishing Eden Living, and how did you overcome them?
The greatest challenge for me has been staying confident and focused on our own path. Every brand has its own story to tell, so it’s crucial to understand and appreciate the brand for what it is, making decisions based on our values and goals.
Along the way, we’ve encountered potential partners, but we’ve sometimes entered into partnerships that didn’t fully meet our expectations. At the core, we aim to work with people whose values align with ours. To overcome this challenge, I’ve had to become more self-aware and attuned to the people I meet. Finding the right person to work with is more than half the battle, and often leads to gaining a friend in the process.
Describe your design philosophy.
Time and again, I find myself searching for beauty in all things. In my design practice, I strive to create a sense of wonder and awe by balancing form, function, and purpose, allowing us to experience the world as it truly is. Whether it’s a walk in the forest, the sound of waves crashing against rocks, or the warmth of sunlight on skin, I aim to create designs that hold meaning beyond their time. I hope that by doing so, we can all continue to cherish the beauty of the human experience together — through the uncertainty, complexity, and depths of the world we live in.
Where do you draw your inspiration from when creating new designs or curating collections?
I usually draw inspiration from observing people. I’m curious about how they navigate their daily lives and how designs can influence the flow of everyday living. Every design should gently encourage a new way of living.
Occasionally, I’m inspired by vintage lamps and objects I come across. These creations were made in a different era, with distinct considerations and trends in mind. Observing these designs from the past intrigues me and expands my thinking, allowing me to creatively solve the challenges I face.
When curating brands and partnerships, I’m most inspired by the artist’s intention. Creations born from unique experiences and fresh interpretations of the world bring great value to the Eden community.
What are some of the best-selling items at Eden Living, and why do you think they resonate so well with your customers?
Definitely, the lamps. I’ve spoken with many of my customers to understand why, and I believe it’s because the lamps create a warm, comforting atmosphere wherever they’re placed, offering a sense of companionship. Form and function also play a role. Customers intuitively grasp the design intention of the lamps and can easily envision how and where they’ll fit in their spaces.
How do you see the brand evolving in years to come?
I hope for Eden to be established in Asia as a design studio known for its strong design philosophy and commitment to the vision of restful living.
In Singapore, I aspire to create designs that have a more immediate impact on our local communities, especially those who may appreciate and benefit from our work but lack direct access to it, such as low-income families. I am also dedicated to the welfare of street and shelter animals, and I hope to contribute to the community through design in a greater capacity one day, beyond just adopting my three cats.
Share with us your favourite piece from any of your collection.
My favourite design is the Chestnut Lamp. It’s one of our best-selling pieces to date, and I’m very grateful for the positive response. We launched it last autumn when chestnuts were in season and the days were getting colder.
The original lamp we designed, though minimalist, couldn’t stand on its own. We realised this was an issue when our cats toppled the prototype while playing at home. Balance became a significant concern. We explored countless conventional bases, but it was our observations of various fruits and vegetables that inspired its form. We ultimately settled on the shape of a chestnut — small and round enough to fit snugly into corners without taking up much space, yet weighted enough to hold the lamp in place. Additionally, we drew inspiration from the classic roly-poly toy (affectionately known as the 不倒翁), which can wobble and gracefully rebalance. This was achieved with a delicately carved base that remains stable when standing, yet wobbles and rebalances if nudged.
The Chestnut Lamp is a fun yet elegant piece that adds a unique vibe to any corner of the home. I have mine placed in the living room, beside the TV console. I even enjoy wobbling it from time to time, much to the dismay of my cats.
