PeppaPig1983

A beautiful piece of interior designing by De Space Interior Design - the Summerscape Condominium! This beautiful residential interior design project in the traditional English style shows that sometimes you just can't beat the classics! Well, maybe it's the marble tiled floors lending it that teeny touch of the ⚜️ aristocracy ⚜️ that's the magic, BUT IT'S STILL GORGEOUS. Enjoy! ? Warm lighting is reminiscent of the candles they probably would've used in the day, illuminating elegant decorative wallpaper, priceless paintings and quality furniture. You could almost smell the black pudding and bubble-and-squeak wafting from the kitchen. Herbs and spices sit atop small shelves just as they always have but with a very modern makeover. Elegant snow-white dresser/wardrobe, with clear glass-framed door for a quick preview of the day's wear. A look at the master bedroom from the bedside, with the small study and large wardrobe clearly visible.

3. Use clever optical illusions to make small spaces look BIGGER You can’t make a low ceiling higher, but you can trick people into thinking it is! Here’s a small bag of optical illusions that’s particularly useful at making a small living room look bigger: (a) Paint or wallpaper the room a bright colour. This is optical illusion 101 to make rooms look bigger and ceilings higher. (b) Place tall, slim pieces of furniture in it. This will give the illusion of the ceiling being higher than it really is. (c) Don’t stack furniture right up to side walls. The further they are from it, the more spacious rooms will look. Going for a "desolate" look? Try placing a single piece of furniture in the middle of the room... (d) Go with a single large decorative item to define a room, not clutter it with many small ones. (e) Use mirrors to create the illusion spaces. For example, mirrors placed directly opposite a window will give the illusion of an additional space including another window in it. Multiple mirrors in a room can enhance the effect, as well as elongated mirrors running along the entire lengths of a room. Mirrors also help bounce natural light coming into the room around, and bright spaces not only make spaces look bigger, but can also improve your mood. Take a look at the before and after images of this renovation. Note the use of bright, dramatic lighting, the use and arrangement of tall kitchen cabinets and decluttering of the work area. Design and image courtesy of De Space Interior Design, an interior designer in Johor Bahru. 4. Stick with the “60 / 30 / 10” Colour Rule This may seem counter-intuitive to rule number 5, but trust us this one is important: when choosing the colours for your room, pay attention to the colour ratio. Ideally, they it should comprise of: > Primary colour (60%): This colour should cover a large portion of the room and preferably be a neutral colour (e.g. white, beige, black, ivory and gray). This usually includes painting entire walls, ceilings and floors. > Secondary colour (30%): Typically comprising a slightly bolder shade to the primary colour, secondary colours are used to break up the monotony of the primary colour. Furniture is a good choice to make up the secondary colour set. > Accent colour (10%): The boldest and most striking, accent colours are best used to help a unique accessory item in a room stand out from everything else; e.g. a painting, a piano, TV, etc. A perfect example illustrating the 60 / 30 / 10 colour rule in ivory-beige walls and ceiling / teal sofas / black and white cushions. Design and image courtesy of De Space Interior Design, Johor Bahru. 5. Always pick a design that suits your personality. Last but not least, though there will be people who’ll try to recommend a style for you, you should always go with the style that resonates with you most. After all, it’s your home, so pick a design that like and stick with it. There are no hard rules when it comes to personal preferences. [fin!] _________________________________________ <A word from our sponsor> Find an Interior Designer in Johor Bahru who can build that dream home you've always wanted: https://my.renotalk.com/exclusiveinteriordesigners _________________________________________

5 Best Decorating Ideas and Interior Design Tips: Secrets Revealed We all know a few simple but super effective decorating ideas and interior design tips that can transform our drab homes into the stuff of dreams. But do we really know the best stuff? It is hereby my sacred duty to share some of the subtler yet most potent secrets that the best interior designers have used in their most dazzling creations! 1. The Magic of 3D Wallpapers (or 5D, 8D, depending on how much you’re willing to spend…) Relatively inexpensive and easy to apply to put up, 3D wallpapers are amazing for home decoration. Whether it's 3D wallpaper for bedroom walls or 3D wallpaper designs for the living room, never underestimate how much they can transform any living space! Plus it's a lot cheaper than a plaster ceiling or wall stucco (which have their own advantages, of course; you can read a little about it here: “Why a Plaster Ceiling? – Types of Plaster Products, Advantages and Applications”). A little dramatic lighting and just look at that! How much does that costs? RM4.08 per square meter =.=; Shower 3D wallpaper image via Made-in-China.com But you have more money to splurge, you say? No problem, there are 5D even 8D wallpapers that are even MOAR GORGEOUS! Some even stick out from walls, like 3D brick wallpapers. You could go on a quick trip to Kaison at Aeon Tebrau or Kaison at Paradigm Mall and check out what they have, or you could get them through an online store. Made-in-China.com is a great place to find a great price for the stuff - just don’t forget to factor in shipping… *note: Paper 3D wallpaper = typically cheaper, vinyl/PVC = waterproof. 2. Interior design lighting matters – It ain’t “just in your head” Lighted stair railing and bright colours amplify the sense of space in this gorgeous living room. Design and image courtesy of Trinity Design Studio, an interior designer in Johor Bahru. Good interior design lighting is important for a good number of reasons. For one, it helps prevent accidents from happening (e.g. like a family member missing a step falling, or stepping on an unseen sharp object on the floor, or causing an electrical fire). Utilitarian needs aside, it is also the fundamental, quintessential, “WHY-YOU-NOT-DO-THIS?” element required to turn an otherwise boring living space into a palace chamber fit for a Galactic Empress/Emperor. Plus, the psychological effects of lighting are very real, and its type and colours can affect how we feel. It’s the same effect that makes us wake up when the morning sun comes up @_@ (*quick fun fact: Yes, all of it is happening in your head, but that doesn’t make it any less real than any other event outside of it, like, the rest of the physical universe). (a) To create a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, use accent lighting; its soft glow dazzle your family and friends into a “rabbit-in-headlamp” stupor - perfect for unwinding after a long day at work. Make sure they’re glowing soft and not dark, or you’ll be dozing off instead of relaxing! (b) Focal lighting (i.e. spotlight effect, directional lighting) is the answer if there’s something in the home that warrants greater emphasis. Have a specific household item you'd like to show off? Like an expensive mahogany dining table or a bust of your great-great-grandfather? Focused, directional lighting is excellent for this. (c) Bright, adequate lighting is important for places where lots of activity is expected. For example: (i) The kitchen where we chop stuff with sharp metal objects, swish pots of boiling hot water about and evade spitting hot oil when frying on a daily basis; (ii) The stairs where bad lighting could result in people tripping and falling; (iii) Corridors/rooms with high foot traffic, i.e. places where people need to go through to get from room to room. Here’s an interesting idea for dramatic stairs: place small lights along the sides of each step! No more missed steps and broken bones ever again - ideal when the elderly are present. (continued on page 2 below!) _________________________________________ <A word from our sponsor!> Want to know if it's best to hire an Interior Designer or Contractor? Read this article to find out more: Interior Designer vs Contractor - How are They Different? _________________________________________

We all hate getting cheated. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what a few psychopathic interior designers and contractors will do to make a quick buck, leaving us with broken dreams, an empty pocket and a newly-acquired cynicism for anything and everything related to renovation. We all know how “honest” many contractors in Malaysia are, and with how much cheating that goes on in the home design industry, you’d be foolhardy to let your guard down. But how can you know if you’re being cheated? Here are some red flags that could help you catch them red-handed – or at least provide some damage control. 1. Is the contractor genuine? Is it registered with the CIDB CIMS database? Before engaging a building contractor in Malaysia – ask them to prove that they are registered with the CIDB CIMS database by furnishing you with the details needed to complete a search query about them in CIDB CIMS database. [Link to the official register: cimsapp.cidb.gov.my/SMIS/regcontractor/reglocalsearchcontractor.vbhtml] Kava Décor is an example of a renovation contractor in Johor Bahru that is a registered CIDB Malaysia Grade 3 contractor. If they aren’t registered, be sure to carefully check them out first. Under Section 25 (1) of the Akta Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan Malaysia 1994 (Akta 520), it states clearly that, “No individual, without exception, will be allowed to carry out or complete, enact guarantees to carry out or complete any construction work or declare themselves a contractor, unless registered with the Institution and holds an official certificate of registration conferred by the Institution under this act.” ‘Nuff said. 2. The contractor asks for full payments or large “deposits” even though their work is incomplete. Be careful around contractors who are persistent that you do the following before even completing their work: (i) make full payments upfront, (ii) asks for large “deposits”. If you run into these types, then agree to disagree. In other words, say NO but try not to antagonise them. Explain to them that you will make payments ONLY when work gets done (or at each phase if applicable). Following this rule also encourages more “honesty”. In the worst case scenario, it serves as damage control and you can then proceed to engage the services of another, more reliable contractor to pick up where the cheater left off without having to start from scratch. 3. The contractor keeps delaying work, but insists I pay up first. Watch out if the renovation contractor frequently delays work and insists that they won’t start until you pay up. More devious strains of this type cheater are ones that may put on a show of performing some initial work to entice you into paying up before packing up and disappearing. However, even if the contractor is on the level with you and intends to do the job for you, delays in your schedule will only result in other difficulties. For example, where are you going to store all the new furniture when it arrives because your home is literally under construction? _________________________________________________ Worried about getting cheated by your renovation contractor? Listen to both sides of story and learn more about the relational dynamics between contractors and homeowners. _________________________________________________ <A word from our sponsor :D> Don't be let down by scammers - find a Reliable Contractor in Johor Bahru to renovate your home! _________________________________________________ 4. The contractor gives you an unbelievably low first estimate. If the contractor comes to your home, takes a quick look around without making any proper checks – then hands you an unbelievably low estimate for the renovation – don’t believe it right away! Chances are the next thing they’ll do is tell you that they’ve made a poor initial estimate of how much work actually needs to be done (after tearing up your home to do it, of course, to put the pressure on you to take them up to complete the repairs). It’s not an easy problem to prevent of resolve, and the best thing you can do is to get a second (or even third!) quotation from another contractor to get a better evaluation. After all, they can’t all be dishonest, right? Make sure the materials promised you for your renovation is what you’ll receive. Insist on receipts for all materials as proof of purchase. 5. Work is getting done, but the quality is really poor. When the results of a renovation job looks bad compared to what was promised, then it probably is. Unscrupulous contractors are known for not delivering on their end and will swap the promised materials for low-grade replacements to increase their profits while hoping that you wouldn’t notice. Therefore, insist that the contractor provides receipts with the quotation for the materials you were promised. This way you have evidence if he tries to cheat you but denies any foul play. You can also arrange to meet with their supplier first to check up on him and to take down details of his firm/company. 6. I’ve been cheated. Should I make a police report? (For Malaysian readers) You could, but it shouldn’t be your first option. Under Malaysian law, a contractor who leaves before completing his work can only be charged as a criminal offender if he had planned the offense all along, i.e. he had never intended to finish work on the project, not before and not after you agreed to the contract. Guilt can be difficult to prove, and a bad contractor could lead investigators astray by simply claiming that he had: (i) Ran out of money or manpower to continue with work (ii) Put together an “inaccurate quotation and assessment” (iii) Been obstructed by “unforeseen circumstances”, e.g. his supplier disappearing without word or reason, or (iv) “Unforeseen” price hikes in materials or labour, which is very unfortunate because they are probably telling the “truth” about the commodity price hike. And if the case isn’t “Criminal” then it’s a “Civil Dispute”, which puts it out of the jurisdiction of the police. 7. National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) The National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) handles and records all cases that fall into the category of “civilian disputes” before relaying them to the appropriate parties. They are therefore your best bet of getting your complaints taken seriously and action taken. [See NCCC guidelines for filing a complaint] Once they open a case, the NCCC then acts as a legal mediator between negotiations taking place between the victim and accused. The proceedings are then analysed and assessed before coming to a decision regarding the matter, which is then officially announced to the relevant government agencies and to the public. Further reading: How to Avoid Getting Scammed _____________________________________________________ <A word from our sponsor...> Don't get cheated - Find yourself a reliable Renovation Contractor in Johor Bahru! _____________________________________________________ How much should your renovation cost in Johor Bahru and Malaysia? Watch the Episode 5 of the RenoTalk Show to find out more!

Hey people, here are more juicy designs I've found and this time they're by De Space Interior Design in Johor Bahru! Really like the fresh woodlands hues - almost as if you could smell the pine and ash... nways, have a lookie! I've been having some trouble viewing the rest of their photo gallery, though. Hopefully they'll get it resolved soon... I'll check back later... *edit: hey, hey, the page is up and running again. Check out their commercial interior design project @ EcoWorld Industrial.

Yeah, I thought so too. It's kinda my job to look out for these things so I'm keeping a lookout.

A false ceiling is the quintessential home cosmetic. It hides the ugly (but necessary) infrastructure on ceilings. It also provides an easily-workable framework for future renovation projects. And a plaster ceiling is perfect as a false ceiling (more specifically, a plasterboard ceiling). Used in home interiors, plaster demonstrates many advantages and is very versatile. Also, mixing plaster with other materials also produces a variety of products that are great for other applications; acoustics plaster for soundproofing, lime plaster (moisture resistance), decorative stucco plaster (aesthetics) and concrete plaster (for binding with concrete elements and exteriors). [Follow this link for an information overload of everything plaster] But we’re interested in making good plaster ceilings, so let’s take a look at gypsum plaster. Gypsum Plaster Gypsum plaster (CaSO4, or calcium sulphate) is lightweight, fire-resistant, soundproof, and semi-insulating. These properties make it suitable for many home design applications. Gypsum plaster is also safe for health, making it ideal in interiors where people live. This is important as certain materials such as example is asbestos plaster are known carcinogens. So if you're the owner of an older building, it's best that you find out if asbestos is present. And if it is, get it replaced as soon as possible! How is Gypsum Plaster different from Plaster of Paris? Essentially not too different. Compared to gypsum, Plaster of Paris has a lower water content and is more brittle. However, this allows Plaster of Paris to hold its shape better when moulded and therefore better for making decorative items. Design & image courtesy of Ease Deco Sdn Bhd, a renovation contractor in Johor Bahru. Advantages of a Plaster Ceiling 1 . Easily Workable and Lightweight Ease of workability and lightness are plaster’s biggest advantages. Today, plasterboard ceilings are more popular than traditional plastering due to ease, cost and speed of installation, at a slight cost to aesthetic appeal. Its ease of workability also makes future installations and post-renovation work easier. For example, pulling in new cables into your home (through the false ceiling) to make it cable TV/internet ready). The material’s ease of workability also lends it versatility in creating decorative designs that would otherwise be difficult with other materials (see “How is Gypsum Plaster different from Plaster of Paris?” above). This can be a simple recess for more dramatic lighting, or even a more elaborate Baroque-esque designs, statues and carvings. _____________________ < Need help creating a Plaster Ceiling design for your home? Let an Interior Designer in Johor Bahru help you! > _____________________ 2 . Soundproofing Soundproofing is privacy. For one, it prevents unwanted noises permeating through walls and ceilings. You don't want to end up sharing your private life with your immediate neighbours now, do you? Interior designers and builders use acoustics plasters to soundproof homes. Acoustics plasters consist of a plaster and fibre/aggregate (e.g. mineral wool or blow-glass) mix that form a sound-absorbing matrix. 3 . High Fire Resistance Plaster is resistant to heat and fire. When plaster comes into contact with extreme heat, water contained in it absorbs the heat and vaporises, dispersing the heat energy away from the plaster (i.e. dehydration process - think sweating). < Don’t Wait for a Fire to Ruin Your Life )-: Contact a Reliable Contractor in Johor Bahru today and Fireproof Your Home with a well-built Plaster Ceiling and Wall. > Also, since most of the heat from a fire source moves upward, it makes a lot of sense to fireproof the ceiling. Experimental fire resistant plasters like plaster and polyurethane mix are also available. Not having your ceiling and walls combust into a fiery fireball is definitely a good thing. 4 . Thermal Insulation Heat efficiency is key to building an energy efficient home, and walls made from composites of thermal resistant materials with plaster on the interior’s side. While plaster isn't the best insulator available, it's clean look and cool touch makes it an excellent finish for interior walls. It still has an R-value of 0.45. Common bricks have an R-value of 0.20 (where R-value referring thermal insulation efficiency). 5 . Aesthetic Quality Last but not least, people love the aesthetic qualities of plaster ceiling design that when done right looks absolutely seamless with no visible joints or gaps. Smooth surfaces also take up paint evenly, making the painted surfaces (if washable paint was used) to be easy to clean. Plaster also does not react strongly with alkali (common paint base). Plaster also look great regardless of lighting. Natural lighting in particular (due to its uncontrolled nature) could throw shadows around an interior space carelessly, thus looking out of place. Its effects are even more glaring if the lights are reflecting off a surface that’s uneven and/or irregular. Design & image courtesy of Ease Deco Sdn Bhd Disadvantages of Plaster 1. 1 . Susceptible to Water Damage Though plaster is fairly durable and will take moderate knocks, regular plaster cannot be exposed to high levels of moisture. This also means that it’s unsuitable to be used outdoors. 2 . Relatively Expensive Compared to cement and cement lime plasters, plaster is relatively expensive and laborious to work with. Installation The installation of plasterboard and traditional plaster are described briefly below: Step 1: Plasterboard: A frame (e.g. aluminium) is built into the ceiling. Traditional plaster ceiling: A wire mesh lath placed on top of a waterproof membrane to hold the plaster mixture is used instead. *Note: Ample ceiling height is necessary when installing false ceilings to allow for proper installation of ceiling fans, lights, etc. Step 2: Plasterboard: Plasterboard is loaded into the frame. Traditional plaster ceiling: Plaster mix (checked for consistency) is spread evenly into the wire mesh lath and allowed to cure for 48 hours. *Note: Ensure that materials are safe and remind your contractor or interior designer to avoid using hazardous materials such as asbestos in their construction; Step 3: Plasterboard & Traditional: Gaps where the plaster, ceiling and wall meet are then sealed. A finishing layer of paint is applied. Bright colours such as white are often picked as dark colours will make a room look smaller. _____________________ Interested in more interior design related reading? Interior Designer vs Contractor - How are they different? Good TV cabinet design for the living room? _____________________

Came across some home designs that I find really nice. They’re all by Trinity Design Studio, an interior designer in Johor Bahru. I’ve linked a few pictures of their completed works from their Chateau @ Eco Botanic project below. Aren’t they just GORGEOUS??? You'll find more project galleries below this post, or you could also head to my little Tumblr gallery for a tidier viewing pleasure XD For more reading: Interior Designer vs Contractor Or are you looking for an: Interior Designer in Johor Bahru?!

We all get excited when it’s time to buy a new TV plus a nice TV cabinet design to go with it, but we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves and rush off to buy one only to regret it. But “Luck is the residue of design”, and we all hope to get the best experience out of our home entertainment setup and not have it ruined by poor choices that could easily have been avoided. Plus, the TV is often the centrepiece of your living room, so what's your excuse?! How to choose the right TV Cabinet Design for any Living Room (1) Make sure the TV sits at eye level When selecting for height, you should be aiming to find a TV cabinet that level the TV as close to eye level as possible. Naturally, finding that exact sweet spot isn’t necessary, and a little higher is ok as you can just lean back into your chair and get comfy. However, having it lower is a no-no as you’d have to crane your neck downward and thus putting strain on your neck. Say no to cervicalgia! The TV is often the centrepiece of your living room, and a good TV cabinet design should raise a TV to about eye level for maximum viewing comfort. Design and image courtesy of Trinity Design Studio, an interior designer in Johor Bahru. _______________________________________ Need help building the perfect TV cabinet for you living room? Find a good Interior Designer in Johor Bahru to help you! _______________________________________ (2) Make sure sturdy enough Is it sturdy enough to take the weight of your TV without caving in? Is the glass thick enough? Is it made from hardwood? If it is compressed wood pulp is it strong enough not to warp and deform after prolonged use? Speaking of TVs, here’s our little guide on how to help you choose the right TV. (3) Make sure it’s wide enough Are you thinking of compromising the stability of your TV set on a cabinet that’s a size smaller than optimal to save a few ringgit or for something as arbitrary as style? Well, we strongly recommend against as there’s a possibility that of your expensive TV tipping over and smashing itself to smithereens. Young children, too, may also be at risk if they’re caught by its fall. A wall-mounted TV console is a great way to save space. This one also has built-in compartments to put away cables safely and neatly which not only makes everything look neater but also safer. Design and image courtesy of Trinity Design Studio, an interior designer in Johor Bahru. (4) Use space saving techniques to get the most from your TV With many of having to make do with small living rooms, finding a versatile TV cabinet that can adapt to the, ahem, dynamic nature of small spaces is a good idea. A good workaround to small spaces is to add wheels. Need to readjust your TV for a better view? Wheels let you swing your TV into place! (better if it's made from lightweight aluminium). Also, don’t forget that a little storage space can also go a long way (see point 6). When it starts to get crowded, it’s time to stack up! Keep in mind though that a TV cabinet that moves around more easily also means it is less stable, and it can become a safety hazard if it wobbles and heavy objects fall off. Alternatively, a wall mounted TV console will reduce obstruction and make it easier (or simply possible in the case where it’s impossible) to move objects around. (5) Different materials, different advantages and disadvantages TV consoles are made from a wide range of materials and composites ranging from wood, metal, compressed pulp, glass, plastic and fiberboard. Each type of material has its pros and cons; stainless metal and hardwood are both tough, long-lasting choices while glass-metal composites are also long-lasting but can be fragile and need to be protected from hard knocks that could crack and chip them. For anyone on a budget, compressed pulp and fiberboard decent picks, and are surprisingly durable for how much they cost. Just be sure to avoid putting too heavy a load on them to avoid bending it out of shape. Another wall-mounted TV cabinet design. Interior design by Young Page Interior Works, interior designer Johor Bahru. (6) Additional storage space is a good option. They may be a little bigger, but TV console designs with more storage space are always nifty additions - especially if you’re running low of space in a small living room. They can be used to store compact disc collections, remote controls and books, as well as act as a centre for all your other high-tech entertainment gadgets (gaming consoles, DVD players, etc.) Large TV cabinets with shelves that stack up high lets you make use of vertical space that would otherwise be wasted. Building a custom TV cabinet for additional storage space usually isn’t a gargantuan task, so hiring a reliable renovation contractor should suffice for the job. Many also have cleverly built-in ports that are not only useful for organizing and hiding ugly cables from sight, but also prevent bad wiring from sparking off electrical fires. Safety first! _______________________________________ Find a Reliable Contractor in Johor Bahru to help you build the perfect TV cabinet for the living room! _______________________________________

looking for a good interior designer in johor. also, what is the difference between an interior designer and contractor? which should i hire?

Hey, does anyone know if I should hire an interior designer or a contractor? Also, is there an interior designer in johor bahru that's good?

I'm looking for ceiling fans, lighting and piece of furniture that's a little more exotic. Honestly, I don't even know what I'm looking XD Does anyone have any suggestions? Will probably be doing my shopping in jb to check out the prices. Will figure out how to get the things back home later! edit: something along the lines of a H.R. Giger lighting, bathroom accessories, etc. would be awesome! but i don't want to have to order them from overseas so...

Not sure if the Mr. DIY at KSL City in jb is a good place for led light bulbs and other things, but like I probably mentioned in another thread i'll probably check it the next time i'm there.

Hey, I just remembered that I bought this big, red feng shui compass a few years back from a pawn shop. Was always curious how it worked. Is it supposed to be used in conjunction with something else, because i'm stumped. edit: oh yeah and i'm currently living in jb, so if there's any feng shui master here that would be great, kthxbai.

Dunno, but there's a Mr D.I.Y. at KSL City in jb and I'll bet they have lights and lighting there. Will check it out as soon as I get the chance.

Can anyone tell me which materials make for good curtains? I'm thinking of replacing the curtains in my home but I have a family who's allergic to many things. Please advise.

o.O why is everyone being so secretive about jb carpenter quotations? would be nice if they'd just drop a hint here about what to expect...

Anyone know where I can find good, cheap furniture with an exotic touch to it? Maybe voodoo or african or something.

Just saw this thread and the thought of trying for custom furniture in jb would be a good idea. Does anyone know any good carpenters in jb who'd do a good job with custom stuff? thanks...