Showing posts with label Home Decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home Decor. Show all posts

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Zen Lifestyle, Shanghai


I fell in love with this shop, Zen Lifestyle, when I first walked into their branch in Xintiandi, Shanghai. The problem with Zen is making a choice of what to get cos everything is sooooo beautiful!  I eventually decided that I wanted to get a teapot in this floral design .... but sadly it was all sold out (their  products seem to fly off the shelves!).  To console myself, I got a dish in the same floral design :) ... I love the pink trimming around the edges ...


I also wanted a small dish to place the jewelry I wore daily, and chose this design ...




Antique Indian Perfume Box


I got a surprise the other day when Hubby came back with this gift from our kind New York friend.  She knew I was decorating my apartment, and sent this antique Indian box to us.


It contains these bottles which used to hold perfume ... fascinating!


Thanks D & K!



Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Jennifer Aniston's New Home


Was watching an old episode of The David Letterman Show in which Jennifer Aniston was a guest, and they talked about her new home being featured in Architectural Digest. Now, I'd read that Brad Pitt thought her idea of home decor as being "homely" (as opposed to cutting edge architectural), so I was expecting a rather cottage like home, and was very pleasantly surprised to see how beautiful a home Ms Aniston had created! I want her home ... and her figure too! Take a look ...







Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Lovely Rooms


I was looking for inspiration for table settings and thought to look into Crate & Barrel's website. I've always loved popping into Crate & Barrel and Williams and Sonoma when in the states, so I figured they'd prob have some lovely ideas, and while I did find some terrific dinnerware, I was taken by these pics fm their catalogue:

Wouldn't it be lovely to sit out here, sip some tea, munch on some cookies, while relaxing with friends or a good magazine and gazing out to the ocean now and then? Sigh ....



I would so love to have a nice outdoor patio area like this! I love the slate tiles, the colourful umbrella and cushions, the furniture, the poolside landscaping ...



I was attracted to this mainly cos of all the light filling this room, and of course that gorgeous view of the ocean. I also like the colorful little vases and flowers that make the whole room look even more sunny and cheery.

Oh ... I really really really like the wooden slate-like detailing on the legs of this dining table and sideboard. Gorgeous! And the colour is so beautiful too! The perfect shade - not too dark, not too light. So perfect in a light-filled room. It's times like this I wish I lived in America - I could actually have a room like this! No wonder they call America the land of dreams!


Monday, March 8, 2010

Table Settings


Lately, I've noticed that my Ikea plates have fine hairline cracks and are getting stained. So, I've been thinking about replacing them, and investing in a good set of dinnerware that will go with my serving plates, bowls etc. The plate on which the soup bowl is resting on is the Ikea one that I need to replace. The rest are stuff I'd probably use when guests come over. I need to get new cutlery too ...



To get an idea of what I need to set tables when entertaining at home, I had a look at a video from Martha Stewart. However, that was pretty formal, and more for Western foods. As there is quite a big difference between serving Chinese and Western food, table settings differ too. Thing is, sometimes, we mix things up. And we're not really the formal entertaining sort. So, finally, I figured the casual dinner/lunch table settings would suit us best:

Casual Lunch Table Setting:


Casual Dinner Table Setting:


After looking loads of pics online of various table settings, some using darker plates, rectangular plates, squarish plates, I'm so torn. Should I change my dinnerware including my Japanese style floral bowls? Or should I just change my plain white Ikea plates for better quality plates but also in white? If only I had the space and money! I'd get 2 sets! For different looks!

Any thoughts?


[Casual Lunch/Dinner Table Settings taken from Toastandtables]


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Coco Chanel's Apartment, Paris

For Chanel fans,
I stumbled upon this post in apartment therapy on Coco Chanel's apartment in Paris.
The decor, which was all chosen by Coco Chanel herself,
was kept in tact in this apartment.
The apartment sits above the Paris Chanel boutique, and is now used for photo shoots and press conferences.

What I found interesting was the amount of Chinese influence
there was in her apartment
- the antiqued lacquered Chinese screens with what looks to be Mother-of-Pearl inlay.
Chanel's signature camellias were heavily portrayed in these screens that practically surrounded the room.

It was also fascinating that Coco Chanel had a dislike for doors.
So, instead of having doors in her room, she'd flatten these wall-length Chinese screens to close off the room. How creative!

One principle that Chanel perpetuated is the notion of "Invisible Perfection",
which I wished I had the funds to subscribe to.
This, I think, is the key to wearing the real luxury stuff -
it's not just flaunting the label or logo,
but knowing you're wearing something that was handmade,
and appreciating the hours of work and care that went into creating each piece
that has the mark of pure luxury and quality.
And if it takes someone a long time to figure out what/who you're wearing,
the longer this well-kept secret is "Invisible Perfection".
In my humble opinion, it's this that gives the wearer the confidence that is priceless in a world where so many try to make others feel small.

For more info and pics of her apartment, look here.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Tea Set Gift






Some of my relatives came over and
stayed with us for a few days.
On their last day, they surprised us with this!
A lovely Chinese Tea Set!
From Geow Yong Tea Hong.
The painting seems to be etched into the porcelain
giving it a slight 3D feel.
And even on the insides of the teacups,
there are little painted/etched flowers
that you can admire as you sip your tea!
So pretty!

Also included in this tea set is
Ali Shan Oolong Tea
which is one of Taiwan's most famous teas.
I'm really looking forward to brewing some tea
in my new tea set!

Thanks Dianne, Aunty Joo Khim and Uncle George!


Thursday, December 10, 2009

A House by the Beach

What a great entryway!

Just imagine lounging around at home in this ...

Marvellous views of the ocean!

Friday, December 4, 2009

I Dream of a House like This!









A beautifully designed shophouse in Singapore
Designed by Mr Dale Hardcastle and Ms Long and Mr Shang
(the latter two being the co-owners)
with interior design input fm Ms Amy Chang

[Extracted fm NYTimes]



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

More Great Rooms

or how about a tree house like this ... sigh ...

oh to have an ocean view like this!

This is what I want my dressing room to look like.
The wallpaper/mural is so dreamy.

Monday, November 23, 2009

House and Garden

I've always had problems picking out artwork that I'd like in my living spaces. My problem is that I'm so indecisive, and simply have difficulty imagining the type of art that would fit into the living space. But I think this mosaic-like piece might just do it. And the chandelier adds the right amt of sophistication to the room. My idea of smart casual for a room :)

Just look at all the light streaming in through these french doors! Makes the whole room look so warm and inviting. I love a bright and airy room.

Oh to have an open kitchen like this! And so spacious too! To just let reality intrude a little, I wonder what it'd be like cooking in a kitchen like this ... less storage space due to the lack of walls to put in cabinetry? And ease of break-ins? And the need to close-up everyday? Whatever ... I shall live in the beauty of this kitchen for now :)

I love the way this living room opens up into the courtyard that connects to another room in the house. I just adore courtyards. They make the whole house look so much brighter and they bring the outdoors/greenery into the rooms. That's why I like those pre-war conservation houses in Spore so much!

I'm not normally a fan of a darker furniture, but this one just appeals to me. This room seems to have the ideal balance of dark and bright colours. Teamed with the lovely doors, it looks nice and cozy - a perfect place to just lounge around with a good book.


Again, the balance of all that light through the glass walls against the dark wood, dark red rug and neutral sofa just makes everything work so well ... although I could do without that "cow"-like painting on the partitioning wall.

Summer! Beaches! Swimming pools! This outdoor space brings to mind all these. I feel so energised just looking at this pic! At the same time, I can just imagine relaxing on the couch, or talking to friends at the long table.

I like this cos of how the green outside seems to be part of the whole room. It's like living as one with nature. So great!

Sigh ... just look at the views! I wish I could one day own a place like this with views like this ... or preferably of the ocean. Just imagine dining in this room ... fabulous!

There are just so many things to love about this space! But most of all, I like how you can fold all the doors away and create so much openness leading to the outdoor terrace. So much light and you can experience the outdoors without stepping out!

Apart fm the great views and how bright and cheery, yet warm and cosy this bedroom looks, I also really like the chair at the foot of the bed. The wooden slate-like arms make it look so tropical, while the cushions and back make it look like it'd be really comfy to sit in. Most times, the seating placed here don't have any backrests unless they're much larger, in which case they don't seem to really fit into the room (esp a smaller room).


These hardwood floors look absolutely beautiful! I just love the combination of the wood, white, greenery fm the outdoors and all that light!

All the earth tones of this room attract me. Somehow, despite how neutral the colours are, this room doesn't look boring at all. There's just such a feeling of cosiness that makes me picture a family having a great meal in this room. Sometimes rooms are so decorated that they look more like a place to display than to live in, so I always appreciate rooms that make me want to live there.


Look at these beautiful rooms that I found on my fav mag's website: House and Garden. Drool! Drool! How I'd love to be able to have a space like these!