From the outside, Dr Sharifah Imihezri Syed Shaharuddin’s house looks like any other smart double-storey terrace home. Set on a quiet street in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, its simple facade belies the beautiful decor that lies inside. Cross the threshold and all will be revealed: this is the home of someone who likes beautiful things.
Growing up with her father, the late Syed Shaharuddin Syed Bakeri, a well-regarded lecturer and artist, she was always drawn to the arts. “Although I ended up doing engineering and now am an engineering lecturer, I’ve never stopped painting,” says this mother of four who is fondly known as Imi. Sharifah Imihezri’s beautiful abstract paintings create a uniquely personal display in her home.
“I paint when I’m stressed or when I am inspired. I usually paint anywhere in the house so it can get a bit messy! Since there are quite a few of my paintings, I mostly keep them rolled up in storage. I’ve been actively painting since I came back.
“Some of my bigger paintings are in my office. Most of my paintings are abstract. I do like exploring with different mediums and themes.
Art shouldn’t be something that is difficult or hard. Art requires practise; with time you naturally begin to trust your instinct and intuition on composition, subject matter and colour combinations. It should be intuitive, goes with the flow and in the end makes you happy.
To create more cosy corners, Sharifah Imihezri added a statement vintage writing table .