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As for your question about the bay window treatment, I suggest doing something that lasts for a long time. Personally, I feel that laminates might wear out over time because they are stuck there with glue, and under exposure to sunlight and heat from the windows, the pieces might loosen over time. Solid surface is a good option, and it comes in a wide array of colors. Alternatively, consider something like stone or even man-made stone (e.g. Caesarstone) - these are easy to clean, do not discolour, and are long-lasting. As for lighting, it depends very much on the mood you'd like to create at night. The living room may be small, but its windows are large and generous - you shouldn't need artificial lighting in the day. Also, it looks as if your ceilings are quite high. You could do a false ceiling, with cove lighting and downlights on the living and kitchen side. Personally, I prefer that the space looks cozier, so my suggestion would be to not have too many downlights - the LED sort (maybe either one or two small ones on each side, much like what the floor plan suggests). Pair this with two floor lamps that flank the left and right of the window, or alternatively, one floor lamp and one table lamp. Your kitchen area is open concept, so I suppose you'll be building an island-cum-dinning area. If that's the case, you might like to skip the downlight at the kitchen section and instead install a pendant lamp over the island. I'm not sure what style you're renovating in, but my advice would be to keep it simple, because the space isn't large. Hope that helps!

Hi san20, my apologies for the late reply, I've not checked the forum in a while. I still suggest painting your ceiling white, but since its not really genuinely classical, maybe you could furnish your home in a modernised interpretation of classical design? Think of chairs like Emeco's Kong Armchair (the metal counterpart to the ubiquitous Ghost Chair), a chesterfield sofa (you could either go traditional leather, or even a modern interpretation like CB2's Avec sofa). With such backbones, you could go for a rather eclectic look, perhaps something a bit like the one below - the key is a lot of layering of accessories. The alternative would be the minimal take on classical lines, like you suggested. Sticking with the same pieces of furniture I suggested above, you would choose a clean-lined, uncomplicated rug. Pair it with either one or two Ming-vase lamps. Basically, it should feel a bit like the image below. I also recommend you check out Taylor B - I've found out about it online, but I've not seen it in person, they are supposed to offer a wide array of furniture in different styles, at export prices.

Mid-Century Beach House Find out more about this design If you'd like me to offer you any design suggestions (I'll try my best to give them as and when I'm free), leave a comment on my Wordpress page.

Hello there, sorry for the really late reply. Good to know you're moving again, though it must be a bit of a hassle (haha) I suppose you're referring to a ceiling medallion. If that's the case, paint it white - that's the easiest way to make a piece of classical design harmonious with anything more modern. I also suppose that there are other classical details in the space, since one wouldn't just add in a ceiling medallion for no reason - I also suggest white-washing those, if you intend to keep them. If that's the case, let me suggest some back-bones to work with first. Consider a dark wood floor throughout the space, with white walls and white architectural/classical details. Then work with a neutral palette for any large furniture/built-ins - not dissimilar to what I suggested for my Belgian Inspired lookbook. You can then take it a few ways, through accessorizing, as well as the lines of the design pieces. 1. Glam look Using classical furniture with an unexpected twist (e.g. high-gloss black/white lacquer, unexpectedly bold fabrics, lots of glossy stuff), create a theatrical space. 2. Rustic Loft Use modern or transitional style furniture, in light/neutral fabrics. Nothing glossy, mostly matte finishes. These are just some rough ideas - hope they help!

Its been a while since I've last posted anything, but here's something new - mainly for inspiration though. Mellow Modernism Find out more about this design If you'd like me to offer you any design suggestions (I'll try my best to give them as and when I'm free), leave a comment on my Wordpress page.

Simple Luxury For more details on this design: Simple Luxury

Personally, I'd suggest that the mirror be floor to ceiling. But if that isn't an option, then have the mirror begin just slightly before the table top, such that the entire table surface can be reflected within it without seeing (so much of) the mirror edges, to give a feel that the space is larger than it actually is.

Belgian Inspired For more details on this design: Belgian Inspired

Your choice depends on both practical and aesthetic concerns. Teak or wooden tops, as you mentioned correctly are more prone to scratches, wear and tear, heat and water marks. However, you can choose to view any blemishes as a charming addition to the wood's natural grain, that such things add character to the piece of furniture. If you can't live with that, yes, a clear glass top would protect it well, but it does detract a little from the original look of the table. Quartz would be less warm than teak, but on the practical side, you won't need to worry about stains, scratches, damages etc. It's quite hardy. And it's reflective surface is also attractive in its own right. As for stainless steel legs, it shouldn't rust if it is actually stainless steel. Nor should it stain the floor, since most furniture pieces have a little rubber base to keep them from sitting flat on the floor.

Modern Living #1 For more details on this design: Modern Living #1

Rustic Lounge For more details on this design: Rustic Lounge

Nope, minimalism does not equate to white spaces, it just so happens that white is one of the best ways of expressing the concept of simplicity and purity that is very fundamental to the minimal aesthetic. Likewise, neutral tones, like white, black and creams tend to be the preferred palate for the same reasons. Colour, when injected sparsely and judiciously, can also serve to emphasize that sense of purity. Take the picture below as an example, where yellow, as an accent adds visual interest without detracting from the clean look. Just out of curiosity, are you hiring an interior designer to help you through this process, or just a contractor?

I may not agree with all the examples listed on this website, but here's a good start for your reference. http://remodelista.com/gallery#style=minimalist EDIT: I realized that the filters I've set do not show on the link I've given you; select "Minimalist" from the "All Styles" drop down menu.

Hi there, Yep, white matte tiles sounds good. One other way to minimize the number of gaps among parquet strips is to go for wider planks. While minimalism emphasises a clean look, it doesn't have to be bare - don't be afraid to add accessories like artwork. Perhaps a large photograph print on your wall would be a nice way to complete the look. Oh and another suggestion, perhaps you should mount your TV on the wall - it looks sleeker that way. Looking forward to see your place done up!

Hi there again, first up, Happy Christmas! Concrete tiles are made of concrete that have been polished and cut into neat tiles - I'm not sure where one can get them from, but I've seen them in commercial settings before. As for natural stone, yes, granite and marble come under those categories. You are right, matte (ceramic or homogeneous) tiles also work quite well - forgive me, I forgot about that option. In that design, the tiles were white stone tiles, but matte homogenous tiles would work fine as well. As for the parquet 'cracking', I think you're referring to gaps appearing between the individual wooden strips right? That's actually inevitable, because the wooden strips expand and contract with environmental factors (such as our humidity) - the degree of which this happens is reliant on this factor. The gaps can be filled out if you're refinishing the floor. However, if the wood strip itself cracks, then yes its possible that the strip is defective, but you must remember that wood is an organic material that is bound to have inherent flaws. The items that you've suggested - they can still come together to create a minimal look, depending on how things are executed. Just keep this in mind if you're doing a minimalist approach: Less is more - reduce visual clutter as far as possible, streamline everything. Everything that appears should have a distinct purpose, and aesthetically, if they are to appear, they should be visually clean-lined as well. One last thing - try to use LED down lights as far as possible, or LED track lights, and warm lights. They give a more luxe look, which is key to making greys look good - grey in fluorescent lights looks quite bland.

Hi there. The contemporary look isn't a minimal look, rather it is a modern one. Whites and greys are a good canvas for the particular look that you like, and work as well with dark wood furniture as they do for light woods - it just so happens that light woods are in the trend now given the current obsession locally with a Scandinavian-inspired look. Personally, I would suggest that you avoid following trends religiously, just choose something that you like. I would also advise against cement screed flooring - its better for environments where one wears footwear. What I would suggest instead is either concrete tiles or natural (matte) stone tiles for that modern look - white and glossy tiles are far too common nowadays. Personally, I prefer parquet over laminate flooring for it's warmth and more natural feel, but it's up to you. I think this image would best illustrate something like what I'm describing. Below are some lookbooks that I've created that could help you in crafting a look similar to that: Modern Italian - probably the closest to the contemporary look. Bauhaus Inspired - An example of greys and whites, along with dark/black wood. Mid-Century Modern - Similar colour palette. Hope that helps!

Modern Italian For more details on this design: Modern Italian

Bauhaus Inspired For more details on this design: Bauhaus Inspired

I can think of 3 places: Comfort Furniture, Lush, and Picket and Rail. I recommend that you personally view the replicas - pricing does affect the quality.

American Mid-Century For more details on this design: American Mid-Century

Zen Dining For more details on this design: Zen Dining

Chinoiserie Chic Revisited For more details on this design: Chinoiserie Chic Revisited