Furniture finds in Singapore :: King and King Wong

I dropped by King and King Wong (KKW), a Malaysian furniture retailer located in NEX mall, Serangoon. They are having a massive sale right now. All items are going at 50% off as they are moving out. Hopefully not out of Singapore.

Although I find the cost of furniture a bit on the high side, I do not mind bringing home their accessories and decor items. They have pretty nice stuff. Remember my turquoise chi dogs? I got the pair from KKW. A wide range of home essentials are available for the kitchen, display - apothecary jars and vases, laundry, paintings, bedding and furniture.

//image via

When I checked out KKW yesterday, most 'good' stuff were gone.

//image via

I'm not crazy about fake flowers but these ... just look SO real. They even feel real. I was on the verge of getting a purple hydrangea, some orchids and white roses (those were really gorgeous). But the snob in me emerged and I changed my mind. Sometimes I do not mind going an extra mile to get real flowers for my home.

//image yours truly

//image yours truly

//image yours truly

If you are always on the lookout for decor items for events eg. crystals, candles, candle stands etc they have plenty of those left on the shelves all at 1/2 price. Do pop by quick but give them a call before heading down, just in case.

I ended up with ribbons, tinsels and black taper candles that were going for like SGD 2.60 each. I'm all set for gift-wrapping this year.

//image yours truly. paris snow-globe stylist's own

Decor Series :: My entry table with chinoiserie feel

So, this is my attempt at creating an entry-table vignette for Chinese New Year.

I've always had the turquoise chi dogs and I love them to bits. The framed picture behind is actually a wrapping paper with an IKEA frame, and of course when I saw these fuchsia orchids in a supermarket, I had to get them.

This is proof that you don't need to spend tons of money to get creative. Just work with what you already own at home.

I would also like to wish everyone a very happy Lunar New Year and for non-chinese, like me, have an A-MAZING break!

Decor Series :: Chinese New Year (Part 3)

Images via here, here, here, here, here and here

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!

Floral arrangements for non-florists

For me, the home is incomplete without fresh flowers and I always make it a point to get my hands on pretty blooms at least every forthnight. If you are relatively new to simple floral arrangements and are intimidated, don't be! Here are some tips that may help you get by.

1. Start simple. There's no need to spend a bomb on vases and even flowers. Just recycle wine bottles, candle containers, use whiskey glasses, pretty much any suitable container you have. I used to buy only fancy flowers like the wild ones that grow in cool climates, hydrangeas, calla lilies or cymbidium orchids but soon realized it's not economical when you have your own home and to buy those every fortnight. So I reserve them for special occasions and learnt to appreciate tropical orchids and green palms as they are not as pricey as the imported ones in our country. I also look out for, flowers that keep relatively long. I once bought green palms (like the one pictured below) for like $3 and they lasted almost 2 months!

2. For long flower stems, you have the option of cutting it into 2. The flowers can then go into 2 separate vases or arranged in the same vase. This method is especially useful if you only have normal short glasses. The following picture illustrates this step.

3. To keep flowers longer, I tend to trim the stems diagonally to allow it to absorb more water. If you're feeling it, every 2-3 days, trim the stem slightly more to get rid of the soggy/browned portion.

4. The result - Master bath-room.

5. The result - Master bed-room

6. The living room - Bar area

7. The result - The entry console table

Just 4 stalks of purple mokara orchids gave me pretty arrangements in 4 different areas in my home. Going cheap does not mean compromising on beauty ❤ 

Furniture finds in Singapore :: Galanga Living

Unlike the other stores, I have not been to Galanga Living but follow them on Facebook. They do have great ethnic-inspired, unique items, perfect to hunt for that finishing touch in your precious home. I personally am intrigued by their wall storage boxes.

It is great space saver for a small apartment but I am a little on the fence about this. The problem is, I do not exactly know what to place on them, but you might. They have neon options. I LOVE these!

{All images from Galanga Living facebook page}

Galanga Living location and contact:

211 Henderson Road #01-02,
Singapore 159552
Tel: +65 6475 2633

They call it micro-living

This is a tiny AND functional apartment that I totally love. I don't crave for huge spaces, and would move here in a heart beat!

I love how removing the wall behind the tv opens up the space. An element of privacy is retained with the blinds.

This is probaby the bed-room cum study. The owners installed a murphy bed that can be folded to make space when not needed. Hm, I wouldn't mind a murphy bed in a guest bed-room but not my own. I like the feeling of walking into an inviting bedroom of my own with flowers on the side-table, candles and a soothing aroma. What do you think?

All images via HOUZZ

My next favorite great idea is this swivel tv. Seriously with this amazing job you don't need to actually install another tv in the house. Perfect after an exhausing day when you just want to snuggle up on bed and watch thrash (!).

Furniture finds in Singapore :: CB2

Stopped by CB2 last evening at Peranakan Place Complex (next to Centrepoint). Strangely when I heard that the showroom was 6000 sq feet, I was under the impression that it'll be massive. I have to say I was mildly disappointed.

CB2 home furnishings is catered mostly for small space living with sofa-beds, moveable bars, office pedestals etc so its perfect for us, city dwellers. On top of this, the staff are pretty friendly and willing to help. PLUS!

I personally singled out these cool items for my small apartment.

Amp up your home style for a party. Stainless steel snack bowl USD 19.95

Not enough space? Use walls! Wall mounted candle holders USD 1.95

If you don't have room for a home office, this moveable file cabinet is the answer USD 159

Yup, use the walls. Linear 12 bottle wine rack USD 49.95

Reminders of fabulous travels should start at home (Limited edition) City of domes wall hanging USD 129

Narrow hallway? Get the Foundry console table USD 299

This can double up as a make-shift bar during a party or shelves for books/knick-knacks. Peekaboo clear rolling two shelf USD 349

All pics by CB2

Address/Contact:

178A Orchard Road
Peranakan Place Complex
Singapore, SG 238845

Tel: +65 6732 5333

What Makes a Space Glam?

This is Raiana's sophisticated glam living room and I love LOVE it! I was trying to figure out the details that make it so glamourous, chic and functional at the same time. Can you believe she has diapers hiding in that black credenza?? *sigh*

Losing my religion - Not!

Just trying to find ways to incorporate my faith in design.


{via Sarah Klassen/Haute Design}

Glimpse into our home

I know this is looong overdue. I've not been very diligent with the blog to begin with.

We got our apartment because of the gorgeous view it comes with. Hopefully it'll stay that way (there'll be new developments coming up around us, yikes!). You may notice that the pictures are taken during day and night, thats because they were captured at different occasions and I have only recently learnt that its best to take interior shots during the day.

This is the view from our balcony and I am terribly proud of it.

The balcony fits a dining table and a random bird's nest fern we adopted recently.

We absolutely love the 1970 spiral lamp by Vernon Panton and decided to splurge on one for the living room. It's SO drama and I was quite hesitant about getting it initially but since we were going for a cosmopolitan feel for the apartment, I succumbed to the temptation.

The walls appear purple in the above picture but they are actually dark grey (smoke pearl to be exact).

The above three shots are of my favorite room in the apartment - the study. This room was given alot of attention due to the amount of time I spend in it - blogsurfing, blogging, facebooking, pin-ning, working, dressing, applying make-up and so on. It's part dressing room and I display my make-up + jewellery in it.

I use the Expedit from Ikea as my book/knick-knack storage. It takes alot of work to maintain and keep in pristine condition as it gets dusty and cluttered quite easily. So if you are living in a high-rise, smack in the middle of 2 busy traffic junctions/highways, think twice about getting the open-faced Expedit. Another possible solution is to fill up the Expedit cubes with individual boxes. Easier to clean.

Decided to construct a photo railing along the hallway. Pretty useful and there's no need to use nails and mess up the walls.

If you are from Singapore, you would hate the bomb shelter that comes with your apartment. Door is heavy and industrial-looking and you can't even hack the walls to get rid of it/make your space bigger. If it sits along a narrow hallway to the rooms like mine, you don't even not have the luxury to build false walls to conceal the ugly door.

I did not fret and just painted mine the same wall color as the rest of the living area and coverted it to a large gallery space filled with travel mementos + pictures making full use of the magnetic door - Easy short term cost-effective solution.

{All photos by yours truly}