theSun Property April 2016

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BYALYSSA J OON
ALONG with the rise in
social media and the need
for networking sites,
visual bookmarking
website Pinterest has been gaining
popularity. Late last year it sent
out a board called “Pinterest
100 for 2016”, a “platform” featuring
a collection of trending pins under
the “popular” theme focusing on
various aspects of life. Interior
decor for the homesteadwas
included.
SOPHISTICATED LUXURY
Metallic wallpapers are receiving
growing interest, an alternative that
is rich in texture to its flat
counterpart. The “soft posh” look is
achieved by using widely spaced
motifs of organic patterns that work
well in a neutral-coloured room.
Grasscloth textures are a popular
choice for halls due to its rustic
texture. Damask patterns are
reminiscent of high-end hotels, and
are frequently used in one of the
most neglected parts of the home,
the bathroom. Metallic wallpapers
can also be used to accent walls, but
somemore creative homeowners
have usedmetallic wallpapers to
create art panels in bedrooms, such
as gold branches tomatch an
oriental-style bedroom.
There are 50 shades of grey (or
so, they say...) and chances are, you
can implement every one of these
hues in your home in some way or
other. While gunmetal grey is
marked as the “it” colour of the year
by Pinterest, its lighter counterparts
are better alignedwith our weather.
Use light greys to create the bright
feeling that comes with a white
room. Tones such as these also add
a soft touch to interiors. To play it
up, use two different shades of grey
for a duo-tone wall, using the lighter
shade on top to addmore height to
the room. A dark grey-accentuated
wall can be used to draw attention
to a particular object, such as a
reading nook or a photo gallery.
This also adds some character to
interiors.
Sophisticated and chic, with a
touch of modernism, black and
white interiors are still very much
in. However, this year’s trend
gravitates towards softening the
harsh effects of the hues by
> Featuring some of Pinterest’s trends for home
Creating styles,
making statements
hotter months. Bathrooms also
seem to be on the receiving end of
this trend, with a particular interest
in cube patterns that offer a 3D
illusion or hexagons for a colour
splash.
With predictions of black, white
and grey as the go-to colours for
rooms this year,
decorations in the
roomwill have a
bigger role to play
in ensuring there is
a balance in colour.
Graphic throw
pillows are one of
the easiest ways to
do so, as they can be
purchased from
almost anywhere
and are affordable in
price too.
HOMEGROWN AND
ARTISANAL
With a growing number
of shops promoting local
goods, geometric throw
pillows could be one way
of showing support for
homegrown artists and
their designs. A batik throw
pillow adds a trulyMalaysian touch
to the roomwith its intricate
designs and bold colours. Go for
geometric patterns if you are
looking to complement the whites
and blacks of any room. In a
Scandinavian-inspired interior,
grab a fewpillows in striking
colours such as glittering gold or
neon pink. These help bring about a
vibrancy to an otherwisemuted
interior.
The nomadic tribes of Africa are
a big source of inspiration this year
with their bold textiles, artwork and
home accessories. As the world’s
second largest continent in the
world, Africa offers a myriad of
inspirations when it comes to
decorating one’s home.
Congolese “kuba” cloths are
complex embroidery on palm leaf
fibres. Thesemake perfect
statement wall pieces in the living
roomwith its intricate and
geometric patterns. For something
different, Pacific Island
masks can also be hung on
the walls, in place of the
usual photo gallery that
lines the stairway. Add a
traditional African touch to
the living roomby using
coffee tables inspired by
d’jembe drums or wooden
ones carvedwith tribal
designs. Moroccan rugs
are also available in
various designs,
making it an eye-
catcher and an easy
choice to decorate
any room, whether
you are looking for
neutral (Beni Ourain
rugs) or bright and
lively colours
(Berber rugs).
A TOUCHOF COSINESS
Break out from themundane by
hanging tapestries instead of
framed photos. Tapestries are
intricatelywovenwall hangings
that, in olden times, recorded
historic tales and stories, which are
sometimes used as portraits. Such
intricate tapestries, however, would
cost a lot more time andmoney to
produce; which is why Pinterest
suggests smaller scale wovenwall
hangings that invoke a 70s feel. The
best part about this trend is that it is
simple and can be done at home
with the right materials and
instructions fromonline tutorials.
To add a little vintage pop to the
room, hang up a wovenwall
hanging above the bed or table.
Wovenwall hangings come in
every size, design and shape, so you
can be sure to find one that suits
your taste.
With such a diverse option of
trends to attempt, it is best to always
start small instead of going all out
and implementing all trends at
once. Trends aremerely
suggestions after all. It is simply the
latest in-thing. For a sense of your
own style, decorate your home how
best you like it, as a home should
reflect the people who live in it.
Email your feedback and
queries to: propertyqs@
X
introducing natural elements into a
room. Give a much-needed colour
boost to black and white interiors
by adding small potted plants, as
vibrant greens not only stand out,
but is refreshing and brings about a
zen-like ambience.
HINT OF MOTHERLAND
For a littleMalaysian touch, bring in
some light-coloured rattan
furniture such as armchairs or
coffee tables. You could alternate
this with other small elements like
little pieces of decoration from
home or your kampung. These not
only add character, but induces
some charm andwarmth into any
black andwhite interiors. Fur rugs ...
preferably those that resemble one,
in light neutral shades add a hint of
cosy comfort and is perfect for
places of relaxation especially in
bedrooms and living rooms. This
adds some “exotic” to interiors,
commanding a sense of adventure,
drama and excitement tomuted
interiors. However, themost
important thing to bear inmind
when decorating a black andwhite
room is to ensure sufficient
natural light comes through.
Scandinavian interiors are
basically decorated in black and
white, playing heavily onwhite
walls and floors. These are
complementedwithwooden
furniture that feature clean-cut
lines and smooth curved edges.
Although this inspiration has been
around for some time, it is still the
fad and does not seem to be dying
out anytime soon. Its modern
minimalist design is simple to
recreate and comes as a perfect
start for budding interior
designers.
GET GRAPHIC
While base colours seem to
be prettymild for 2016,
flooring predictions are
making a statement this
year with geometric tiles.
Whenwalls are painted in
white, black or grey,
geometric tiles give the
otherwise bland rooma
strong personality. The
wide variety of geometric
tiles available in themarket
makes it easy to
complement whichever
theme a roomdons, be it
contemporary or neutral.
An added benefit in using
tiles is its resilience and
durability, ease of cleaning,
and better dispersing of
heat, which is a great help in
keeping cool during the
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CLARIFICATION
Last week theSun Property Insights had depicted that Pengerang in Johor
was part of the Iskandar Development Region’s fifth sector. We apologise
for any inconvenience caused. Pengerang actually falls within a buffer area,
southeast of Johor in Kota Tinggi district. This is being increasingly referred
to and apparently marketed as the “Greater Iskandar area”, even though it
is technically outside the core Iskandar Development Region.
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theSun ON FRIDAY | APRIL 1, 2016