Hello there, Honey
Florence Lim has a wardrobe to die for. If you follow edit lifestyle on their social media channels, you’ll know that the lady’s impeccable style has garnered quite the following. But Florence’s sartorial sense isn’t the only eye candy she has to offer – her home has also been featured in the likes of ELLE Decoration and House & Garden. Click through to see Florence’s savvy style tips… and her secret to her amazing skin.
You have a beautiful home! Tell us about your design aesthetic.
Thank you! I like clean, modern, and timeless interiors, but I don’t subscribe to living in a minimalist environment. I love beautiful objects and furniture; I collect quite diverse and eclectic pieces often mixing different periods, and I like accessorizing with a “twist”.
What’s the inspiration behind your decor?
I’ve always loved collecting since I was a child –books, dolls, stamps, now it’s furniture, art, clothes etc. I love a clean canvas in order to display my art. I plan on paper where everything goes before any building work takes place. This way I can hide any unsightly necessities and focus on highlighting my art objects.
What are your favourite shops for home interiors in Singapore?
I really love shopping at edit lifestyle! That’s because I buy for the shop as I would for my own home; I choose only products that I love. In fact… I may be edit’s best customer. I love Muji for its simplicity in design.
What were you doing before edit lifestyle? Why the decision to start it?
Before moving to Singapore 4 years ago I lived in London and worked as an interior designer as well as developer of residential properties. edit lifestyle started as a point of frustration for me – I couldn’t find great swimwear in Singapore for my trips to beautiful resorts in the region.
So fabulous swimwear became the starting point and I added resort and casual wear. My own label ALBA came about because I envisioned the clothes I would like to wear on holidays. Then I added the men’s line which is doing fantastically well. edit lifestyle is a one stop shop for resort living as well as a treasure trove for unusual gifts and home accessories.
Ok we know you hoard some gems in your closet! Tell us about your favourite designers. Any favourite pieces?
I love wearing Melissa Odabash swimwear as it feels so comfortable. I pack ALBA dresses and shorts along with Vamastyle outfits for beach holidays. For the city look, I wear a lot of Prada clothes and accessories. Mrs Prada is a genius at reinventing fashion each season. I buy Stella McCartney’s key pieces each season and am crazy about YSL’s baby doll dresses and the biker boots combination.
Where do you like to shop in Singapore?
As I travel very often, I tend to shop when I am away. However, I buy at CK for great basic pieces at good value. I pick up cards and stationary supplies at Prints in Ion, and I wear Carrie K’s jewellery. I like meandering down to Haji Lane and Arab Street to soak up the vibe.
What’s your style secret?
As much as I love fashion and trends, one key thing is always finding the right look that suits you. There is nothing worse that being uncomfortable in something that isn’t right for you. Aging gracefully is another style secret – although aging today is not like what it used to be! I adore accessorising as it transforms an outfit. I try to make a look my own. My biggest extravagance is shoes.
Tell us about your typical day.
I travel about 5 months a year. So when I am in Singapore I wake up just before 7 am to say goodbye to my kids before they leave for school. I love nothing more than having my first cappuccino in bed while checking on emails and organising my day before getting to edit before 10am. Some mornings I have pilates or TRX. Occasionally I meet friends for lunch, but I tend to stay at work most times as there never is enough time in the day to accomplish everything. I get back home after 630 pm. I try to stay at home three evenings a week to spend with my boys. Luckily I have a good cook at home and enjoy entertaining friends once a week.
You have unbelievably glowing skin. Share your secrets please!
I get facials at least once a month. When I’m in London, I visit my skin doctor for mesotherapy which is a series of small injections of vitamins and collagen to the face. The pin pricks of the needle also aids in stimulating the production of the skin’s own collagen too. The results are great as the skin looks plump and youthful! Having said that, I am a terrible sunworshipper. I do wear SPF but I love to sit in the sun. To offset my pigmentation I go for monthly lasers as well.
What’s your favourite way to unwind?
Beach holidays are my absolute way to unwind. I sit in the sun, read my magazines, sip cocktails at sunset. I absolutely crave weekly massages and I use Sole Service, a mobile massage company that sends great therapists to one’s home. Pajama sundays are terrific too–we don’t go out, we stay in our pi’s all day, watch videos in bed. Bliss!
Thanks Florence! All images taken by our in-house foxy lady, Suasti Lye.