By Willy Wilson | Sep 14, 2009

Raya Shopping with Salamiah Hassan & Atilia

58-year-old Salamiah Hassan looks no different since the days she popularised ‘Gelombang’, ‘Menghitung Hari’ and ‘Surat Terakhir’ more than two decades ago. Her 34-year-old daughter, Atilia, has been one of the most critically acclaimed female singers in this country, with a successful debut album under her belt. Atilia also organises a mini concert for local musicians in Istana Budaya called Malam Nada Biru – her first show with Norin Aziz was an immense success.

Knowing how to balance work and rest, according to Atilia, keeps them energetic, active and youthful. Their laissez-faire attitude and infectious laughers, on stage and off, put a smile on people’ faces.

When it comes to Hari Raya shopping, the two admit that there is no such thing as obligatory Raya shopping in their family.

“Shopping for Hari Raya doesn’t necessarily mean buying new furniture, new curtain or decorating the house grandly,” says Atilia.

According to Salamiah and Atilia, buying the right home furnishing products could transform a house the way a big budget shopping spree does. So, if a furniture set is not really an option this year, you probably should consider Salamiah and Atilia’s advices on shopping. And because sharing is caring, here they spill.

From Bed Sheet to China
"My grandmother is a singer-songwriter. My mother has 12 siblings and they can all sing," Atilia exclaims proudly. But unlike her mother, Atilia confesses she is not a very good cook.

“My mother has the most amazing recipe, especially for Raya menu,” Atilia says. Whilst looking through piles of tableware, Salamiah Hassan fervently nods.

“Atilia would call me like 10 seconds before I go on stage,” she chuckles, “asking about my Rendang and Pulut Kuning recipe.”

A self-confessed cooking enthusiast, Atilia gets excited when we arrive in the kitchen and tableware department. With suggestions from her mother, Atilia picks China serving dish, a Riccardo Goldline tea pot, and a classic Teflon pan. She also has her eyes set on a huge salad bowl with matching tea set, which she claims will be perfect for Raya. Looking at the price tags, however, Atilia backs off.

“Just so you know, I am very calculative,” she claims, adding that her favourite shop to buy home furnishing products is Romantika, which is located in Amcorp Mall, PJ.

“You can get a serving dish for RM5 in Romantika!” she gushes animatedly.

Salamiah Hassan, on the other hand, gets fixated with a piece of cotton mat that was reasonably priced at RM12.

“I am very particular about the cleanliness of the floor in my house,” says Salamiah, adding that she despises wet floor.

Apart from the mat, Salamiah is keen on the Raya-themed green curtain. Utilising cotton and velvet pieces swirl into a chunk of elongated lace, the Akemi curtain is priced at RM39.90.

When we arrive in the bed spread section, Salamiah shares some tips with us, “Invest more on bed sheet. You don’t want to sleep on a bed sheet that has less than 282 thread counts – it will make you sweat at night!”

Salamiah warns us that this shopping trip will not end until she finds new cushions for her home, so we head out to Home’s Harmony to look for them. Both mother and daughter are excited when they found out that Home’s Harmony, like many other shops this season, is having a big sale. They quickly run to the cushion shelf and pick a few silk cushions with circular sequin decoration.

“Only RM25!” Salamiah enthuses.

“Okay, you take the black, I will take the gold,” says Atilia, which gains a nod from her mother.

• Modern Curtains For Raya
• Exclusive New Laura Ashley Home Store

Parkson 1 Utama 603-7728 1369 Lot G320, F320, S320, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya.

Home's Harmony 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya.

Romantika Ground floor Amcorp Mall, 18 Jalan PSN Barat, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor