by Montie Mahtani | Jun 20, 2017 | Design Tips
The Farmhouse design doesn’t necessarily mean the white picket fence country house you see in the movies, and certainly not a realistic imagery when you look at all the high rise flats in Singapore. The primary objective still remains true: To create a rustic, comfortable atmosphere that feels like a place that has been a home for three generations. Grandma will be proud of you.
Farmhouse concept is a modern approach to cabin-in-the-woods inspired interior design. It’s generally characterized by distressed wood, checkered patterns and upholstered linen. The farmhouse concept, with its simplicity for details, organic texture, and neutral colours, has stood the test of time in an industry where trends are cyclical.
If you don’t mind the tackiness, you can install a fireplace replica framed by a mantel lined with vintage country style knick-knacks and photo frames, and if you don’t mind losing a bit of ceiling height, you may consider installing wooden beams. Open shelves and wood cabinetry without doors is a good way to display your antique Peranakan kitchenware and vintage Macdonald’s happy meal toys.
For Farmhouse purist, it goes without saying that the floor is almost always going to made of wood. However, if you want to add a touch of modern to it, it’s also acceptable to go for black and white checkered ceramic tile design instead.
Image credits: Cover Pic Farmhouse, Farmhouse Modern Toilet
by Montie Mahtani | Jun 13, 2017 | Design Tips
Bohemian decor captures the carefree and adventurous spirit of the avant-garde lifestyle. It defies order.
If you have been keeping up with the rest of my articles, you will notice that I usually advice you to go easy on the patterns, but not when it comes to Bohemian. The only thing that goes well with patterns is even more patterns! In fact, if you are a blue-blooded boho-chic kinda person, you’re going to have Moroccan pillows strewn around on Navajo rugs in a room lit by Turkish mosaic lamps. It doesn’t even matter what floor tiles you have because you haven’t seen your floor in years, but if you had to pick one it would mostly likely be pink and turquoise ceramic tile. Oh, and plants. Lots of plants. Hanging leafy greens are a staple for the bohemian earthly touch.
Forgo the bedframe. Go for the floor bed and generous layers of tie-dyed blanket. Rugs don’t just have to be on the floor. You can hang one off the wall as the headboard. If you think all these ain’t enough to bring out the free spirit in you, you can consider crochet curtains hanging from the door way. Don’t let furniture cramp your style. Opt for hanging hammock chair and beanbags instead.
When in doubt, go for eclectic mix of colours and bold accents. In all honesty, if you need a guide to tell you how to be Boho you probably shouldn’t consider this design. A true boho won’t be told what defines him or her. Be free! Be free my bohemian brothers and sisters!
Cover picture: Bohemian Bedroom, Living Room Picture
by Montie Mahtani | Jun 8, 2017 | Design Tips
The Nautical design concept, also known as coastal or cottage décor, is about creating a beachfront home atmosphere so relaxing you forget that you’re living in a modern concrete jungle.
As the name implies, this design concept is based on the nautical themes. Think navy blue stripes on pristine white, soft beige and stone gray, or sand coloured foundation and seafaring equipment as decorative features. You can almost reimagine the traffic noises outside as the sounds of waves crashing against the shore.
Anchors, nets, refurbished boats, seashells, and paintings of aquatic life are all the “must haves” but use them in moderation. The trick to stylish nautical design is not in turning your home into a boatman’s cabin; instead, opt to have a central design element around one or two of these items to focus on. For storage, you can’t go wrong with a distressed wooden “treasure chest” or wicker basket in your living room. For a bolder touch, throw in one or two contrasting colors – such as a bright red throw pillow or a yellow vase.
If you want to push the design boundaries towards a more local flavour, you could consider a kelong cum resort concept instead of the usual New England beach house look that defines traditional Nautical concept.
Material wise, you can still utilise unfinished wood for tables or chairs, combined with white linen upholstery for your lounge seats and sofas. Your options for decorative accents would contain vintage 7-Up bottles, jute ropes, sampan rowing oar, and pre-70s navigational map of the region that shows Singapore in its pre land reclamation state.
by Montie Mahtani | Jun 1, 2017 | Design Tips, Trending Styles
Writing an advice on interior design for the artists must be the boldest attempt in this series. Artists by their very nature defy templates and stereotypes; bold, unique individuals, with a high threshold for things that the common folks consider ‘crazy’. The irony is that this thirst of uniqueness is also the unifying trait that defines the living space of an artist.
Eclectic Touch
If anyone can pull off a patchwork of different colours and themes, it would be you. The chronic rebel of style and taste, you are going to want to splash a touch of victorian to your modern living design, or even juxtaposing Warhol with an industrial look. Some artists shy from colours altogether seeing the world in a contrast of black and white and chrome. An artist who revels in eccentricity might sound like a stereotype, but the true artist knows better. We are not being different for the sake of being different. We just happen to find inspiration and beauty in the unorthodox.
Freedom of Space
It’s the sacred shrine where your best works are conceived. It could be a small stool in the cluttered corner of the room or even in the confines of the bathroom, an artist needs a space to connect with his or her muse. The freedom of space is critical for all creative individuals but unlike other design philosophies, the freedom of space is something an artist discovers organically over time.
Signature Style / Source of Inspiration
The devil is in the details, as they say. An artist will inadvertently leave clues of his personality around the home – a painter with pieces of his idol’s works on the wall, a fashion designer with a walk-in wardrobe as the centrepiece of the bedroom, a writer surrounded by books of his favourite authors. Whichever field you are in, your home will be an extension of your craft. Identifying your signature early during the home design phase will give your interior designer a better sense of imbuing your personality into the home.
Image Credit: Header Picture, Artiste’s House
by Montie Mahtani | May 18, 2017 | Design Tips
Are you a self-professed workaholic? If you are, there are high chances you are either an overworked employee or entrepreneur. Modern society has made it increasingly crucial for us to keep up with the fast pace of work. No matter which category of a workaholic you identify with, your home will usually double up as your designated work area — albeit a usually messy one. At M3 Studio, our Modern Condo Interior Design in Singapore solutions can help you to create a more conducive home office, thus increasing your productivity.
Read on for our 4 Modern Condo Interior Design tips on what you should consider when designing your dream home office.
Lighting
Modern Condo Interior Design for home workspaces often involve looking more in-depth into your lighting choices. Optimal lighting has been proven to have a significant positive impact on the brain’s ability to process information, and can come from both indirect (e.g. natural light) and direct (e.g. table lamps) sources. Yellow, fluorescent lights are great for illuminating entire room, but white lighting from sources such as halogen bulbs can aid in performing more detailed tasks (e.g. drawing and sketching detailed outlines) more effectively.
Did you know that your computer is a light source too? You should also take into the levels of light and glare that your computer screen emits, and where it may cast any shadows.
Colours
- Colours are another important aspect to consider in Modern Condo Interior Design for home workspaces. Colours can profoundly hinder or accelerate productivity; there is a fine line to tread here. For example, hues of red or orange can help stimulate your creative juices, but too much red can have a reverse effect and make you see, well, red. It can evoke increased levels of stress and anxiety. However, your M3 Modern Condo Interior Design in Singapore consultant can help you with selecting a thoughtfully considered red palette for locations in your home where you would spend the most creative and brain energy and time ruminating over important thoughts. This can be your home office, or even balcony! Likewise, a calming blue palette cdan be used in locations like your bedroom where you unwind from a busy day.
In your home office, we know that you’re going to want to amp up your productivity. How about a beautiful palette of muted green shades? There’s a reason why the presence of plants and greenery in the work area have been proven to increase productivity! If you have other ideas, or prefer a more vibrant colour, speak to M3 Studio’s Modern Condo Interior Design in Singapore consultants for their professional advice on how we can work to best suit your preferences.
Work Area
Where do you want your work space to be located? Workaholics enjoy working from home because they are not subjected to the confines of a cubicle and can work anywhere, depending on where they are the most productive. Think about the best location in your home for your designated work space. Is that in front of your favourite window in the living room flooded with natural light? Not only should you think about where to designate your working space, but also whether it has the space you need. If you film big production shoots on the side, would you want your working space to be your studio as well? Other than that, do ensure that you also have strong Internet access across all your devices in your work space and power supply, free from any noise and other distractions.
Finally, Your Chill Out Corner!
- Workaholics rejoice at the thought of a home workspace. They can work at their own pace in the comfort of their own home. The downside? It can be hard for to draw the distinction between work and home. No matter how understanding or tolerant your home partner may be of your workaholic lifestyle, you need work-life balance to avoid getting burnt out. This is where you need to find your chill-out corner— a place where you can disconnect. Our Modern Condo Interior Design in Singaporetip is to choose a location that is away from your workspace, and consider designing it a way that makes it stand out in stark contrast against your other work areas. May we suggest a mini wine chiller too? That way, you can reward yourself with a glass or two after you’re done with work.This is definitely not aModern Condo Interior Designtip for the books, but a chill out corner where you can enjoy a tipple or two after finishing up your work any day is universally enjoyed by every one!
If you don’t identify as a workaholic, that’s okay! Check out the rest of our Personality Series to find something that hits a little closer to your home.
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