Ikea Hacker

I came across this great blog called the Ikea Hacker. It basically welcomes people to submit their own hacked creations from Ikea. Here you can find inspiration for de-IKEAfying IKEA stuff and turn your mass-produced pieces into something personal and unique.

Some wonderful ideas to share with everyone.

(above) ding3000 pimps up the world's no. 1 Billy shelving unit into a playful interim storage place for unsorted books, magazines and newspapers.

(above) An ikea poang table turned into a kid artist friendly furniture with just a bucket of studio finishes chalkboard paint. via.

(above) An ikea pillow case turned into a gorgeous skirt by Melissa of fehrtrade.
(above) "Designer" hack by AnAtomicFactory of an ikea stefan chair.

(above) Cheap ikea lamps spiced up with black lace.

"Lace" tape

Lace tape by Stella Bugbee . Available at mattermatters

Het grote Avontuur

I learnt about this great store in Amsterdam, Het grote Avontuur (The Big Adventure), via Bloesem. Most of the unique products they carry are handmade by small businesses all over the world. Here are some cool products plucked from their online store.

(above) Pattern roller. I have used roller stamps like this before for craft projects but never knew they had them for walls!

(above) Butterfly paper cuttings for the wall decal lovers.

(above) Sadle cover to cover your bike like they do in India. Brilliant! Makes me want to get a bike to use the sadle cover.

Niche Modern

Check out these stunningly clean and simple lantern-like designs by husband-and-wife team Jeremy Pyles and Mary Welch of Niche Modern! The organic designs take their inspiration from forms and materials that exist in nature. Available in several gorgeous colours ranging from warm ambers to saturated reds and blues, these lighting designs have become one of America's hottest and most sought-after by homes and commercial establishments.
(above) Stamen Modern Pendant Light, inspired by the natural forms of the flower.

(above) Binary Modern Pendant Light, an extension of the Solitaire light with a second bulb to represent the element of balance.

Bella Modern Pendant Light, the sleeker, little sister of the Bell Jar pendant. Ideal for intimate spaces.
Aurora Modern Pendant Light. Aurora is a word for the phenomenon seen in the northern and southern skies when charged particles perform a dance of light as they enter the earth's magnetic field.

Design*Sponge did a podcast with Niche Modern back in 2006. Click here to learn more about the humble and inspiring story behind Niche. You may have to wait a while for the audio to load but it is worth it!

Modern Chinoiserie

I can't get enough of birds, blossoms and cages although I see them everywhere! From fashion to graphic arts and home decor, Chinoiserie is definitely experiencing a full blown revival right now. For those who did not manage to get a hold of the feature on Modern Chinoiserie in Domino back in May, here are some images and sources for you to look into.

(above) "Pillemont toile" wallpaper. Click here for more info.(above) Bird and Flower Notebook (Shanghai Tang)
(above) Decorative thermos (Asianideas)
(above) Gorgeous wallpaper by the legendary Florence Broadhurt. (Click here for more information)
(Above) "Desi 19" stools (click here for stores)

(source: Domino)

Leif Designpark

Applying traditional Japanese parquetry techniques, the Tone collection from Leif.designpark juxtaposes different textures and colours found in various types of wood that absorbs different nutrients from the ground. The result is breathtakingly beeauutiful! (via sub-studio)

Fresh New Spaces

I just found out about this flickr group that has the most amazing pool of fresh new spaces. Here, you can find a wide array of beautifully done up interiors and ideas to suit your style. What I like about the pictures posted in this group is the "lived-in" quality and uniqueness of each space that reflects the character of the occupants. Best of all, they don't look like you need a million bucks to achieve the look. Just good taste. Do check it out and be inspired!

Sticky Lamp

Designed by Chris Kabel for Droog Design. Sticky Lamp is like a sticker. Simply peel off the back and stick it on the wall.

Marie-Louise Gustafsson

Check out these clever designs by Swedish freelance designer Marie-Louise Gustafsson!

A desk literally throwing itself into the waste basket. Made of recycled paper, the whole table weighs only 4kg. Think this would make an excellent sewing table!

A portable bathtub. Now you can have a bath wherever you like! The project questions the location and personal value of the bathtub.

This ‘Slacker’ chair adds a new flexible sitting experience as its users have to find their own sitting position.

Concerto table

If you love the look of a grand piano but can't play, the Concerto Table by Nicholas Lovegrove and Demian Repucci may be for you. Designed with an integrated ipod dock and surface-mounted speakers, you can plug in your precious mp3 player, lift the soundboard lid and let the music fill your space. A great conversational piece for the home!

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!