Tricks to decorating a small space

I would highly recommend Domino as a useful design resource to go to if you are looking for stylish ideas for your home. Their website is very clearly organised and filled with lots of tastefully decorated interiors and design tips. I simply love these ingenious tricks they give on 'how to decorate a small space'. Here are some of my favourites...

Trick 1: Use backless bookshelves to separate living and sleeping areas without blocking light.

Trick 2: Hide clutter artfully with oversized artwork hung over shelves.

Trick 3: Use white to enlarge your space. Eye-popping hues can also work in a tiny studio as long as the colors and patterns speak to each other and some large white spaces (like this white fireplace above) are left. Trick 4: Use low walls or banquettes to create "rooms" without bisecting the space.

Trick 5: Use even nonfunctioning architectural details. The television tucked into a plastered-over fireplace with a fireplace video like the one above can double as witty conversation piece.

TinTree spaljé

TinTree spaljé by Johan Carpner. Great to decorate your garden wall or use to hang your ornaments indoors!

Lynn Malone

When it comes to using colour, most people will prefer to err on the side of caution and stick to the tried and tested neutral palettes. For interior designer Lynn Malone, working with bold colours is easy as long as one sticks to a few rules. Lynn shares that the secret to using colour is not to get too carried away with too many colours, finishes or materials.

"When you have colourful artworks and furnishings, a neutral backdrop sets the stage for the artwork. It also celebrates the open spaces," Malone says. "And neutral doesn't equate to dull. A neutral colour palette may be indigo blue, deep chocolate or khaki."

For her own apartment recently featured in HomeBeautiful June 07 (Australia), the white and dark charcoal backdrop puts the spotlight on the designer's furniture collection. The soft curves of her furniture also serve to juxtapose the angular architectural elements of the interior.

Click here for more useful design tips by Malone

Green T. House Living

World renowned musician, artist, masterchef and trend-setter JinR has opened her newest lifestyle concept - Green T. House Living. Located in the outskirts of Beijing, Green T. House Living draws on the traditions of the tea house as a social gathering place and mixes them with elements of new China art and music.

Also known as "Beijing's Queen of Style", JinR’s philosophy has always been to showcase China’s multi-layered aesthetics, sensations, cultural zeitgeist and artistic soul in an accessible but authentic way. Green T. House Living seems to do just that with a touch of world-class luxury.

Rupunsale

Rapunsale (Spring/ Summer) 2007: A unique rooftop lifestyle fashion bazaar

Date : Sat 7th July 2007Time : 4pm – 9pm

Venue : LOOF331 North Bridge Road #03-07. Singapore

Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop (Next to Bras BasahComplex)

Selected vendors include Asylum- Billet Doux- Butt Cheeks- The cupcake boutique- Fornarina- Front Row- HURS bags- L’Artichaut- Maki Squarepatch- Mod XI- Style Nordic- The Persona Boutique- White Room- woodwould- wooonderland

Do tell your friends about it!

Loft Cube

One of the highlights at the Milan fair 2007, the loft cube by Werner Aisslinger is a self-contained mobile living unit. Conceptualised to inhabit underutilised rooftops, this compact structure is meant to be a temporary structure to suit the nomadic lifestyles of people who live in large, dense cities. It even comes with the option of installing a swimming pool on your own roof!

DIY fabric labels

Make your own fabric labels with this printable fabric roll available from JoAnn's. Perfect for any crafty business or to add a personal touch on your gifts to friends. (via notmartha and swissmiss)

Toile Embroidery

I couldn't believe it when I first saw Richard Saja's toile embroidery art. His work reminds me of how I used to draw on the characters in my school textbooks. So cheeky and fun!

Stone stools by Marcel Wanders

These jewel-like seats will definitely add a touch of vintage glamour to your home. Comes in amber, crystal, ruby and smoke colours. By Marcel Wanders, of course.

Beehive Kitchenware

Pretty and functional handmade metal kitchenware inspired by designs found in old homes and fleas markets from Beehive Kitchenware. (via oh joy)

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)

A Vera Wang-esque chandelier

There is something about this chandelier that I really love but cannot pinpoint exactly what at the moment. Think it is the combination of the colour and simple form that draws me to it. Very Vera Wang-esque. From oly.

Lumen

Have you seen these lamps by artist and inventor Adam Frank? Made of acid-etched stainless steel, this innovative (patent pending) oil lamps give a soft light and shadow on any near surface. The shadow even moves about when the flame flickers!

Frames

Frames, the wallpaper that allows you to turn your wall into a piece of art!

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.

Colour Inspirations

Some colour inspirations from Designers Guild Vintage Flowers. Do check out their website! There are lots more beautiful photography of exquisitely styled rooms with founder Tricia Guild's signature style of combining the most bold contrasting colour fabrics with neutral walls and simple vintage and modern furniture.