By Aisha Hassan on 14 April, 2026
In early 2025, while travelling through Singapore, Bangkok, and parts of Europe, Enisa Farith found herself lingering in lifestyle stores and admiring their curations. Here were “beautifully designed homeware and ceramics with so much personality,” Enisa says. She realised how limited the offerings in Malaysia still were, especially for bold and nostalgic pieces full of character, and Ceria Haus began from that quiet realisation.
As the founder, Enisa draws on her background in architecture and an instinct for how design lives in the home. Ceria Haus brings a more expressive approach to everyday objects, harnessing inspiration from travel, textures, and even the relationship between color and use. These are stunning pieces you’d reach for every day—believe me, I personally do—and we’re happy to announce that a hand-picked selection is now available on Dia.
Below, Enisa tells us more about the brand in her own words.
In 2025, why did you make the jump between simply feeling inspired to developing a business idea?
It made me realise there must be people who appreciate using beautiful, thoughtfully designed pieces in their everyday lives. Having studied architecture, design has always been something I gravitate towards, and I wanted to build a brand that leans into retro and mid-century modern influences. I also wanted to offer pieces that felt more intentional and handcrafted, rather than mass-produced ceramics that you often find online.
How do you find inspiration today?
Beyond the usual moodboarding on Pinterest and Instagram, inspiration often comes from the spaces and textures I encounter while travelling - an interior I walk into, a textile pattern, a glazing technique I spot in a workshop. I find myself mentally filing these things away and later asking: how could this translate into something you hold in your hands every day?
Color pairing with food is also something I think about a lot. Ceramics aren't just decorative - they're the backdrop to a meal, a drink, a ritual. The Matcha Maze design is a good example of this. When someone actually makes their matcha in it, the deep green of the drink against that pattern just looks right. That relationship between the piece and what goes in it is something I'm always thinking about.
How do you think about color when you’re developing a piece?
Colour is usually the starting point for me. I launched with two very different palettes- Matcha Maze and Stripes Series 1- and it was interesting to see how people responded. Matcha Maze quickly became a crowd favourite.
Since then, I’ve tried to design new pieces that complement existing palettes so people can mix and match ceramics across the collection. At the same time, achieving certain colours in handmade ceramics can be challenging, so there’s often quite a bit of experimentation and R&D with the makers to get it right.
Tell us about the makers and artisans behind Ceria Haus.
Our ceramic pieces are handmade and hand-painted by artisans in Vietnam. Because each piece is crafted by hand, no two are exactly the same- which is part of their charm.
Vietnam has a long tradition of ceramic craftsmanship, with many workshops passed down through generations. When I was there, I visited several workshops before finding one that really stood out for their versatility and willingness to experiment with different designs. Seeing the artisans at work- from shaping pieces to painting tiny ceramic miniatures by hand- gave me confidence that I had found the right people to collaborate with.
Please choose two of the pieces that will be with Dia, and tell us what’s special about them.
The Matcha Maze Mug & Saucer has sparked a lot of different interpretations. Some people say it reminds them of retro bathroom tiles, banana leaves, or even a tennis court. I love that everyone sees something different in it- that playful ambiguity is part of its charm.
This Let’s Get Dippy Snack Bowl with Attached Dip Dish was designed with Malaysian dining habits in mind. Our food culture often involves condiments and side dips, so the built-in dip section makes it perfect for gatherings. Some people even use it as a single-serving bowl- for example, laksa with sambal on the side.
What else does the Malay word “ceria” mean to you beyond its literal definition of “cheerful”?
To me, “ceria” represents bringing a sense of liveliness and personality into everyday spaces. Homes don’t have to feel overly serious or minimal- sometimes a pop of colour or a playful design can completely change the atmosphere of a table or room.
How do you imagine your pieces being used in someone’s home?
I imagine Ceria Haus pieces becoming part of everyday rituals—morning coffee, casual dinners, or moments spent hosting friends. But they’re not limited to just dining.
The saucers, for example, can double as little trays for rings or necklaces, and bowls can just as easily hold keys by the entryway. There are no strict rules for how they should be used. Ceria Haus is meant to be a versatile brand- pieces that can move easily between function, décor and everyday life.
What has surprised you most since starting Ceria Haus?
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how receptive people have been to the designs. Since there aren’t many brands locally producing pieces like this, I wasn’t sure how they would be received. Seeing customers genuinely connect with the designs has been incredibly encouraging.
What have you found most challenging, and what have you found most fulfilling?
Translating a design idea into a finished ceramic piece can be quite challenging. Handmade ceramics don’t always behave exactly as planned- glazes shift in the kiln and colours can change- so the process often involves a lot of experimentation.
But seeing people love and use the pieces after months of development makes the entire process incredibly rewarding.
What’s next for Ceria Haus (especially with a baby on the way!)
The dream is to grow Ceria Haus beyond ceramics into a one-stop destination for artisan homeware - the kind of place you go to when you want something thoughtful, whether it's a gift for someone or simply a treat for your own home. Think textiles, lifestyle pieces, travel bags, slippers, robes - things that carry the same personality and intentionality as our ceramics, just in different forms.
As a small brand, growth has to be paced and purposeful, but that's the vision we're building towards. And honestly, having a baby on the way makes it feel even more meaningful - there's something fitting about building a brand centred around the home while also building one of your own.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
