The Brief.
Musotrees is an international anthology published in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Each volume brings together global voices to share thoughtful stories about travel, lifestyle, design, and culture. It is about people, places, and the ideas that connect them.
Explore of all our issues here.
An Anthology: Number 12
THE DESIGN ISSUE
Volume 12 marks a bold new chapter for Musotrees — celebrating design and collaboration in all its forms. This issue brings together creative minds from Kuala Lumpur, Salzburg, Mumbai, Manila, Jakarta, Vienna, and beyond, each sharing stories of passion, craftsmanship, and purpose. With refreshed visuals, refined typography, and vivid narratives, The Design Issue captures the power of collective creativity, blending art, architecture, and thoughtful living into an anthology that reflects the evolving spirit of Musotrees.
From Inside Volume 12:
Hotel Musotrees
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Kurulu Bay: The Quaint Retreat by Koggala Lake
◎Ahangama, Sri Lanka.
Arriving at Kurulu Bay triggered an unexpected epiphany. It made me realise that beauty does not always rely on massive hotel chains or heavily curated experiences, but rather on the freedom to enjoy nature exactly as it is. Situated in Ahangama, Sri Lanka, this intimate retreat features just 14 rooms, tucked away on the outskirts of Kabalana Beach. Because it is practically interwoven with the local village, the entire atmosphere feels pure and authentic, entirely unrestrained and unpretentious, offering a rare opportunity to experience true Sri Lankan village life.
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Amangalla: The Architecture of Memory
◎Galle, Sri Lanka.
For years, a stay at Amangalla sat at the very top of my bucket list. My interest was rooted deeply in the Aman branding narrative, specifically their rare ability to let a destination dictate the true soul of a property. Rather than imposing a signature, uniform aesthetic, they absorb the surrounding history, turning heritage buildings or new builds into singular, living extensions of their environment. Stepping into the property during this trip to Sri Lanka felt less like an arrival and more like a long-held dream finally materialising.
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Terrene: Tropical Home with a Village Heart
◎Ahangama, Sri Lanka.
In the quiet coastal village of Ahangama, a short walk from the surf of Kabalana beach, sits Terrene. Originally built as a private residence, this tropical home has been thoughtfully redesigned with a modern layout that feels comfortable and welcoming the moment you step inside. Run by Layla and Jamal, who also operate a second property in nearby Weligama town, this space shows how a traditional house can be opened up to the fresh air while still feeling completely grounded.
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Abode Sri Lanka: Two Properties Between Sea and Jungle
◎Ahangama, Sri Lanka.
Designed around the philosophy of slow living, my two properties explore the balance between architecture and heritage. Located just 500 metres from each other, Abode by the Beach is a coastal retreat defined by clean lines, soft tones, and open spaces that face the sea, while Abode Ahangama brings a sense of nostalgia, blending classic art deco geometries with the quiet, layered privacy of a traditional Sri Lankan courtyard home.
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Aathma Colombo House: The Art of Personal Maximalism
◎Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Stepping inside Aathma is a sensory awakening. Every corner offers an explosion of curated taste, balancing colourful traditional motifs with modern design. Meticulous ceramic details trace their way from the floors to the walls and across the tabletops of this high-ceilinged mansion, which features nine rooms overlooking the deep forest-green waters of Diyawanna Lake.
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Hyatt Regency: KL Midtown's Urban Retreat
◎Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
For me, experiencing a space designed by Kengo Kuma is always a lesson in quiet restraint. His unique ability to take a massive urban structure and make it feel completely organic and grounded is remarkable. Standing in the completed property a year later, watching the morning light interact with the intricate timber layers, it becomes clear that this is not just a commercial hotel. It is a living piece of architecture that invites you to slow down and simply observe.
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55TG: Heritage and Stillness in the Heart of Colombo
◎Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Thanuj Goonewardena, the owner and interior designer, took his ancestral home and converted it into a sanctuary for people to experience, ensuring the property’s history remained intact. The architecture does not complicate things with unnecessary extensions or showy design elements. It simply balances what was left behind by previous generations with how we live today, allowing contemporary lines to meet post-colonial bones in a clean, functional harmony.
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Innit: A Vernacular of Light and Sand in the East
◎Lombok, Indonesia.
If there is one thing Innit must lead with, it is the architecture. Yet, fortunately, the resort offers much more than what first meets the eye. The one-hour drive from the airport toward Lombok Timur is unmistakably a journey to the East. While you can technically choose to check in by boat from a nearby port, the rainy season made the road the more favourable option for my trip. Between you and me, I actually prefer the road.
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Rawla Bisalpur: Rajasthan’s Hidden Royal Retreat
◎Jawai, India.
I had always imagined Rajasthan as a place shaped by dust and light, where time slows and the land carries memory. Growing up, films painted villages under an open sun, where rooftops shimmered in heat, cattle wandered down empty streets, and stories were spoken in silence rather than words.
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Abode Bombay: Nostalgic Stay in Southern Mumbai
◎Mumbai, India.
Mumbai has a way of enveloping you the moment you arrive. The bustle, the honks, the colour, the constant movement. So when you reach Colaba, the city’s storied southern district, and slip into the quiet entrance of Abode Bombay, it feels as though you have stepped into an entirely different world. From the lively rush outside to the calm embrace within, there is a gentle shift where the present softens and the past rises to greet you.
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Abode Jaipur: Modern Hideaway in the Pink City
◎Jaipur, India.
The moment I stepped into the lobby, the chaos of Jaipur’s streets seemed to vanish. It was just me, the soft glow of wall lamps, and the gentle flow of malachite-green tiles beneath my feet. I felt like I had stumbled into a world where contemporary design met the soul of the Pink City, a place that was both familiar and entirely new.
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Namli Haus: Contemporary Home in Jaipur
◎Jaipur, India.
This is not my first time in Jaipur, yet arriving at Namli Haus feels completely new. From the quiet corner it occupies among the rustic houses of Civil Lines, to the warm smiles and hot masala chai that greeted me after a seven-hour journey from Delhi, everything feels thoughtful and welcoming. It feels less like checking into a hotel and more like stepping into a home that has been waiting for me to notice its details.
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Hotel Wellenberg: Winter Stay in the Heart of Zurich
◎Zurich, Switzerland.
Staying at Hotel Wellenberg in Zurich last winter felt like settling into a place that understands comfort in a very natural way. It has that premium, quietly confident charm that comes from being a well-run, family-owned hotel. Nothing loud, nothing overdone. Just a warm, personal atmosphere that makes you feel at home from the moment you step inside.
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Pavilion: Slow Living in Phnom Penh by MAADS
◎Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The entrance leads you into what feels like a small jungle enclosure — tall trees, thick shrubs, and a calm atmosphere that makes you forget the traffic just outside the gates. A long pool stretches towards the lobby, where a bright yellow colonial-style mansion sets the tone. It’s believed to have once been Queen Mother Kossamak’s private residence, and there’s a presence to the building that adds weight without feeling intimidating.
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Pa.te.os: Where Architecture Meets Stillness in Alentejo
◎Melides, Portugal.
Driving from Lisbon to Melides felt like slowly peeling back the layers of Portugal. It was my first time driving in the country, and the further I got from the city, the more the scenery opened up—small villages and wide-open skies. The road turned quieter as I got closer to Pa.te.os, with a few bumps and potholes hinting that I was heading somewhere a little more remote.
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Prince Da Nang: Between Sea and City
◎Da Nang, Vietnam.
This was my first time in Da Nang, and I arrived without expectations. That changed quickly. Prince Da Nang Hotel sits along the waterfront, close to everything yet unhurried. When I opened the door to my room and saw the ocean stretch endlessly in front of me, the plan became simple. Sit on the balcony, watch the sunset, and let the city introduce itself in its own time.
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Martinhal Lisbon: Luxury Retreat in Parque das Nações
◎Lisbon, Portugal.
Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, a contemporary hotel with 82 distinctive rooms, and Martinhal Residences, a collection of 70 luxury serviced apartments, are crafted with both family and business travellers in mind. Their location offers effortless access to major transport links, shopping malls, and dining spots—but the real story unfolds once you step inside.
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Torel 1884: Luxury Journey Across Continents
◎Porto, Portugal.
In the heart of Porto, where history meets vibrant streets,Torel 1884 Suites & Apartmentsoffers a rare kind of luxury. Opened in February 2019, this intimate haven spans two locations—one on Rua de Mouzinho da Silveira and the other on Rua das Flores—each just steps away from the city's most cherished sights. It’s a space that marries local heritage with global storytelling, inviting guests to experience the world in one place.
NEWSROOM
Memory's Landscape: A Collaborative Exhibition by R+, GDP Architects and Aesop.
There is a quiet alchemy in the way we remember places. A room is never just four walls; a landscape is rarely just a view. Instead, our minds anchor moments to the tangible world through a delic...
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In Their Element: Aesop on Seasonal Gestures of Care this Mother’s Day
In many parts of the globe, the arrival of May ushers in a season of quiet gratitude as Mother’s Day approaches. This year, Aēsop acknowledges maternal figures and mentors not as mere caregivers,...
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Aesop presents The Factory of Light—a sensorial installation exploring the illumination of both skin and space at Salone del Mobile 2026
Salone del Mobile, Milan, 21 – 26 Apr 2026
There is a specific kind of stillness found in the cloisters of Milan, a distance from the city’s frantic pace that feels almost cinematic. This year, wit...
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A Striking Show of Hands: Introducing Solais Replenishing Hand Serum
The hands are perhaps our most industrious appendages, yet they are often the most exposed to environmental stressors. Aēsop’s latest formulation, Solais Replenishing Hand Serum, acknowledges thi...
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VISIT VICTORIA: Chasing Colour Through Melbourne's Golden Autumn
As the air turns crisp and the trees ignite in shades of red, orange and gold, Melbourne and regional Victoria transform into a breathtaking autumn canvas. From leafy laneways to scenic country ro...
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Tracing the In-Between: A Conversation with Dias Novita Wuri
Words and Interview by Kerol Izwan.
That Friday, as late afternoon settled over Kuala Lumpur and early morning dawned in Rotterdam, a conversation unfolded that felt less like an interview and more...
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Pleasure in Proximity: Aesop on Thoughtful Gifting this Valentine’s Day
This season, Aesop presents Pleasure in Proximity—an exploration of the understated bonds formed through shared rituals and quiet gestures. The focus shifts away from grand declarations toward the...
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Art Jakarta Expands Platform with First Edition of Art Jakarta Papers
Art Jakarta will introduce a new fair format with the inaugural edition of Art Jakarta Papers, scheduled to take place from 5–8 February 2026 at City Hall, Pondok Indah Mall 3, Jakarta. The fair wi...
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Dubai, With Open Arms
What will 2026 in Dubai offer for Malaysian travellers?
In 2026, travel is no longer defined by distance or novelty. It is defined by alignment — with values, with rhythm, with the way people want ...
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bōl x TROVE: Heirlooms for the Festive Season
By Kerol Izwan.
Quite morning in Jalan Sin Chew Kew, Bukit Bintang, and nestled among the city streets is bōl, a Michelin-recognised restaurant with the tagline Asians Classic Reimagined. Painted i...
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![[MEDIA PARTNER] Musotrees Joins ADGI Design Week 2025](http://musotrees.com/cdn/shop/articles/ADGI_Post.jpg?v=1763352679&width=800)
[MEDIA PARTNER] Musotrees Joins ADGI Design Week 2025
Musotrees is proud to serve as a media partner for ADGI Design Week 2025, an international graphic design festival taking place in Jakarta from 19–23 November 2025. Organised by the Indonesian Gra...
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Ubud’s Quiet Voices, Loud Truths
By Kerol Izwan
Each year, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival gathers an eclectic mix of voices, ideas, and cultural expressions against the backdrop of Bali’s lush landscape. It’s a place wh...
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