gakuseisean

Minimalism in Small Spaces For more details on this design: Minimalism in Small Spaces Minimal Bathroom

Design Inspiration To view all designs, visit moddesigninspiration. Because the old forum where my previous thread (Living Room Inspiration) was a little obscure, I've decided to create a new thread here such that these designs that I come up with can get a wider audience, and hopefully, inspire more. As it was with the previous thread, the designs here will attempt to steer away from the cookie-cutter designs that most interior designers in Singapore seem to offer their clients, and aim to guide you in seeing a design concept from start to end. Do feel free to ask for advice (which I'll try my best to offer as and when I'm free), be it on this thread, or on my blog. _____ Deciding on a theme Everyone wants a home that reflects their taste, but quantifying one's taste and design preference isn't an easy task. Here's my suggestion: Start off with Sproost - an online engine that helps you discover the ideal look for your home. Afterwards, start sourcing for images and inspiration for that particular look that Sproost has suggested you favour.

One place I'm going to recommend you check out is TheLifeShop - hope they are still around though (judging by the existance of a FB page, I suppose so) What you should be aiming for is some dark wood furniture pieces, juxtaposed against white fabrics (e.g. sofas, curtains, perhaps even linen-textured wallpaper) Think something along these lines: Image Credits: SCDA Architects As for your water feature, consider a gentle reflecting pool, like the picture below, instead of a fountain, which is quite cliched and old-fashioned. To create that resort feeling of lightness, keep your window dressings simple - white drape-y sheer curtains work well. Oh and just your luck, I've just published a "Modern Resort-inspired" lookbook on my blog (a preview is below)

Hi there, instead of the usual thick strips that most IDs use, how about something like this (it has a slight Japanese flair to it) Image Credit: SCDA Architects

Hi there, thanks for the compliments. Based on the test results, here's my suggestions. There's nothing wrong with using a white backdrop for your home, and given its size, one other thing you could consider would be to have a mirrored wall somewhere to visually enlarge the space. Do take note that with white, it is important to have not only some visual contrast, but also textural contrast so as to keep things interesting. I would suggest that you stick to creams and whites for your living room 's wall colours - a fabric style wallpaper would be nice. If you're feeling bold, you can consider having some walls panelled with dark oak (like the picture below, but do that only if your space receives sufficient natural light. Image Credit: Ong&Ong Architects Very importantly, because your space isn't particularly large, you must choose your furniture wisely - nothing bulky, try to keep the pieces petite, or delicate looking. For your love of lilac, one option you can consider would be to go for a dusty lilac sofa in velvet. Consider this or this in that colour. Personally, I would suggest the first sofa - it evokes the lines of a classic wingback sofa, without being too stuffy and traditional. Do check out Danovel and Abitex for sofas as well. Another option would be to inject that colour via artwork. Also consider having a bit of artwork like the example below. Image Credit: Remodelista As for your kitchen cabinets, go for a glossy white with a white marble, and possibly white subway tiles as well. Image Credit: Remodelista Lastly, do take a look at the following lookbooks that I've done in the past for a bit more suggestions: Pop Glamour Monochromatic Luxe Hope that helps!

The Hektar pendant light should be fine, but in my opinion, go for either the floor lamp or the pendant one - you don't want things looking too matchy-matchy. I don't know your home's layout, but if the bar top is rather close to the dining area, then I'll advise against having pendant lightings at the bar area as well - there will be too much visual clutter dangling from the ceiling in one space. Choose downlights instead if that is the case. Lamitak only offers laminates for surfaces (e.g. cupboards etc), they have some really nice ones that are quite natural looking that should work well for your built-ins. Pergo (I've given you a URL that lets you try out their floorings virtually) is an option for your flooring laminates - quite a few forumers use them, and they seem to be of quite good quality. I think you should be able to get them via Goodrich. I'm inclined to suggest that you get a chalkish-grey-wood sort of flooring, but that will have to depend on the colours of your furnishings. From their catalogue, "Winter Oak" seems nice. For a different feel, "Midnight Oak" seems to work as well.

I think the subway tiles will go nicer with the cement screed. In my opinion, cove lighting isn't really necessary, and would be a bit too modern looking for the furniture choices, but a false ceiling (to conceal downlights) would really clean up the appearance of things. Things will be cosy if you rely on moveable lighting (i.e. table and floor lamps) plus a pendant lamp or two, but you will have to ask yourself if cosy lighting would offer adequate illumination for your home - if not, then LED downlights are a good option (and hence the inclusion of the false ceiling). Another option would be track lighting - some forumers use that; it can create a similar effect to LED downlights, with an added flexbility. For your brick wall, it would depend on what flooring you are doing - contrast would be nice. I'll have to advise against those lamps that you've listed with the exception of the Tolomeo - the other two choices are far too modern for the space (they will give a space-age vibe rather than an eccentric vintage feel). Go with the Tolomeo Mega floor lamp. An alternative choice could be the Serge Mouille Three-Arm Floor Lamp. A one armed version exists. (I'm not sure where you would be able to get replicas of those, but you could try Lush). A budget alternative would be this from Ikea. For the bed frame, how about something from Muji? Or this Scanteak option? Hope that answers everything

The Eames chairs should work quite nicely with the table, as will those stools. The Nugochi sofa however does stray a little into mid-century modern territory. It is however a very nice sofa, that if you like, you should stick with (after all, this is your home, not some sort of lookbook that is defined by a particular style), and it should work alltogether assuming that it isn't in an outlandish pop-ish colour. I'd suggest accessorising it with fur pillows for that more natural look. However, if you are truly keen on brining it back to a more "rustic revival" look then consider something like this coffee table, or perhaps even a rough teak/wood one (perhaps something from Commune Home) instead of the Eames one. The Tom Dixon lights are a little ubiquitous these days, can I suggest glass pendants by Niche Modern (available at Grafunkt), replicas are available at Lightcraft. The subway tiles should be fine, though the black mosaics I'm a little doubtful - again, it's your own home, if you love it then go for it.

Hi, I think you should go with "rustic revival" and "cottage chic" - these 2 seem the closest to each other. you should take a look at this design that I came up with. You can also check out Motto as well as Commune (at Millenia Walk) for pieces of furniture that might suit the look that you like. You'll want to have wide-planked, raw looking wood floors for this look (laminates might be a good option), and white walls as well. Also, as artwork, you might like to hang up some empty frames in a traditional style on the walls. Ikea has some good options for your look as well.

Hi there, just thought this blog could really offer you some (visual) inspirations on getting on with your home. Just a suggestion, keep the built-ins to a minimum, that'll save on the renovation costs quite a bit. Things like light-boxes/false ceilings - you won't need too much of those with a Scandinavian look; that aesthetic favours cosier lighting options like floor or table lamps. Also, if you're feeling particularly handy, DIY-ing is one really good way to cut costs.

Hi Gweny, thanks! Firstly, I would need to know what sort of design style you would like in your home - Sproost is a good way to figure that out if you're not sure. It's an online quiz. Do post the results here, and I'll come up with some suggestions. Oh and a floorplan would also be good.

Here's a 3d image that I came up with some time ago, you can read more about achieving a minimalist feel in a 3 room flat here.

Hmm I don't quite like the spiral chairs, they seem a bit gimmicky. As for the Eames moulded chairs, they are a little common nowadays, but nevertheless it is a testament to it's good design. It will match (especially the white one).

Yep that would work too! Alternatively, this Ikea Chair would be quite okay as well, it is reminiscent of Arne Jacobsen's Series 7 Chair (another design classic). Plus it's easy to clean - something that is essential when you have a child.

Can I suggest this table instead? It ties in with the black-brown finish of your TV console, its by and large quite solid in construction and materials, and its flexible because it's extendible. As for the dining chairs, something a little more mid-century would work quite nicely, because the lamp is similar to the famous Artichoke lamp. What I suggest is the Bertoia Wire Side Chair, in either chrome or a powder-coated look (you might like to choose a poppy colour). Also I'm going to suggest getting it with the leather seat pad. Picket & Rail seems to sell replicas of this, though it seems to be priced at $179, much higher than your choice from Ikea. I (randomly) found this Chinese modern-classics retailer, if you are interested you might like to see if it is cheaper there. Edit: Apparently its RMB 580 per chair, shipping to Singapore is RMB 1200 (estimated price) - this excludes taxes though. Oh and just one more thing, if you intend to get floating bedside tables, try using Ikea's FAKTUM wall-hung kitchen cabinet - it's a common Ikea DIY trick. And like I suggested with the Besta consoles, you can cover the top surface with a piece of back-painted glass panel, or even a piece of wood cut to the exact size.

It's hard to say particularly where, open air markets all across China, malls etc. Not exactly a particular shop, but just look around if you happen to travel to any city there.

I've got a suggestion for your TV bench, get 2 of the Besta consoles in black brown (total width: 240cm), add drawers that are covered with the Tofta High Gloss Black drawer fronts, - total cost for the Ikea components should be $360 based on the Ikea website. Then go to an external glass manufacturer to get one long sheet of black-back-painted glass to cover the top (to conceal the seam in-between the 2 units). That should create something that looks quite similar to the TV console that you like from Lush. My advice would be to hold on the artwork first. If you get a chance to travel to China, there are many stores there that sell cheap(er) abstract art, or even pieces similar to those sold at Lush.

MAGNOLIA LOUNGE For more details on this design, visit my blog.

Thanks! I use Sketchup to create the models, and SU Podium to render them.

Good choice with the sofa, if you want a less Scandinavian look, consider switching the sofa legs to these. Alternatively, I found this source for sofa legs, might want to try them. Remember to accessorise with comfortable cushions as well! Capitalise on this GSS to check out stores like Robinsons and maybe even BoConcept for cushion covers. For your TV console, how about using the Besta units from Ikea? As for artwork, how about DIY framed pressed flowers? Alternatively, purchase art prints from The Wright Gift (at ION Orchard), or even wrapping paper from stores like Prints and frame them up. As for your curtains, can I suggest that you choose to use 2 layers of light/white sheer curtains instead of the usual day and night curtains combination. It lets in light quite nicely, while shielding you from the glaring sun. Oh and one last thing for now, do check out Comfort Furniture for your chairs.

GREYSCALE STUDY For more details on this design, visit my blog.

BISTRO INSPIRED For more details on this design, visit my blog.

Oh and if you're interested in doing the Japanese-style lookbook, Muji's catalogue (with prices in SGD) can be found here. By any chance, do you have a floor plan that comes with dimensions?