KITCHEN TOP OPTIONS

Many home owners are clueless when it comes to selecting the right kitchen top for their home. I thought this might come in pretty useful.

Stan

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TIMELESSNESS

There's always many constraints in a design project. Some - actually most - are imposed by clients by way of their own requirements or preferences. It's my job then to take those specifications and create a home within the budget and the time frame which are set.

But then, things get a bit more complicated than that - we set our own little challenge in seeking to instill a certain quality in the design. That quality we call timelessness.

To me, timelessness beats trendiness hands down any day. It does not mean a home must be filled with antiques, or look like it's built in the 50s or 60s. Timelessness is simply a trait that allows an owner’s personality to shine through. I always tell home owners that their styles and tastes may change over time, and that they can integrate, over time, the furnishings they like into a cohesive design. It's exactly this particular process of 'exploration' that makes a home personal, layered and well, timeless.

Some might argue that no design can truly be timeless in this day and age. But hey, wait. It's never about technological advancement. Doesn't the Noguchi table look as relevant today as it was in the 50s, when it was first conceived? What about the Barcelona chair? Think simplicity in line and concept in the design of a home, and one can never go wrong.

We have to accept the fact that we are moving with the times, but when you seek to incorporate elements which are close to your heart in a simple and original way inside your home, things will never look outdated.

At least in your very own eyes.


Stan

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SATURDAY INDESIGN IN SINGAPORE

Yay! The Singapore design scene is gonna get exciting next May, when Australia’s most popular annual design event, Saturday in Design comes to Singapore for the first time. Unlike traditional fairs which take place in one big space on the outskirts of town, Saturday in Design coordinates all the premium downtown showrooms to showcase the very best in design. Our whole office already getting all pumped up!

The event is not restricted to designers and architects only. Anyone and everyone who has an interest in design can attend it on the 21st of May, 2011.

Link


KUS

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MUST-HAVE IPHONE APPS FOR THE MODERN INTERIOR DESIGNER

True, technology can be both a blessing and a curse. But I prefer to think positive. And how can one not be positive when you're talking about iPhone, ha?! Since I got my iPhone, it has become more and more useful to me in my work - a use I never envisioned at first. No, it can't be a curse for sure.

To be more specific, what's appealing about the iPhone is the large selection of apps. There's about anything for everything. Yet, only a handful is likely to become permanent additions to my phone. I've done the homework for all interior designers out there, and here are some great tools worth checking out. They are really useful in our line of work, and are mostly free except where noted.

Whatever you call it, if you have an iPhone and love to sketch, you should love Sketchbook Mobile Express.

This nifty device from Autodesk allows me to sketch with my finger, erase with my finger, tap-tap and zoom with my finger. It’s a lot like wiping smears off your screen, but you're creating art at the same time. Lest you begin to be skeptical about its functionality - it actually works. It's really easy to use and comes in handy during those times when I left my sketchpad in the car during a meeting, or when that fantastic idea suddenly comes knocking on my brains at a club.

When I'm on the move, the AutoCAD WS mobile app proves to be one great tool to view and edit CAD drawings which are delivered to my phone by my staff. Frankly, I've used it only about twice since, but it's a good feeling to know I can check drawings that conveniently anywhere. Yes, nothing beats the PC for ease of use but, as you know, novelty and practicality sometimes don't co-exist.

At an affordable price of US$1.99, PaintSwatches allows just about anybody to tackle tricky paint-jobs with aplomb. This clever app organizes paint-palettes by room, making it easy for any designer or homeowner to harmonize from room to room and shop for matching furniture. Thumbs up!

GoDesign was "created by designers for designers, offering an organizational tool and mobile business solution for easier, more cost effective design project management." The application handles and stores incredible amounts of detailed information, freeing up time and creativity for interior design professionals and amateurs alike.

The app essentially puts an office into users’ pockets. It sits ready to accept tons of the detailed data that interior designers need. It easily stores, sorts and organizes information and images, allows for the custom creation and personalization of tear sheets, has a customizable database, maps out logical shopping routes and more. Design professionals can also work with their client and vendor lists, right from their device!

The app costs US$9.99.

Yes, it functions more like a walking marketing tool for ZARA, but I'm quite a sucker for the Spanish company's products. This app functions as a pocket catalog of all the items that can be found in each ZARA store, organized by sections - which is very useful for all customers. One important feature of the application is the update frequency: ZARA’s team will update the content to keep you informed about all its new products. Well, you bet they do.

There's plenty of apps that will inspire an interior designer with beautiful images of interior design and great home decoration ideas. Nothing beats Houzz to that though. With more than 75000 photos, the Houzz application has one of the most comprehensive collections of home design images on the iPhone. In addition to that, there's a large collection of useful 'ideabooks' to provide guidance to anyone on aspects of interior design and decoration. It's definitely the app to look to for daily inspirations.

Whether you are a designer or a design junkie who loves reading blogs, you're absolutely gonna love this app called TopInteriorDesignBlogs created by Jacob Lindgren. This simply device basically allows you to follow some of the best interior design blogs all at once. These blogs include MoCo Loco and Design*Sponge.

Stan

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HOME REJUVENATED!

The owners of this 2-bedroom apartment located at Dakota Residences wanted to reflect their keen sense of style through the confines of their brand new home. Keeping in mind the personalities of the couple, we adopted a casual, free-spirited approach in this design.

Living and dining areas - before

Living and dining areas - after

Here, we helped them conjure a neutral color palette of whites, grays and browns, punctuated with bright blue, red and yellow accents, to create a sophisticated look which feels inviting despite the limited floor area.

Master bedroom - before

Master bedroom - after

Design without any sense of scale and proportion is like owning a cottage with no lake. Here, we took time to ensure the furniture work well with the youthful duo's kooky tastes, and that every object has its place and is appropriately scaled for the size of the apartment. Lighting is of utmost importance, especially the recessed lighting which washes the walls to create a sense of coziness.

Study room - before

Study room - after

Stan

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A SIMPLE THEORY

It's a very simple theory: if you walk into a room with too many objects to look at, you simply don't see any at all.

Your mind will tell you, "Many". The human mind is highly capable of rebelling against complexity, and has a limitation in processing visual information.

I'm not saying that you can’t get that new couch or fancy coffee table if you really want it. What I meant is that with all the right elements, you really don’t need 3-4 different colors in a room, display shelves packed to the brim, or a wall filled with numerous little picture frames.

Choices, but not too many choices.


Stan

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3:1 TABLE, Y TABLE_S & CHAIR IV FROM T J O K E E F E

Chicago based design studio T J O K E E F E sent in images of 3:1 Table, Y Table_S and Chair IV early this morning.

The geometric 3:1 nesting table functions as a single cube or as three distinct side tables. Y Table_S is about lines and planes. It is a side table comprised of steel, powder-coated in two different sheens. Its intersecting steel members create unique graphic compositions from every angle.

Chair IV, the signature piece of the studio, is the skeleton of a chair reconstructed as a geometric puzzle. Comprised of solid wood and finished in two sheens of paint, it is a versatile dining chair able to coalesce with a variety of environments.


Stan

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STATE OF THINGS AT HORIZON HILLS PROJECT: PART 4

This is the phase in every renovation project when one begins to see order after the initial pile of mess. And - ahem - it's also the stage that marks the end of many sleepless nights. I'm truly glad everything is coming to a perfect ending.

Foyer/ dining area

These pictures were taken two Mondays ago. The last I heard from the contractor, the wall-covering on the feature wall has been installed. The client and I went shopping the day before and purchased a beautiful Chinese display cabinet which will be placed in front of the wall.

Meanwhile, I'm really anticipating the Swarovski pendant lamp on the tall ceiling at the foyer, and hopes to see it being hung up during the next site visit.

Living area

I'm loving the tree graphic being digitally etched onto the mirror doors of the storage unit in the living room. It adds visual interest to the room instantly.

Wet kitchen

The ultra glossy doors in the kitchen are still looking delicious since the last visit, ha!

Back garden

In the garden, the LED lighting for the water feature is finally in place and glowing proudly in the dark. The effect added a chic club-esque feel to it. The two dragon sculptures are installed according to Fengshui requirements.

2nd storey bedroom

In the bedrooms, we still have a bit more work left to go. I'm incorporating some nice vibrant colors into the headboard design in the kids' room, which will complement that sunny yellow ceiling at the entrance.

2nd storey master bedroom

Master bedroom walk-in closet

The master suite is more or less near completion, but the installation of the headboard seems to be taking up more time than expected - again. The TV will be installed onto the swivel trellis panel later on, allowing viewing from all angles.

We'll also be seeing the introduction of some lush fabrics and bold graphics into this room very soon.

Master bedroom bath

Stan

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