BRAND SYMBOLISM
namesakes
In Chinese culture, when someone shares their surname, it’s common to ask for the specific character since many words sound alike but can have different meanings depending on their written form. Our family’s surname is written as 温 (Wen), which can be translated as warm, gentle, or soft, depending on the context.
House of Wen is named after my mother’s surname. It came to me as a way to honor my roots and express my vision for design—one that seeks to bring a sense of warmth and connection to every space.
home decor
about the shop
In the mid-90s, my family moved to Lamma Island, a small gem nestled in the South China Sea, just off the coast of Hong Kong. My mother ran a small shop that showcased Indonesian crafts, which she carefully selected during buying trips to her native island of Bali. Her trips back home resulted in suitcases and wooden crates filled with vibrant batik textiles, intricately carved wooden sculptures, and other unique accessories which were showcased in her shop. House of Wen honors our colorful family background and captures the spirit of the original shop. Drawing on my background in interior design, I was inspired to create my own collection, traversing Asia in search of textiles and treasures that echo the rich heritage my mother imparted on me.
INTERIOR DESIGN
about the studio
House of Wen specializes in interior design for both residential and commercial projects. The studio is committed to creating spaces that tell authentic stories through the use of art, textiles, and furniture, inspired by the vibrant and varied heritages in Asia. The studio blends Eastern and Western design influences, offering a fresh and modern take filled with color and texture. Each project is a creative journey into cultural narratives, resulting in spaces that radiate warmth and personality.
creative director & owner
about teresa
House of Wen came to life during the Covid lockdown in 2020. After years of working for various design firms, I found myself struggling to articulate my own voice in interior design. The lockdown gave me the space to reflect, research, and shape my personal design aesthetic, rooted in my childhood growing up and traveling throughout Asia.
My father’s job as a journalist took our family all over China and across Asia. I was born in Taipei, Taiwan, but moved to Hong Kong when I was just 2-years-old . We settled on rustic Lamma Island and Discovery Bay for five years before moving to Beijing, where I spent my formative childhood and teenage years.
During our time in Beijing, my family traveled extensively throughout China, which significantly shaped my passion for design and architecture. Experiencing each region’s unique structures, art, textiles, and food, I was exposed to the richness of the various ethnic groups that make up China.
One trip that left a lasting impression on me was our visit to the Hakka region of Guangdong Province, where my maternal grandparents lived before migrating to Indonesia more than a century ago. My grandmother’s house in particular was built at the end of the Qing dynasty and has been declared a cultural heritage site.
My early passion for art and architecture ultimately led me to earn a B.A. degree in Architectural Studies and Studio Art from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York State 2012. The education I received in architectural theory and history, combined with hands-on studio projects, provided the foundation for my career in interior design.
After a decade in the field, I launched House of Wen in 2024.
Alongside the shop and design studio, I have exciting plans to expand the concept, developing custom patterns, products, and one-of-a-kind pieces. I’m excited to share all my creative endeavors with you.
