08/05/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | MAY 8, 2025

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Colours of motherhood A mother’s love is unparalleled, always present, always giving. Their unwavering love is powerful, unconditional and unbreakable. They are the heartbeat of the household, and they make a house feel like a home. o Palette of love, strength

inviting greens with a refined two-tone finish. The soft olive of Nippon Paint’s Green Heights on the top half brings openness – while the richer Esparina grounds the lower walls with depth and elegance. “This space is our everyday gathering spot, breakfast, dinner and during weekends, our main hangout spot. It is where I see my children as the adults they have become, yet I still feel the closeness of our bond. As children grow into fully independent adults, their lives naturally shift. They want time with friends, and they balik lambat , lepak with friends and have lives of their own now.” She paused for a moment, then added softly: “Children change as they grow. Their time becomes limited. Their world gets bigger. That is why it means so much to me that I have created a home they are excited to return to. A space where they feel safe to be themselves and where I get to be their mother, not just in title but in presence. It is something I know not every mother my age gets to experience, and I truly treasure it.”

Asilah picks shades of green for her dining room as they invite openness and add a touch of elegance.

This Mother’s Day, let us honour mothers for their sacrifices, their care and how much of their love can go unnoticed. Let us celebrate them not just as caregivers but as artists, women who fill their homes with feeling, memory and colour. Because in every home, there are shades that speak the language of love.

Prema picks earthy tones for her kitchen as they confer a modern yet comforting ambience.

kitchen, cooking up a storm and making their favourite dishes. It is my way of giving them a taste of home and reminding them just how much they are loved.” Prema’s kitchen is full of laughter and flavours. Painted in the soft, grounding tones of Timeless and enriched with the earthy depth of Firewood, the space feels modern yet deeply comforting. It is where sambal simmers, stories are shared and traditions are passed down. A devoted mother and a woman who has built a life of career and family, Prema balances the demands of her work with the joys of motherhood. When Prema’s eldest son comes home from Australia, the kitchen becomes a symphony of spices, laughter and endless pots bubbling on the stove. “I do not wait for him to ask. I already know what he has been craving,” she said with a laugh. “Chicken varuval, butter prawns, my dhal with crispy papadum , the flavours they grew up with, made just the way they like it. “Work can get very demanding at times, but I always make sure to carve some time out of my day to cook and eat as a family, especially now, with my youngest, since he will be flying off soon. These little everyday moments mean even more now. I want him to carry the warmth of home with him.” For Prema, the kitchen is a special place filled with memories of her sons. “They may be grown, and the house may be quieter now, but when they are here, we are whole. And when they are not, this kitchen helps keep them close.”

the impact colour can have on your mood and cultivate a feeling of love is really great,” Teh said. Being a young mother has not always been easy for Teh. Most of her friends are single, or even if they have a partner, they do not have children yet. There are days Teh admitted to feeling left out. Being the first among her peers to take on motherhood has been lonely at times. “Sometimes I feel like I am in a different place than everyone else my age. But when I sit in this space with my daughter, surrounded by soft colours, laughter and love, I know I am exactly where I am meant to be. It is incredible what a warm and uplifting space can do.”

her daughter explores the world one colour block at a time, feeling safe and stimulated in a world designed just for her. “The walls of our home were always a reflection of my mother. She loved warm tones – purples and maroons – because to her, those colours meant energy and closeness. Now I have my own family, I am inclined towards similar colour palettes, as it is a reminder of all the sweet experiences we had together. As she is residing in Port Dickson, having these colours around makes me feel closer to her and now, I get to pass that same warmth and love on to my daughter. It is really beautiful, and

Space for rest – Asilah Rafar, 60, former actress and restaurant owner “All my children are adults now with full-time (and) demanding jobs. But I consider myself lucky because they still live with me! I show my love by making our home a place they are excited to come back to – a space where they can rest, recover and be completely themselves.” Asilah’s dining room is where stories unfold. It is painted in warm, (Second from right) Asilah and her family.

Teh and her daughter.

Safe haven for daughter – Jeslyn Teh, 25, PR consultant “My baby girl is 18 months old and already so cheeky. I show my love by creating a joyful, safe space where she can play and explore freely.” In Jeslyn’s home, the soft lilac playroom, painted in Royal Carriage, is a gentle, bright space filled with toys, books and sunlight. It is where

Prema is a doting mother and career woman.

Bonds of taste – Prema Dass, 52, finance director “I have one son studying in Australia, and another who will be joining him soon. I already miss the one who is away, and I know I will miss them both once they are gone. Whenever they come home for their semester breaks, I spend all my time in the

Teh’s mum loves shades such as purple, which is her pick for her daughter’s playroom.