It's too easy to associate interior design with frivolous material indulgences - you know exactly what I mean. However, the main function of interior design remains simple, which is to enhance the quality of spaces for the purpose of improving the quality of life.
In one episode of the new local reality/ community TV programme RenovAID, we were invited to help Suryani, 15, and her family rejuvenate their Circuit Road home - and hopefully also rebuild their lives.
In one episode of the new local reality/ community TV programme RenovAID, we were invited to help Suryani, 15, and her family rejuvenate their Circuit Road home - and hopefully also rebuild their lives.
Anyone stepping into the 30 years old flat for the first time would be hard pressed not to feel the bleakness within. It may be harsh of me to say that, but the interior can only be described as dilapidated. Pipes are rusty and grease (from cooking) covered the worn-out vinyl flooring and windows. The dust behind the wardrobes is over an inch thick and rubbish piled up practically everywhere. There is hardly any storage management in place.
Living/ dining areas - before
Living/ dining areas - afterWith so much stuff packed inside, the family of six has hardly any space left for themselves. Two members of the family sleep in the living room during the night due to a lack of bedrooms while Suryani, who is in secondary school, has been living without a proper study corner all these years. In short, this is one home where a rescue is long overdue.
Working on a very limited budget (and even lesser time), we sprang into action. It only took the workers a day or two to tear down everything but from then on, it's a race against the clock as our team worked nonstop for the next few days to transform all the rubble into a real home.
New layout
Constrained by the original layout, I tore down the wall standing between the access corridor and the living room to provide more room for the family to gather. Lively colors were worked into the design to bring a positive vibe into the house.
Working on a very limited budget (and even lesser time), we sprang into action. It only took the workers a day or two to tear down everything but from then on, it's a race against the clock as our team worked nonstop for the next few days to transform all the rubble into a real home.
New layoutConstrained by the original layout, I tore down the wall standing between the access corridor and the living room to provide more room for the family to gather. Lively colors were worked into the design to bring a positive vibe into the house.
Access corridor - before
Bedroom 1 - before
Bedroom 1 - afterAnother wall that used to separate a bedroom and the access corridor was also removed. In place came a wall-to-wall wardrobe which also serves to segregate the original bedroom into 2 smaller rooms.
Bedroom 2 - before
Bedroom 2 - afterIn another bedroom, a wardrobe partitions the sleeping area (for Suryani and her grandma Madam Noormah) from the newly-created study area. This ensures the girl would be able to study late into the night behind, all in her own privacy.
Kitchen - before
Kitchen - afterThe old kitchen used to be a hotbed for potential hazards, with misplaced electrical sockets under an overhanging clothes hanger and a bulky sink counter which obstructs movement in and out of the bathroom (causing Madam Noormah to trip on several occasions). I aim to build a functional kitchen that shows off various clean, off-white tones whilst integrating plenty of closed storage. Freeing up the space below the window of bulky cabinetry ensures the family would have a proper laundry area at the back.
Thanks to generous sponsorship from companies like ICI Dulux, EDL Laminate as well as a host of furniture retailers, suppliers and workers who chipped in in whatever ways they can, the renovations were completed in two crazy weeks - the family kept sequestered during that period. The show climaxed when the TV crew allowed Suryani and her family to return to a home that is, I sincerely hope, better than the one they left.
The 8-parter RenovAID begins airing from this Thursday (3rd Dec) on Mediacorp Channel 5 at 10pm.
Stan
This handsome folding dining table - aptly named Table - designed by Italian designer Lodovico Bernardi is ingenius! It consists of only one panel of plywood with a simple cut and some holes made with a CNC machine. The unique design allows a drastic reduction of waste and energy during realization.
Perfect for homes where space is limited.
KUS
A prospective client I visited yesterday commented, "I don't want any deep colors in my house. I only want white so that it will make the place look larger."
I'm sorry for doing that, but I almost rolled my eyes. I didn't even know where or how that misconception originated. It's definitely not true that white - and only white - can do wonders in a small room.
One of the best ways to expand a space is to strike a contrast between different areas or objects inside the room. Bring splashes of color to a recessed wall, the inside of a bookshelf or a door frame to create 'depth' in a space. For the more adventurous, paint a corridor in a dark color, so that it makes an adjoining area which is painted in a subtle tone looks more spacious.
I have always liked the idea of painting one wall a different - or deeper - color. IThis technique always works very well in a constrained space. Contrary to common belief, the darker color on one wall can make it recede, making the room look much bigger. Yes, go ahead and try black...
Stan
I'm sorry for doing that, but I almost rolled my eyes. I didn't even know where or how that misconception originated. It's definitely not true that white - and only white - can do wonders in a small room.
One of the best ways to expand a space is to strike a contrast between different areas or objects inside the room. Bring splashes of color to a recessed wall, the inside of a bookshelf or a door frame to create 'depth' in a space. For the more adventurous, paint a corridor in a dark color, so that it makes an adjoining area which is painted in a subtle tone looks more spacious.
I have always liked the idea of painting one wall a different - or deeper - color. IThis technique always works very well in a constrained space. Contrary to common belief, the darker color on one wall can make it recede, making the room look much bigger. Yes, go ahead and try black...
Stan
I'm in a good mood. This evening, a client sent me a text message. It reads "Hi Stanley, just want to text you to say you did a very good job at my place! My friends and relatives who dropped by liked it too. Thanks!".
Actually, that's exactly what we interior designers wish to hear every single time, knowing clients loved the home we've created for them. Yeah, it's a damn nice feeling to be appreciated for all the hard work we've put in...
Stan
You know, I've never really taken a fancy to guns, rifles and all those stuff. But there's always exception - especially when it looks so good as a decorative art piece above my sofa...
Stan
Design is all about optimism, action, and unlimited possibilities. This enriching little post wraps up my hectic week in a nice way. TGIF.
1. A designer does not have the luxury of cynicism.
2. It is easier to react than to create.
3. You must keep moving away from what you know.
4. A designer's gotta have the guts to be truthful at all times.
5. People don't fund problems, they fund solutions.
6. Many believe the world just is. Designers believe we can make the world be.
7. It can be helpful to think about an idea from a point of view that makes no sense.
8. Through the act of making things, we discover ideas.
9. When you're totally unqualified for a job, that's when you do your best work.
10. The goal is to be an expert coming out, not going in.
11. To bring about real change, you have to kiss a lot of frogs.
12. When the world isn't working well, you have the makings of a great design project.
Stan
1. A designer does not have the luxury of cynicism.
2. It is easier to react than to create.
3. You must keep moving away from what you know.
4. A designer's gotta have the guts to be truthful at all times.
5. People don't fund problems, they fund solutions.
6. Many believe the world just is. Designers believe we can make the world be.
7. It can be helpful to think about an idea from a point of view that makes no sense.
8. Through the act of making things, we discover ideas.
9. When you're totally unqualified for a job, that's when you do your best work.
10. The goal is to be an expert coming out, not going in.
11. To bring about real change, you have to kiss a lot of frogs.
12. When the world isn't working well, you have the makings of a great design project.
Stan
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