Decor Series :: Chinese New Year (Part 2)

Images from here, here, here and here

Decor Series :: Chinese New Year (Part I)

The Chinese New Year is just around the corner and, if you are not crazy about the tacky decorations that are being sold all over or in Chinatown, you might like this series I am planning. Modern decor that does not scream Chinese New Year, just little subtle accents.

Images via here, here, here and here

Shopping suggestions:

Top photo // Shop for cloth in Spotlight or Arab Street. Other options include Joo Chiat/Geylang area. Spruce up the look with metallics, geometric or floral pieces. Flower options may include pussy willows or cherry blossoms

Second photo // Paper lanterns are available online or you may check out this retail space at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre 1-6 pieces are being sold for just $3.80/piece. Is that a steal or what?

Third photo // Get fallen branches anywhere. Under big trees, botanical gardens, the beach etc. Spray paints available at Art Friend, Spotlight or any paint shop. Fake birds/butterflies may be available in handicraft or party shops, Spotlight or even Far East Flora at Thomson Road. If you have time to spare, try online.

Last photo // Alternative for gold balls are red fruits, oranges or spray paint plastic fruits!

Empire State of Mind

Bowled over and loving the interiors of boutique hotels in NYC.

Ameritania Hotel

Moderne Hotel

Empire Hotel

Bentley Hotel

Amsterdam Hospitality

Get exotic

.... color palette inspired by Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Rue - A home in Singapore

One of the very few things I look forward to - online magazines full of eye-candy. They just brighten up your day don't they? Rue Issue 6 (thats live now) features gorgeous homes and, this time, not a single house tour is from the US. They even featured a home in Singapore and I couldnt resist blogging about it.

Material Lust

Some eye-candy (... brought to you by Material Lust) on a rather sombre Monday, somehow I can't help feeling that something is amiss this morning.

P A L M E S  H E R V E  V A N  D E R  S T R A E T E N

C H R I S T O P H E  C O M E

 V i n c e n t  D a r r e  I N T E R I O R S and C O L L E C T I O N

... and this is my favorite! I love the highly sculptural mirror.

E L L E  D E C O R

{Dark, Moody and Mysterious}

There is just something about dark bedrooms or rooms that I am drawn to. We are painting our bedroom in Mysterious (a dark, almost black! grey). It is a risk we are taking so let's see how it goes. *cross fingers* It's just crazy how we are going all out for the house. The study has already been painted in the same color and we love it. I seriously can't wait for the big reveal on the blog ... someday when we are ready.

{via}

Blissed out!

{via design wonderland}

Today I went to a bookshop and got Lili Diallo's book on creating inspired interiors. I indulged myself with the inspiring images on the books and her tips on the eclectic ways to create a livable home with personality. So peeps how is your weekend going?

Keeping it real

Hello! I know I disappeared for a while now. Things have been so hectic with the new house. We had to cram everything (errands, scouting for essential items for the house etc) into the weekend as the hubz and I work in opposite ends of the island. We are also just too tired to go out during the week days. I know this is just the beginning (and we are already feeling quite overwelmed). On a brighter note, we managed to get ALOT done over the past weekend. We decided to do without a few items on the renovation list to cut down costs, bought a "manly" deep brown leather recliners despite my protests that we are deviating from the theme of the house we agreed on [cosmopolitan] and that the couch is just too sloppy for my liking -- Hubz 1 Me 0. We also bought a 47 inch tv despite my protests that the size is waaaay too big for our apartment -- Hubz 2 Me 0. We found a refrigerator that it not too big for our apartment at a reasonable price, $1000 less than what we expected to pay -- Hubz 3 Me 1. But you know, who cares about the theme. I am secretly excited about everything - even the huge tv. What is important is that we should be comfortable in our own house and being in-charge of decor, I'll just work around everything. Afterall, the design blogs and magazines I browsed all this time should come to a good use, right?

I've been following Jen's blog for quite some time now and I just love her home tour segments. The homes she features are real homes, they look functional, lived in and most importantly stylish. Here are some favorites. I also plan to incorporate most of the ideas in my home.

{From Tanya's Townhouse Tour}

Who says leather sofas are sloppy?

{Erica's Home & Nursery Tour}

Love how the owner clusters alchohol and make-up essentials. Check out the holder for the make-up brushes and python tray!