Hafary X Trisha Toh: Turning Tiles Into Stories

Whether you’re building or renovating a home, tiles are often overlooked. They are chosen quickly based on a checklist: is it durable? Is it water-resistant? Is it easily maintained? A colour is picked, a size approved, and the decision moves on without further thought. 

Perhaps there is the notion that surfaces are expected to blend into the background, relegated to nothing more than quiet utility rather than pivotal design decisions. Yet tiles are ubiquitous—under your feet, on walls, in kitchens, and bedrooms—silently shaping how a home feels and breathes. 

When you think about it, these surfaces can deeply influence the overall harmony of a space. When tiles are chosen without thought, spaces can start to feel disjointed, transitions between rooms abrupt, and even beautifully designed furniture can feel out of place against uninspired surfaces. What’s the point of a functional home that lacks warmth, character, or intention?

Conversely, if we start to think about tiles outside of their usual form and function, the potential they have to bring character, depth, and emotion to every corner of your home becomes limitless. With careful attention and consideration, tiles will not only define a space, but also determine whether a home feels truly cohesive or fragmented. 

A DREAM COLLABORATION

Hafary Malaysia, also known as the House of MML—an ode to the Malaysian tile brand currently occupying the showroom in Petaling Jaya—brings over 60 years of history and artistic sensibilities, encouraging patrons to think outside the rectangle of what a tile can be.

Hafary’s House of MML serves as a creative playground not just for homeowners but for any creative looking to build or renovate a space. Here, tiles are redefined as expressive design elements—surfaces capable of telling stories, evoking moods, and turning spaces into living works of art to be experienced.

No one knows this better than art director and stylist Trisha Toh. As one of the most prominent creative forces in our country, Trisha has made a name for herself by capturing the beauty of ordinary, everyday objects. Every line, bend, and crack is given the same nuance and appreciation. 

“I’m particularly attentive to how fabrics drape, how light falls across a wall or a scene, and the small imperfections—like a crack in a well-loved plate or the worn patina of an old watch—little details that carry so much feeling.”

Much like Hafary, storytelling is a core principle of her art. Where others see nondescript, unassuming objects, Trisha sees a world of untold stories waiting to be excavated. “Whether I’m styling a set, photographing a space, or imagining a scene, I always think about the narrative behind it—the lives and emotions that a space can hold and evoke,” she explains.

Combining Trisha’s artful skill of capturing tactile, emotive still lifes, it was an almost instinctive decision for the art director to create captivating compositions using Hafary’s wide range of MML tiles. Through these, Trisha hopes to convey how each carefully selected tile can bring out the life of a space. 

WORKS OF ART

To the creative, tiles are more than meets the eye. “I think of history—tile countertops and backsplashes from the ‘70s to ‘90s…I loved that people could choose almost any colour or pattern, even coordinating their backsplash with their counters,” Trisha muses.

Perusing Hafary’s plethora of design offerings, it’s clear that Hafary offers the right kind of products to make her art breathe and come alive. “Hafary takes MML tiles beyond just functionality and nostalgia; they transform them into a medium for storytelling and personal expression.” 

It wasn’t easy picking the ones that Trisha ended up with. After all, the MML collection at Hafary boasts an impressive catalogue that ranges from marble, stone, wood and cement to colourful designer mosaic and more, all in a variety of finishes made in its Malaysian factory. “They offer a wide variety that fits every personality, making it easy (or hard) to choose!” she exclaims. But all this just means more opportunities for the art director to think out of the box. 

“Hafary has inspired me to think big and stay open-minded—allowing myself to be adventurous while also considering all the ways tiles can be paired and layered. They encourage creativity, almost like designing a set for a film, where every surface helps tell the story.”

TILES THAT TALK

When envisioning how to breathe life into a space, Trisha likes to take her time. “A place really comes alive once you understand the foundation of what you’re drawn to. Once you have that base, everything else becomes a slow, deliberate layering.” As we watched Trisha set the scene with this same process, pictures began to form. A treasured memory, a cosy nook that feels lived in and worn. 

Taking MML Skool and MML Stix, Trisha conceptualised and designed a striking backdrop that combines the two, creating a head-turning and artful piece. Drawn by the maximalist aesthetic, this combination of warm red and green, as well as its unique design, encourages bold expression and creativity within its space.

Conversely, Trisha takes MML Skool and reimagines it in another completely different setting. Using hues of bright orange and yellow, the space now takes on a new feeling. Paired with music from her favourite vinyl and a cool drink on hand, Trisha effortlessly creates a retro and nostalgic feel.

With MML Gravity and MML Berkley, Trisha was instantly reminded of early mornings in the kitchen, the smell of roasted coffee, and toasty sunlight. The neutral wood finishes of MML Berkley serve as a timeless countertop option, whilst the terrazzo patternings of MML Gravity offer a subtle hint of personality, making this corner of your home warm, inviting, and steeped in daily rituals.

And what about if you like the finer things in life? For Trisha, MML Bianca instantly evokes the grandiose. With its polished marble patterns, the tile effortlessly elevates a space, making it perfect for celebrations. Paired together as both a countertop and backsplash, MML Bianca creates an elegant, sophisticated and effortlessly cohesive look.

People often say that colours can affect your mood. Tiles can have the same effect. To create a minimalist space for those who treasure peace and harmony, consider Trisha’s two chosen tiles, MML Reef and MML Boston. Like a blank canvas with their neutral palette and subtle patterns, the tiles invite moments of quiet contemplation. “Not every corner needs to be filled. Allowing a bit of breathing room gives space a sense of stillness and balance,” Trisha explains.

IN REFLECTION

With these compositions, Trisha hopes to encourage homeowners, studio owners, designers, artists, and the like to keep thinking outside the box. “I hope my work evokes the same sense of imagination and inspiration that art has always sparked in me. I aim to create that feeling for others—moments that make viewers pause, consider where objects or scenes might fit in their own lives, and feel that a space can be both aspirational and genuinely lived-in.”

“Their range balances craftsmanship, texture, and vibrant design, so you can create spaces that feel curated and alive,” Trisha concludes. Through Hafary’s thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and premium materials, Trisha has shown how tiles are not merely surfaces to walk on or lean against—but meaningful details that tie everything together, breathing life and character into the spaces we gather, work and live in.

HAFARY MALAYSIA

Address: No. 18, Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Opening hours: 9am to 6pm (Monday to Thursday), 9am to 5:30pm (Friday), 9am to 12:30pm (Saturday) | Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays

Contact: 03 2027 8118

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