Tag Archives: Interior Design

Taking These Steps Will Make Your Living Room Look a Bit More Luxurious

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Home is the place to relax, unwind, and feel comfortable. When a place is so convenient, pleasant, and cozy we often say it feels like home, so if this is not how you think about your own home you should consider making some changes to make it feel so.

Living rooms are the heart of the house. It’s where families and friends gather to have quality time, watch a movie, or chat over a drink. If you feel that your living room needs some renovations or an upgrade to look more aesthetically pleasing and feel comfortable, then it’s time for some changes. Read through our article for some tips that will make your living room look a bit more luxurious.

Lighting Effects

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Lighting is a very important factor that affects the whole ambiance and atmosphere of any room in the house, layering in lighting is a very important aspect in creating a luxurious look and effect, especially in a living room. A variety of lighting sources, like ceiling source lighting, and a couple of side and floor lamps will add warmth and coziness to the room. Choosing different lighting sources creates contrasting experiences.

Rugs Add a Sense of Luxury

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No matter how much the floor tiles or wooden floorboards look expensive and sleek, you still need to rug it up with a nice, soft, and rich rug that covers up your entire space. If your living space is rather small, choose a rug from a selection of luxurious rugs to make your space look bigger and fancier. Rugs, like other decorative additions, when added to a small room, act as a focal piece and luxury element.

Dress Up Your Windows

Curtains are a standout feature. Having plain, uncovered windows will make the room feel empty and unfinished. Curtains and rugs are essential to wrap up your space, they add warmth and affluence to the entire place. If your space is on the smaller side, plain and light-colored curtains will make your room feel larger and more spacious.

Ornamental and Art Pieces

Art elevates the look of any space. Place a statement art portrait on your largest wall, maybe the one behind your main couch, and you’ll be surprised by the transformation it will create in your living area. It’s quite likely that you’ve already started picturing a piece on your empty wall and fantasizing about the colors and drawings that best suit your place. Adding different ornaments, candles of varying sizes and candle holders to your center table and shelves are all opulent touches and tips for upgrading your living room.

Fire Places are Fancy

A fancy fireplace in a living room is a serious luxury hit and a great transformation to your place. Pick an empty place or a corner to place your new fireplace. Nowadays, there are plenty of innovative and decorative designs in the market that match every place and fulfil every taste.

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Styling and decorative tricks are endless. Before you hit the market and start buying stuff for your living room upgrade, do some research and review as many pictures of different styles and home design hacks as you can. There are plenty of hits that will transform your living room into a luxurious spot without breaking the bank. Begin with the focal pieces to add some lavishness to your living space then move on to artistic details.

For more reads on Interiors & Decor, click here.

Founder, Sean Bo Details The Bodi Collections’ Bespoke Mosaic Interior Art Design

Established in 2001, Bodi Collections specialises in interior furnishing materials including fabrics and wallpaper – catering to a variety of demands for revolutionary materials for commercial, hospitality, and residential projects.

Founder, Sean Bo Details The Bodi Collections’ Bespoke Mosaic Interior Art Design

Sean Bo

Tell us about the early stage of Bodi Collections when it was set in Singapore in 2001. How unique was your vision?

When I started my company in 2001 in Singapore, the interior design field was developing in many exciting ways with many well-known international brands such as Jab Anstoch & Carlucci di chivasso which I had the privilege of working with, along with many other well-known European Design brands. Singapore was then, and still is a dynamic and vibrant melting pot of different cultures and with my Eastern upbringing and Western exposure it allowed me to propel forward with my vision.

I have always had a deep appreciation for Beauty especially how Fabrics, Furnishings, Materials and Coverings are integral to the contribution of the Elegance, Mood and Experience in any environment. My vision was to open up the minds of my clients and allow them to appreciate and enrich their Living Spaces with my unique experience and creative materials. I aspire  to make the interior  and living spaces much more appealing, exciting, warm and truly a home that they fall deeply in love with.

This is exceptionally important globally in today’s world where many of us will spend more hours at home and we should embrace and nurture our internal self as well as the environment we live in.

You have been working in both Singapore and Shanghai. Tell us about some of your most memorable projects?

I have had many memorable projects both in Singapore & Shanghai however one of my most memorable was that of working with a client in South East Asia for one of his Private Residences. The owner was so intrigued with the interior design of the world’s largest Art Museum, Louvre, Paris. He wanted a replica of it in his home and the entire time frame from Visualisation & Conceptualisation to the final Completion took a total of 5 years. The end result was grand, stunning and exquisite interior truly depicting the spirit of the Louvre.

Black tiled bathroom interior with a concrete floor, a white wall, a white tub and a round sink. 3d rendering mock up

How bespoke an interior decoration can be ? You have some examples in mind?

In today’s context, truly customised and Creative solutions which transforms a client’s thoughts and dreams to reality  are possible. The client’s style and character are reflected in minute designs details through the use of materials, artistic language and design features. The in-house production of our materials offer unparalleled control over the design, manufacturing and operative stages of each project. Through personalisation and value for decoration we achieve the client’s wish by creating a Dream Art piece with Functionality & Aesthetic Presence.

Black living room interior with a wooden floor, leather sofas, a chest of drawers and a round coffee table. A horizontal poster. 3d rendering mock up

A magnificent example is that  of Co-creators  Dr. Susan Lim and Dr. Christina Tan who brilliantly created ALAN the Musical and the inanimate character ALAN.

The creators  chose a beautifully self-designed  mosaic portrait to represent ALAN the protagonist from the Musical, instead of printing posters as or using any other medium. Through intense engagement & close collaboration, the project visualisation & conceptualisation took  3 months to completion resulting in a life-sized image of Alan measuring 1.4 x 1.4 metres square & a total of 59,000 micro-mosaic pieces. When it was eventually unveiled during the first day of live recording in the legendary Abbey Road Studios, London, the art piece ALAN  was so amazing and everyone in the Studio was impressed  and touched by its beauty and presence.

Interestingly the Fantasy of Companionship is a fascinating premise as it speaks of the possibility of alleviating loneliness through the bioengineering of the inanimate ~ALAN came to life during the live recording at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in the presence of an entire team of Creative individuals which include renowned musicians, Composer Manu Martin, Solo Pianist Tedd Joselson, Conductor Arthur Fagan, Music Director Matthiew Eymard, composers joi Barua, Ron Danziger, sound engineers, animators, videographers, musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra And  London Voices.

This unique art piece of ALAN and collective effort of all is a beautiful reflection of humanity acting as One and  lives in our minds and hearts forever.

You are known for the sophisticated use of mosaics. Tell us more about the latest TILLA Mosaic you are bringing in from Italy, how special are these mosaics?

Each piece of Mosaic Art encompasses the artistic vision and concept as originally intended by the artist, expressed through vibrant colours and subtlety made possible by the use of this innovative micro-mosaic.

Each micro-mosaic piece (tesserae) has unequalled tiny dimensions from 1.5 to 7mm and thickness of 1-2 mm, using the latest nanotechnology to create 17 nanolayers of metals and pigments under the surface of super transparent glass. The use of this patented nanotechnology creates a unique material with superior brilliance and colour vibrancy.

The tesserae are positioned with a rain-like technique with spacing of only 1mm to obtain pixelated artistic designs. Module sizes are available in 288x288mm or in multiples, held together by polymeric based tiles with a laser-cut jigsawed edge, which avoids the joint line, thus ensuring a high-precision fit for ease of installation. Besides, Mutaforma also has a matrix, artistic and exclusive placements which satisfy different design and needs. The medium-density per square meter has a count of approximately 28800-45000 pieces of tesserae!

Compact , refined, lightweight  & durable this versatile micro-mosaic redefines creativity and allows for infinite possibilities. Particularly suited for smooth surfaces, the finished product can be used for  feature walls, floors coverings, fabric, panels, ceilings, furniture surfaces, swimming pools and artistic structures in any design through digital layout and production. The beautiful variety of colours, the refined details and the marriage of design & technology presents a truly iconic result that is breath-taking and allows us to express all possibilities of the imagination.

Would you consider your inspiration as more oriental or more influenced by European decoration schools?

My inspiration is more influenced by the European decoration schools as the Europeans have had a much longer period developing the field of interior decoration. Coming from an Asian background, I very naturally, however do  keep the balance between east and west.

You often refer to Italy when talking decoration. How unique is this country in the artistic world ? Many of the materials you use are actually coming from Italy?

Italy is one of the leading countries in Fashion & Design where fashion is very much a part of the Country’s cultural life and society. Italian Fashion became prominent from the 11th to 16th Century when artistic development in Italy was at its Peak. In 2009 Milan, Italy’s Centre of Design was ranked TOP Fashion Capital of the World alongside the rest of the big 5 New York, Paris, London & Rome.

Yes many of my materials originate from Italy. The product I am introducing to the market for the first time in Singapore is the World’s smallest micro-mosaic. With reference to Italian decoration, my understanding and appreciation of their work is related to their perfection and sophisticated beauty. This is not only based on many generations of style & integration, but more about their lifestyle and experiences.

Your favourite interior architect?

I have 2 favourites: Marshall Strabala and Jaya Ibrahim.

Your favourite room at home?

The living room

The country where you would like to build the villa of your dream and relax after a hectic life on the road?

An Asian country that is loved by many: Thailand.

 

Yacht-like cabin interiors are becoming a trend

Lufthansa Technik’s new SkyRetreat Concept is reminiscent of yacht style

Lufthansa Technik, the design and engineering division of Lufthansa airlines recently unveiled SkyRetreat a VIP cabin interior concept for the Airbus A220. Presented at the recent European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibitions (EBACE) in Geneva, Lufthansa’s SkyRetreat concept is reminiscent of the increasing adoption of yacht style (no pun intended) thanks to the appeal of naturalist approaches which makes generous use of “warm” fixtures and fittings like wooden decking, furnishings and plush leather seating.

Yacht-like cabin interiors are not a new concept. Famously, luxury automotive carmaker Rolls-Royce employed artisan specialists who have previously worked with Princess Yachts and Sunseeker. In the 2000s, Rolls-Royce secured the skills of famed Coachline painter Mark Court, and started to deploy the teak decking found on yachts on models like the Rolls-Royce Dawn and the Phantom drophead. This new direction necessitated that the British luxury car marquee had to hire people from shipyards, according to an exclusive LUXUO/Yacht Style interview with CEO Torsten Müller Ötvös.

In the field of aviation, the SkyRetreat’s yacht interior is an unconventional approach designed around minimalism, integrating tech gadgetry into the cabin much like an Observation Lounge on an ocean-going vessel albeit not so much for safety on rough seas but simply for its Zen appeal – 4K display screens roll-up and hideaway when not in use.

The Yacht-like cabin interior sees rows of seats replaced with welcoming L-seating sofas and marble fixtures paired with yacht-like wooden decking and other matching furnishings. In a 2017 conversation with South China Morning Post, Carla Demaria, president of Monte Carlo Yachts and Thibaut de Montvalon, APAC director for Beneteau, Lagoon’s parent company are quick to point out that yacht companies are adapting new models to suit Asia-Pacific tastes; the yacht’s ability to be customised is a big drawing card for Asian owners in particular Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Indonesian and Hong Kong clientele.

Hence, the eventual adoption of yacht cabin styles for private jets in 2019 is not an altogether surprising phenomenon. The SkyRetreat concept will be exhibited in full at the Monaco Yacht Show in September. 

 

Rent Zaha Hadid’s home for just US$37k/month

Throughout her years of being an architect, Zaha Hadid had won multiple awards enough to crown her the title of the most famous female architect in the world. She was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture prize in 2004 and in 2015, became the first and only woman to be awarded the Royal Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects after she was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II herself.

Many were devastated when Hadid died in 2016, but we continue to celebrate her life through her work. Zaha Hadid was renowned for her elegantly complex designs and among some of the most notable projects on her resume, is her very own Miami beach home where she resided in before her sudden death. This 2-bedroom unit flourished with Hadid’s signature style is now available for rent at $37,000 a month.

The private residence situated in W South Beach at Miami Beach, Florida measures 1,905 square feet and overlooks the entire Atlantic Ocean. Zaha Hadid outfitted the apartment with a simple palette and minimal furnishings while her design signature peeks beneath the surface. The threshold that separates the lounge and the dining area, for example, is carved into a curve from floor to ceiling, and highlighted with a metallic finish.

According to the Guardian, Hadid expressed that she “liberated architectural geometry, giving it a whole new expressive identity” for her own home. This was also the apartment where Hadid spent most of her time in her later years, supposedly completing one of her last few projects including One Thousand Museum, the tallest luxury Condominium building in Florida that is currently still under construction.

 

For anyone who is interested in a home pre-owned by an architectural legend and has $37,000 to spare every month, visit realtor for more information on this listing.

Bang and Olufsen’s New BeoSound Shape Provides Amazing Sound and Spruces Up Plain Walls

Danish manufacturer Bang & Olufsen has unveiled the BeoSound Shape, a new wireless speaker system with a sleek minimalist design and a modular setup. Launched at the Salone de Mobile Milan, the new audio system is made up of a series of hexagonal tiles, arranged on a wall in a unique, customisable and modular design. The system can even help improve interior acoustics when not in use.

Each tile has a specific function, as a speaker, an amplifier, an acoustic damper or a connectivity hub. They can be pieced together in endless combinations of varying sizes and are available in several colors. What’s more, the arrangement of the tiles has a direct impact on the acoustics of the room. At the heart of the speakers is the BeoSound core, a connectivity hub that has the hardware for AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth 4. Although the speakers are largely focused on wireless connectivity, it also has wired inputs for Ethernet.

The system uses an algorithm, developed by Bang & Olufsen, to ensure an immersive, centered soundstage no matter where you are in the room. In other words, the lead singer stays in the center of the soundscape and the instruments join in from the sides, seemingly staying in their place even when you move around. This creates what Bang & Olufsen calls a “band on the wall,” giving listeners the impression of a band playing live in the room. B&O has also developed an online design tool to help audio fans pick a layout for their tiles, suggesting optimal placements for the best results.

The BeoSound Shape will be available from Bang & Olufsen stores from August 2017. Prices depend on configurations (size, fabrics, etc.), but the basic kit, including eight tiles (four speakers, two sound-absorbing acoustic dampeners, one amplifier and one housing for the BeoSound Core connectivity hub) will start at €4,000 (approx. $4,265).

For more information, do visit Bang & Olufsen. Check out the B&O BeoSound Shape in this video:

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