Innehållsförteckning för January 2019 från Home & Decor

I love January, not just because the weather tends to be cooler and more bearable during this time of the year, but also because it heralds a new calendar cycle filled with a multitude of opportunities for good things to happen. I like to give my home a thorough spring clean in anticipation of that, as well as retire worn out furniture items so they can be replaced. To usher in the new year, I prefer to start my domain with a plain white theme. The point is to slowly fill it with new colour throughout the rest of the year. It is something that I have been doing for the last few years, and I enjoy the entire process as much as seeing how much my spaces will change…

This radiant hue is best contrasted against a neutral earth tone. Go for a beige, brown or pale blonde base. Internationally renowned colour specialist Pantone recently announced that Coral Pink is its official colour of 2019, and the news has got everyone in the design circle talking. According to the leading colour expert: “Just as coral reefs are a source of sustenance and shelter to sea life, vibrant yet mellow Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.” We’re not entirely sure what it means by buoyancy or why we need it to survive, but we can say that this bright orange hue with a golden undertone does look uplifting and cheerful. At the same time, it also…

Keep your kitchen free of clutter with the Kitchenminis range of compact and space-saving appliances including a smoothie maker, one-litre glass kettle, two-egg cooker, steamer and chopper. Made of Cromargan stainless steel casing and with brushed surfaces that have high matte finish, these timeless appliances are designed to complement any interior style. Appliances from the WMF Kitchenminis range retail from $89 (chopper). Find out more at www.wmf.sg , or at one of the 20 WMF concept stores islandwide.…

Leading surface specialist Cosentino has launched a new range of colours for its Dekton and Silestone collections. Inspired by materials such as cement and natural marble, the new colours in Dekton’s ultra-compact surface Industrial collection include four matte options – Laos, Soke, Kreta and Lunar – which have detailed aesthetics and a variety of shades from dark to light grey. For the Silestone quartz Loft series, go for the Brooklyn and Silver Lake options if you’d like a cement- or concrete-look surface. As for natural stone-inspired looks, choose the Vera and Kira, which are elegant and mimic the look of Gris Pulpis marble. Check out the new Dekton and Silestone range at Cosentino City Center, 34/35 Duxton Road.…

Operated via a single remote control, the wind-, water-, and UV-resistant Lagune can be installed on three sides of a balcony, easily turning it into an “indoor” area. The retractable terrace cover lets just the right amount of sun in and features concealed drainage gutters for the rain, preventing water from splashing into the balcony. You can also opt for LED lights and flat panel speakers to be included, giving you the freedom to create the ambience you want. Renson Lagune is available in 10 colours including black, grey, mustard and blue. Find it at MC2, #01-28, Vertex Building, 33 Ubi Avenue 3, tel: 6634-7333.…

You know Spotlight as the go-to store for fabric, DIY craft projects, and party essentials but did you know about its wide and stylish range of home accessories? Set a day to explore its new Westgate store, which spans a massive 25,800 sq ft, to check out its range of chic quilt cover sets, rugs in all styles and sizes, and printed cushion covers. You can also count on the Australian brand to have decor like faux plants, vases and table accessories, as well as essentials like indoor blinds, laundry baskets and soap dispensers. Visit the new Spotlight store at Level 3, Westgate Shopping Centre, 3 Gateway Drive, www.spotlight.com.sg .…

Whether it was jewellery, tableware, perfume bottles, vases, objets d’art, luxury car mascots, furniture, lighting, wall decorations or architectural elements, visionary artist Rene-Jules Lalique, born in 1860 in Ay in the Marne region of France, was outstanding in everything he designed. He left his mark on the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements. A leading figure in jewellery and decorative arts in the 19th-and 20th-centuries in his time, he was beloved both by royalty and the artistic elite. He had said: “I work relentlessly, with the will to arrive at a new result and to create something never seen before.” Man with a vision Hailed as the father of modern jewellery design, Rene apprenticed with jeweller Louis Aucoc and studied gold smithing and design at the Decorative Arts School in…

Artifacts Inspired by turn-of-the-century charm, each piece in the Artifacts faucet and accessory collection is akin to a vintage treasure rediscovered. With so many possible combinations, the collection allows you to personalise the look of your sink area. Composed This range of faucets embodies pure simplicity and understated beauty. For those who love a decidedly modern look with minimal fuss. Mica Delicate-looking and super slim, Mica’s round-or square-rim basins belie their extremely strong and durable material. Its Cleancoat stain-resistant coating also keeps these basins glossy and easy to clean. Sensis A swish toilet bowl fitted with a water filtration system that purifies water sprayed from the wand to the body, a one-click sanitiser button that activates e-water and UV light to ensure top-notch hygiene, and a choice of pulsating and…

I was recently invited to participate in a project, which involved working with a mix of craftsmen from the Kanto region in Japan. The region consists of Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba and Kanagawa. The brief was to understand the techniques and workings of the artisans and their craft, and realise the potential for their crafts to be replicated in Singapore, from the eye of a Singaporean designer. As I embarked on the project and began to think about what my studio and I could bring to the table, I pondered the character of each country. Japan is a nation which has had its image carved by histories of refined cultivations. Its emblem of simplicity is its mark of excellence, while delightful…

Located amongst the estates of some of Los Angeles’ oldest names is a home belonging to Robbie Shipp, the former owner of a plastic goods company that manufactures school and business supplies for some of the world’s largest retailers, and his wife, Michelle Israel, a practising physician. This Beverly Hills property has 1.2ha of formal Chinese gardens, a tennis court, viewing pavilion and entertaining grounds, and its scale is a rarity in the city. What is even more unique is its Chinese influence. The original house was designed by architect Bob Ray Offenhauser, who brought in a team of Chinese artisans to construct it in the style of a traditional Suzhou country house. For Robbie, who came to appreciate Chinese culture through his time in China on business, it was…

REAL-TIME DESIGN UPDATES WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HOMEANDDECOR.SINGAPORE  Read new content on home decor and more, daily. A DBSS bachelorette pad in Boon Keng The under-$40,000 renovation includes many bespoke details. www.tinyurl.com/rettepad Does thread count really matter? A guide to buying bedsheets. www.tinyurl.com/sheettips SIGHTS & INSPIRATION CHECK US OUT AT @HOMEANDDECOR_SG MORE INTERIOR STYLES FROM OUR ONLINE IMAGE LIBRARY ON THIS MONTH’S STYLISH BEDROOM BOARD… WWW.PINTEREST.COM/HOMEANDDECORSG BONUS GALLERIES & VIDEOS SMART DESIGN See more of this posh suite designed with a sleek style and modern conveniences. THE RIGHT TOUCH Take a walk through this home that comes with elegant touches and designer flair. PLAY ON PALETTE Simple can be beautiful. Find out how both was achieved in this chic HDB home. Get 20 per cent off a single issue (UP: $6) or 50 per…

Interesting, no? This chest-height Lotus cabinet is the result of the combined efforts of Indian luxury brand Secret Splendour, which was inspired by the sacredness of the lotus, and Italian designer Matteo Cibic, who is known for his surreal ideas. Whimsical, ornate and divine at the same time, the cabinet dazzles with its glossy teal and green resin and brass inlay. Its sheer size makes it ideal for commercial spaces, as well as homes. Price upon request. Visit www.scarletsplendour. com , and www.gregnatale.com .…

Italian designer Matteo Leorato took inspiration from Venetian architecture for his design of the Loggia series of coffee tables, which are made entirely of terrazzo. Specialising in the use of marble, Matteo enjoys exploring new patterns and ways of incorporating the material into his works. The popularity of terrazzo is seeing a comeback, so the Loggia tables are right on-trend! See Matteo Leorato’s complete collection at www.matteoleorato.it . The Loggia table is available at www.1stdibs.com .…

New online store Piece of Cake has launched a line-up of small accessories. First on its list of brands is Thai label Labrador Factory, which uses recycled full-grain cow leather to create key jackets, travel wallets and table trays. You can even choose the colour of the leather, like green or grey, when purchasing the table trays. Minimal chemicals have been applied to the leather, and the brand focuses on achieving the most natural feel of leather. Watch this space for more brands and updates. Visit www.sglabradorfactory.wixsite.com/pieceofcake .…

From retro kitchen-range cabinets and French vanity desks to a series of acacia wood furniture, local retailer Born in Colour’s diverse collection is one worth seeing in person. Head down to Apex @ Henderson, where the local brand – which was launched in 2014 – has opened the doors to its second studio. The 2,000 sq ft space is home to the aforementioned signature collections, as well as many new ones, including wooden and granite dining sets, sofa sets, and compact dresser consoles ideal for small spaces. Thanks to its collaboration with Spin, you will also be able to find stylish ceiling fans to complement Born in Colour’s furniture pieces. The local brand has also partnered School of Clay Arts Salon to feature and sell unique clay art pieces by…

As Rene-Jules Lalique’s main Alsatian residence built in 1920, the villa in Wingen-sur-Moder reopened in 2015 as a five-star hotel with six exclusive suites, after four years of renovation. Designed by Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli, it serves as a showcase of Lalique’s craftsmanship and creativity. The exterior was faithfully restored to its original appearance complete with blue shutters, while the interiors reflect the virtuosity of the master glassmaker, with each suite named after an iconic Rene creation and one named after his granddaughter Marie-Claude’s (right) famous panther, Zeila. Highlights are the Hirondelles (swallows) suite in red and black with bunches of grapes on the crystal decorative panels, and lamps with bird motif – this was once Rene’s own room with views of his factory – and the Dragon…

Vincent Sim spends his weekends cleaning his home, but he doesn’t mind it one bit. Working at Karcher has been such an eye-opening experience – he even dubs cleaning the toilet his “favourite chore, given that it’s probably the most challenging”. Another unconventional view he shared – especially in an industry that seeks to combine many functions in one appliance – is that a homeowner needs at least two or three appliances to clean a house thoroughly. While multi-purpose cleaners are a boon for time-strapped working professionals, Karcher has produced appliances that target specific cleaning requirements. For instance, one to take care of mopping and vacuuming, and another to remove stains. Products suitable for sensitive skin as well as equipment for mattresses and windows, should be considered. He tells us…

For a calming bathtub soak INGREDIENTS • 100g mineral sea salt • 2 teabags of camomile (make it strong) • 2 pieces of medium-sized orange peel (preferably sun dried) OR • Use essential oil blends: - lavender, 16 drops - German camomile, 12 drops - sweet orange, 8 drops - sandalwood, 4 drops (make sure you use no more than 40 drops in total) METHOD 1. Set temperature for around 40 deg C or to your preference, but at a temperature slightly warmer than the body’s. 2. Mix the ingredients well. Never put essential oils directly into the bathtub without first mixing with base ingredient (in this case, sea salt). 3. Soak in the bathtub for at least 20 minutes for best effect. 4. Finish off with a cold shower.…

FANS VS AIR CONDITIONERS Around these parts of the globe where heat is ever present, cooling solutions like fans and air-conditioners are ubiquitous, and almost certainly a necessity. Each has its merits and drawbacks. FANS are in a completely different league, compared to air-conditioners. Simpler in design and function, they have the modest task of moving air around, be it cool or warm. Due to their simple mechanics, fans are inherently more economical to operate, with usage numbers that air-conditioners can never meet. Subpar temperature management and the tendency to recirculate warm air, however, mean fans have a narrow scope of use. Better suited for open spaces that have sufficient air flow, fans ventilate more than they regulate. Air-Conditioners are the best appliance to combat against the potent heat of…

BANG & OLUFSEN #01-05 Grand Hyatt Singapore Tel: 6737-7500 www.bang-olufsen.com CAESARSTONE The Spire #08-06 10 Bukit Batok Cresent Tel: 6316-1938 www.caesarstone.sg COMMUNE 28 Defu Lane 4 Tel: 6282-9086 DESIGNERS GUILD ROMANEZ #04-01 APS Building 9 Muthuraman Chetty Road Tel: 6463-9330 www.romanez.com DYSON https://shop.dyson.com.sg HARVEY NORMAN FLAGSHIP #01-59 to 63 Millenia Walk Tel: 6311-9988 www.harveynorman.com.sg HIPVAN #02-06/07/08 The Cathay Tel: 6291-1725 www.hipvan.com MADE AND MAKE #04-00 Jubilee Industrial Building 6 Genting Road Tel: 6908-5908 www.madeandmake.sg MUD ROCK CERAMICS 85 Maude Road Tel: 6291-1186 www.mudrockceramics.com REDMART Tel:6261-3456 www.redmart.com ROBINSONS THE HEEREN 260 Orchard Road Tel: 6738-4388 www.robinsons.com.sg INTERIOR DESIGNERS ATELIER HERE #05-11 865 Mountbatten Road Tel: 6348-9932 www.at-here.co JOEY KHU INTERIOR DESIGN 772A North Bridge Road Tel: 6440-7920 www.joeykhu-id.com KNQ ASSOCIATES #08-45 Oxley Bizhub 71 Ubi Road 1 Tel: 6222-0966 www.knqassociates.com L…

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ACORN #02-09 512 Chai Chee Lane Tel: 6445-6144 www.acornceilingfan.com BRANDT ASIA #02-51/52 Oxley Bizhub 65 Ubi Road One Tel: 6508-4639 www.brandt.sg SAMAIRE CEILING FAN #06-01 1 Kallang Way 2A Tel: 6846-7737 www.samaire.com.sg FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS DA VINCI LIFESTYLE #01-01 Concorde Hotel Tel : 6468-6333 www.davincilifestyle.com FURNITURE GALLERY 18 Tampines Industrial Crescent www.furnituregallery.sg FLEXFORM | STUDIO216 #01-01 200 Newton Road Tel: 6909-2128 www.flexform.sg GRAFUNKT #02-34/36 Millenia Walk Tel: 6336-6046 www.grafunkt.com HOME 2 U GALLERY #02-719/720 Suntec City Tower 4 Tel: 6737-7838 HOUSE OF W.ATELIER #01-01/02 75 Bukit Timah Road Tel: 6270-8828 www.watelier.com MUJI #02-198 Vivocity Tel: 6376-8023 www.muji.com/sg P5 STUDIO #01-08 Henderson Industrial Park 213 Henderson Road Tel: 6771-9500 www.p5studio.com.sg STAR LIVING 1 Pasir Panjang Road Tel: 6273-2522 www.starliving.com.sg XZQT #01-05 8 Pandan Crescent Tel: 6774-8031 www.xzqt.com.sg INTERIOR…

Flowers are an essential part of home decorating, not only because they soften the look of a room, but also because they remind us of the beauty, fragility and, above all, impermanence of life. When selecting blossoms for the home at springtime, the latest trend this year is to consider using long-stemmed cuttings, such as irises, daffodils, lilies, tulips and hosta flowers, in light cream shades. Allow the delicate blooms to become the focal point by presenting them in a vase with a clean silhouette. Make sure to leave plenty of space between the flowers so you can inject a sense of lightness and elegance to the arrangement. These Hurricane vessels from Ro – (from left) Flower Vase No. 1, Hurricane tea light No. 25 and Hurricane No. 26 –…

Create the perfect all-black kitchen with Turbo’s range of black appliances. The Turbo Incanto Chimney hood TD8188 has an air flow of 900 cubic metres per hour and a four-speed touch panel, while the Incanto Multi-Function Oven TFM628T – awarded an A-class energy rating – features an easy-to-clean enamel interior, five removable shelves, and eight functions, so you can bake cookies and roast meats. The T702GV-BK hob is made with Schott glass for extra durability and produces flames at the energy-efficient angle of 45 degrees. Visit Turbo’s exclusive showroom at Meng Kee & Co, 55 Jalan Besar, tel: 6294-3771. The products are also available at all gas, electrical, hardware and sanitaryware dealers.…

Skeletal in design, the Neue Chair is made up of strong yet lightweight materials. This computer chair comes under Neue, Secretlab’s latest subsidiary. So confident are they about this launch, that the chair comes with a 12-year warranty. The durable three-layer mesh blend (which includes Dupont Yarn) promises to feel good on the skin, while the aluminium alloy used for the wheelbase and backspin offers durability. To adjust the height, simply squeeze the Controlshift hand levers located at the handrests. The Silver ($999) and Obsidian ($1,149) Neue chairs are available on Lazada, Shopee and Secretlab’s website. The Obsidian features additional industrial plating to increase resistance to corrosion.Visit www.secretlab.co .…

In 1970, when Tricia Guild was an interior designer on the hunt for the perfect textile, she decided to instead create her own. Designers Guild’s first collection consisted of Indian hand-blocked printed textiles, which Tricia edited with her own choice of colours. Today, the brand is known for producing vivacious colours and illustrations in collections that make it easy for homeowners to mix and match prints and textures. We pick this design doyenne’s brain for tips. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE FABRIC INDUSTRY AND YOUR JOB? The industry lacks the fickleness of, say, fashion, but it is every bit as creative and artistic. And Designers Guild is my passion – I live and breathe it and no day is quite the same. WHAT SHOULD WE USE AS A GUIDE…

BRIGHT AND BREEZY A high-performance ceiling fan, Acorn’s Fantasia DC-356 requires low energy consumption. Despite that, it offers efficient performance, as it has higher revolutions per minute as compared to conventional ceiling fans. It is also anti-corrosive, with blades made of acrylic (ABS) material. It is suitable even for homes with higher ceilings as it comes with a powder-coated extendable rod, so you can lower the fan to the desired height. Doubling, too, as a lighting fixture, it comes with an LED light kit to offer daylight, cool white and warm light options to create the ambience you you’d like in your home. Choose from three sizes – 36 inches, 46 inches or 56 inches – and three colours including coffee, wooden and white. Fantasia DC-356 retails at $599 for…

Have you ever thought about decorating the space under your feet? If your answer is no, don’t fret, because you are not alone. In their eagerness to dress up plain walls and decorate table tops, many homeowners tend to overlook the floor. Just how crucial can adding a rug or carpet be to your interior design? Well, imagine a room with whitewashed walls and a plain white-tiled floor. Now, imagine the same room when you add a plush and intricately designed vintage carpet. Compare that to the way the space would look with a sleek grey rug with silver trim instead. The difference is night and day. When faced with a plethora of possibilities to style a space, a great way for new homeowners to begin would be to work…