Wet and Dry Kitchens

Yes! I'm writing about kitchens again! That's because over the last 10 years, it has become a MUST for a Malaysian home to come equipped with a nice and functional kitchen. In our parents' generation, a customized built-in kitchen was considered a luxury and most homes at that time ( my childhood home included ) had the barest functional necessities. Building kitchens were where Chee Hoong and I started this business on 8 years ago! Of course, over the years we have since moved on to cover so many other areas on home and office renovation.

Alam Damai - Cheras

3D Design Stage:

Actual work delivered : RM 8,700 excluding electrical items

This is a combination of wet and dry kitchen. The kitchen itself is not big as this houseowner did not want to extend the back. Nevertheless, it's big enough for this small and young Indian family of 3. The cooker hood is a ventilation type where it's ducting is linked to outside. I have proposed a false wall panel above the wall cabinets to cover the unsightly ducting. Most other families would have wanted the wall cabinets to reach until the ceiling because the false wall panelling is even more expensive than ceiling-height cabinets! I thought otherwise because ceiling-height cabinets are really,really high up and what is kept there will most likely end up unused and forgotten because of inaccessability. Also, I have been educating customers not to keep items that they do not use for more than 2 years. We certainly do not want our home looking like a storeroom where every inch of space available is used to store stuff!

Because I had observed that many clients in previous years have difficulties in choosing wall-paint, I had started in the last few months to spend some time by guiding clients in identifying colour concepts that they like and give my opinions on what colours to be used in each room. This family prefers a modern ethnic feel, so I proposed a combination of earthy organic tones for the ground floor and stairs. This is to keep the theme consistant with the exterior. Meanwhile upstairs, I proposed an earthy mango tone for the family activity area. For the couple's room, I used earthy red and fresh mint for the child's room for that breath of spring. But of course I did not use so many colours on ALL the walls, just some feature walls to make the rooms visually interesting. The rest of the walls are still in their original beige that developers are so fond of giving - this way the customer also saved on painting costs.

This service has since become one of our best promotional factors - and IT'S FREE !

Lagenda Mas - Cheras

3D Design Stage :

Actual work delivered : RM14,300 for Dry Kitchen

RM2,200 for Wet Kitchen

This home belongs to a rather traditional and senior Chinese family. This can be seen in their choice of light wall colours and a closed-up wet kitchen separated away from the rest of the home. ( In relation to my previous article on Colour Psychology, seniors do prefer brighter, cleaner colours because the ability to distinguish hues diminishes with age. Now, do you understand your elders better? )

Being more conservative, they opted for light creamy tones. This I help to choose by matching cream with a few feature colours of camel and other neutral sandstone colours for their wall colours.

USJ 23 : Work in Progress

Cost RM13,700

The lady-owner of this kitchen enjoys cooking and is a serious cook and thus has lots of cookwares! Therefore I have proposed the wall units to be of ceiling height for maximum storage.

This family is in the midst of choosing colours. This I try to help by providing 3 colour combinations for them to choose from. I have indicated the codes of wood materials, solid tops, and even the wall paint colour! Because renovation is a time-consuming process, it will probably be a few more weeks to a month before I can show the end result.

Arrange-A-Room

Do you want to arrange a room in your home or office? Better Homes and Gardens has added a free widget on their site to have a little fun adding furniture, windows, walls and more. You can also change the colors of your walls. Go to the link below. If you want to design your new home you may want to also check http://chiefarchitect.com http://freebies.about.com/od/freeservices/p/aar.htm

Nature in Black and White

I love working with black and white art or photography, it allows you to decorate your walls with subtle messages from the art then splash your rooms with any color of your choice. I found another very talented photographer at http://www.digitalfrenzy.net/. The photos posted on his site are beautiful using nature for simplicity yet his photographs show splashes of color depending on the scene, he is a very talented young man.

Photo-Collage

A collage using any form of art always creates an interesting focal point in any room. Pick a theme for the collage, i.e. if you enjoy photography and love to take nature photos or city landscapes, enlarge your pictures and frame them or put them on canvas. Collages are great in high ceiling areas particularly, using different sizes will also create interest. If you take photos of your travels and display your photographs it will also create an interesting conversational piece to tell the stories of your travels.

This could be a fun project for your child, using his or her art project mixing their own personal photos into the collage, they will have fun sharing it with their friends. Visit this link to discover how to make a little extra spending money with your photographs http://www.expressdigital.com/products/prstorefronts.shtm
http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/control/search-art?prod=ART
http://canvaspress.com/

Designer Showcase

I was lead designer in this showcase of homes project. My project was the master suite, consisting of the sitting room, bedroom and master bath. Proceeds went to support the local symphony.

This was quite a large bedroom, I selected this floral print which showcased 26 colors in the pattern. I then used red, green, yellow and purple as my accent colors. A small room could not handle this large pattern, this allowed the room to have a warmer feeling. First I choose a pale yellow and faux painted the walls which were originally white. I added the light fixture, replaced the carpet from a dark brown to an off white bringing out the background of the fabric. The table skirts and drapes are lined in a pale yellow and green stripe creating a garden escape feeling. There was a surrounding patio which displayed a flower garden making this room feel an extension of the garden.

The sitting room sofa was upholstered in the same yellow and green stripe and the floral pattern lined with the same stripe was then carried through on the half draperies which were displayed on a swing rod giving the room a three dimensional look allowing more view to the garden.

When working with a large room, as you can see, color and a lot of it works!!! The room has a clean fresh yet romantic feel with a softness to reflect a mellow yet fun mood.

The Psychology of Colour

Today I want to emphasise the importance of colours in our lives, how colours can bring excitement or how harmonious colours bring calm and balance.

When you enter a room, see someone walking toward you on a street, or look up at a billboard while stuck in a traffic jam, the first thing you notice is colour. The yellow walls in a child's room make you smile, the red of a woman's coat catches your eye, the orange background of an advertisement grabs your attention. Would you jump into a swimming pool if the pool is in orange or red? This very clearly tells us how greatly colours affect us.


( summary extracted from the book " The Complete Color Harmony"

RED

- True red is the most vibrant, compelling colour in the spectrum, expressing excitement, speed, power, joy, danger and passion.

- Red attracts immediate attention and brings objects or images to the foreground.

- Red makes people feel warm. Coffee will seem hotter in a red cup than in a blue one.

- Red is the first colour you lose sight of at twilight and is not well seen at a great distance.

- Barn, claret, and crimson reds are considered regal, exclusive, and strong and have great appeal for men.

PEOPLE WHO LIKE RED ARE ...

You crave excitement and like to live in the moment. Easily bored, you also enjoy having the power to get things done quickly. Red lovers are passionate about life.

YELLOW

- Yellow is psychologically the happiest colour in the spectrum, associated with warmth, optimism, and joy.

- Yellow visually pops out at you, making it the most noticeable colour. It's therefore a favourite for signs and product packages.

- Yellow stimulates clear thinking. Black type on a yellow ground is the most legible colour combination and aids in memory retention.

- Yellow adds vitality to other colours, making hot hus appear even more brilliant and bringing cool colours to life.

- Overexposure to bright yellow can be unsettling. Paler hues are better for socializing, whereas gold tones signify wealth.

PEOPLE WHO LIKE YELLOW ARE ...

You are generally happy, playful, and optimistic. If something isn't working in your life, you quickly seek to change it. Spontaneous, you have boundless curiosity.

ORANGE

- Orange is stimulating, energizing colour that appears friendly, outgoing, cheerful and adventurous.
- Bright orange has a very high visibility, making it ideal for warning signals or grabbing attention, even when used in small amounts.

- Easier on the eye, autumnal and spicy oranges are warm, exotic, and appetizing, while peach tones are most flattering to the skin.

- People who wear orange are thought to be creative, enthusiastic, and fun to be with, but possibly also a bit irresponsible.

- Because of its playful, active qualities, orange is a favourite of children, teens, and athletes.

PEOPLE WHO LIKE ORANGE ARE ...

You are gregarious, dynamic and fun to be with. Flamboyant by nature, you don't mind sticking out in a crowd. You have a great appetite for life and food.

GREEN

- Pale green is physically the most relaxing and calming colour in the spectrum. As the easiest colour on the eye, it can improve vision.

- Vibrant greens remind people of the spring, nature, life, and youthful energy.

- Darker greens are associated with stability and growth, suggesting high economis status and success.

- Green is the worldwide symbol for safety. Green also means go.

- People who wear green are thought to be kind, dependable, and generous.

PEOPLE WHO LIKE GREEN ARE ...

You long to feel safe and make the world a better place for others. You are generous with your time and goodwill, but also can be stubborn about issues that are important to you.

BLUE

- Blue is the best liked of all colours and is a particular favourite of men.

- Practically all our associations with blue are positive, making it an uplifting and peaceful colour.

- Navy blue commands respect, representing loyalty, trustworthiness, fidelity, and integrity.

- Blue can make a space appear larger, and time seems to pass more slowly in its presence.

- Deep blue is associated with opulence in many cultures, and when you are the best, you get a "blue ribbon".

PEOPLE WHO LIKE BLUE ARE ...

You like a sense of calm and order in your life. Trustworthy, you also value loyalty in others. Sky blue attracts pleasure-seekers and daydreamers, while navy appeals to the serious and conservative.


PURPLE

- Royal purple exudes class, power, passion, sensuality, and luxury.

- Deep plum is spiritual and mysterious, with a serious dignified quality.

- Lavenders and violets have a sweet, romantic, and nostalgic appeal.

- People tend to get less work done in purple rooms because the colour encourages daydreaming.

- Women often cite purple as their favourite colour.

PEOPLE WHO LIKE PURPLE ARE ...

You are known as a negotiator and have a strong desire to please. Though well-liked, you don't confide easily in others and enjoy a slight sense of mystery.

PINK

- Pink is the most passive of all colours, promoting affability while discouraging aggression against oneself as well as others.

- Considered the most feminine colour, pink is associated with nurturing and compassion.

- Pink calms and soothes, and is thought to aid in digestion.

- Shocking pink has a much higher concentration of red, making it appear energetic, fun and trendy.
- Men prefer peachy pinks to mauvey ones.

PEOPLE WHO LIKE PINK ARE ...

You are sensitive and kind, with a sweet disposition. You wouldn't mind a return to more innocent times and crave romance in your life.

BROWN

- Brown is a warm, comforting colour associated with the earth, trees, hearth, and home.

- People tend to buy big-ticket products in neutral colours, especially in an uncertain economy. Browns both put consumers at ease and are considered timeless.

- Brown has a common feel in clothing, making one look approachable, reliable and sincere.

- Brown has a masculine, rugged quality that particularly appeals to men.

- Paper-bag brown is used in packaging to denote a natural product.

PEOPLE WHO LIKE BROWN ARE ...

You are a down-to-earth and a dependable, loyal friend. Your home and family are very important to you and comfort is the key issue in life.

GRAY

- Gray represents non-involvement, giving it a formal, dignified, and conservative authority.

- Unlike neutral brown, gray lacks warmth, which can make it appear remote, solemn, and a bit gloomy when used alone.

- Gray is associated with wisdom and maturity, adding to its moneyed appeal.

- Metallic grays offer the promise of scientific and technological advances, as well as a sense of speed and competence.

- Grays are cool and restful in home decor, but also discourage lively conversation and offer an unattractive backdrop for food.


PEOPLE WHO LIKE GRAY ARE ...

You are a watcher rather than a participator and are reserved in social situations. Generally noncommittal, you don't like to firm up plans until the very last moment.

WHITE
- White symbolizes purity, innocence, goodness and truth.

- Even though white is neutral, it is considered a cool colour because of its association with snow and ice.

- White is often thought to suggest simplicity, sterility, and safety.

- White is popular on the packaging of dairy products, low-fat items, and refined ingredients such as sugar and flour.


BLACK

- Black, the most authoritative, intimidating colour, can appear agggressive when overused.

- Black is considered conservative, serious, and dignified and is used to show respect at solemn and formal occasions.

- Black gives a feeling of weight and depth. People think black boxes weigh more than white ones.

- Text is difficult to read against a black background.