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Friday, November 20, 2020

Few parts of the conventional modern home feature high ceilings in the default plans, but the existence of a double-height ceiling in your living room is a rare opportunity to decorate boldly along the vertical axis with extra-long curtains and feature walls. If you're fortunate to have in your possession a canvas as generous as a living room with an extra high ceiling, here are some examples of what can be achieved in these spaces.

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Immaculate Simplicity

Interior design by: Regal Violet

A dependance on the lighter side of the neutral palette expands the perceived space, as demonstrated by Regal Violet in this seating area. Utilising only grey fabrics to complement a background of white furnishings and finishes, the designers of the pictured seating lounge have managed to retain the voluminous quality of this space – with the grey elements drawing attention to the generous length of windows and to the centre of the seating arrangement.

Interior design by: Regal Violet

The prevalence of white and grey prepares the naïve eye for the glorious bursts of yellow light that become apparent from the centre of the lounge.

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Monochromatic Modernity

Rendered with glossy black curves across the white finishes, this seating lounge is designed by Deseo Creativo to speak of the modern notion of elegance in simplicity. The monochromatic background of this home sets the eye up for the scant streaks of blue, while the simplistic palette creates a striking contrast against the ornate chandelier and the seamless expanse of marbled stone on the floor.

Interior design by: Deseo Creativo

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Tropical Luxury

Interior design by: DMZ Consultancy

The designers of the pictured seating lounge, DMZ Consultancy, craft a space suited for the tropics by relying on the lighter side of the neutral palette and an assortment of natural materials. The neutral palette saturates this living room in seamless stretches of stone on the floor and walls while wood decks the ceiling. Coupled with the exquisite view and splashes of greenery on the interior, the result is simultaneously luxurious and uplifting.

Interior design by: DMZ Consultancy

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Sunny Vibes

Interior design by: Homlux Interior Furnishing

In spaces gifted with generous windows such as this seating lounge with an extra-height ceiling, the choice of interior colour could be heavily swayed by the quality of view. Given that the wooden patio on the outside lies in full sunlight during the day, the practical use of louvres on the windows removes the need for extra-long curtains and enables the ingress of sunlight to complement the yellowish décor of interior.

Interior design by: Homlux Interior Furnishing

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If you've settled on your approach to decorating the living room, here are some of our thoughts on lighting up the whole ensemble.

Friday, November 20, 2020

Nippon Paint Malaysia uncovers some of the key parenting personality traits based on your most frequented colour!

Did you know that your favourite colour reveals your dominant parenting style? Certain studies on the psychology of colour that have been carried out indicate that your preferred colour closely reflects some of your most dominant personality traits and strongest characteristics; even down to the various ways in which you behave towards your child (or children!). Take for instance, parents who prefer the blue hues are often regarded as more dependable and calm figures whilst those who gravitate towards brighter shades are known to be more assertive parents with a stronger personality. If you have more than ONE favourite colour, you may not have all the traits from one particular colour, but instead your parenting style comprises of a mixture of the various characteristics. Let’s say if you’re fond of hues such as pink and yellow, you may have a sensitive personality with enthusiastic vibes.

Read on below to find out if your favourite shade closely reflects your parenting traits.

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The Parenting Personality Palette

It’s time to reflect upon your true colours and see if your favourite colour resonates closely with your respective parenting traits.

Nippon Paint Malaysia offers a wide range of colours that matches your parenting personality to the tee, ranging from dark to the lighter spectrum of hues, from warmer to cooler colour shades. There’s mocha brown, khaki green, rose-pink… and the list goes on!

How about taking inspiration to the next level and reflecting your parenting personality colour(s) on the walls of your home?

Here are some colours from Nippon Paint to consider for your next redecorating project at home featuring your parenting personality colour complemented with other suitable shades:

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The Calm & Collected (Blue)

The colour blue is recognised as the most calming shade of the colour spectrum, which makes it one of the top choices of favourite colours around the world. If you find yourself not overreacting to your children most of the time, the colour blue reflects your calm persona best.

To create overall soothing vibes all around your home, select colours such as light green, or a light peach to fully complement your blue themed walls. If you’re a true-blue fan, you could even opt for pairing the palest blue with navy without overwhelming your entire room.

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The Enthusiastic Ones (Red)

Red is known to be a strong colour that resonates well amongst those that carry a more dominating trait. Parents who favour the colour red are typically strong-willed – and much like the colour, they do not easily give in to a child’s requests.

However, in a home, everything in the colour red may be too overwhelming… so why not try balance red with softer shades such as light grey or neutral beige tones for a greater contrast?

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The Nurturing Couple (Pink)

Those who like the colour pink often convey a reassuring ear to their children and see things in a positive light in most situations. While light pink is gentler on the eyes; some are a fan of brighter pinks such as fuchsia which also look great on walls if paired with clean colours such as beige or the lightest shade of yellow.

If you’re a fan of lighter shades of pink, try complementing this with light pink tones for a classy look or opt for striking blue for fun vibes.

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The Fair Minded (Green)

A colour that reflects the personality of a calm yet logical and analytical figure who often takes a more supportive and nurturing approach at most instances. If you find yourself reasoning with your child or children over their actions, green is the colour for you. Being a neutral shade, green can be paired with almost any shade on the colour wheel, depending on the desired ambience for your room.

To fully resonate with your calm personality, go along the lines of a pastel pink with a soft peach shade. Otherwise, for those who prefer strong green undertones, match your green feature wall with a light oak brown shade for a down-to-earth vibe.

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The Cool Ones (Yellow)

Yellow represents the colour of enthusiastic parents who are often easily excitable over most things, their children included. When you think yellow, the first word that comes to mind is ‘bright’! …which makes the colour an easy feat to match with two extremes, either choosing to pair it with a pale colour or opting for colours on the darker end of the spectrum.

For a dark colour, shades such green or grey makes for a good contrast against any yellow-themed feature wall. For an earthier tone, opt for colours such as brown.

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Here are some top tips to consider when repainting your home!

1. To ensure a safe environment for your child/children, try a child-safe odorless paint from Nippon Paint’s Child Wellness Range (For more information, log on to: www.nipponpaint.com.my/childwellness)

2. Opt for colours which are contrasting to your feature wall for a vibrant look

 

3. Measure the space of each room to get an estimated amount of paint required

 

4. Care for the walls of your home by ensuring proper preparation is carried out (i.e priming the walls prior to painting)

 

5. Have a rough idea on your overall colour theme. Fret not if you’re unsure of what colour suits your room best and opt for expert advice from Nippon Paint’s Colour Scheme Professional Services at www.colourscheme.com.my to get the perfect recommended shades for your rooms.

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If you’re looking to repaint the walls of your home but are unsure where to begin, visit www.nipponpaint.com.my to spark some inspiration!

Text and images by Nippon Paint

Friday, November 20, 2020

Cooking spaces are an irresistible draw for some people and a kitchen island will make them feel welcome.

As noted by televised interior designer Candice Olson, the modern kitchen is less one person’s domain as it is a space for interactive cooking between family and friends — with the modern conventions of open floor plans and relaxed banquet protocol often leading to an accumulation of dinner guests in the kitchen.

Interior design by: Pins Studio

The sight of an island counter in the kitchen presents an inviting atmosphere that simultaneously helps to keep the operative area clear of pedestrians and encourages the curious guest to slide in for a respite or lean against it in casual repose. Knowing that everyone would be gravitating towards the kitchen during gatherings, we thought it prudent to review some of the ways you could add an island counter.

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Practical Element

Instead of having the breakfast bar rise from the centre of the layout like a monolith, you could also merge the island with the rest of the kitchen to minimise its intrusion into a compact space. Pins Studio demonstrates a space-saving configuration in the pictured galley, by extending a counter into the centre of the walkway, effectively turning the two-wall layout into a multi-faceted workspace that simultaneously keeps guests away from exposed heat sources while providing a vantage point from which they can safely observe the proceedings and engage in conversations with the chef.

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Stylish Seats

Interior design by: Mode Interior Style

Fashion arbiters are almost uniformly in agreement when it comes to the effect of accessorising—it is often said that the same piece of clothing can be presented in a multitude of different ways when combined with a purposeful selection of decorative accessories.

Interior design by: Mode Interior Style

As demonstrated in the pictured kitchen, Mode Interior Style differentiates the neutral coloured space with the addition of wire-framed lighting fixtures and bar stools. Although lightweight and unobtrusive in their design, their presentation in the foreground of this space draws the eye away from a simplistic background of rectangles coloured in the shades of the neutral palette.

Interior design by: Mode Interior Style

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Twists and Turns

Interior design by: Alvinterior Concept  

A kitchen melded with an open floor plan presents an opportunity for creative expression in much the same way as a blank canvas invites an artist’s touch, and an island counter turned into a piece of artistic expression on its own often represents the most defining element of a truly unique kitchen.

Interior design by: Alvinterior Concept

Alvinterior Concept sets the pictured cooking space apart from all others by rendering the breakfast bar with novel lines and angles, resulting in a functional sculpture of form and purpose at the edge of the chef ’s domain.

Friday, November 20, 2020

From the sea snail shells found along the ancient Phoenician coastlines of Tyre to the togas of Roman senators, and on to as recent a time as Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, the colour purple has been associated with mystery, power, royalty – and the height of bravery in the case of the Purple Heart. Despite the connotations, spaces painted in purple are relatively rare to come by – especially in this age of neutral-coloured interiors and compact spaces. But the results are undeniably awe-inspiring whether purple is applied as an accent or as a base colour. To illustrate the sensuous effects of purple – and perhaps to inspire you to try something different in the bedroom – we bring your attention to a selection of bedrooms brought to deeply soothing and enigmatic levels with the mere addition of violet-coloured light or materials.

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Beguiling Accent

Interior design by: Turn Design

Perhaps the very first and easiest thing to try when experimenting with purple, or any other bold shade, is to inject the colour with the aid of a lighting fixture. Utilising ultraviolet bulbs intended for water purification systems would not be recommended for health reasons – ultraviolet light of the UVB variety is a germ killer and equivalent to sunlight in terms of the damage it can cause – but "black-lights", UVA bulbs, or even regular bulbs tinted purple will provide a harmless wash of violet-coloured light. This equivalent of dipping one's toe into unfamiliar waters enables slight adjustments – leading to possible results such as the pictured bedroom decorated by Turn Design. The purple glow here serves as a tentative accent for the neutral-coloured space, delivered to the sunlit side of the bed via a pair of bedside lamps.

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Absolute Saturation

Interior design by: Space In Design

If the alluring quality of purple illumination has won you over, you may find yourself surprised by the delightful effects of a predominantly white room fully saturated in violet light. As demonstrated by Space In Design with the pictured bedroom, the architectural finishes of the walls and ceiling have been deliberately left featureless and white in order to extend the reach of purple light. The result is that all the plain white surfaces are rendered intriguing with a fluorescent sheen, while slivers of white and yellow illumination are used to segment the background and provide the space with a measure of visual depth.

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Prominent Display

Interior design by: Jashen Interior

If you are looking for more control over the introduction of bold shades like purple in the bedroom, consider utilising fabrics dyed in your prefered shade of violet instead of attempting to fine-tune the highly variable effects of lighting. As demonstrated by Jashen Interior in the pictured bedroom, the introduction of purple is done through carpeting and drapery in light and dark shades, securing the colour's place in the white space regardless of the quality of light. The net effect of this combination is one of mutual support – the white background brings attention to the purple accents while the various shades of violet lend the crisp white space a contour of uplifting opulence.

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Background Flavour

Interior design by: Surface R

With some comfort in its balanced use, one could take the saturation of purple to the maximum by applying various shades of violet in architectural finishes. The result of painting both the walls and the decorative headboard in the same shade of purple is a cohesive background that is instantly soothing to the eye, as in the pictured bedroom designed by Surface R, while the contrasting of dark wood flooring and a sprinkling of neutral coloured planes against the purple background creates a space that simultaneously speaks of fun-loving vibes and regal poise.

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Click here to read about decorating various spaces in white.

Friday, November 20, 2020

Beyond slim profiles and unobtrusive colours, there are a host of characteristics expected to accompany the ubiquitous minimalist bathroom.

Born out of a reaction to abstract expressionism, minimalism continues to be highly relevant, especially when it comes to imbuing bathrooms with space-saving effects. With the majority of people living in urban centres around the world, and that proportion set to increase with the rising pace of urbanisation, minimalism will likely continue being among the most popular of styles applied in bathrooms.

Interior design by: Frontline Bathrooms

While modern interpretations of minimalism may diverge with experimental blends of other aesthetic styles, a devoutly minimalist bathroom can be as awe-inspiring and breathtaking as a classically decorated banquet hall. To help you achieve the epitome of minimalism in the bathroom, we take you on a tour of some bathrooms that best exemplify this iconic style.

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Sleek and Chic

Interior design by: Frontline Bathrooms

Beyond the hallmarks of shedding frills in favour of practicality, another underlying principle of minimalism is centred around the preservation of space. Simplistic fittings such as those incorporated in the glass shower enclosure of the pictured bathroom are the most obvious selections for a minimalist space, but the choice of colour palette for the finishes and fixtures will have additional, more subtle, effects on the overall decor. Bathroom fixtures tend to be all-white, but to truly maximise the perception of volume, the choice of white tiles is made to imbue this bathroom with the space-saving effect of white.

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Mod Tub

Interior design by: Waters Baths of Ashbourne

All that effort into preserving a sense of space would just go to waste without a central element for the eye to focus on, and a bathroom decorated in minimalist style just happens to make a fittingly subtle backdrop for a lone decorative element. In the pictured bathroom, the slim furnishings and plain white finishes set the stage for eyes to fall on the main attraction of this space — the freestanding tub. With its all-white shell, the bathtub seemingly blends into the background, but its delectably curved sides set it apart from the rigid forms in the background.

Interior design by: Waters Baths of Ashbourne

Tip: The most popular style of bathtub in the current age – the ubiquitous free-standing tub – is the ideal choice for a central element in modern bathrooms by virtue of their uncomplicated forms.

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Small Wonders

The rationale behind those slim profiles prevalent in minimalist spaces is the reduction of form while preserving function — a principle that sometimes leads to the limitation of shelves and countertop surfaces. But a minimalist bathroom does not necessarily entail the forgoing of sometimes necessary amenities, as demonstrated in this pictured bathroom, the deliberate preservation of floor space around the tub enables the addition of a foot stool to host accessories needed for a bath. Even with this minute detail added as an afterthought, the jarring divide between a showroom and someone’s real life sanctuary is effectively crossed.

Interior design by: Waters Baths of Ashbourne

Tip: A sprinkling of accessories and creature comforts speaks of a lived-in space. As demonstrated in the pictured bathroom, even a stool added as an afterthought makes the space seem purposefully minimalist rather than empty.

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Read more articles from the August 2018 issue of Creative Home Magazine here.

Friday, November 20, 2020

In the words of the American author Annie Dillard: "There is a muscular energy in sunlight corresponding to the spiritual energy of wind."—and since nothing paints a space quite like natural light does, we rounded up the most inspiring washrooms from recent memory to help you find ways of incorporating a generous window into your bathroom.

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Augmented Shadows

Interior design by: Bo Design

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Violet Tone

Interior design by: ID Industries

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Sky Blue

Interior design by: Space In Design

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[gallery columns="2" size="large" ids="58547,58546"]

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[gallery columns="2" size="large" ids="58691,58692"]

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Sea Green

Interior design by: A Piece of Art Interior design by: A Piece of Art

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Interior design by: SQFT Space Design Management

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Sunny Yellow

Interior design by: Gusto Design & Build Interior design by: Gusto Design & Build

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Interior design by: Hoe & Yin Design Studio

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Golden Tangerine

Interior design by: Design Integra

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Interior design by: SNG Conceptwerke

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Pristine White

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="58699,58700"]

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Interior design by: Regal Violet

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Interior design by: PSQ

Friday, November 20, 2020

Undecided as to whether you find comfort in simplicity, or pine for the ornate antiquities of times past? This summary of common bedroom styles will point you in the right direction.

It takes a highly proficient mind-reader to accurately determine the kind of decorative style that appeals to any individual - and while the most seasoned practitioners of interior design may be able to guess your preferences from a few brief interactions, there is no better judge of one’s own position on the spectrum of order and chaos than the self.

While the less private areas of a home may feature a décor to impress, the bedroom is largely a concern for the occupant - so before settling on your choice of furniture and materials for the bedroom, take a look at this introduction to the most common styles of décor and decide on which speaks to you the most.

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Industrial Chic

Interior design by: Homlux Interior Furnishing

Some personalities gravitate towards ornate classicism for the grandeur, and others find minimalism appealing for the sake of simplicity – but the aesthetics of industrial style appeals to those who seek a lightweight décor imbued with aged sophistication. As with the pictured bedroom decorated by Homlux Interior Furnishing, a bedroom can be made industrial as a whole – with a strict reliance on materials commonly found in places of work, or a more eclectic décor can be formed with a sprinkling of a few bare light bulbs hanging by their wires, pieces of patinated metals, and stretches of exposed brickwork.

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Mod Pop

Interior design by: Casa Indah Design

It goes without saying that the neutral palette dominates most interiors in the present age, but an over-reliance on the popular colour scheme may result in a sterile and impersonal décor. Rather than completely adhering to the confines of the neutral palette, designers and homeowners tend to agree that bedrooms should be canvases for expressions of personality.

Interior design by: Casa Indah Design

The pictured bedroom is saturated with neutral hues in adherence to modern convention, but the space is marked out as belonging to a youthful urbanite with vibrant splashes of yellow – presented in well-lit box niches against the subtle background of the walls.

Interior design by: Casa Indah Design

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Contemporary Elegance

Interior design by: Surface R

Between the overstuffed upholstery of tradition and the bare-bones designs of minimalism lies the modern definition of luxury - as depicted in cosy bedspreads, plush curtains, and thick mattresses of high-end hotel rooms. In the pictured bedroom, Surface R demonstrates the kind of elegant results to be expected with a focus on comfort.

Interior design by: Surface R

The neutral-coloured décor is made inviting by saturation in rich textiles and brought to opulent heights with an abundance of reflective surfaces, darkly-lacquered wood, and strategically placed lighting fixtures to soften the straight lines and stark edges of modern design.

Interior design by: Surface R

Tip: Keeping the colours subtle and letting the fuzzy textures speak for themselves gets you the comfort, while dark wood and reflective metals provide the elegance.

Interior design by: Surface R

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Countryside Charm

Interior design by: JCS Design Project

There are few substitutes for the exquisite and romantic qualities of classicism as a style of interior decoration — largely as it entails a dependence on ornate furnishings that have been passed over by the masses in favour of more affordable and mass-produced offerings, resulting in classical furnishings being considered more valuable due to the relative scarcity of historically accurate designs. As in the pictured bedroom decorated by the JCS Design Project, when combined with soft colours, delicate fabrics, and floral motifs, the result is a feminine décor that speaks of wealth in the quaint serenity of the countryside.

Interior design by: JCS Design Project

Tip: Classical furnishings are just as versatile as those of the modern variety: surround reproductions with decorative details to reinforce a traditional décor or draw attention to authentic pieces by keeping the scene clear.

Interior design by: JCS Design Project

Friday, November 20, 2020

Create more space with a bench at the dining table and camouflage the arrangement with these tips.

You may have deliberately sought out a bench as a novel form of seating, or you might already possess a bench needing new purpose—either way, incorporating a bench into your dining arrangement could do more than free up some space. A bench helps to create a casual and intimate atmosphere for meals, and in place of two side chairs, takes up significantly less space. The extra floor space can then go towards greater clearance around the dining table, providing generous elbow room for diners, or even cabinets for additional storage options. If you are faced with an especially compact dining space, read on, as you may find one or two practical ideas for slipping a bench into your dining arrangement.

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Island Ally

Interior design by: Yong Studio

Having found an available wall against which to set your dining arrangement, your next concern would be to ensure the furnishings complement the surroundings. In the pictured home decorated by Yong Studio, the bench is composed from wood that is similar in shade and grain to the floor of the kitchen. This exercise in unification is applied to the other components of the dining arrangement: the table features unobtrusive legs of minimalist design, while the material of its surface is echoed on the other side of the wall in a diminutive shelf, and in the background, with the kitchen island.

Interior design by: Yong Studio

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Luxury Lines

As benches typically entail the absence of a back, the natural impulse in dealing with a bench would be to place it alongside a wall for back support. The wall-hugging arrangement, however, does more than free up space: beyond the practical consideration of ergonomics, the linear arrangement demonstrated by Surface R takes advantage of the Helmholtz illusion—a concept popularly applied in fashion to skew the perception of body contours. Just as with waistlines, the array of straight lines makes the pictured dining space seem wider and brings the furniture arrangement into golden proportions with the long and narrow space.

Interior design by: Surface R

Tip: The Golden Ratio is one of the few aesthetic rules, if not the only one, that governs everything from the composition of art to the distribution of leaves along a branch. To form the most visually appealing composition possible, divide the length of a rectangle by the width and you should arrive at a figure approaching the Golden Ratio (φ = 1.618).

Interior design by: Surface R

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Divide & Conquer

Interior design by: Jashen Interior Design

In tighter quarters, the placement of a dining surface against the wall is often necessary to preserve enough space for comfortably manoeuvring around the arrangement. In such a configuration, the substitution of two side chairs for a single bench frees up even more space, but requires that the bench be pulled out when needed and stowed when not in use. As Jashen Interior Design demonstrates with the pictured home, a wall bisecting the open layout is utilised as a background for the dining arrangement, with the bench tucked between the table legs to leave enough width for a walkway.

Interior design by: Jashen Interior Design   Interior design by: Jashen Interior Design

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Focal Feature

Interior design by: Jashen Interior Design

The open layout entailing fewer bisecting walls by definition, you may be hard-pressed to find a wall-hugging spot for your bench-augmented dining arrangement. If you find no free walls available, there exists the possibility for creative expression with a built-up partition. Without a readily available wall in the pictured open layout, Jashen Interior Design incorporates the bench side of this dining arrangement into a false wall built largely to serve as a decorative feature and primary focal point for the space. To keep the divider from overwhelming the open layout, a sizable portion of the wall is rendered reflective.

Interior design by: Jashen Interior Design

Tip: While projecting walls may detract from the spaciousness of an open layout, the up-side is that any interruptions to the open layout you design will automatically become a point of focus in the scene and another available plane to embellish with messages or functional additions.

Interior design by: Jashen Interior Design  

Friday, November 20, 2020

All of us desire a good night's sleep. Here's where choosing the right mattress can help ensure a serene slumber all night long. When you're getting a new bed, it's crucial to invest in a high quality mattress. As we spend a third of lives sleeping, a suitable mattress will help you sleep better and thus improve your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Here are some tips to arm yourself with when you go shopping for a new mattress. 1 Test for comfort and support Make sure that the surface is both comfortable and supportive of your spine and posture. This means your spine should be in its natural curvature while you lie down flat on the bed. Have someone put his or her hand behind the small of your back. If the person's hand can move easily in the back without any gaps, the mattress is suitable for your posture. If there is a gap in between, the mattress is too hard and not supporting your back properly. If the person cannot get his or hand under your back, the mattress is too soft which causes your back to round up. Also lie on your side and stomach and examine if it's comfortable for you. Always take your time when shopping for a new mattress. 2 Find a mattress that suits your sleep style How do you sleep? Some of us like sleeping on the back, some can only fall asleep when they are turned to one side and there are others who sleep soundly on their stomach. Your sleeping style is an essential factor when choosing the right kind of mattress. For side sleepers: Get a soft or plush sleeping surface. With extra cushioning, you can prevent pressure-induced discomfort in your shoulders and hips. Plush mattresses offer extra comfort and plush support without the need for additional pillowtop padding. For back sleepers: Opt for firm or extra firm mattresses as these help to support your back. Firm mattresses generally have a flatter top with no additional padding. Some of them also come with a firm edge support. For stomach sleepers: Go for a slightly firmer surface so that your spine is properly aligned. For those who with a combination of sleep styles: You may want to select something that is neither too firm nor too soft so it gives you the flexibility to support your different positions. 3 Consider your sleeping partner Movements and motion transfers are something to consider if you share your bed with another person. You definitely don't want a mattress that bounces and shakes each time your partner roll to the side or gets up from the bed. Memory foam mattress can help to isolate movements to one side of the bed. You can also go for a hybrid of springs and foam as they usually come with transitional foam that alleviates motion. Check out our Top 5 Mattress Brands in 2018 post for more ideas.

Friday, November 20, 2020

The dining table is most often the central feature of dining spaces, contributing the most towards the décor by virtue of their size - which makes their selection all the more crucial.

The dining room is probably the one part of a home that sees the most people at any time - and whether people are just passing through or sitting down for meals, the table will have an impact on how diners perceive the space, the home, and the homeowner. As the selection of dining room furniture will likely be an event that does not occur very often, we wanted you to be as informed as possible before you set out on your journey towards your new dining table.

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Material

Interior design by: Viincology

The kind of material that your dining table is made out of will have an effect on its lifespan and its appearance. Long-lasting materials such as hardwoods, metals, tempered glass, stone, and even mould-injected plastics are preferred for dining tables that are expected to endure many years of heavy use. Conversely, lightweight or flat-pack furniture composed of veneered wood composites such as plywood or fibreboard are made with mobility and affordability in mind, these materials are preferred for short-term arrangements by virtue of their being easier to pack and transport by design.

Interior design by: Viincology

Lightweight composite materials such as plywood or fibreboard are known to be significantly less durable, as they show a tendency to warp when subjected to excessive moisture or heat. Tougher natural materials such as hardwoods and stone tend to be porous, which entail regular maintenance with coats of varnish or sealer to prevent unintended staining from everyday use.

Interior design by: SNG Conceptwerke

Due to their being porous and softer than metal, wooden surfaces entail a greater degree of care to ensure their longevity. Oil-based varnishes should be applied to wooden surfaces at the point of manufacture - and periodically afterwards to prevent unintentional staining. Despite the higher level of maintenance required, metal furnishings tend to rust - especially when used outdoors, while wooden furnishings take on a characteristic smoothness and polished sheen as they age.

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Size

Interior design by: Hoe & Yin Design Studio

Having too large a table surface will result in a cramped dining space, while restricting diners to a small surface leads to elbows bumping in uncomfortably close quarters. It is the recommendation of most decorators to provide each diner with around 60 to 70 centimetres (or 24 to 28 inches) of space for adequate elbow room, and around 90 centimetres to 1.3 meters (or 36 to 50 inches) between a dining table and the surrounding walls for diners to comfortably get in and out of their seats.

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Shape

Interior design by: IDS Interior Design

The shape of your dining table will determine the number of diners you can host and will affect the space it occupies. While round tables are capable of accommodating a greater number of diners, they tend to appear larger in small dining spaces - the conventional rectangular dining table takes up the most space, needing long and narrow spaces to avoid appearing overly large.

Interior design by: IDS Interior Design

To calculate the number of diners appropriate for a round table: multiply the diameter of a table by the value of Pi (π: 3.14) and divide the result by the amount of space needed for each diner. Using the previously mentioned minimum of 60 centimetres (or 24 inches) of space needed per diner, a round table with a diameter of 1.5 meters can easily accommodate 7 diners, or up to 8 diners with a negligible reduction in elbow room - while a rectangular table of similar size (at 1.5 meters long) can only seat a total of 6 diners – one at each end and two along each length.