d home

UNIT @ KENSINGTON PARK ROAD

2010-08-31T00:14:00.009+08:00

Its been too long since i uploaded anything online, so much so i become unfamiliar with the composing screen; received email enquiries if i am still doing interior design; encouraging SMSes to upload my works more consistently etc. THANK YOU! : )

The past few months had been a thrilling roller-coaster ride, juggling a number of projects at one go, fortunately, most of these units turned out pretty charming and satisfying in varying design themes. Had also been working on to complete renovation works at my own design studio; have finally hired someone to help out in my office administration as well as another designer to share some of my workload. It's a whole new challenge to hire and manage! I am constantly reminded of this old saying that while employees count each months by the days, each month breezes through in mere 4 weeks for employers! But I think i have been rather fortunate and feel i have more means and time to take on more challenges ahead! Hee.

Working on this unit @ kensington park road was a rather nostalgic ride for me, it was the home of a childhood friend who had lived in the house and kindof inherited the unit after a long period of stay overseas. Going back to the unit, a walk-through the various spaces rake up distant memories of the neighbourhood and house when i used to drive down for late night cartel cafe's icecream waffles, enjoyed night breeze while sitting on those "ancient" swings (metallic chains and seat that was made of tyre) in neighbourhood playground, and those beautiful terrazzo tiles in the house where i had slept on during bunk-in nights. This experience bridges the distance in my relationship with my friend whom we kind of grow apart from each other because of circumstances. But what intrigues me the most, is through our re-established communication, a lot of my design ideas were challenged and questioned to a point whereby i become more appreciative on the age-long struggle between aesthetics versus functionality. Do we really need need that many lighting points? Are cabinets the only way to hang and display our clothings? Is my home reflective of my character? Do i really need that piece of furniture? Am i really going to use this or that? In our comfortable country where we can simply work hard to lead a rewarding materialistic life, many of us are living in excess. i began to ponder and re-evaluate many of my needs and wants in my life.

WORKING AREA
(part of living hall/ part dining space)

ANOTHER SHOT OF THE LIVING HALL

The main point in the design brief was to design a space that is reflective of the owner's character. i was instructed that the interior design of the space should NOT be too pretty, it should be more quirky, for instant, i do not need to put in extra effort to conceal wiring in the house, a false ceiling in the living hall to take care of the asymmetric concrete ceiling is unnecessary nor is it a valid enough reason to provide provisions for decorative halogen lamps; a functioning shoe rack can simply be created by putting a transparent piece of old glass top over two red bricks on a wide parapet wall, trust me, i was amazed how well it turns out! The clarity of the glass top brings out the colour and design of each pair of shoes while making selection of shoes easy, and because of the nature of these raw materials, you do not need to worry so much about cleaning, remember, nothing should be perfect or too pretty in the house. But of cuz i had my struggles to keep up with this notion, for i am a perfectionist when it comes to aesthetics, maybe in a few more aspects of life too, haha. And so one can expect how we constantly challenged each other in the design process to come into term with the various decisions for the house. I am glad everything works out well!

KEY features in the living hall: brick wall (veneer brick tiles cladding) & rhythmic window panes .
The orangy veneer bricks brought character and warmth in the otherwise colder interior. The walls were mostly white and the house had been vacant before my friend took over, the terrazzo tiles in the house were green and the wall tiles in the kitchen were blue, subconsciously, i felt we needed a main feature in the house to freshen and rejuvenate. These veneer tiles are only 20mm, they could be easily cladded onto any wall surfaces like wall tiles without sacrificing spaces. Instead of keeping the original shaded sliding windows in the house, my proposal was to install a series of narrow casement panels to create a rhythmic effect; these narrow strips of glass also provide a lengthening effect on the perceived height in the hall.

Simply house a mix of furniture and accessories in the house, you can really set the character of the space which you can proudly call your home!

KITCHEN & RESTROOM

Retained the retro blue tiles in the kitchen & restroom. Renovation works are kept to the minimum in both spaces for its functions but i really feel more can be done to make them look more "complete" and "nice" . ha

BEDROOM

Love the way the bedroom turns out, nothing unnecessarily fanciful but totally functional and aesthetically characteristic! Track lighting with dimmers provided illumination in wherever directions and mood required. Metallic racks on wheels creates a mobile setup for clothing and accessories which can alter in accordance to personal mood and needs. I felt it might be better and more complete if there were additional shelves on the walls to make the spaces above the racks look less bare?

your idea of a WALK-IN WARDROBE? :P

For whom you find understanding the most, whom you can be most comfortable and encouraged to share your dreams and difficulties, we nevertheless grow and grow apart from one another at times. Looking beyond and moving on might just bring out the best in each lives!

Truly grateful to be involved in this project, in this phrase of your life, my dear friend..

5rm HDB @ THE PREMIERE (tampines central)

2010-01-11T15:27:00.009+08:00

RESORT LIVING IN HDB

LIVING HALL

DINING HALL

Behind the textured wall in the background hides entrance to the bomb shelter. This wall feature is created out of tiny wooden blocks, veneer finishes, stacked in a LV damier inspired pattern. hee hee.

VIEWS OF UNIT BEFORE RENOVATION:

living hall: bare ceiling with single, concealed lighting point.
L & U boxes (false ceiling works) to serve as curtain pelmets & light boxes are constructed before wooden beams are installed to create the resort feel of the hall.

MASTER BEDROOM & ADJOINING SPARE BEDROOM

Separating wall between 2 bedrooms are hacked down and replaced with a series of double facing carpentry works tt function as a TV console in the master bedroom side & huge open shelving behind for books & magazines. The 2 rooms are then made accessible through 2 frosted, sliding panels to provide privacy and maintain luminosity at the same time. A very rich but firm red hue (red earth/ ICI DULUX) is introduced into the space to further enhance the warmth feel of the existing parquet flooring.

If u notice, instead of simply cladding the top of the existing window ledge, owners of this unit "invested" more and cladded the vertical part of the ledge too, to set upon a more completed look. The end product is a seamless seatie that look as though it has been constructed out of a piece of natural stone. i love how the white wooden blinds filter in natural lighting into the space.

NEW MASTER BEDROOM

ATTACHED STUDY ROOM (TO MASTER BEDROOM)

外公

2009-10-18T22:04:00.003+08:00

我的外公

躺在病床上、昏迷、沉睡着，对您，心中除了怜悯也有些许陌生。谈不上很熟，除了每逢佳节您脸上的笑容和曾与您一起在咖啡店里工作时留意您抽烟的神情，我似乎没其他的印象。我不知道您几岁，甚至连您的全名是什么我也不清楚。望着您，我好奇您曾做过什么，您喜欢吃什么。有别于您在我心中和蔼可亲的印象，听说您年轻时不是个好爸爸，常常赌输钱就打孩子发泄。因为您好赌，我妈妈和兄弟姐妹们都在亲友们轻蔑的眼光下成长。她们也只称呼您“阿peh”。您的灵堂前，我听见我妈喊您一声“爸”。我无法理解妈妈与阿姨们，甚至是舅舅们心中的挣扎与无助。我妈妈茶饭不思、六神无主；我看到我姨妈热泪盈眶也感受到小姨在医院里心中的焦虑。小舅每日从家里回返医院不辞劳苦；我听说大舅哭了，二舅，一贯的，陌生、冷漠。

躺在病床上，在您仍保有意识时，我感受到您在看护员推转您的身子，帮您梳洗时所萌起的羞臊与无助。几日守在您床前后，我决定不再到医院看您。在医院，我无济于事。在公司里，我最起码可以尽量完成手上的工作，为接下来的丧礼安排时间。最重要的，我觉得到医院里，就是在等您断气。入院第一个晚上，医生就已经表明您已失去意识、体内癌细胞已扩散全身、您的肾也已经衰竭，无法排尿。所幸处于昏迷状态，应该感觉不到痛苦。

友人说，死亡是最隐秘与私人的时刻，唯有自己能体验，也无从分享。沉睡中、喃喃自语的您看似在一段漫长的旅途中与过路客交谈。

外公，希望您一路好走。

HEY ROYSTON

2009-10-12T10:07:00.002+08:00

hey yirong,

its been almost a week since you went missing, your company staff are pretty worried about u as what i have heard, i hope you are alright? I cant reach u on your mobile and i am amazed none in your company knows where you stay. i know u do read my blog very now and then, i really hope this message can reach u. I hope u are okay, brother. Is anything bothering you? Or did something bad happened? whichever the case, u can just contact me and we can try to work things out? Don't let yourself feel that u are alone ok? u once said u found solitude and peace in ur religion, try to listen to the stuff that u are comfy with and come back okay?

i hope to hear from you soon! in case u lost ur fone too, call me 98731299 !

loyd

忧郁偶尔沉淀与内心中是健康的

2009-09-16T00:45:00.002+08:00

深夜里，独自穿梭牛车水的街坊中。平日车水龙马的街道变得僻静、踩着月光、略过一户户紧闭着的店屋，街灯微微照亮的窗户像似一本本未翻开的故事书。每个人各自的世界里，遇见的朋友，发生的事，看过的电影，听过的音乐所刻划出的故事包罗万象，我好欣慰并珍惜在我声旁关心着我的亲人与朋友。虽说我坚信每个人在内心深处里都是寂寞的，但身旁周遭却也可以有很多相知相交的有心人互相照顾，并一同面对孤寂。之前的posting回想很大，好多朋友都很关心，谢谢你们。

其实，忧郁偶尔沉淀与内心中是健康的。至少我是这样，累了、疲惫时，身心自觉地让自己停下脚步，好好反省，好好体会...

我坚信，每个人都是寂寞的

2009-09-12T01:25:00.002+08:00

每天过着早晚服用润喉糖，每时猛灌白开水的日子。忙忙碌碌，意识难免逐渐迷失。虽然已经不再对自己的才华有所怀疑，可是要把才华发挥得淋漓尽致需要好多的努力、坚持与机会、支持，缺一不可。偏偏不是一定有所付出就肯定有所回报，偏偏不是每匹骏马就一定遇得上伯乐。只知道，不努力就肯定没有机会成功，所以一味地坚持信念，发挥所长。但，我的最终理想与目的又是什么？要出名？要赚很多的钱？还是什么呢？从小，我就知道自己与众不同，但我没有所谓的崇高理想，像要当医生，能为好多罹难者治病，要当政治家，为改善社会而奋斗？我热爱大自然，却怀着小市民心态认为自己的努力微不足道。今时今日，我执迷于自己热爱的工作，顾客们因为我的设计改善了他们的生活，脸上繁衍出满意的笑容，对我来说是最珍贵的赞赏；每个工程结束后所摄下的照片更是我这几年来最直接的推动力。

一位画家朋友说自己已经认命了，新加坡画家就是不备受肯定，只能糊口饭吃。虽然我企图掩饰自己的失落，道说，“在孙燕姿走红之前也没人认为新加坡歌手能与其他艺人争一日之长短”
但内心里，我是这么想着的，“哪新加坡搞设计的呢？”

interior designer＝室内设计师。当被问及我从事哪行时，其实我还蛮抗拒直接告诉别人我是室内设计师。感觉上，自己仍在学习阶段，对“师”这般的称呼受之有愧。哈哈。所以我都只会说自己是做室内设计的。虽然这样的名称早已在市场上被滥用，一般的木匠、甚至是商人在百货商场里开店就理所当然地自称是室内设计师；随意参考别人的设计、依样画葫芦就认为自己的作品很有创意，但我就是这样，有很多的执著。或许过多。

在没有想过自己会创办自己的设计公司、却又是顺理成章地自设工作室，不自觉的，也在这行快　6年了。我开始有野心，好想有个更大的平台展现我的所长！我喜欢看演唱会，听着歌迷们不约而同给予心仪歌手的掌声，异口同声地哼唱着熟悉的曲目，我打从心底感动！我奢望自己也能有一天在自己的舞台上发光、发亮。

一路上的艰辛，从朋友与亲人处传来的关爱难能可贵，可是终究还是觉得一路是孤独的。自己得不断的充实自己，自己得为每一个明日而振作、照顾好健康。失落时，虽有朋友们的细心聆听，但如何走出黑暗仍靠自己的双脚，一步步迈向光明。是我过分独立？还是我一意孤行？我不知道。有好久，我没独自在咖啡厅里靠玻璃窗的座位听着雨滴、享受茶杯里传来的暖意，不被时间约束地发呆，胡思乱想。没日没夜地工作很多时候睡眠时间都变成是种奢侈。

有谁能真正体会其中的无奈与无助？有很多人事物，我都想尽心、力去完成可是我仍然没办法腾出精神与时间。于是，他人开始猜疑我的能力与用心。hmmm..　爱莫能助。还是那一句，时间的齿轮不会因为谁难过而停止转动，偏偏又生不带来死不带去。人生里能真真正正抓牢的是什么？回忆吗？对年轻就极为善忘的自己也不见得。财富更不用说。信仰？我更没有信心。亲情？人去楼空，花开花谢根本就是过眼云烟。所以我坚信，每个人都是寂寞的。每一个人从胎盘里降生在这世上本来就是个体物，因为害怕寂寞而结婚，担心孤老而育子。是在转牛角尖间还是得过且过？我没有答案...

CMCK F&B PTE LTD

2009-09-08T15:05:00.007+08:00

正文志记　猪什汤　＠ 207 jalan besar road

In this old shophouse along jalan besar road, houses an established local brand, 正文志记 pig organ's soup eatery. The design brief was to inject a new lease of life and youth into the brand, and this message has to follow through in terms of their food presentation, counter services, marketing as well as the interior design of the space.

And so, a continuously-curved counter with extra broadness is designed to serve both as the cashier point as well as a serving counter where customers can slide their serving trays along the surface and collect their food as like what is considered a norm in fast food chain.

As an expression to revive the old spirit of the shophouse but also introduce a more contemporary identity, partial false ceiling works are done in huge curves and layers to facilitate the housing of downlights and echo the shape of the serving counters. The rest of the ceiling is scrapped off its thick coats of old paints to reveal the cemented look. Its an effort to attempt the same kind of effect as like the main hall in the new majestic hotel.

Originally proposed lamps in the space are actually a group of 22 hanging light globes in 3 different sizes, hanging in random lengths, which i thought would be better in relating the kind of vibrancy and fun that i interpreted from the brief. Unfortunately, this installation of lamp was taken down eventually because of a change in mind/ direction from the management team...
The new group of lamps look old-school but appropriate however i feel it evokes a rather "quieter" feel in the space, its like you wanna try out something new and unique but lacking in courage to go all the way out! haha.

for those who are familiar with my works, i have once again adopted the use of these retro wall tiles ; this time round in a uniform display of baby blue colour & matching wooden homogeneous tiles in light straw colour. clean and neat?

the outlet has a soft launch a few hours ago, i tried their soup, its quite good, haha.
TRY IT OUT! :P

citysquare residences

2009-08-06T00:22:00.007+08:00

This is a new condominium development along kitchener road.
The exterior facade is characterised with dramatic blue window frames & tinted glass panels. Because of such strong architectural elements, i came up with a blue-white-wood colour scheme for the unit. A multi-layered wooden cabinet forms a feature wall to compliment the unique white LCD TV, each of the blue/white/ mirror panels opens up to storage compartments of various sizes; which the young couple amused themselves that that could be the best feature in the house for gift exchange programme during X'mas! haha.

To add on to the drama in the house, a huge oval-shaped false ceiling is constructed on a slanted plane under the ceiling to house a set of crystal-lights!

LIVING & DINING

the new dining hall, very oftenly, takes up the role as the new working area in these days with shrinking square area in most residences!A logical way to savage very inch in the house is to combine the various functions originally meant for separate areas. It doesnt make sense to have 2 separate worktops within a small space, especially if the family is still in honeymoon stage, balancing life as independent working adults and learning to live and adapt with each other.
Work plays a huge part in our lives and despite how much we dread bringing
work home,a lot of us are nonetheless overwhelmed!

I love the feel of the wooden blinds, how light can be softly filtered into the space.
This master toilet comes with the luxury of spaciously, to be able to incorporate
2 bay windows,a tub and a huge mirror above the dressing counter.

mixed thoughts july09

2009-07-05T12:14:00.002+08:00

迎着风、面向海、骑着车，思绪不断的随着随声听自动播放着的音乐起伏。过往的人群－遛着狗狗、慢跑、悠闲地躺坐在沙地上，不知怎么得，我竟没想要停下脚步，赤脚漫步在沙滩上！是厌烦把双脚弄湿后又得驱除沙粒才能穿回鞋子？还是心境？已经成千古名言，人身就好比一段漫长的旅程。骑着车，周朝的人事物一晃而过，好比现实生活中与我们擦肩、接触、发生关系的不同的人与事端。现速食社会里，有几个人真正不时停下脚步，细细聆听周旁传来的言语，回味发生过的事，真正地体会人生？

期待有人陪我漫步沙滩、到植物园写生、到剧场听音乐会、看电影，喝茶，哈哈哈哈。我看我累坏了，竟不断地发牢骚！

下半年、公司进行扩充，要聘请员工，要整理财务，要吸引投资者，好多好多全新的事务待我去了解、学习！And its not like there is ample time for me to learn and digest such information before i execute them. Rental starts rolling since a couple of months ago, i need to kick start the entire project while continuing my business to keep revenue in. Before i hire, i need to conduct interviews, prior to that,i need to know what are my expectations for my staff and what questions to ask?! i have seriously not work for anyone, i am not sure if i am going to be a good boss, and i am not sure if i am charismatic enough to run the entire show! But, the show must go on! *sounding nicole kidman and harold's tune in moulin rouge* haha.

Yes, i need to find strength, determination and support to pull this through. 3 years since i started dhome, my design studio, i have made significant success and now, am charging forward to become a real design house ; "to be a real actress! to be in a real theatre" said nicole kidman in moulin rouge. haha. i cant help it but draw strength from all these movies and songs that i like cuz my work and life is pretty solitary, i work alone, i live alone, i handle my clients and projects alone. i cook for myself, i do my own laundry, i spend on myself. As much as i try to avoid, i watch movies alone! Shit, i am making myself sound pathetically lonely! But i enjoy my job, i enjoy what i am doing and am glad i am still very passionate. Despite a couple of hiccups along the way, how some people whom i know or are even relatives tried to take advantage of me for what i am doing, how i disappoint several clients for not being able to meet their deadlines and expectations because i really have no time!? , how i have to go through unneccessary means to fight for what i believe in, be it with various authorities, business relationships etc. Sometimes i wonder if its worth doing it, to make a stand? Or juz keep mumb and let the matter pass and pretend that it doesnt exist... i cant do that, i want to feel that i am living, its a scary feeling to realise that sometimes we are simply breathing! I am not sure how many have experienced that before when u open your eyes in bed, you cant really feel and think, except that u know u are breathing. There is no consciousness in ur muscles, you open your eyes and u see light, just light. But you can hear your breathing sound and u can feel your heart pumping, pumping... i feel scare! i fear the moment the pumping organ may just stop, i fear i have not accomplished what i want to in life. you know? i dont know what i am here for, but i certainly know how i would like to improve my life and be a better person. No riches can buy the momories accummulated over the years, no one can help savage the regrets either. Which is why, i try to do my best in all that i am involved in, to make the best out of everything!

One of the most disturbing matter in my heart is how i have been accused of being irresponsible in my work and how i have been a murderer for her dog and how i am being denied of my rightful charges. For someone who have known me for years, whom i have dearly regarded as my sister, its devastating to go through what i am being subjected to. And it just makes me feel how fragile relationships can be in the face of money. For a mere $20k, i get to see the true character of a person, how words can be manipulated and twisted to ease one's conscious. "And it is, life goes easier on me.." damian rice's blower daugther. i am not sure if that's a blessing for me to be able to take money lightly. i could have simply disregarded the matter but i feel, i shouldn't? She is desperate in finding accusations that she can hold on, to assure herself that she is still righteous in the face of GOD, to deny her obligation to pay. And for this, not only has she disregarded our kinship, be it non-biological, she hurt my integrity as a designer, and as a person. For all i do and have done, i cannot say i am the most experienced or brillant person at work, but i am confident i do not take my work lightly and i do my best to fulfill and satisfy my clients. Anyway, shall see how the matter develops.

"you and me? we 'll be together, always... " gwen stefani's tune. my tub is almost full , shall take along bath while enjoying a movie in my new tub! YEAH! and prepare for the coming week!

modern countryside 5rm HDB @ jurong west

2009-06-16T08:42:00.012+08:00

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!

From the curious case of benjamin button to Revolutionary road

2009-05-01T15:33:00.003+08:00

0501 first of May,

a couple of weeks since i came back from Japan, have more or less gotten back on track in my work. The first few days when i started working, i find myself missing those "elevator xiaojies" who would greet you politely, help you press the buttons and bring you to the respective levels in lifts, as opposed to the old HDB cargo lifts that i have survived from my impatience attacks! I wake up in my own blankets, hoping that my bedsheets and pillows would be well kept on my return, hahaha, and i miss the freedom and ability to indulge in endless days of shopping and eating spree. Of cuz, japan also provides scenic shrines and streets and a cool weather to enjoy.

I watched 2 movies on my flight return back to singapore, the curious case of benjamin button and revolutionary road. Have some thoughts to share.

While i was indeed curious about the life of benjamin button, how his body grew backwards in terms of appearance, from a wrinkled baby back to a confused young boy with senile dementia in old age, i was disappointed to realise, like how benjamin kept telling his wife that "whatever changes was just his appearance", he did not lead a life that that was different from the rest of us.

Benjamin grew up as an inquisitive old man in wheelchair, curious about what was happening beyond the yards of the old folk home he stayed in. In his adolescent years, still in the form of an elderly man, he had the same excitement "growing up" as his body began to develop more muscles. And while we have to cope with our fear of old age, his fear came in another form which was similar to how we fear we may become a burden for our love ones one day. So much that he had to give up his happy marriage to allow his wife to dedicate her feelings to another man so that they can raise and provide for his daughter.

I watched the movie, with an expectation that there would be alot of emotional struggle involved as benjamin adapt and grow with the people around him. But the director seemed to remain firm that Benjamin is not that special after all...

If i were born with wrinkles and a feeble body, how would i have been different growing up? Aside from being subjected to suspicions of being a paedophile when i develop likings for children of my own "age", will i grow accustomed to my wrinkles and think that a fair complexion is pale and uninteresting? Why would i like children in the first place? Since its human tendency to mix with people with similar interest and possibly appearances, shouldn't i be falling for someone old like me? True, i should develop curiosity and anticipation for youth, when my body becomes stronger and have a nicer built to stand tall on my feet, knowing that i would become even younger and more charming, i really cannot decide if i would become more excited or frightened.

There were two memorable scenes in the movie, one of which was when Benjamin saw on a TV screen in restuarant on a report on how an elderly woman managed to swim across an ocean of vast distance and lamented that "nothing is impossible", it was very heartwarming as it reminded how Benjamin and the old woman had crossed paths in their lives many years before, when they had a secret affair. The character, played by Tilda Swinton, was a married woman whose husband was a spy, leaving her alone in a strange place where she met Benjamin one night, at the lobby of a guest house they put up in. In the wee hours of many subsequent nights, they would chit and chat over coffee and champagne. That was when she revealed one of her greatest disappointment in her life was how she failed to complete a swimming marathon and never had the courage to do it again. i do not know for certain but i was reminded of the people whom i have met and how we may have affected one anothers' decisions and way of life, in a good way preferably, in one way or another.

Whether i grow old into an old man or like Benjamin, i hope i "would have collected many beautiful memories to take with me to my graves". Coincidentally, that was a line i remembered from another Brad Pit movie, Meet Joe Black. This brings me to my second memorable scene and that was when Benjamin came back to his family as a young and stunning young man. Hahaha, it pains me that young, goodlooking celebrities like Brad Pit and Leonardo DiCaprio, in revolutionary road, had to subject themselves to image makeovers to make themselves look more mature, old and sometimes fat so that they can be taken seriously for their works and be considered for more roles. No one expected Brad to win the Oscars because of his good looking reputation, but i think its really because his role as Benjamin button is really not that impressive as compared to Sean Penn. Really miss the ultimate golden boy image that Brad Pit projected as death in Meet Joe Black. On the note, Cate Blanchett was brillant in her performance as Benjamin's love interest.

I followed on watching Revolutionary Road right after Benjamin button, again, i was disappointed. Both Kate Winslet and Leonardo's characters were constantly in fight because of low self-esteem. While they may seem as the perfect couple in the suburban town, they were not happy. Leonardo's character was not performing in his mundane job and Kate, an inspiring actress, felt underachieved and unfulfilled as a housewife. Ironically, she hoped to go to New York to become a secretary and become the bread winner in the house while Leonardo can have more time to think about what he wants to do in life!

I thought she would want to go to Broadway or somewhere where she can pursue her dreams.

And when Leonardo's character finally decided that he wants to remain in the town since he had gotten a promotion in his job, he became convinced that he can still provide a good life for their family there. Kate became disillusional and suspected she had mental problems, with an inability to adapt and keep up with social expectations. This is something that i thought is rather confusing in the direction of the movie. It wasn't clear what Kate was really seeking and yearning. She just want to break away from all the conformity of her society and be happy. While i can relate to her anxiety, i can't help but remain confused because i do not understand her goals. Does her character has one? Or is she just seeking a certain type of emotion? If she was just missing the excitement to be able to be restless, she could have just travel! What makes her think that by going New York, she would be able to settle down? Or she plans to hop from city to city eventually?

In the last scene after she aborted her baby in her own restroom, she walked slowly to her windows in her living hall, looked beyond her gardens and smiled before the camera shifted down to her legs to reveal that she had started bleeding. Her smile suggested that she was hopeful for a new beginning after her adoption so she couldn't have committed suicide. Yet the movie should have ended that way because she had become so unhappy with her life that she no longer had the strength and will to voice her opinion. She died anyway, leaving me very confused.

I like how the movie explores on issues like how we should address to our emotional needs despite social expectations and of cuz brilliant performances from the cast but i am left confused. Actually after watching both movies, i came to realise that life is really not that exciting, while movies in the past tend to excite and inspire viewers with special effects and happy endings, alot of movies these days tend to portray a more realistic way of life.

Benjamin Button may be strange in his growing pattern but he still has to find a way to lead his life like we all do. And even if we were as bitter as Kate in our lives, we have to buck our spirits up and be happy. When we are gone, people around us simply move on. Kate's immediate neighbour decided to buried memories of her deep in his heart and not talk about them. Her house agent who once looked up to them as the perfect couple in town, started bad-mouthing about her. My thoughts are getting depressing, i better stop!

SAKURA RAIN IN KYOTO! and HOMSPA @ punggol drive

2009-04-10T23:44:00.009+08:00

This is me, uploading photos and typing a new blog entry "live" from kyoto, japan! hahaha! i have been really busy with projects, just wrapped up 4 major projects which spread over the past 2-3months. Come to think about it, the week before i flew over to japan for this getaway was rather mad and impossible, as i didnt get to sleep well over the nights, and had to wake up abt 630am, slept abt 2am each day; running all over the island visiting my sites, from tampines to jurong, then sembawang to chinatown?! Not to mention numerous meetings with new clients. I also managed to squeeze in 2 photoshooting sessions!

hahaha, some friends think i work too hard, but alas, i cannot help it but fear the magnitude of the current recession. I have heard so much from people around me who are affected, so much so i just have to shut all these negativities out and encourage myself to just keep going, doing my best to meet the requirements of my clients and jobs and be my best!

hahaha, my primary school motto - grow and glow!

i once said, things always seem much easier when it has passed. True indeed, now that i am in japan, all the unhappiness and hardship that i had endured, even the intensity of some of the problems that i still keep at the back of my mind, seems less detrimental. Never have i been insulted and wronged so much that i feel really disappointed in the person whom i held dearly to my heart, but my conscious stay clear and firm for i know how much time and effort i have devoted to that project... anyway, shall not elaborate more on that.

HOMSPA @ PUNGGOL DRIVE

The following series of pictures belongs to one of my projects which i had handed over a few months ago, the owner runs his hdb unit like a home spa,

henceforth giving me a chance to place alot of emphasis in his restroom!

Wall feature in living hall are made up of black glasses, cut into rhombus shape, completed with bevelled edge trimming. When the pieces are placed together, they form a reflective and dramatic effect, which echoes the characteristics of the grand piano.

To prevent the interior from becoming too commercial and cold,earthy tones were adopted for the blinds and cushion fabrics to add warmth into the space.

Notice the lamb-like dog?! Lincoln can even play the slide!

Most impressing, this breed of dog is very intelligent n obedient and seldom bark! haha

i really like the dining table and chairs from ikea, which i matched it with customised low seatie in some kind of fur upholstery. The swarovksi-crystal lamp also adds the right dose of drama into the space, with its brillant shadows and glow! A shade of olive green was introduced to make up for the lack of greeneries in this space.

RESTROOM

2 adjacent toilets were hacked through and combined to create this restroom, with a chenggal wood decking at one side that houses a bathtub and wash basin; and a wet area where the shower unit and toilet bowl are. I love the wall tiles, they are actually ceramic tiles that had that marble effect, making it an excellent choice that is cheap and good to glam up the interior space. When we bought the pendent lamp for the space, the glass supplier remained skeptical how such an elaborate crystal lamp can fit into a hdb toilet but i feel it is perfectly ideal for the character of the space. Comments? Notice how my mirror above the vanity counter? It is an exaggerated bevelled-edge design to echo the wall feature in the bedroom,

which is similar to that of the one in the living hall.

goodnight & sayonara!

5rm HDB @ choachukang central

2009-01-14T19:11:00.004+08:00

5 room HDB @ choa chu kang central

4-panel cabinet in the middle of the house segregates the 3 functional spaces,

namely the entrance foyer, living hall & dining hall.

Parts of the cabinet are accessible at the entrance foyer to as shoe cabinet while others are used as storage cabinet from behind. It was unfortunate that the owners' curtain suppliers missed the installation date, if not the entire window panels in the living hall would be covered in

textured fabrics to provide privacy along the common corridor,

as well as to double up as a soft, featured wall in the house.

Adopted an old trend to paint ceilings in sky-blue, decorated with floating white clouds,

this "ancient" paint texture adds delight and liveliness to the space.

Relooking at past trends may be something to consider too while working on modern themes

The dining hall would have looked splendid

with matching curtains against the dark table setting.

Frosted, recess opening on the partition wall allows natural lighting in

to provide warmth in the space while maintaining the privacy desired.

One of the biggest kitchen designed for a hdb,

the layour plan of the kitchen is like a capital letter "P",

done plenty of storage cabinets but there is still lotsa room for more, haha.

On the extreme RHS of the picture is kindof like my signature treatment for edged cabinets,

a 300x300 generously rounded tall cabinet to enhance the visual fluidity of the space

for those who are interested, this is the house of weiling & elvin...

2008　年最后4天

2008-12-28T12:13:00.015+08:00

2008 年的 BIG project!
RECREATIONAL CLUB PAGODA STREET, CHINATOWN

RECEPTION
S-shaped partition with wooden strips, black glasses & mirrors to bring upon a fluidity of space as well as glimpses of what the club has to offer within.

LOCKER HALL
dark, reflective laminates for the locker cabinets to set
the very first impression of the ambience of the club

STEAM ROOM
colourful mosaics tiles on stylishly-curved surfaces, in combination with ocean-blue glass tiles, cemented walls & greyish homogeneous tiles to bring about a refreshing setting for the young, hip club

SHOWER HALL
6 free-standing shower stands positioned along an oval-shaped shower pool for communal bathing, to make the best out of the inadequate space within the shophouse.

ROOF TOP cafe

每每提起“最后”两个字，就莫名地焦虑起来；我知道这意味着新的一年，崭新的开始但是总无法不让自己觉得时间不够了！我听人说，在这社会里，有些人会随着时事的变迁而变得麻木，对周朝的人事物都不太关心、感兴趣；有些人则会不时停下脚步，回首自己所做过的，明白自己变了怎样了。2008年，充实又忙碌的一年，除了身材走样（正在积极努力中！:P）及不断的变老，我想这一年里，我是满意，快乐的。

时间真的如流光飞逝，年复一年，哦，要age gracefully真的不是件轻松的事，我要30岁啦！好恐怖！今年，我的工作有些许进展，完成了几份自己蛮满意的工作。专用摄影师表态，说在这几年里可清楚的看到我在设计上的进步... 我听了，不愿让自己高兴。哈哈，好奇怪？原因？
好几个：

1. 我不愿自己再单纯。

　这一年里，所遇到的人，应付过的问题都让自己觉得大多人的出发点都是为了自己。人家赞
你不一定因为你真的做得很好，可能只是想维系关系、利益。一厢情愿认为别人是自己的朋
友，但背地里对自己不一定是真心的。今年的圣诞，没了派对。内心里我是失落的。嘴里说自
己工作得太累不想办；我深知是身心疲惫。原想大家能聚集在一起分享快乐是无尚的喜悦，岂
料人与人之间的猜疑，勾心，妒忌是很可怕的。百忙中还得应付这样无谓的琐事，认识我的人
一定会意料我会　want out!我从不愿让自己　do something for the sake of doing.

2. 设计上的进步？我不懂也。应该是进展吧。我没毕业，读书时也不觉得在学校里学了什么。在

　搞设计时大多也是凭直觉与感觉去为顾客解决问题。很奇怪吧？我一直把我的工作当成是一
种帮助他人改善生活环境，解决日常问题的任务。采用的方法？common sense,
colours, fluidity of space and a passionate heart.

　羡慕吧？我的工作色彩缤纷，用点小聪明，注重设计空间流畅，用心，聆听顾客的需求，发自

　内心给予设计方案。听起来很简单？我也觉得蛮得心应手，所以，我不是很有信心。真的，我

　常常都害怕自己有一天江郎才尽，一无所有；怀疑自己的talents.　朋友说，有天份才能得心应

　手，自己不费吹灰之力完成的事对另个人不一定也容易。因为朋友们的支持，我想我一定要
勇敢地承认自己是有才华的。

回归题目，进展与进步的不同，因该是我认为，今年我在表现自己的设计才能上有了多点机会

　与空间。找上门的顾客都因为我之前的作品，所以我有更大的发展空间。虽然经验是累积了不

　少，但我想我没有进步。因为，我并没真正因为感受到外在视觉与知识上的冲刺而在作品中展

　现不一样的风格！因为我的工作，我是到过不同国家旅游，但这样的成长不足挂齿。虽然，从

　这几年的作品中我都展现了不同的潜能，我总觉得这都还是我原本就有的鉴赏能力与品味。

　所以，　新的一年里，蛮重要的事，我要拨时间好好充实自己。

5rm HDB at woodlands dr 75

2008-09-16T12:28:00.008+08:00

5rm HDB at woodlands 75 drive

3rm hdb @ empress road

2008-08-10T00:14:00.008+08:00

4rm HDB @ bain street

2008-07-27T23:51:00.006+08:00

Welcome!

This is the one of 8 projects that i have been working on for the past few months, its one of the "easiest" as the owners give me a free play on choice on materials and budget. The basic instructions were "make it look nice with as little money as possible since the place is meant to be rented for the time being".

We kept most of the structure and tiles in tact while matching materials and textures were added in to bring more vibrancy to the house. I am especially fond of the tiled arch-entrance for in the first picture.

Re-saled units are usually bigger in size, in this unit particularly, we had a huge kitchen which is kind of a waste for young couples these days as most hardly cook. I introduced a platform in the first half of the kitchen to create a cosy living space, henceforth saving on the need to spend on hacking off the existing flooring works in the original kitchen space. To match the orangy terrazzo tiles that were originally laid in the house, i did a cladding of veneer brick tiles on the walls to create a warm, retro effect. The adjoining ceiling and wall partition design is a feature that i have been repeating in my projects as by far, i still find it to be the most economical and effective design feature. With different colour combination and textures, each can stand out with individualism!

Check out the homogeneous floor tiles in the kitchen, its amazing how each resembles real wooden planks these days. Notice i painted the water and drainage pipes in the kitchen and toilets gold? If you cannot conceal it, then make it look nice! sometimes, a little experiment with colours can do the right job! haha. the tiles that i used in the toilet cubicles are also something that i found in some old warehouses in singapore, they are from the same family of the 110x110 white hdb kitchen tiles, to my delight, they are actually available in brillant colours! sad thing is, they are only available in limited quantity as nobody is importing them anymore, perhaps i am the only one who is still using them, the suppliers were so happy to see me each time i make an order, helping them to clear stock? hahaha.

how do u know if you have overworked?

2008-06-24T00:54:00.002+08:00

when u attempt to open your main door using the remote control of your car keys?
when a good 6hr sleep on a previous night becomes a guilt or regret?
when u have to meet 3 back to back meetings in 6 hours?
when u don even have the time or patience to wait for the lift and had to dashed down the 7 storey stairways?
when you decided that a sunday is really a rest day and have to stop answering calls or even text messages?
And of cuz, when you start to mixed up events and appointment dates?

hahaha, am really exhausted, nonetheless, maschochistically, i am actually feeling very fulfiling and accomplished! looking forward to my first lone ranger backpacking trip in aug!

2008.06.15 青年强说愁

2008-06-15T01:45:00.002+08:00

凌晨1点45分, 百忙中抽空参加好朋友的生日聚会. 我发现自己越来越孤立了... 今晚的聚会, 3对情侣和我, 一同到KTV庆生, 或许是太久没聚在一块, 我觉得自己很难融入群中, 纵使好友间的友谊也已超过20年. 我反问自己, 若一直在乎自己的感受, 是不是过分的以自我中心为重了! 偏偏, 我的工作也是很独立的性质, 创意与工程进行中的种种决策与恒心, 一一都不是我有能力, 放心分配给别人去执行, 我默默地进行, 维系着.. 是这样, 我本来就较孤僻的性格就分外凸显? 我想我有点累了...

june2008

2008-06-11T11:29:00.005+08:00

It has been very hectic but fulfilling from the past 2months and it will remain so till Aug2008, with 5 projects running concurrently, one of which is even in batam, indonesia! i don have time for quality sleep, needlessly to say any chance to visit the cinemas etc. haha. But all of the projects are of v distinctive themes, henceforth am really looking forward to taking photographic shots on my "new babies" . I AM AN ANXIOUS PARENT! haha.

The attached 3-D visuals are plans and projections on how the office space and residence on the roof floor of the four 4th storey building at NAGOYA HILLS-BATAM will look like. Am truly becoming an interior architectural designer since we are building the entire roof floor from scratch all according to my specifications!

I will not forget the first time when i met the jarkarta architect who is overseeing work progress there, he asked me for various architectural specifications like dimensions and material on site while i was with my client, am totally caught off guard as those weren't the agenda of that day! Thankfully my 5 working years in singapore has paid off, without having to embarrass my client. hee.

How time flies, from nov2003 since i clinched my very first project, 5 years has passed in the blink of an eye. Once heard from a mentor, if one is not prepared to keep his profession for the first 3 years, one should consider switching line. 5 years down, after i quitted my degree course in NTU, restarted my career path in Temasek Poly, despite all the ups and downs, my passion for this job as an interior designer is still burning high! There are still so much that can be explored and done with the existing materials and new ones as well.

How i wish i can meet up with more people, find out about their requirement, and make a difference in their lives and living spaces with my design! In a way, i am lucky to have gotten a job which i am passionate about, but this is also a path that came a long way from a series of tough decisions, and well, uncalculated risks! LIVE YOUR DREAM, all will fall in place if you are really working towards your goal.

I guess i would stay on this line for good, if not, at least for the next 5 years. hahaha, what would i do if i am not designing anymore? Perhaps a sailor! haha.

2008!

2008-04-07T01:34:00.000+08:00

2008 年，北京申办奥运年，时间也相似田径选手迅速地赛跑着，我和朋友们都不断地感叹着不知不觉中，2008年的四分之一日子已流逝！好可怕！我也开始像电视剧《ally mcbeal》里的神经质女主角因30岁生日一年一年逼近也开始焦虑！哈哈哈！

2007年尾，马不停蹄地赶完在盛港的两间组屋单位，转眼间就喜滋滋地过28岁生日、农历年。新春佳节时，更是兴奋地到日本赏雪、泡露天温泉，买东西，吃东西！哈哈哈。回来新加坡时，　已经3月份了！在重新准备应付新的一年里的工作时，我也飞到越南河内去，接下一份设计工作！设计工程是为一栋办公楼的大堂、和2层供新加坡、越南集团合资的教育学校搞了具新加坡特色的学习环境！

perspectives of one-stop service centre,

main lobby area in HANOI, VIETNAM

现阶段，正忙着应付更多的工作挑战，　

相信2008　年会更为精彩、多姿！

latest projects: 5rm hdb @ rivervale drive

2008-04-07T01:00:00.000+08:00

5rm hdb @ rivervale link (oriental fuse)

this 5rm unit was designed and renovated at the same time as the other sengkang unit that was featured in the earlier entry. Apart from having to work on entirely different themes altogether, this particular unit was one that has been occupied by the owners, with their 3 little darlings, for the past 15 odd years, henceforth, there are ALOT ALOT ALOT of existing furniture and stuff in the house, even when renovation works are in place! We practically had to shift the stuff from one area of the house to another spot over and over again, each time taking care that we do not damage them. talk about hard work and job delication! hahaha.

notice the wooden texture on the wall panels in the living hall? was an experimental attempt to create the wooden cladding effect by cutting each piece of 4x8' laminated boards into strips, like how wooden panels are dimensioned, before they are assembled and stuck onto the wooden partition! As compared to the effect of simply sticking laminates onto the surfaces as like cabinets and laminated door panels, this wall feature offers the rustic feel of wood paneling, as well as an asethetically look, all at a fraction of how it would have been billed if natural wood cladding was adopted instead!

However, this is not something that will be appealing to those who are more accustomed with seamless-joint presentation of laminates, as there had been some complaints from relatives of the owners who are not comfortable with the many joint lines on the wall!? whom we had to convinced, we have wanted the laminates to specially look like that! haha

the flooring in this house is also quite unique; bamboo floorboards are used on the platform in the TV area, while the dark "wooden planks" are actually homogenous tiles that have been created with wooden grains and texture! While upkeeping the woody feel that the owners are fond of, they are also certain that their children can cycle or ride in their baby automobiles in the house without damaging the floorboards, which would be extremely delicate if natural wooden planks or parquet were used instead!

for enquires/ consultation on design & renovation:

fongzeng28@yahoo.com.sg

loyd pek 0065 98731299

latest projects: 5rm hdb @ anchorvale link

2008-04-07T00:22:00.000+08:00

5rm hdb @ anchorvale link (modern european style)

living hall

furnished with cornices that are not too dramatic, beadings on walls to introduce the beauty of lines and roman frameworks, striking contrast of white emulsion paint against stained floorboards in dark walnut, a welcoming and modern, european ambience is set within the sengkang estate, completed with 2 pairs of glass door panels with wooden trimmings at the balcony, european furniture and antique light fittings!

Without paying closer attention to the neighbouring hdb blocks, it is not unlikely for one to mistake this 5rm unit as a private apartment. With right communication about the needs and wants of the owners, such styles are not only achieveable in hdbs, but also fun to work on!

LOOk for the right designer, if you truly like his works and is comfortable with his style and taste; share with him your likings, your desire for your home as much as possible,

together, you can work something out that you can truly embrace as your beloved home

within your comfortable budget!

dining hall

(study room hides behind the glass panel in the heart of the space,

with roller blinds to provide privacy when desired)

la crystal

2007-12-02T14:09:00.000+08:00

living hall @ la crystal

dining hall @ la crystal

~ shoe cabinet at entrance foyer doubles up as a feature wall for the dining area

lawrence's room @ la crystal

~ the L-shaped door panels by side of bed that you are wondering is a walk-in walkrobe!

daniel's room

简讯，简短的资讯。是否真能真确地传达心意？。。。

2007-11-27T21:11:00.000+08:00

心里很不是滋味。。。　原本因该谈的一笔生意竟在赴约的途中在一连串的简讯中画上休止符。顾客不满意我记错原定的约会时间，迟了半小时。

R u there alredy? 27-11-2007 /18:52:15
We r meeting 730 at long john silver aren't we? Or haf i rem wrong timing?

No. 6.45 - 7pm. 27-11-2007 /18:55:18
Ops! I'm on my way. V sorry

So can u make it fast? M alredy here. 'sigh' u seem 2 disappoint me so many time le.. I got 2 work tmr la.. n i early sleeper.. 27-11-2007 /18:58:33
How long wil u reach here? 27-11-2007 /18:59:23
I rem timin wrongly. 730 i sure can reach. Disappointed alot of times? Sorry to hear dat. U decide if u still want to see my drawings? Its not nice to start a proj with negative impression.

Ya. Ok can.. 27-11-2007 /19:03:05
Means u ll wait for me or u r leavin?

Ok wait. 27-11-2007 /19:04:52
Thank u

Pls dun b like last time when u (view e hse) came late by half hr. Jus wonder. 27-11-2007 /19:07:22
Btw do i hv 2 commit today? Am i given time 2 consider? 27-11-2007 / 19:11:05
De last time i was late because i had to rush down to de site from another site that was v far from jurong. And i did it as a flavour even before any commitment on yr side. Today i rem it was 730tat's y i'm late. Nonetheless, u r not obliged to udnerstand dat i'm doing a couple of proj all on my own. U don haf to commit today cuz i had done 3layouts for yr consideration. It's only after u haf confirm de layout then i can furnish u with an accurate quote.

O jus wonder n worry if u cld deliver in time or not. Nvrmind then if u r so sensitive then. 27-11-2007 /19:25:40
Didn't i wait for you during our very first meeting too? I'm not trying to be calculative but if u choose to lump de 2recent incidences together n not sense any sincerity on my side, then i think it's quite pointless to meet.
Sensitive because like i said, it's VERY impt to start a proj only if we eye to eye, to avoid further disagreement. If i cannot seek yr understandin, then wat's de point? So i guess u r leavin?

O.. u jus said no pt in meeting liao. A word of advice. As a businessman u r suppose 2 pls e customer. 27-11-2007 /19:33:52
Thank u for yr advice. But do bear in mind tat businessman get to choose his clients too. In case u thinking i'm late anyway to make yrself feel better, i'm here already. Just been waitin for yr reply in a nearby carpark. If i wasn't sincere for de job, or try to please u, i wouldn't haf tried to do site visit before contract is signed.

在开车赶着赴约时，车水龙马，又不断地接受顾客的简讯，我很难不把顾客的心意取义为小心眼的作风。回想起自己曾付出的努力与心血更是为自己愤愤不平，血气方刚的我就不客气地表明自己的立场。现在想想，我或许有点曲解顾客的心意？或许她不太会表明自己的想法？我偏偏又处于焦急的心态，心急地前往目的地。简短的字句也容易产生误会。。。唉。。。

我气愤的把车子开走，顾客来电。说要改换地点见面。我无奈地回复，我已经离开，从狮城大厦到了乌节路。。。　“要我反回吗？”“还是改日再见？”我反问顾客。

最后她决定算了。。　“没关系”　我挂电。

过了许久，我同朋友吃了饭，再到超市里“肆虐”，采购日用品，哈哈，回到工作室再度接到顾客的简讯：

Jus wana say thks 4 ur effort. Too sad cant get 2 see it. Thks again.
27-11-2007 /20:13:36
It's ok.. Though It's quite wasted since we both had made the effort to be there. Nevermind.

真的是很浪费。但也没办法，事情都转变成这种无法挽回的状况，所幸双方仍保持客气。谈不成交易，毕竟仍相识过。唉。。

这是开店　2年来发生的第2间不愉快事件。自己做生意，要应负设计、接洽顾客、做账、督工；很多时候也需同时兼顾几组工程，我恨不得能长三头六臂，能分身乏术。遇到能体谅自己的顾客当然会很安慰，尽心尽力地把工作完成，但我无法要求每个人都能设身处地地为我着想。毕竟现实是他们是消费者，有权选择、享用最完善的服务。

我只能尽量把工作做好、并在此，谢谢曾经包容过我的顾客／朋友。我会更加加倍努力！

秉燊敬上

La Crystal. Condo along Killiney Road

2007-11-24T16:47:00.000+08:00

been a long while since i last blogged, have been really busy with projects, in fact shall still be occupied at least till new year day 2008! Just finished a photo shooting of this condo unit 2days ago, this is one of the 4 shots taken. Am still anticipating the rest, which are still under processing at my photographer side. This is one of the easiest project working with the 2 brothers of Ang family, who really gave me alot of freedom and trust to do what i felt is nice for the interior. And for the very first time, i was told to take my time to finish up the job!

i had one of the brothers telling me, "you are doing too fast, i shd be the one rushing you but it turns out that you are rushing me, (keep chasing them for dimensions of the accessories and furniture that would be purchased), please take your time to complete." hahaha

The overall effect of the house is minimalistic, airy and earthy which we trio hope would satisfy the Ang brothers' parents. I would be shifting my blog soon, probably by early part of next year. Am in the process of getting my website done. Realli cannot make it, had to engage services of professional in the end, haha. no time, no expertise. Think thats what professionals are for!

bingshen, loyd 0065 9873 1299

Pu Tien Restaurant Pte Ltd @ 127-130 Kitchener Rd

2007-09-24T23:54:00.000+08:00

mooncake party 庆功宴！on 24.09.2007

PHOTOGRAPHS of PU TIEN RESTAURANT along kitchener rd

LATEST ADDITION! Booth seating on the Left Wing!

Just finished a hectic photoshooting at the restaurant last friday, 21.09.07. We started at around 1130pm after the restaurant stopped operation, and began to set up the props. Its really REALLY MUCH MUCH more tedious to shoot such a huge space, especially when the entire process took place more than 8 hours through the night. And though technologies has enable us to have the option of performing digital enhancement, alot of the settings have gotta to be done/ completed at least 80%-there, so that the exact mood/ ambience intended can be captured.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

DAX LYE ( art direction, who is now sick )

GLENDON GOH ( art direction, lending of paintings and BEAUTIFUL vases)

from drawinggallery HP +65 9878 9899

GARRIK GOH ( flower arrangement, who is now sick too! )

from redcorner HP+65 9846 2599

KENNY ( really appreciate your help, my table clothes were all crampled without you! ha)

XIUJIAO (ever love-able darling who helped out with everything there, cooking sumptuous dishes for us all in a celebrating party last night)

CHIN LEE RESTAURANT ( for lending of table wares and napkins)

excellent authentic teochew COLD CRAB and "ORH-NI" deserts there are MUST-TRYS! haha

115 bedok north rd, #01-285 tel: +65 6449 5454

ERIC & MAX ( professional photography works)

without you, i won't be able to have such beautiful records on all my projects! THANK YOU

http://www.acecreatives.com/ HP: +65 9815 0415

JENSEN EE

( for the ai-xin "YOU-SIM TEI" you made for everyone, haha, but none remembered to drink, cuz we were all so focused in getting everything done before dawn!)

i could never have gotten so far without your help and support, i feel bad to made everyone stayed up throughout the night, AM REALLY APPRECIATIVE!

Hope you guys like the special champagne and cognac mooncakes! hee hee

This series of photographs are a glam-up version of how the family-oriented restaurant can look like for private events or if management seek to appeal more to the yuppie crowd. Renovation works on the ground level of this 4-storey shophouse stretched over a period of close to 2years, from jan2006 till now, but there are still alot of room for improvement, like the restrooms WHICH ARE NOT DONE BY OUR COMPANY to begin with, haha.

This is really what we always emphasized to clients that

it is perfectly normal for renovations works to be done in stages.

Semi-Private Enclosure space for a big table of 12.

In this restaurant, the design brief was to create a space where people can feel comfortable to dine in and experience the food and hospitality of heng hwa people. Being a native part within fu jian province in China, my client seek to achieve a design that is down-to-earth and lasting, somewhat reflective of what are the character traits of his countrymen.

With this, major material selection for the restuarant were finalised - a combination use of rock face veneer bricks cladding, wooden poles and reflective mirror strips. Synthetic vinyl tiles were used as flooring boards for its wooden looks and water-resistant properties.

the exact ambience of the restaurant is further enhanced with the use of string-pendent lamps in at least 4 different variations. Slight alterations on existing ceiling was done to help put everything together within the intended budget.

for enquires on design and renovation,

do contact us @ fongzeng28@yahoo.com.sg

loyd pek + 65 9873 1299

for interested parties

2007-09-15T02:06:00.000+08:00

for interested parties, for enquires etc,
please email me @ fongzeng28@yahoo.com.sg

TQJY aka "thank you jingyi":p

2007-08-15T21:28:00.000+08:00

this is wat one of my clients, have since become a gd fren, had wrote about her experience working with me as an interior designer, had alot of fun and laughter reading, hope you do too! :P

carpentry work in progressre-conditioning of existing parquet flooring done!

我的comments終於出爐了! (sigh, my laptop got infected by virus this morning bcos of a file sent by my Master’s course mate) By any chance, has anyone turned into a rock? :P***********************************YUP, that's my apt @ Compass Heights! Oh well, I have to confess that I was DESPERATELY looking for an interior designer when I first got the keys to my studio … not that the friends around me were not being helpful –in fact, everyone was more than eager to extend the contacts of their PCKs to me as soon as they heard about my studio. But I guess I just dreaded the idea of having to deal with the nitty-gritty of renovation matters myself. And perhaps, more importantly, I was still unable to get over what happened to my sis’s home under the advice of her PCK - those blue and natural wood kitchen cabinets stood out like a sore thumb in her intended Zen-concept apartment. NO WAY would a PCK touch my apartment, I told myself. Being a perfectionist by nature, it would be mission-impossible for me to be able to live with such mistakes if the history does ever repeat itself. With all these considerations at the back of my mind, procrastination set in and apparently, I did not make the faintest attempt to get in touch with any of those highly recommended contractors. Nevertheless, the day finally came - I was confronted by reality that I needed to renovate my home SOON, and of course, not forgetting that I had to do something to stop my dear mom from breathing down my neck everyday.My colleague-friend Xiangwei had more than once talked about his pal Bing Shen, a talented interior designer and how nicely done up his showroom was. To be frank, I was a little skeptical initially as I had extremely low confidence in XW’s taste. (Actually, his taste is not exactly that bad … it just SUCKS!) In a state of despair, his contact however became a ready option for me. But I must point out that it was definitely more than out of sheer convenience that I decided to let Bing Shen take on the job. His studio was certainly impressive, but I guess it was his serious work attitude (being attentive to details and knowing what his customer wants) that gave me the confidence in him – imagine I had only spoken to him once and I actually waited for him to come back from his 1-month trip, to take of my apt’s design and renovation works. The people around me thought I was crazy to do that!It surely was a nice experience working with Bing Shen - kind of stress free (well, work stress and issues about parents not being receptive to new designs aside) and hands-off, there were also many pleasant surprises that came along the way: I got to receive daily updates on the renovation progress via MMS - something innovative. It was also quite FUN to go around shopping with him for furniture, toilet accessories, curtains, etc – something that I did not expect to be part of the interior designer’s services. And when Bing Shen knew that I would be going down to take check out the renovation work on one of the Saturday mornings (which happened to coincide with his brother’s wedding day), he went the extra mile to mop the floor at 5plus in the morning so that the 踩進去的感覺 feels good. And I am certainly grateful to him for his gesture of goodwill – in helping me to move house. Although there were minor hiccups in between, for instance in terms of the dimensions of custom-made furniture, I guess it was just a learning process for both of us – for me, in knowing what to look out for in my future experience renovating a house, and for Bing Shen, perhaps in adopting a different way to communicate such details to clients, especially when spatial intelligence is something that does not reside in everyone.Well, I LOVE how my apartment looks – those friends who have seen the photos too share the same sentiments. No regrets engaging Bing Shen as my interior designer and knowing him as a friend - I guess if I have to cite any, it would be the booth-seats design concept that I had chosen to give up, owing to cost considerations.Nice job, Bing Shen and thanks! ; )
August 11, 2007 9:25 AM

bachelor room within a HDB unit

2007-08-14T23:25:00.000+08:00

This is a room within a HDB 4 rm unit. We did a total revamp of the place but customising a new wardrobe with integrated writing desk & TV console; raised a platform to house a queen size mattress and what i liked the most about the interior space is the arch that is created above the bedhead which suggested lofty interior structures, giving it an artisitic look that could have been the room for a sculptor or painter. haha

What do u think?

心情记语　10082007

2007-08-10T22:02:00.000+08:00

情感世界里没又永远，唯有寄托指间上的钻戒，给予庇佑，日久、坚韧。。。

*笑。。。*　

我们就喜欢／　习惯沉浸在只有自己的世界里，自我鼓励？自欺欺人。。。

心情记语　09082007

2007-08-09T14:47:00.000+08:00

情感世界里到底有没有地久天长？　但2个人相处久了，火花逐渐转淡，　剩下的只是过往的记忆与累月的习惯，少了热情的感情是否仍值得捉牢。。。

pictures from my portfolio

2007-08-03T11:09:00.000+08:00

first condominium that i did:

Hillview Regency @ bukit batok

This is the residence of a cheerful lady who loves torquoise blue and very much young at heart! Gypsum boards are used to create an inexpensive but impressive feaure wall panel for the living hall, i spent quite some time to design and create the pattern but later i realised it some POSB banks actually had similar but smaller design panels, hmmm... now i understand and believe when Avril Lavigne was accused of copying other people's melody in one of her latest release, she felt so ridiculous cuz she had not even heard of the song before! case of great-mind-think-alike between the 2 singers and in my case, POSB designer and I? haha

Most importantly, my client loves the panel and is very pleased with the overall design and renovation process!

one of my previous project,

chin lee restuarant @ bedok north rd.

it was featured in channel 8's hdb 太太！with the likes of local celebrities like 陈莉萍 & 钟琴!

Can you tell from the pictures that the restuarant was formally one of those coffee shops with dusty ceiling fans and unsightly wall tiles in the void decks of HDB blocks? i came up with a modular cube design for the ceiling boards, which provided sound absorbing functionality and servicing spaces for air-conditioning cassettes! Asethetically, it also houses each downlight like a additional lighting panel.

updates AUG2007

2007-08-03T10:44:00.000+08:00

Last month, i went back to my first baby, haha, and did a second renovation! Its a real honour and pride cuz its a fantastic sign of confidence and trust from my past clients!

We replaced some of the fabric panels in the dining booth seats to present a more gothic look, laminated the existing platform in the living hall with cheap but good material boards and introduced darker shades into the interior. We all LOVE the warmth glow of DULUX BLACK GALAXY paint, which has a very welcoming and contemporary appeal!

Just some updates: Undergoing/Upcoming projects

1. PU TIAN RESTAURANT PTE LTD @ kitchener rd

( i first did the ground level design and renovation last year, am doing 2nd renovation at the moment because the owners had acquired additional spaces! shall post photos when its done!)

2. Landed property @ Eng Kong Gardens

(first major addition and alteration works @ landed property, quite a challenge since it involves replacement of existing roof structure, repositioning of toilet, kitchen etc, am still finalising renovation details; really hope the final design scheme would be impressive!)

2007-07-28T02:01:00.000+08:00

LATEST PROJECT!

STUDIO APARTMENT AT COMPASS HEIGHTS. SENGKANG

my very first project!! 3 rm HDB @ Jurong West

2007-04-17T21:13:00.000+08:00

nice?

master toilet b4 creative touches

above are some shots taken of the space that had since been transformed!

this is my very first project, one that i did when i was still in year 2 of my studies. first met my client on november, 2003, oh my goodness that's like 3.5 yrs back?! time really flies but the project remains as one of my most rewarding working experiences with basically everything within the interior, from window grilles, gates, layout of floor/wall tiles, sofa design and upholstery ... so much details, so much memories...

living hall in evening. wish i had more money then to engage professional photography shots!

retro booth sitting space in dining hall! HEART of the house.

i named this house "SQUARETRO HOUSE" because there were alot of sqaurish motifts

were adopted in this modern, retro theme interior

love the adjoining dining table-kitchen top. The dividing grille is my design too! hee

my first attempt to do my own photoshooting!

2nd best pic i taken of the house!

this is on the opposite side of the dining table. Thoughtfully created a recess niche with reflective mirror so that it gives diners an illusion of extra space/ activity behind this partition. hee

one of my fav kitchen to date. Playfully mixed lime green, bright yellow and a nice wooden grain laminate together, the end result is a pleasing, refreshing kitchen for the young couple!

check out the colourful retro tiles in green, burgundy, black and white! You know? the white tiles are the exact same kind of cheap tiles that some flats are equipped with in their kitchen and toielts? with good colour combination, an impressive feature wall is formed!

Master Toilet. This is the smallest tub we can find to squeeze into the flat! thankfully, the owners are not too tall. My legs are literally out of the waters from knee length when i soaked myself in there! haha

study room!

one of most gratifying memory i had is when the owners invited me to stay over in this special space that i have created from scratch. To be able to sleep, dine and walk in a space where i am familiar with every details and spcecification, it is like holding on to your own baby!

(though i am no where near to being a father, i have many experiences cuz my mom is a fantastic baby sitter! lolz)

april monday

2007-04-16T15:36:00.000+08:00

the past few weeks had been rather stressful because i was basically jobless for 2-3 months. i convinced myself that it is perfectly normal and inevitable for one to seek financial assistance and so i did, am still doing. for someone as proud as i am, this is a self-humiliating act and also a great disturbance to the lives of my closer ones.

I kept telling friends that i am an accidental businessman and how i dread all the adminstrative work that is required of me. I just want to design, i just want to paint and make everything around me beautiful! i wish i could be as carefree as before, a close friend of mine once said i am the kind of person who literally spend up till my every last cent and still be okay, but i guess when reality hits back on us, we just have to do it, face the circumstances and try to make the best out of every situation! I have so many bills to clear these days...

3 years since i first started out as an interior designer, i have achieved and enjoyed quite a fair bit of luxourious lifestyle, food, designer products etc. I have my own design studio where most people are impressed; where friends and family members are proud and comfortable to spend time here. i owned an original panton chair in white, 2 ultra cool, bouncy, red-hot-chilli coloured swopper stools, emmm a sleek, extra wide, philippe starck toilet bowl as well as some of his little stools. i am using lights from Swarovski, Artemide, Bella Donna and there is this particular piece of light that looks like a drainage pipe of a washing machine, Boalum (Designer: Livio Castiglioni, Granfranco Frattini), which i used to marvel alot when i was in school and never had i dreamt of even seeing it in real life.

I did a fair bit of traveling, to China, Thailand, to Taiwan, to Bali, to Japan and will be embarking on a trip to Paris and Vienna in 2 weeks time. I bought 2 pieces of paintings as investment, one from Chinese artist, opps i cant rem his name; i am very forgetful heehee, and another from a Swedish artist Richard Winkler. Have my own LCD TV, my full set of desktop, and am gg to purchase my very own standing piano in June!

But none of these can be compared with the experiences and time i spent on my projects. I feel that the most valuable asset in my studio is still my collection of photographs of my previous projects because they are what i can be reminded of my passion towards design, and of course my talents. *grin* i still feel a little awkward, when i typed "my talents", haha, perhaps i am still more of a traditional chinese, i find it hard to describe myself as being talented. i remembered how my first client, who became my god sister, went through a hard time motivating me to be more confident about my gift in interior designing. =P

you see? how my mood is greatly improved as i write and be reminded of what i am doing which i truly enjoy. You know how teachers in schools used to encourage us to follow our dreams? But how many of us really do? It takes alot of determination and courage to do so. I gave up my chance to graduate with a University degree and am prepared to go months without income to pursue my dream as a successful interior designer.

Everything seems much easier when things are done. I have many friends who commended how fortunate i am to be able to do what i like as a career but i corrected them that it is not just a stroke of luck that had gotten me to where i am now and many are not awared of the struggles i went through.

I suddenly thought of the many odd jobs i do while i try to earn money to put me through design school. I missed the time when i was an assistant manager at a wine lounge, how i spend my evenings and weekends meeting new customers and drinking with them while i listened to what they were comfortable to share.

Its quite an irony how i enjoy meeting customers, as in customer service but i dread the idea of making new friends in parties, gatherings etc. i tend to feel more reserved in such functions which i think is rather unhelpful since i am running a business now. haha

Accidental or not, i am who i am now, and it is important that i continue to motivate myself and reach out to more people whom i used whom be appreciative of design and develop my talents to the fullest potential!

Wish my luck, my dear friends, imaginative ones as well, haha...

loyd

26.03.2007　电台933访谈后心情感言。。。

2007-03-26T23:10:00.000+08:00

旋风似，上了电台，接受访问，随之是一连串的简讯与来电。有朋友的慰问，有好奇的听众想进一步了解我的工作，甚至有马来西亚的新朋友给予支持与肯定。回到工作室看到网友的posting更是令人由衷的兴奋与鼓舞！
这是我第一个blogspot, 因为一直像抗拒数学一样，对电脑和任何与科计挂勾的事物都不会很积极的去常识，运用。现在开始了，即使不在有人记得，继续游览，我想我仍会维持这个虚拟空间。
＊笑笑＊

Yo Bro.. i'll b on d road so cnt tune in to ur interview. bt jiayou, k? HPY.QINGFENG26.03.07/15:49

Very well done so far! so pro... will be following :) HPY.YINGYING26.03.07/16:39

Hearing u on 933 :) GF.JERRY26.03.07/16:48

U sound great in e air! Very calm n humourous. Good job! DG.YANFEN26.03.07/16:48

Wah... So nice... U Sound nice over e radio :) How's things for u? GF.JERRY26.03.07/16:59

Well done, what a pro! so proud of you :) i'm on your blog already, will link to mine! HPY.YINGYING26.03.07/17:01

谢谢你，你在电台说的话叫醒了我！你以前给别人欺负都可以这样站起来，　为什么我不可以。。。　谢谢哦马来西亚听众26.03.07／17:13

Latest Project: 986A Jurong West St 93

2007-03-26T15:07:00.000+08:00

5 rm HDB ! Latest projected completed before CNY 2007

with use of cheap gypsum board material,

aesthetically pleasing adjoining arch between ceiling and wall

can form an impressive feature in the living hall!

dhome design studio

2007-03-26T14:25:00.000+08:00

1013 geylang east avenue 3 #07-122, singapore 389728

this is my first design studio. A space where i design every detail, configure all spaces, and a space where i am proud and comfortable to share with my frenz and loved ones.