Interview: SHARP’s Ting Yang Chung and Aatas Living’s Terry Tay share their vision behind exciting SHARP Japanese Living To My Home showcase for 2026
In 1964, singer Bob Dylan strummed ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’. More than six decades later, those words feel almost prescient, especially when it comes to the way we design and experience our homes today.
As technology becomes smarter and more connected and interior trends continue to evolve, homeowners are increasingly looking beyond individual products and searching for living spaces where every element works together. From furniture and lighting to appliances and materials, modern homes are becoming more thoughtfully designed around comfort, functionality and personal lifestyle needs.
From left: Ting Yang Chung, Managing Director of SHARP Electronics Malaysia, and Terry Tay, Head of Strategy at Aatas Living sharing more about the SHARP Japanese Living To My Home concept at its recent launch in Malaysia
This philosophy is at the heart of SHARP Japanese Living To My Home, a showcase that explores how Japanese-inspired living principles can be brought into Malaysian homes through the integration of home appliances, interior design and lifestyle solutions.
What is the SHARP Japanese Living To My Home concept about?
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Japanese living is built around the idea of harmony or ‘wa’: where every element of the home, from furniture and lighting to appliances and materials, is carefully considered not only for its function but also for how it contributes to the overall atmosphere of the space.
Rather than treating appliances as standalone tools, modern homeowners are increasingly looking for quality home appliances that blend seamlessly into their surroundings, creating homes that feel more comfortable, organised and cohesive.
This growing movement towards a more integrated way of living is at the heart of the SHARP Japanese Living To My Home showcase, a collaboration between SHARP Electronics Malaysia, interior design consultancy Aatas Living and Japanese home furnishing brand Nitori that explores how appliances, interior design and lifestyle choices can come together to create a more restful and harmonious living environment that can act as an oasis of peace and tranquility amidst the hectic demands of modern-day living.
To understand the vision behind this collaboration, we spoke with Ting Yang Chung, Managing Director of SHARP Electronics Malaysia, and Terry Tay, Head of Strategy at Aatas Living, who shared their perspectives on the evolution of Japanese-inspired living, the role of thoughtful design in modern homes, and how SHARP and Aatas Living are helping Malaysians rethink the way they experience their living spaces.
What inspired SHARP to collaborate with Aatas Living for the Japanese Living To My Home showcase?
Ting: Every family has different needs and is at different stages in life from young couples, families with children and so on which influences the home environment and home appliances needed. Aatas Living are professionals in bringing the desires of those seeking Japanese interior design concepts to life, which makes our collaboration highly synergistic.
Through the SHARP Bringing Japanese Living To My Home showcase, we are able to bring together different elements including Nitori, Aatas Living’s design concepts and SHARP home appliances to create a holistic, integrated lifestyle experience. Visitors are able to see and experience this personally at the showcase and how these different elements create a complete living experience.
What makes a home feel comfortable in today’s modern lifestyle?
Terry: Nowadays, people not only care how their home looks but also how it feels as well. Home owners are becoming more discerning about how elements such as lighting settings, cabinetry, furniture and especially how home appliances all fit together to achieve an intended aesthetic.
Rather than seeking them separately, home owners are seeking interior design solutions that solve all these requirements under one roof which is where our collaboration with the SHARP Japanese Living To My Home concept came into being where their timeless design and energy efficiency enable seamless integration with our proposed home design concepts for clients.
When it comes to home appliances, how does SHARP approach design to ensure products remain relevant within modern living spaces?
Ting: SHARP Electronics’ unswerving approach to quality and Japanese-inspired design have allowed us to maintain a strong lead in Malaysia’s home appliances market and have given us insight into consumer trends both locally and abroad. One thing we have noticed is that colour trends tend to change quickly though materials and textures can remain relevant for five to ten years.
In the past, the kitchen was mainly designed around cabinets, countertops, marble islands and walls. As an example, if you place a bright pink refrigerator in that environment, it may not match the overall design.
@hitechcentury(opens in new tab) We checked out the exciting new SHARP Japanese Living To My Home showcase that blends SHARP’s latest home appliances with NITORI home furnishings in a harmonious way that epitomises the best of Japanese home living. @Sharp Malaysia @nitorimalaysia @aatasliving #interiordesign(opens in new tab) #japaneselivingtomyhome(opens in new tab) #aatasliving(opens in new tab) #nitori(opens in new tab) #sharpmalaysia(opens in new tab) ♬ original sound – Hitech Century(opens in new tab)
When SHARP designs products, we not only focus on quality and features ideal for Malaysia homeowners but also place special emphasis on timeless colours as well as materials and textures, allowing SHARP products to complement the overall design of a home. With such timeless materials and textures, a product will continue to look elegant even after many years beyond short-lived colour trends.
An ideal example of SHARP’s approach to design is our SHARP Matelia fridge that incorporates a timeless looking textured slate finish as well as classic finishes in black, white and brown.
Do home appliance colours and finishes play a role in interior design today?
Terry: We are seeing a consistent preference for white colourways among our clients because many homeowners are seeking a more neutral lifestyle approach for interior design. This year, for example, Cloud White has become a popular colour direction. This is embodied in SHARP’s latest Cloud White collection which blends well with many interior design setups with its tasteful, neutral aesthetic.
How do SHARP and Aatas Living work together to create a more integrated home design experience?
Ting: The collaboration between SHARP and Aatas Living extends beyond simply showcasing an array of SHARP products. It also brings together both companies’ design expertise, with SHARP consultants working alongside Aatas Living to integrate our latest appliances into home concepts that embody Japanese-style living.
When customers select the type of home concept they want, they can further customise the design by choosing materials, furnishings and finishes, while also selecting the most suitable SHARP home appliances for every part of the home, from televisions and refrigerators to washing machines too.
The result is a harmonious, turnkey home solution where every element is designed to work together. If customers have specific lifestyle requirements or preferences, our consultants can also recommend alternative SHARP appliances from our extensive product portfolio to better suit their needs.
People often evoke minimalist wooden spaces when thinking of Japanese home living. How do modern Japanese inspiring living concepts look like today?
Terry: Modern Japanese design is not as boring as some people may think. Many people associate Japanese home interior concepts with simple wooden designs and plain colours but when you explore Japanese living more deeply, you will discover that it is much more diverse.
Society has changed, and we are moving into a new era where Japanese-inspired living embraces a wider variety of textures, colours and materials while maintaining a sense of harmony and balance.
There are different approaches, from Zen-inspired concepts to modern Japanese design concepts that incorporate a more naturalistic, harmonious look with stone textures, lighter colour palettes and contemporary materials. These materials can be complemented with other features such as textured wall finishes to create a more sophisticated overall look.
From left: Ting Yang Chung, Managing Director of SHARP Electronics Malaysia, and Terry Tay, Head of Strategy at Aatas Living at the SHARP Japanese Living To My Home showcase alongside the SHARP Matelia fridge
This is where the collaboration with SHARP becomes truly synergistic. Appliances such as the SHARP Matelia range of refrigerators and the new Cloud White collection feature finishes and designs that can blend seamlessly with modern Japanese-inspired interiors, allowing technology to become a natural part of the overall living space.
How does SHARP and Aatas Living see this collaboration developing in the future?
Ting: The collaboration between SHARP and Aatas Living has received highly positive feedback amongst customers in Malaysia seeking interior design solutions that embody Japanese style living. Rather than seeking home appliances piecemeal, our collaboration enables customers to enjoy an end-to-end holistic experience where SHARP appliances are thoughtfully selected and integrated to blend seamlessly with their living spaces.
Moving forward, we look forward to expanding this collaboration in the future with new design concepts and the latest SHARP appliances, continuing our efforts to bring Japanese-inspired living experiences into Malaysian homes. 
For more details on Aatas Living check out their website at: https://aatas.com.my / For more on SHARP Electronics and their diverse array of home appliances, check out their official page at https://my.sharp/japanese-living-to-my-home To personally experience the SHARP Japanese Living To My Home showcase, drop by the Aatas Living Showroom during office hours at: 91, Jalan Gasing, Taman Jaya, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.