CUT AND KEEP
MAY 9, 2014
>Environment-friendly products to beautify the home
Stylish
T
O
the uninitiated homeowner, the
termeco-friendly interiors may
evoke images of confusing décor
achieved through a complicated
and expensive process. The truth is,
“green” interiors can be stylish, easy
and affordable.
Apart frombeing aesthetically pleasing,
it is also an ideal way to calm themind.
“Everyone needs a peaceful space they
can come back to after a busy day. I think
‘green’ and ‘natural’ interiors can give them
that impact physically andmentally,”
says Asley Liewof Beans Concept
Interior Design.
With growing environmental awareness,
manufacturers are recognising the
conscious consumer’s need for interior
décor that is not only functional and
beautiful, but ethical and eco-friendly.
From furniture to carpeting, here are five
designer-recommended products that
respect the planet yet give the home an
attractive, appealing look ... and character.
SUSTAINABLE BAMBOO
FURNISHINGS
Whether tables, chairs or headboards,
sustainable bamboo furnituremake
excellent furnishing choices; just
ensure they are purchased from
trustworthy companies that are
environmentally aware and believe in
sustainablemanufacturing. A greener
alternative tomost hardwood
furniture, the bamboo is eco-friendly
because it is extremely sustainable,
renewable and reusable. Unlikemost
hardwoods that take at least 30 years
to harvest, bamboo can be harvestedwithin just three to five years.
Bamboo is easy to grow and does not require any harmful chemicals or pesticides to
mature. The best part is, when bamboo products decompose, they turn into nutrient rich
compost soil that is completely reusable.
CORKWALL COVERING
Looking to liven up a boring wall? Ditch the paint and
wallpaper and go for a character giving
corkwall
covering
. This impermeable, water and fire-resistant
material, is derived from the bark of the Cork Oak
Tree. “Corkmaterial is getting popular in themarket
because they aremore durable, easy tomaintain and
install,” confirmed Liew. The extraction process is
very natural and safe for the environment too.
Once the bark has been harvested, the renewable
source grows backwithin nine years. It also
has anti-microbial properties that reduce
indoor allergens and is by nature water, mould,
mildew and insect resistant.
PLANTS
No eco-friendly list would ever be complete without plants.
Perceive themas versatile and lasting decor which enhances
the beauty of a home. Plants simultaneously function as air
filters which facilitate a cleaner and healthier environment.
“Natural elements in a room, such as plants, can alter the look
and feel in a space by livening it up,” says Liew. Moreover,
placing a bamboo, rubber plant or spider plant in the home can
effectively remove formaldehyde (methanal) which can also
prove fatal, along with other harmful toxins within.
eco-friendly
interiors
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PROMINENT
real estate portal
PropertyGuruMalaysia recently
hosted an event to announce
their 2013 performance results
and views on the propertymarket
outlook for 2014 - 2015.
Present at the event were
PropertyGuruGroup (International)
managing director James Sundram
andMalaysia countrymanager
GerardKho. Explaining to guests
andmedia on the industry’s
growing uncertainties, Kho shared
sentiments and insights regarding
the local property scene besides
divulging data and statistics on the
behaviour of property seekers.
Savvy developers could learn about
and tap into these changing habitudes.
Sundramtalked about the regional
property climate, trends and the
company’s regional operations.
PropertyGuru is headquartered
in Singapore. Over the last 18months,
the award-winning company has
developed and launched 12mobile
applications, in four countries in three
languages, which have enticed over
half amillion downloads.
Since its inception in 2006,
PropertyGuru prides itself as
Asia’s leading online property portal
group, accessed by almost 11million
property buyers, viewing over
89million property pages.
Although the company predicts
challenging times ahead for the
local propertymarket, it continues
to focus on people, “the reason for our
success,” stated Sundram. Souvenirs of
appreciationwere handed out to the
company’s local heads of departments,
followed by the unveiling of the
company’s new“branded bus”,
soon to take on key routeswithin the
KlangValley.
Having forged ahead in 2013 despite
the “cooling” property period, both
SundramandKhowere relatively
cagey about revealing the company’s
forward plans.
Gurus predict
challenging
times
(From left) Kho and Sundram unveil a mock unit of
the company’s new ‘branded’ bus.
RECYCLED CARPET TILES
Recycled carpet tiles are square sections of carpeting that are considered
friendly to the environment because they aremade from recycledmaterials.
Relatively cheaper than the traditional rolled carpeting, they come with
easy-to-use adhesive backings that make them simple to apply. The task of
repairing them is also fairly simple; a quicker process compared to using
traditional rolled carpeting.
If a section is damaged, simply remove that piece and replace it with a
newone. Instead of sending the entire carpet for repairs or potentially
ruining the original look through harmful and unfriendly chemicals.
Whether you are looking to carpet an entire area or a small space, recycled
carpet tiles are available in amyriad of patterns and sizes, providing you
with the flexibility to be creative and execute your own unique designs.
HEMP FIBRE CURTAINS
Hemp fibre curtains give your windows an uncomplicated,
earthy look that works well with most types of décor. Unlike the
petroleum-based and non-biodegradable synthetic fibres (in most
curtains) that have adverse effects on the environment, hemp fibre is
eco-friendly. It is derived from the stem of the hemp plant and grows
fast and dense. This makes it extremely difficult for weeds to grow
around them, thus dispelling the need for herbicides.
Hemp is also naturally resistant to pests, thus
making pesticides unnecessary. Thick and
durable, hemp fibre curtains also filter ultra-
violet rays. It is also naturally anti-microbial,
resisting disease-causing bacterium.
