4
INSTALL WOOD FLOORING
Wood flooring somehowuplifts the
appearance of any room. If there is one area
you should splurge on, it is onwooden
flooring. “While youmay not be able to
afford awooden floor in every room, it is always a
good investment to add it in at least one or two
rooms in your home,” says Liew.
A less expensive alternative to traditional
hardwood flooring is bamboo. Surprisingly
durable, this renewablewood also comes in colors
and is suitable for various budgets. In tropical
climates, bamboowithstands the high humidity as
long as the flooring acclimatises for 72 hours in
opened boxes laid out flat, before installation.
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and queries to:
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SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
2
ADD CROWN
MOULDING
Rooms without
architectural
moulding appear
to be lacking the finishing
touches of a professional
decorator. “Install crown
moulding in selected
rooms where you
entertain, such as the
living roomand dining
area. It instantlymakes
your home appear more
lavish, finished and
refined,” says Liew.
Adding this feature to one
or two rooms is a
surprisingly affordable
way to step up on the elegant detail.
The wider themoulding, the
more expensive it looks. To create
3
USE OVERSIZED
THROW PILLOWS
Pillows and cushions are
oneof the easiest accessories
to decorate the home with.
“Smaller throwpillows can cheapen
the appearance of a roomwhile
larger ones make it look expensively
decorated,” says Liew.
Buy a few for your sofa at bargain
stores andmake fabric covers to
gowith your decor. Overstuffing
themalsoworks. Stuff 24-inch
down pillows into smaller covers.
Bolster pillows are an attractive
and inexpensive upgrade for a sofa.
It allows it to lookmore high-end
at a fraction of the cost. Mix and
match patterns and colours and
toss some texture in, like a velvet
or leather pillow.
5
DISPLAY YOUR
COLLECTIONS
Showcase your special
collections and do not limit
yourself with glass-fronted
display cases. Fully integrate your
cool collectibles into different facets
of your decorating. “Collections
indicate a disposable income and
celebrate the unique quirks that make
your home one of a kind,” Liew says.
If you do not have a passion for
collecting, you cannot gowrong with
attractive coffee table books. They
indicate culture and intellectual
curiosity and provide your guests with
something to admire when you
entertain. Popular choices are high
fashion, art and architecture but do
consider a book of live concert shots
andmoody backstagemoments of
your favorite rocker.
1
USE QUALITY
CURTAINS
Rooms with graceful,
appealing window
treatments are inviting
and appear extravagantly
decorated even on a budget.
“Customdraperies can run
into the thousands but textured
fabrics and unique tiebacks you
design yourself can achieve the
same look,” Liew informs. Make
a frame from inexpensive wood
or foamand cover it with rich-
looking and tasteful fabric for
added depth for that grand look.
Certain colours add a hint of
opulence. Think deep reds, plums
or even a royal purple when
choosing your colour scheme.
WHAT TO AVOID
If you are looking to make
your room look posh and
pretty, avoid these mistakes:
* Too many colours -
The
most number of colours
you should have in a room
is three. Anythingmore just
looks tacky.
* Less is more -
Do not
overload on “expensive” or
“ornate” looking furniture
as it gives a cluttered feel.
Keep to one signature
piece and place it in the
central part of a room.
for
less
Luxury
>Sophisticatedhomes at
affordable cost
I
F
you have ever considered giving your home
amore palatial look but were hesitant because
of potential costs, read on. According to
Asley Liewof Bean’s Concept Interior Design,
homeowners on limited budgets can create equally
beautiful and sophisticated interiors bymaking wise
decorating choices. Here are five ways to transform
mediocre-looking homes into tastefully decorated
spaces that are guaranteed to impress even themost
discerning of guests.
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this illusionwith a slimmoulding,
add a piece of trima few inches
beneath the crownmoulding and
paint the space between.
If the room is small and you are
concerned about the colour
dominating the space, an
inexpensive lacy sheer can lessen
the effect.
* Create a 3Dwall
3Dnot only looks good, it looks
pricey as well. Take left over
material in the house, such as
artificial grass from the garden
or wood slats, and place it on
the floor tomake it join inwith
the wall.
* Translucent wall
Mirrors are not the onlyway to
create a classy translucent
effect, polycarbonate sheets
work just as well. Simply apply
this inexpensivematerial to a
large wall and voila!
* Cultured style
When you place a painting
on a large rawmaterial
backdrop such as a brick or
cement wall, the contrast will
give the area an elegant and
sophisticated look.
* Captivating effect
If you shine a basic floor light
to a display itemon a wall, this
will enhance the overall look of
the item. The illuminationwill
make the wall and entire
composition lookmajestic and
simply stunning.
TIPS AND TRICKS FROM ASLEY LIEW
LUXURY LOOKS MADE SIMPLE
