modern countryside 5rm HDB @ jurong west

time flies by, i went through the first half of 2009 briskly.
Prior to my Japan trip, i completed 2 country style projects, a resort-style HDB and a fusion style restaurant along kreta ayer road. And since i came back, have wrapped up a couple more condominium projects, am currently working on the interior designing of theflag shop for an old food establishment, 正文志记豬什汤 . Client seeks to revamp the image of the traditional eatery and the process has been very enjoyable. Also, there are a couple of new HDB projects undergoing, so it is not difficult to imagine how hectic my work schedule has been.

Haha, one of my best friends had to prepare watermarks for my photos before i upload them, after i told him how i have met a few clients who would download images of my projects to show me and other contractors for quotes! To be frank i am not sure if i should feel proud about it or be worried,haha. Another good friend who helps me promote my work on facebook sent me an email to urge me to upload more photos! Haiz ... i am really amazed how many people can constantly update their blog amidst their busy schedule, for me, i hardly have time to sleep well. Also, to set aside time for photographicshooting is also quite challenging as my pirority is to meet the deadlines for my projects, all other events like socialising, shootings and even rest are considered personal events, and so they have to wait!hahaha.

Just to share a piece of good news, i received a call from my ex secondary school teacher yesterday and haha, i got nominated for being one of their "successful" graduates being a young entrepreneur in design! Ermm.. so i shall be invited to attend Speechday 2009?
Oh well, i dont know what to say, am just glad i am doing what i am enjoying, really love my job!

Also, dhome studio at geylang east is expanding! Took over two neighbouring units recently and is undergoing major design & renovation, by end of this year, dhome studio will be upgraded into a full fledge design house! YEAH! Any applicants? Shall need to hire designers! Heee hee

This baywindow seatie is one of the added design feature in the house, the HDB unit has those 3/4 height window panels which i find it neither here nor there asesthetically, and so i proposed that we make it into a bay window instead, with a little shelving for books and a photo wall to create warmth feel in the corner. I love the curtains! It has lovely floral prints and the translucency of the day curtain material filters in daylight subtlely. If you notice, the foldings of the fabrics are much closer than those on roman blinds; and less elaborate if you were to compare them with vienna blinds. I find it more elegant and suitable for country theme, these are call london blinds!

One of the key feature in the house is what my client affectionately calls it "the transformer door" A huge 2m by 2m sliding door is installed at one side of the living hall, when slided, it will cover the entire bay window and reveal a nice book cabinet behind, changing the overall look and feel of the living hall dramatically! Also, there is a door panel by the side of the sliding panel that conceals the entrance to the study room behind! A couple of contractors who went up to make measurements completely missed the third bedroom space, because i deliberately construct the swing and sliding doors in identical material to create an overall wooden cladding effect.

My impression of country style interiors gathers around some key elements like intensive usage of wood cladding and floral prints. Because a lot of those houses are actually cottages built out of wood, the structure is pretty much woody and owners simply have to decorate the place. To create such foreign looks, i cladded the walls in the living hall with compressed boards to achieve those straight grooves. Knowing such boards are vulnerable towards moisture, the last horizontal panel that is in touch with the floor is plywood in veneer finish. These boards are then sprayed painted white to create a refreshing young look for the traditional style. Also, i introduced homogeneous tiles that looked like wooden planks for the kitchen which can greatly compliment the HDB wall tiles and also ease off any maintainence hassle.

The dining hall and kitchen are very Ikea-ish! To be cost effective, the door panels available at Ikea are actually very nice and suitable, you just need to select knobs and handles to accessorise your doors! BUT do take note, ikea doors can only be fitted with their own hinges! And they are expensive! hahaha. A warm clamshell colour is introduced into the dining hall to avoid making the two adjoining spaces (living and dining) looking too white!

Master bedroom

On the RHS of the picture, the wall mounted counter top next to the window is a dresser,
the top of the counter can be flipped up to reveal
a clear mirror and compartmentalised storage spaces within.


Shall try to upload more images soon!