Malaysia’s Interior Design Blog

We’ve all currently got Christmas on our minds, and rightly so, as it is next week. Yes, next week. If you haven’t started buying gifts, now’s the time. But what about after Christmas? When the decorations go down and the family departs, there’s still work to be done in the house. There are still interesting design trends to look for, and one of the big trends of 2012 is shared right here. I doubt you’ll guess it or expect it, but wooden blinds are making a comeback.

The variety and choice of them has grown immensely. You can get them in cherry wood, walnut, bronzed or medium oak, maple, and even mahogany. They can be painted in black, white, light blue, jade or sandwash.

Because of this choice, they can be matched with any décor and interior design. This has led to their standing within the interior design community increasing in a positive manner. As well as the fact that exuberant patterns on roller and roman blinds is becoming less popular, and more rustic yet elegant styles are becoming ever more trendy. The whole image of wooden blinds is turning from old fashioned to luxurious and homely. A strange combination admittedly, but it works and looks great.

Speaking of trends, having a green, green as in environment friendly green, home and interior is highly relevant for the coming year. This trend started with solar panels on the outside of your house, now it’s to use biodegradable material inside your home. Cellular shades and bamboo blinds are the most popular of these eco-blinds, but wooden blinds in general have the edge on the more commercial plastic or cotton window treatments.

Of course, their main benefit is the fact they don’t let light in. Or only let the amount of light in that you wish to wave. Plastic and cotton blinds often still let in a slither of light, you may not want, and with the time, the material stretches and the blind therefore droops. Not an issue with wooden blinds.

Finally, they’re easy to clean and tough. So, even if your cat decides to climb them, they will withstand the urge to disintegrate. Hope you found this small intro into 2012 fun.

Written by Sarah Oxley

Now that you know that wood flooring is a trendy choice for remodeling your home, you need to know how to choose wood flooring colors that work throughout each room. This guide to choosing wood flooring will help you eliminate wood finishes that would clash with your decor otherwise. It will also offer guidance for narrowing down your choices if you are having trouble in that area.

1. Dark and light woods rarely coordinate. Stay away from blending light and dark wood finishes that touch each other, such as baseboards and flooring. They do not coordinate, and the color shift is too drastic when wood is the focal point in the room. In fact, the aesthetic value becomes so low that it takes away from the value of your house to mix woods within the same space when the colors are not the same or very similar.

2. Dark woods look great with light color palettes. To break up a very light decor style, dark wood flooring is a very good choice. Choose your wood flooring based on the room’s decor, and the most important choice is whether to go with the flow, such as light with light colors, or go against the grain, dark with light or light with dark. As long as you are not mixing the wood finishes, you can do a lot with colors against your wood flooring.

3. Light woods and contemporary decor are difficult to match. Many top designers recommend pairing dark woods with contemporary design styles or avoiding wood flooring altogether in favor of laminate, slate, tile, or other modern options. Wood and metal are rarely a good combination, although wood and glass or wood and fabrics are very easy to coordinate. The lighter woods tend to clash with the cool color palette of the contemporary design style, but the darker ones are manageable with the right shades.

4. Stay away from light colors if you have small children or pets. Light wood finishes show dirt and other debris very easily, and although dark can show it too, most experts agree that dark works better than light in this case. As a matter of fact, many decor experts say that real hardwoods are not a good idea at all when you have small children or indoor pets, so avoid them altogether in these cases. Instead, choose a laminate that looks like wood flooring with a color you love instead of real hardwood since it is far more durable and easier to clean and maintain.

5. Use a color wheel if you have any doubts. Many home improvement stores offer color strips that feature dark, medium, and light versions of most colors, and some even have wood samples to compare. Do not take the risk of colors and textures that do not coordinate, choose your colors with a lot of research and some expert advice when necessary. This can be a great way to save time and money as you renovate your home, making sure that you get the biggest return possible on your investment.

Professional designer Jessica Ackerman, writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, and specializes in decorating with contemporary metal wall art and large wood wall art.

1.       A Bit Of Colour

Colours have a great influence on our moods, so for a cosy living room, select warm, neutral colours for the walls of the room. When painting your room in a neutral colour, remember that this doesn’t have to be just one colour. Different tones of the same colour have a stronger impact and will be more interesting to look at. Alternatively, you can paint one wall in a striking colour, such as bright yellow or deep red, and use this one as your feature wall. Framed pictures of family and friends can be hung on this wall, as well as framed prints of your favourite artist or pop art.

2.       Create A Comfortable Atmosphere

By adding several pillows of different shapes and sizes to your furniture and living space, you’ll always have somewhere comfortable to sit. You can liven this up by using pillows of different colours, and shapes, as well as accent pillows. These come in all sorts of different styles and patterns, so there’s something for everyone’s taste. They can equally be used to underline the room’s existing décor and theme. Having soft and fluffy textures around you, further adds to that cosy feeling, and the best way to do this is by hanging blankets and throws over your furniture. Select calming colours for these blankets and be sure they don’t clash with the colour of the furniture. For a relaxing comfort, consider scented candles, essential oils or air fresheners. Lavender, cinnamon, chamomile, ylang ylang, frankincense and sandalwood are all classed as relaxing smells.

3.       Add Character

Consider purchasing a large wall mirror, and place tea lights in front of it. The mirror will not only make the room seem bigger and lighter, but with the candles, it will create a dramatic and romantic light setting. To further enhance this setting, use a combination of small table and floor lamps rather than a main ceiling light. Their soft glow adds to the mood of the room, and they still provide enough light for reading.

4.       Protect The Atmosphere

Once you have created a cosy atmosphere, you’ll want to protect it. To do so, you’ll need to keep unwanted light like natural light, and light from street lamps or cars passing by, out of your living room. A popular solution for this is using wood venetian blinds. They combine modern elegance with rustic comfort, and are seen as a luxurious accessory, without being overly expensive. Furthermore, they give you the control over how much or how little light you want to let into the room.

There is no right or wrong answer to creating a cosy atmosphere, but these tips should get you in the right designing mood. Be sure to surround yourself with items, colours and themes, that are comforting to you, and you’ll have that cosy and safe feeling

If you’re making a piece of furniture yourself as you enjoy a little carpentry – or maybe you’re doing a job in and around the house that requires some nice wood as it’ll be on display – then you go to the local timber yard or DIY store and buy it for the job, right?

Well maybe that’s OK, but if you’re serious about doing a proper job, let me explain a few things…

Air dried wood which is wood left to dry naturally outdoors in stacks which are exposed to the wind but protected from the rain, is the best possible way to dry wood.

The problem is – it takes years. So what timber merchants do is kiln dry it. But the natural way allows internal stresses to release over time – so air-dried wood is always more stable from a professional’s working point of view.

The disadvantage with air drying is that it doesn’t take the moisture content low enough for centrally heated houses.

So in an ideal world, you get timber which has been air-dried and then finished off by kilning. But most shop-bought and general commercially available wood is kiln dried from its green, freshly cut state.  Before the drying process takes place, the wood needs to be cut into planks from the green log.

So the time of the year when the tree is felled has a big influence on the drying and distortion characteristics. Ideally, trees should be cut during autumn or winter when the sap has stopped rising – thus drying and stresses will be kept to a minimum.

So the next time you’re planning that home-made display cabinet, you’ll know all about the wood you seek. If you’re serious about it – go to the wood-yard and ask for your chosen wood type then say you’d like air dried timber that has been kiln dried to finish if possible.

I’m excited about tomorrow. Why? Firstly, it’s my birthday and that’s as good a reason as any to be excited.

Secondly, I’ve been waiting for the 7th of December because I’ve been eyeing to buy IKEA’s Sundvik children’s chair at RM49 instead of RM99. If you don’t know by now, IKEA’s 24 Days Advent Deals promotion has different items on offer for each day in December leading up to the most wonderful time of year – Christmas!

I’m definitely headed to IKEA tomorrow morning for a hearty breakfast and buying ‘em chairs for the little ones. 50% off sure is a deal and gets me more bang for my buck on my monthly IKEA RM150 challenge.

Take a drive down any subdivision lane and look at the houses on either side of the street. In many cases, they will look quite the same–comparable sizes, identical landscaping, the same type of siding and even the same colors. But every now and then you might come across a home that stands out from the crowd with bold colors and an unusual style.

If you want a house with that unique look, fiber cement siding could be the answer.

Fiber cement styles that wow

There was a time when siding was available in only a few styles and even fewer colors. Today, fiber cement siding manufacturers offer a wide range of styles and colors, including customized siding that can be created to suit your vision for a unique home.

Fiber cement siding styles include basic lap siding, stucco, flat styles and notched panel, among others. The siding style you choose can completely transform your home. For instance, basic lap siding that has a large exposure–eight inches or more–can make a house look much bigger. A smaller exposure, such as five inches or less, can make an imposing house look a bit more compact.

Blending different styles can also lead to an eye-catching look; imagine flat boards for a modern look, complemented by traditional lap board for an interesting change of pace. Notched panels mixed with beaded boards can instantly add sophistication and age to a home. Stucco siding can offer a Mediterranean flair, especially if it is complemented with a tile roof.

Surprising splashes of color can make a unique style stand out even more. For instance, a porch that offers bright colors in contrast to the pale, more sedate colors of the rest of the home can make the house stand out from the crowd.

Don’t forget the impact trim can have on your home’s look. Wide, thick trim in complementary colors can make a house look more sturdy, while thinner trim in contrasting colors can make a home look whimsical. Those minor details can mean the difference between a house that is simply appealing and one that truly engages the eye.

Fiber cement siding styles have come a long way from the days of plain, flat lap board. From stucco to logs, fiber cement siding styles can mimic any other material you might want to put on a home. This flexibility can mean the style you want without the maintenance you loathe, and often for a better price. Do your research into fiber cement siding, then hire a contractor to get the job done.

There is a battle raging between preservationists and vinyl siding manufacturers. The preservationists, those who are determined to keep up the integrity of historic homes, point out that vinyl siding looks as natural in a historic district as a neon sign would look on a mom-and-pop corner grocery store. In response, vinyl siding manufacturers point to new products that were created to mimic the look of clapboard and other traditional materials so precisely that it is difficult to tell the vinyl from the real thing.

Which camp is right? They both have valid points. The bottom line comes down to neighborhood requirements or restrictions, personal taste and in some cases, budget constraints. Here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision.

The cons of vinyl siding

Let’s start with the preservationists’ side of the picket fence. Just as there are downsides to almost everything, so is the case with vinyl siding. The following points might cause some concern for homeowners:

1. Vinyl siding is not historically accurate. Vinyl siding is popular today, but it wasn’t around when most historic homes were built. No matter how good the vinyl looks, it is only a mimicry of originals, and that isn’t enough for some homeowners.
2. There are questions about vinyl siding safety. Vinyl siding is made of a plastic resin that is suspected of being carcinogenic. The production of vinyl siding is a concern for many communities.
3. Vinyl siding can fade over time. The colors of vinyl siding have long been a bone of contention among preservationists because they don’t accurately portray historical colors. In addition, the colors can fade over time, making it even more obvious that a home is covered in vinyl.

The pros of vinyl siding

But before we get mired down in the downside, let’s look at the advantages vinyl siding brings to old-house homeowners and historic neighborhoods:

1. New product lines look like the real thing. Vinyl siding colors are now available in a wide range of colors that are historically accurate. Carefully replicated wood grain is also a nice feature.
2. Minor architectural details are now available. In the past, the minor details that made a house unique were covered over with vinyl siding. Today, vinyl siding can replicate even the smallest details for a more accurate look.
3. Vinyl significantly reduces maintenance. Homeowners who are accustomed to painting that old clapboard every few years can appreciate the draw of a product that requires no painting at all.

Vinyl siding products that work for historic homes

Vinyl siding manufacturers have heard the concerns of historic homeowners and are constantly working toward making their period-relevant products even better. A few companies have led the surge into vinyl siding lines that are historically accurate. Certain Teed has seen its products used in many historical districts, with the approval of historic commissions. Crane and Revere are also two good names to turn to when looking for siding that makes your historic home look just as it should.

An interesting proposition to myself – spending RM150 at IKEA every month buying something that my home requires or simply getting the most value out of my RM150 budget. The rule is that my total spending cannot be over or under the budget by a 10% variance.

I know what I’ll be shopping for in IKEA RM150 Challenge #1 – a chair for my study desk. I’ve got a beautiful study desk but no office chair to complement it currently. I am in need of a CHAIR!

By the way, fun facts about IKEA Malaysia:

• approximately 590,000 meatballs are sold at the cafeteria a month!
• latest figures show that customers purchase 300,000 curry puffs at the kiosk opposite the checkout counters!
• IKEA Malaysia is within the top 10 busiest IKEA stores in the world, getting an average of 26,000 customers on weekends!

Seeing the price of heating your home can be a chilling moment. But there are inexpensive ways to rein in those soaring costs, even as the temperatures drop to record lows. The key lies in choosing a solution that will give you long-term results, thus recouping your investment in both short-term utility savings and long-term resale value.

Utility savings for your budget

Whether you have a budget that allows for no wiggle room at all or the means to handle window replacement cost, there are ways to make your home cozier this year.

If money is really tight, try these tips:

1. Turn down the thermostat. If you lower your thermostat by a few degrees, chances are you won’t notice the difference in the way the house feels, but you will see a difference in the utility bills. Turn it down a few more degrees at night, when you are tucked under the warm blankets.
2. Weatherstrip and caulk. Inexpensive weather stripping and caulk can go a long way toward keeping drafts down, and that makes your heating unit work more efficiently. When the wind starts to blow outside, that’s the best time to detect drafts and block them.
3. Make smart use of the sun. Open curtains during the day to let the sunlight in, allowing for natural warmth. Close the curtains as the sun goes down, to trap that heat inside.

If you have a small to medium budget, go for these solutions:

1. Insulate your water heater. Though it might seem like a small thing to do, insulating your water heater can save on utility bills year-round. It matters more during the winter, when the cold air in the room around the water heater makes it work much harder than usual.
2. Buy a programmable thermostat. If you really want to get serious about turning down the thermostat, choose a programmable one. That can allow you to turn the heat down during the day while you are gone, and turn it up right before you get home.
3. Install radiant flooring. Radiant flooring does more than keep your toes warm when you get up in the morning. Since heat rises, radiant flooring can heat a room faster and with less energy than other methods.

Want to invest in savings? Try this:

1. Go for replacement windows and doors. Door and window replacement can take care of drafts and provide better insulation. Besides that, the resale value those replacements offer can make you feel quite warm inside.
2. Insulate your attic and walls. Insulation on the attic floor can keep the heat inside your house, where it belongs. New insulation in the walls, especially between the main body of your house and unheated additions like garages and porches, can provide a barrier against the cold air.
3. Consider a new furnace. A geothermal unit, solar units and other technologically-advanced options can replace that old clunker with a sleek model that brings down your utility bills by a considerable amount.

Whether you opt for a complete renovation of your heating system or simply purchase some weatherstripping and caulk to get you through this season, there is a heating solution for every budget.

Fed up of soft pastel colours and pretty feminine touches in the bedroom? In need of a complete change? Time to make a bold statement? Then a black and white bedroom may be just the thing you need. And it’s not just for the boys either: black and white is a big trend right now so get on board and embrace it. Here are a few tips on how to get it just right:

1. Don’t go too heavy on the black. Unless you are a ‘Goth’ you will not want to paint all your walls black as it will feel like you inhabit a cave! Balance is the key to pulling this look off.

2. Don’t forget you are decorating a bedroom. Black and white does not typically say ‘restful’ so make sure you keep the beds inviting and comfortable without compromising the scheme.

3. Get the right bed for the design. Visit Sleepmasters for expert help in choosing the right bed. How about black leather to add another textured material to the room.

4. Soften it off with a bit of grey. For the more faint-hearted then introduce a tonal quality to the scheme using greys and silvers.

5. Go on – add in your favourite hue. If you really miss colours there is nothing wrong with adding a bold accent colour to brighten up the room. Try canary yellow, pillar box red or a striking purple.

6. Bold accessories. Spectacular black glass chandeliers or distressed white painted furniture – whatever you choose make sure it is in keeping with the black and white theme.

7. Be a bit wild and whacky. Go for a Friesian cow print, spotty Dalmatian dogs or even a zebra stripe pattern to take black and white to another level. Great in the kids rooms, and why not for you too?!