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contents
features
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Bamboo Beauty
Using bamboo as the main material and architect combines the versatile material with concrete, glass and timber to provide a distinct identity for a bungalow surrounded by greenery.
14 Luxurious Sense of Grandeur
Grange Infinite, in the heart of Singapore’s main shopping district, offers a luxurious lifestyle with its stylish design.
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46 Trend Spotter
Hot from the runway, Fashion Week's top colours for Spring are brought into your home.
26 Treat Up Your Windows
Curtains and drapes, with a dash of colour and print, can add character to any room.
50 Cushy up with Cushions & Throw Pillows
Our writer unmasks the potential of these petite plushes in polishing your décor.
34 Plush Up Your Floors
Perfecting floors with artistic coverings add a plush effect and depth to any room.
68 Chef’s Kitchen
Sharusmizal Salleh, Chef de Cuisine of Urban, Hotel Istana, strikes a Spring deal with the season’s ingredients for a sublime fare worthy
of an encore.
39 Ways with Ikat
Faizal Bakri, Senior Design Consultant of Home Treasures, shows how this chic tribal print can be used in your living space.
20 Fine Touches of Soft Furnishing
Hiding flaws or enhancing aesthetic appeal, the needlework, colours and design in soft furnishing can transform a plain living space into a serene sanctuary.
40 In Conversation with Andrea Galimberti
Owner of NODUS, makers of exclusive hand-
woven rugs, gives an insight into the world of rugs.
23 Spotlight on Tony Throws
Give an instant uplift to any living space
with throws.
42 10 Sizzling Textile Print Trends for 2012
Printsource New York reveals the top 10 textile print trends for the year.
44 Persian Style
Read all about these timeless works of art that exude beauty, elegance and quality.
ID special
54 Clean, Contemporary Comeback
Space Matrix is of the opinion that white, minimal yet chic interior design is set to rule for this year.
56 Modern Interior Design Touches
Like a breath of fresh air, using the right modern influences can take design of space to a whole new level, according to Beverly Home.
58 Designing Dreams
Customised designs are the rage now with
Dans De Design offering tailor-made interiors.
59 Light & Easy
Inventive Design believes that there is a prevailing charm abounding in light toned colours combined with white. No wonder cream shades are all the rage now.
gardening
60 Maximising on Minimalism
The concept of less is more marks the prevailing design trend for 2012, says Red Zone Interior.
books, art &
architecture
62 Ideal Solutions
The professionals at Envirotech Interior Design have been helping homeowners organise their kitchen to make it the heart and soul of the house.
personalities
64 Inovar, Scaling Greater Heights
Jason Tan, the Executive Director of Inovar Resources, is one of the driving forces behind the company’s success in the laminated flooring industry in Asia.
66 Maestro in Design
Lai Siew Hong, head of award-winning Blu Water Studio, shares his thoughts about his lifestyle, design and success.
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70 Growing Good Fortune
Growing ornamental pineapples and other bromeliads not only add an exotic, tropical rainforest touch but bring good omen as well.
77 Spotlight falls on Coffee-table Books
Tropical Interiors; The Japanese House; Contemporary Asian Bedrooms; Living in a Nutshell: Posh & Portable Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces; Bali Home; and
Contemporary Thai.
regulars
2 Editor’s Note
72 10 Successful Years of HOMEDEC
HOMEDEC continues to inspire, provide trendy ideas, designs and solutions to homeowners.
The exhibition kick-starts in Penang and
Kuala Lumpur this April.
76 Feng Shui
Attracting Good Luck in the Year of the Dragon.
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Inspired by traditional Moroccan patterns, embroidered in wool
chain stitch and finished with cotton pompoms, the Izar Throw
in Slate & Chartreuse is available at niki-jones.co.uk
The Richard Nixon Throw
in Hot Pink & White sees
Jonathan Adler's classic Richard
Nixon pattern transformed into a
snuggly soft luxury. Made of pure
baby alpaca's wool and is available
at jonathanadler.com
Throw Pantheon by Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel of Studio Job can be a throw
or even a tablecloth. For Moooi, available at spacefurniture.com.my
spotlight on...
...Tony
Throws
Even when arbitrarily thrown on a chair, throws can still look
stylish while your room gets an instant update
By SHAMINI MANICKAVASAGAM
Sybil Throw is hand loomed and made of pure
alpaca wool. Available at jonathanadler.com
The Boutique Blanket September
by Marcel Wanders for Moooi.
Available at spacefurniture.com.my
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Shanghai Florals
Stylised Asian floral with a slick night-time feel.
10 sizzling textile
Luscious silk satin with a statement
dragonfly and embroidered floral
bouquet radiates a pretty appliqué.
Heather Cushion from the
Kimono Blossom Collection is
available at janine.com.my
print trends for 2012
Printsource New York, the premier market for surface
and textile design in the USA, and perhaps the world,
revealed the top 10 textile print trends for the year
By SHAMINI MANICKAVASAGAM
Multi-coloured with fringe for
texture, CD Ethnic Theme
Cushion available at
Abstract Elements
iwannagohome.com.sg
Taking inspiration from the earth, minerals and other
organic matter leaves an imprint of tie-dye textures.
Treat yourself to an heirloom with Jonathan Adler's
original hand-loomed 100% alpaca thows. The
Figure 8 Throw is available at jonathanadler.com
Eastern Colour Block
Bauhaus and Mondrain inspired with a hand painted feel.
Designed by Scholten & Baijings for
hayshop.dk. These highly defined and
richly coloured carpets are made of 100%
New Zealand wool, uses colour gradients
with optical transparency in mind
Photobased Prints
3D and chromatic aberrations.
The Bubble Tech Collection from
Pasaya is bursting with options. We pick this
Rainbow curtain in Mars for that glitz and
glam 3D feel. Available at pasaya.com
Tribal Wash
Hand-painted ethnic prints that are akin to
part of the design washed by rain.
Under the Microscope
The collision of science and design give way to
detailed images shown in overblown scale.
Bohemian Folk
Batik Tulis, a charm
Portuguese textile designer, Ana Romero
Monteiro (anaromerodesign.com) brings
elementary science into vivid abstract visions on print
that can never fade
away. Available at
Geometrics, paisleys and floral designs
influenced by Ballets Russes.
hometreasures.com.my
Bright and striking hues on black fabric for a version of a
Bohemian rhapsody. Terracotta Lifestyle Cushions
available at iwannagohome.com.sg
Sundays paisley print on 100% Indian cotton sets
to liven up your dinner table for an even more
memorable meal. Available at sundays.my
Ink Blot Camos
Pop Art Conversationals
Taking inspiration from Roy
Lichtenstein's technique with bold,
outlined shapes.
The Floor and Hole in the Floor
by Carol Black are clever floor
cloths that do justice to pop art.
Available at rareculture.com
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Watercolour and ink spots
create an organic update.
Baroque Opulence
Rich, ornamental, embroidery
inspired designs with an antique feel.
StudioL2 Design
christened the name 'Ink Blot
Camos' to this fun technique
of modern textural look.
Seen here is Erik by the
late Sheila Bownas. From
flora-dora.co.uk
Lelouvre in Rich Gold and
Misty Jade brings the grand
Sundays
opulence of Baroque into your living
space. Available at pasaya.com
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cushy up with cushions
& throw pillows
Cushions and decorative throw pillows make a world of
difference to any room. SHAMINI MANICKAVASAGAM unmasks
the potential of these petite plushes in polishing your décor
D
ressing up and reinventing a room requires
a touch of simplicity, not an upheaval. A
little scatter of cushions or a quick display
of decorative throw pillows provides a fresh
vision of glamour, be it for a masculine vogue or mod
chic. A cushion, which is traditionally used for sitting
or kneeling upon, softens the hardness or at times,
the angularity of a chair. Decorative throw pillows are
also used on chairs and couch though it is purely
aesthetic. With the right pick of colours and designs,
your living space can be given a trendy and vibrant
switch-up now and then.
Cherry Picking The Plushes
Trendy Traditional or Mesmerising Modern:
For living space with traditional design theme, opt for
cushions and decorative throw pillows that are ornate
or with decorative trim work. A rule of thumb is to get
them in smaller size and in even numbers. You can
also set them in bunches to maintain the traditional
setting. For modern design themes, get larger
cushions and decorative throw pillows in solid colours
and simple designs. They should be well spaced out
and used in odd numbers for a more modern look.
Image: lindsfurniture.com
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This rustic countryside semblance is further
extended with the right pick of richly textured
stripes, simple checks and pleasing prints for an
altogether complementing look. Decorative
throw pillows dressed in Exmere fabrics. By
William Yeoward for Designers Guild.
Available at janine.com.my
Look for Inspirations: To play safe, gather textures and colours around
your house before selecting your cushions or decorative throw pillows for a
match. This safe bet not just unifies the look of your living space but it also
extends the décor. Or you can pick just one object, say, a piece of furniture,
and match your cushions and decorative throw pillows accordingly.
Simple throw pillows in Earth
inspired colours from the Esprit
Collection, sits accordingly on
the Cool Breeze upholstered
sofa from the Elvira Collection
– both from Warwick. Available
at lindsfurniture.com
Highly creative yet eclectically subtle,
the play on purple on the throw pillow
against the soft blue of the upholstered
chair is a safe colour blocking bet for
non-risk takers. Manton fabrics by
William Yeoward for Designers
Guild. Available at janine.com.my
Be Creative & Eclectic: At times, a non-traditional way can punch up your
living space. Pick cushions and decorative throw pillows in vivid colours and
prints, and place them against solid colours for an eye-pleasing colour blocking.
If you want to be even more creative, go for different shapes for a whimsy pop.
Throw pillows in 50s inspired print gives you
a whimsical stir against any backdrop.
Available at iwannagohome.com.sg
The colourful world of
Bollywood captured in
these glitzy plushes for a
quick pop in any room. The
Bollywood 50s Theme
Cushions are available at
iwannagohome.com.sg
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Mixing it Right: Torn between a traditional and modern style? Why don’t you just
mix them up. Bunch them up and bring together various styles and shapes. This is
ideal if you cannot decide on the style. Even them out if you are afraid of cluttering
your room with just one style.
Heavy Usage or Otherwise: Get cushions and decorative throw pillows in any
The groovy Positano
Needlepoint Pillow by
Jonathan Adler adds a
singular interest of texture
and design. Available at
jonathanadler.com
materials and colours that you fancy if you are going to use them in areas or rooms
that are rarely used. If it’s for heavy usage, get cushions and decorative throw
pillows in washable covers, especially if there are children or even pets at home.
Also, pick colours that are anything but light.
Ideas To Try
Adding Texture: Apart from shapes and sizes,
This 100 % natural linen
Woodland Cushion by
Nikki Jones is a work of
play with fabrics for additional interest. You can
also place stripes, plaids as well as solid and floral
designs together.
art like never before. This
silhouette pattern is inspired
by traditional Polish paper cuts
and folk illustrations, giving you
an excuse to display it in style.
Available at niki-jones.co.uk
Store it Away: When not in use, store your
plushes, particularly decorative throw pillows in a
wicker basket. The basket can be placed in a corner
or behind the couch / sofa. This is not just a visual
treat but it also ensures your plushes remain fresh,
clean and out of sight when the occasion calls for it.
Inspired by Mexican folk art, Havana by
Designers Guild are vibrant in colour
and robust in character as well as finish. Mix,
match and play with these full-flavoured
cotton prints for your ultimate beach
inspired laze. Available at janine.com.my
Artistic Value: Instead of wall paintings, you can
use your favourite decorative throw pillows as a
piece of art. It can be displayed on an open shelf
or panels as part of your room’s décor. Pick the
ones that are whimsy or boasts a one-of-a-kind
workmanship for a pleasing and interesting sight.
Multi-coloured stripes against a simple
and soft leave motif cushion checks in the
contrast, texture and colours. Available at
iwannagohome.com.sg
Personal Beach Resort: Why not bring the
beach into your own backyard? Get cushions and
decorative throw pillows in botanical and floral-print
designs and scatter them on your rug. Pick colours
that are Earth inspired such as orange, red, brown
or even green. You can also glamorise it with a
little gold and silver. A few striped plushes give a
masculine punch while adding more texture. This
can also be used indoors, in a corner. Not only is this
perfect for lounging with your intimate circle, but it
also brings the outdoors inside – especially if you
don’t have the luxury of a backyard or garden.
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