Ok. This is the inspiration for my living room. My favorite pieces are the sofas, coffee table, console, venetian mirror, rug, table lamp, the rug. I'm not really into the classic single seaters to the left. I figure i'd replace those with something, still thinking about it. I like the white walls, the light beige fabrics with the soft velvety feel. I'm not too crazy about the touch of blue from the cushions. The glass coffee tables blend in so well. I saw this in Harvey Norman and told the hubby we had to get it. So we got it. Ours is rectangular and bigger so we only need one. Obviously we wont have a fireplace so instead of having two identical consoles at the side, I will probably have a single bigger console at the feature area and probably hang an interesting art piece right above it. There are two glass candlestands sitting on the fireplace. I don't think you can see it. I saw identical ones in Living Quarters so I may just go and get those. See how the fresh flowers just add color and warmth and life to the whole room. Gotta invest in some floral arrangement lessons!Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Ok. This is the inspiration for my living room. My favorite pieces are the sofas, coffee table, console, venetian mirror, rug, table lamp, the rug. I'm not really into the classic single seaters to the left. I figure i'd replace those with something, still thinking about it. I like the white walls, the light beige fabrics with the soft velvety feel. I'm not too crazy about the touch of blue from the cushions. The glass coffee tables blend in so well. I saw this in Harvey Norman and told the hubby we had to get it. So we got it. Ours is rectangular and bigger so we only need one. Obviously we wont have a fireplace so instead of having two identical consoles at the side, I will probably have a single bigger console at the feature area and probably hang an interesting art piece right above it. There are two glass candlestands sitting on the fireplace. I don't think you can see it. I saw identical ones in Living Quarters so I may just go and get those. See how the fresh flowers just add color and warmth and life to the whole room. Gotta invest in some floral arrangement lessons!
Something Transitional....
I love everything about this room. If possible I would like to have a piece (or something similar) of everything in this room for my master. The only thing I would do to change it is spice up the color a little.1. The venetian mirrot is so romantic.
2. The glass-bubble night lamp - what a perfect mix.
3. The headboard - custom made, besnya.
4. The off white throw is so beautiful.
I want my room to be romantic but also have a little masculine feel to it (if not kesian the hubby). I'm pretty set on the color theme of my room, it's a deep blue (with hints of other shades) and white & off white. My theme wall is going to be Ralph Lauren blue.
I adore this rusty old iron clock. It makes a perfect wall feature. I am looking for something rustic like this for my entrance wall. Maybe a simple console below it too. Or a round table at the corner. I have decided that I want fresh flowers in my home everyday. No plastic ones please. Where is the beauty and joy in plastic flowers that are not only scentless but collect dust and fade after time?
So pretty this room. I love the console. Check out how amazingly well that lamp goes with the console. The traditional wooden curves contrasted with the straight and sharp lines of the glass stand. The sweetness of the wallpaper design and the washed out look of the timber floors. The wonderful thing about something like this is that its a timeless design. It's not something that will go out of style neither is it something you would get bored of easily. The colors are neutral and simple, there is no clutter, its practical.
What stands out for me in this design is the bench. I love it. Why settle for the standard matching dining set? Why not have a bench on one side and chairs on the other? Genius. It's great how this bench looks so comfortable - nice back rest, gorgeous green and its velvet. I wouldn't mind one of these at my dining area. Maybe in another color.
Friday, January 18, 2008
THE LIST
Top Priority:
2. Air-Conditioning & Water Heaters. These need to be in purely because installing them require breaking of walls to install the piping. Messy and noisy. Best done before mummy, daddy and baby move in.
3. The Electricals: Washing Machine & Fridge. We have pretty much confirmed a Hitachi 8.5kg fridge. Did you know fridges are going pretty cheap nowadays? As long as you don't get an Electrolux la. But I hear these are expensive and nothing else. Fridge oh fridge. The side-by-side doors are really cool and in now plus some models are quite affordable. I saw a Samsung one for RM2,900. However, my husband has fallen in love with an ultra-schick looking one that costs double the price. This one is still a question mark.
4. Lighting & Ceiling Fans. Ceiling Fans. We have decided on the basic 3-blade ceiling fan which is cheap and effective. The stylish 4-blade, 5-blade fans seem to be in at this moment but I have never liked them because they really aren't that stylish, theyre 3x times the normal price AND they don't work as effectively. Lights. I want to go for the basic downlight (the square type seems interesting) for most areas. Downlights are cheap, reliable and mostly they won't go out of style. For the main living area, kitchen, master bedroom and Elil's future room, I am looking for pendants or a simple chandelier.
5. Curtains. Believe it or not I tailored curtains for my master bedroom months back. Got some simple white drapes for Room 2 and Room 3 (Elil's future room) OR the Studio on the 3rd floor. I am looking for something white/off white for the main living room. Ikea has pretty good choices.
Priority 2:
6. Main Living Room. I have pretty much decided on the basic big pieces - 3-seater sofa, 2 singles, 2 square ottomans, glass coffee table (we already have, bargain from Harvey Norman), console & huge rug. Oh, if I could also get a focus item in here - either a huge ass mirror or an interesting art piece on the wall.
7. Dining Area. Dining table/chairs (we have one or two in mind but still gotta convince the hubby that its a good idea to buy the table and chairs separately - not a set). A console. A month ago I purchased an interesting looking stand lamp that will go great in our dining.
8. Master Bedroom. King size divan and mattress from Slumberland (were hoping to get a good discount from a friend of the family). I am determined to make my own headboard. It isn't too hard. A wardrobe - have not looked into this yet. Why ah? Bed side tables + night lights - thinking of getting two unmatching ones. A gorgeous carpet - if we can afford it. If not, a semi-gorgeous carpet.
9. Mon's Room. We will get her a simple single bed, cupboard and vanity cum side table. Her curtains are dark blue. So I'm thinking of a white theme for her furniture pieces. Ahh... white, of course!
10. Upstairs Living Room: Basically what we need is a sofa, some throw cushions, a cute rug and a TV console. I'm going for a more artsy feel in this area.
Non-Priority:
11. All the other cool decorative items I have my eyes on. Like corner tables, interesting art pieces, more floor-standing lights, throws and cushions, pretty sheets and covers, etc.
1. Grille. I am going for the basic squares in white. My windows have that french window look except the frames are made of shiny aluminium. Eeek. We need this up before we can move anything in.
2. Air-Conditioning & Water Heaters. These need to be in purely because installing them require breaking of walls to install the piping. Messy and noisy. Best done before mummy, daddy and baby move in.
3. The Electricals: Washing Machine & Fridge. We have pretty much confirmed a Hitachi 8.5kg fridge. Did you know fridges are going pretty cheap nowadays? As long as you don't get an Electrolux la. But I hear these are expensive and nothing else. Fridge oh fridge. The side-by-side doors are really cool and in now plus some models are quite affordable. I saw a Samsung one for RM2,900. However, my husband has fallen in love with an ultra-schick looking one that costs double the price. This one is still a question mark.
4. Lighting & Ceiling Fans. Ceiling Fans. We have decided on the basic 3-blade ceiling fan which is cheap and effective. The stylish 4-blade, 5-blade fans seem to be in at this moment but I have never liked them because they really aren't that stylish, theyre 3x times the normal price AND they don't work as effectively. Lights. I want to go for the basic downlight (the square type seems interesting) for most areas. Downlights are cheap, reliable and mostly they won't go out of style. For the main living area, kitchen, master bedroom and Elil's future room, I am looking for pendants or a simple chandelier.
5. Curtains. Believe it or not I tailored curtains for my master bedroom months back. Got some simple white drapes for Room 2 and Room 3 (Elil's future room) OR the Studio on the 3rd floor. I am looking for something white/off white for the main living room. Ikea has pretty good choices.
Priority 2:
6. Main Living Room. I have pretty much decided on the basic big pieces - 3-seater sofa, 2 singles, 2 square ottomans, glass coffee table (we already have, bargain from Harvey Norman), console & huge rug. Oh, if I could also get a focus item in here - either a huge ass mirror or an interesting art piece on the wall.
7. Dining Area. Dining table/chairs (we have one or two in mind but still gotta convince the hubby that its a good idea to buy the table and chairs separately - not a set). A console. A month ago I purchased an interesting looking stand lamp that will go great in our dining.
8. Master Bedroom. King size divan and mattress from Slumberland (were hoping to get a good discount from a friend of the family). I am determined to make my own headboard. It isn't too hard. A wardrobe - have not looked into this yet. Why ah? Bed side tables + night lights - thinking of getting two unmatching ones. A gorgeous carpet - if we can afford it. If not, a semi-gorgeous carpet.
9. Mon's Room. We will get her a simple single bed, cupboard and vanity cum side table. Her curtains are dark blue. So I'm thinking of a white theme for her furniture pieces. Ahh... white, of course!
10. Upstairs Living Room: Basically what we need is a sofa, some throw cushions, a cute rug and a TV console. I'm going for a more artsy feel in this area.
Non-Priority:
11. All the other cool decorative items I have my eyes on. Like corner tables, interesting art pieces, more floor-standing lights, throws and cushions, pretty sheets and covers, etc.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The General Look: Transitional Style
I just learned this term (interior design context). It is a blend of traditional and modern. Which is exactly what I have had in mind for my place. It's great the interior design world has a term for this! I truly think this comes naturally for me. What I like about the transitional type of design is, its fresh and new like the contemporary style but instead of having only straight lines and a cold metallic feel it also has the warmth, comfort and softness of the more traditional style. It's amazing how you can mix two totally different looks and come up with something quite spectacular. I have always been the traditional/country sorta girl but fell in love with the transitional style while digesting some home magazines hubby got for me from Down Under. The Australian interior design scene at this point is very transitional and also retro (which is fun but not my cup of tea especially with a new family and all). This style is very practical, straightforward and most of all it projects the 'less is more' feel. A few big pieces compared to many little ones. I hate clutter btw. Within the transitional design sphere, there are many different styles. What I would like for my home is a little bit of French Country mixed with Venetian to contribute to the traditional side and contemporary straight lines for the modern end. What I have gathered from studying this style in magazines is as long as you don't touch extremes of either (modern or classic) your'e pretty safe. The rest is up to your natural knack for home decorating.
Color! It's so important. I am in love with white/off white. White walls. White sofas. WHITE?! Am I crazy? With little Elil crawling/running about (within the next few months anyway), tiny hand-prints everywhere, spilled fruit juice, baby food splattered. The horror! Yes, I probably am crazy. But I believe in throws. A lot of throws. Plus I'm thinking leather too. Stains wipe away easily. Plus most sofas nowadays come with fully removable covers. But the problem with these (if you noticed) is these pieces tend to look cheap and temporary. As much as I have been discouraged/warned (regret guaranteed), I insist on white. I just need to find some bleach-friendly white/off white fabric. Neutrals are great. I would love a little beige here and there plus a splash of a bold color. At this moment, it's red but this could change. Think and think again Pu.
Stay tuned for more design ramblings.
Creating A Home
I have been waiting to move into our new home for the past 5 months now. I hear that we need not wait more than another 2 months. This leaves me enough time to finalize the general design, look and feel of our home. The color theme! Enough time to window shop, compare prices, find new and better furniture pieces & lighting fixtures, compile the perfect combination of art pieces, furnishings and decor. The excitement is building! In the past months I have been able to pick up a few items here and there. Trying to reduce the stress and financial burden prior to the move-in process. One of our earliest purchase was a 32" LCD screen. The obvious culprit: my husband. I objected earlier on but realized this one purchase has given me the opportunity to purchase other non-top-priority items of my own without a word from Mr. CFO. Hah! So ok, before I go into details of how (I hope) my home will turn out it would be beneficial for you to be familiar with details and the layout of my home. Details below:
Type: 2 1/2 Storey Super-Link (anyone know what this means exactly?) house (Intermediate)
Built-Up area: 2,800 sq.ft
Number of rooms/bathrooms: 5/5
Layout on the way.
We have huge garage space (this is what initially attracted my husband to the place), a small patch of grass up front (tiny compared to what I'm used to back home), an even tinier patch out back - don't know if our clothes line will fit here. We may need that electricity guzzling dryer after all!
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