Maki Squarepatch

The 2 beautiful sisters, Xin and Enqi, of Maki Squarepatch just told me that they are doing a callout for old and unwanted toys to be recycled for an upcoming exhibition in Nov.

What they need are toys that are stuffed with fibre foam or cotton. They don't have to be in perfect condition just as long as they’re not too dusty. For every medium-sized toy donated, Maki Squarepatch will donate 10 cents to charity.

Collection ends: 9 Nov 2007. Here’s are the details if you would like to contribute to this exciting project with a worthy cause:

Maki Squarepatch is also having a sale at their beautiful new outlet at 111 Emerald Hill. From 12-31 October, you get to enjoy up to 20% off vintage apparel, belts and Maki Squarepatch’s older stock. And for those not in Singapore and would like to own somthing from Maki Squarepatch, you will be happy to know that they are knocking 10% off most items in their online shop.

Domestic Dystopia

Domestic Dystopia is a photo-documentary of six interiors of dilapidated houses in Singapore that have been abandoned and are left in a state of disrepair. Each photograph reveals the traces left behind by previous occupants, freezing the memories in a snapshot of time. Through this series, photographer Ho Hui May takes on the task of translating the deep sense of loss and nostalgia she feels when she is inside these houses.

This is Ho's first solo exhibition in Singapore and is one I wouldn't want to miss! You can catch it @ Kay Ngee Tan Architects Gallery, 16-17 Duxton Hill. The gallery opens Tues-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm. For more information, click here

Fashbash

If you are up for some fashion hunting this weekend, be sure not to miss Fashbash! FashBash is the first and apparently most-loved fashion bazaar in Singapore where you can buy, sell and barter pre-loved designer tags and accessories! You also get the chance to grab stuff hot off the samples racks of local emergent and indie designer labels!

When: 18-19 August

Where: Curiocity Gallery, Nafa Campus II (Map)

ps: Lynda of littleoddforest emailed me to let me know that they will be at Fashbash. I had blogged about their quirky creatures, bags and accessores in a previous post. Littleoddforrest will be parading a little of everything, including their new collection, discounted prototypes and samples. Do catch them there if you are there!

What wood would when willed

Good news! In case you didn't already know, you can now buy cool stationary from labels such as mmmg and rock scissor paper at Woodwould. I was in their shop at The Cathay just recently and had a hard time deciding what to get because everything looked so yummy! And more good news! Woodwould will be giving away a small gift to our blog readers when you purchase anything from them. Just mention laissezfaire at the counter when (and if) you are ready to checkout! Thanks Woodwould!

Février

Beautiful hand-drawn notebooks by Février designs. Do check out more of their cool indie stuff at etsy.

Egg3's newest outlet in Singapore

I just got an email today from Egg3, one of my favourite fashion and home accessories store in Singapore. They are opening a new outlet at 260 Joo Chiat Road! This new nest will continue to house Egg3's eclectic and quirky mix of new Asian fusion style, housing a cafe, art gallery, fashion collections, home accessories and designer furniture, all under one roof. Do check them out as they celebrate their new opening over the National Day holiday tomorrow (Aug 9th). Happy Birthday Singapore!

Bowerbird

If you are looking for a stylish gift or something special for your home, do check out Bowerbird, a exciting new home and giftware boutique that just opened recently in Holland Village (Singapore). This shop stocks products handpicked by owner Anna Miles, who travels the globe in search of exciting new items. The feeling of the shop is decadence and high fashion with an eclectic twist. It includes items such as high fashion crockery, designer cushions and unique lighting by designers such as the legendary Florence Broadhurst (whose gorgeous wallpapers and fabrics I mentioned in a previous post), Christoper Vine, Tabitha and Anna Chandler.

Bowerbird is now offering Laissezfaire blog readers 10% off all purchases made in the month of August. Just mention Laissezfaire to the lady at the checkout counter to get your discount. Thanks Anna!

(above) Black Chandelier espresso set from Christopher Vine

(above) Latest range of Florence Broadhurst cushions

The Home Rejuvenation

Many thanks to The Home Rejuvenation for recently highlighting Laissezfaire as a design blog to visit! Thought I will take this opportunity as well to introduce our readers to them.

Run by Stan and Kus of KNQ Associates, The Home Rejuvenation regularly provides inspiring ideas on interior design. They recently introduced a useful resource on their blog for home owners entitled "Shops to visit ". These guys really spent quite a considerable amount of time consolidating a comprehensive list of furniture and home accessory shops in Singapore under this new 'Shops To Visit' section. Do check them out as well as read their link to this blog post 'How to Give Your Home a Makeover - 8 Easy Steps'.

(image from boostle.com)

New Majestic Hotel (Singapore)

If you are tired of cookie cutter hotel rooms that don't inspire, you should pop into the New Majestic Hotel the next time you visit Singapore. Launched in 2006, this boutique hotel has 30 individually designed rooms in a restored 1928 conservated shophouse right in the heart of Chinatown. A quirky collection of different themes, each room has its own name and is individually designed with a mix of vintage, designer furniture and art by local artists. Some of the rooms are also designed by Singapore's most influential talents from cinema, theatre and fashion. Definitely looks and feels more like an art gallery than a hotel. Refreshing and inspiring.

Wedding Photographers Series

Here is a summary of my top3 favourite wedding photographers in Singapore.

1. Hurricadia
2. Eye-Deas
3. The Pond

(in no particular order of preference)

Maki Squarepatch

Check out the quirky designs made from recycled materials at Maki Squarepatch . Xin, the goody doozy artist/designer behind Make Squarepatch, loves recreating new things out of old stuff such as taking apart children's dolly dresses, boring looking men's pants, school uniforms, jackets etc...and stitching up new creations out of materials that most people will not think twice about throwing away. Xin draws her inspirations from animals with weird hairstyles, the curvaceous body of their 10kg fat cat picasso, classic cartoons and discarded clothes. Her portfolio can be viewed at http://www.handmadebyxin.com/. She is available for commissioned works. This shop is based in Singapore and is happy to work with small businesses worldwide.

Forestprints

Check out these quirky products from Forestprints Design. Launched in 2004 by Singaporean designer Lynda Lye, many of these designs are unique and available in limited numbers. Lynda draws her inspiration for her creations from her wonderful childhood fantasies of bizarre fairytale adventure stories set in magical forests, filled with talking monsters, animals and trees.

Do also check out CRAFThings, an online handcrafted and commercial craft supplies shoppe founded by Lynda to help support the craftsmen and small businesses of the South East Asia region.


Stumpie Seat/Floor Cushion. Wonderful home accessory to spice up your living space!
LOF Snotty Bird. Not giving a care about the daily happenings in this little odd forest, the Snotty Bird just goes about minding its own business.
Forest Seedlings tote. Love the puffy skirt-like bottom
Little Mogu pouch. pss...the space inside goes all the way down to its stem!

Recaptured

This is from Recaptured, a new boutique in Singapore that stocks a kaleidoscope of great finds ranging from decadent lighting from German brand, Kare, to synthetic and natural fibre mats from Australian company Bayliss. I also spotted a lamp from one of my favourite dutch designer Nicholette Brunklaus. New stocks arrive every six to eight weeks to keep the goods fresh and current. Just what we need here on this island!

Outofstock

Celebrating childhood, Outofstock's debut collection are a reminder of a time of climbing trees and rolling in fresh snow. Their stools from the "WINTER" and "FOREST" collection are my definite favourites.

[Photos LEFT: Forest Stools. RIGHT: Winter stools]

What they did with the "Story Chair" [pic below] is clever and humorous. (The cage design is supposed to evoke childhood memories of us stroking our pets in their grills!!)