by Montie Mahtani | Mar 21, 2016 | Design Tips, Home Upkeep
You see, interior designing is an art in its most organic form – it effectively speaks to each of us, only in a different manner or way. Normally, a great design comes from having the courage to step outside of your comfort zone, mixing fabrics, textures and paints in unique yet efficient ways. But for experts in Singapore interior design, a great design stems from clean lines, modern fixtures and simplicity. Regardless of your style, interior design should have a personality.
Why don’t you take a look at the brilliantly designed spaces below, as well as the qualities that make them so excellent? Maybe they’ll inspire a great design of your own!
The Glamour
Source: Home Portfolio
Smooth lines and outlandish materials give this family room a fabulous look that separates it. The floor-to-roof shelf has a metallic divider covering on the back to make a point of convergence. Albeit each bit of furniture is upholstered in an alternate rich fabric, they all sing the same tune.
The Symmetry
Source: Pinterest
This living space’s symmetrical design draws the eye immediately up to the wallpapered ceiling and ceiling fixture. The screens in the back of the room anchor the space, focusing attention on the unexpectedly tall piece of art over the fireplace.
The Contrast
Source: SloDive
In spite of the fact that the contemporary smooth dark work area and lampshade emerge as the quick central attract this room, I adore how the retro hide accent seats stand out from them and the eccentric zebra painted table. A larger than usual mirror leans against the divider for tallness, while the pops of yellow around the room are splendid and merry.
The Comfort
Source: RSD Interiors
At the point when treated like a gem box, little rooms get to be comfortable rather than cramped. The wallpaper and fuchsia lights on the back mass of this room quickly catch consideration, attracting the eye to the back of the space to make the dream of space. The rich cushions, spread and one end to the other covering give the room additional non-abrasiveness, welcoming you to come in and cuddle up.
Related: 7 Valuable Tips When Choosing the Right Furniture for Your Home
The Harmony
Source: TripAdvisor
Delicate shading tones and unobtrusive Shabby Chic style are more than inviting in this visitor room. Under a peach painted roof, the central divider is embellished with a ’70s expansive print divider covering. Indistinguishable white beds in shades of blue-green are agreeably set over the room from the slipcovered wingback seat. A sisal mat set on the askew outwardly associates both sides of the space.
The Boldness
Source: Rilane
In spite of all the black tile, this bathroom does anything besides avoid any unnecessary risk. The roof was outwardly brought down with dark paint and a gold picture rail that wraps around the room. The intense shower blind and unsupported bookshelf are advanced touches that diverge from the more customary components.
The Playfulness
Source: Complete Home
This present tyke’s lavatory needn’t bother with shading on the dividers to feel fun and fantastic. Extras in green, yellow, orange and pink give it an unconventional look without detracting from the exemplary completions. What’s more, I cherish how the round mirrors coordinate the floor covering circles, conveying agreement to all parts of the room.
The Coordination
Source: Fresh Home
The overstuffed seats in this chic man hollow match the two accent seats on the opposite side of the space for one uniform shading mix. The all-white painted block divider, full-length draperies and kindling are reciprocal surfaces as opposed to extra central focuses.
Consider taking note of these qualities, so as to ensure that you’ll get the perfect interior design for your home. Remember to play with your creativity and imagination, but more importantly, hire the right interior design expert in Singapore. Speaking of which, we here at M3 Studio, our designers will work according to your ideas, wants and needs. Of course, we’ll suggest you with whatever ideas we can come up; however, at the end of the day, it’s your decision that we’ll respect. We’ll work hand in hand to achieve the interior design you’ve always wanted!
by Montie Mahtani | Mar 14, 2016 | Design Tips, Home Upkeep
Now that the high temps have really kicked in, it’s hard to remember that this is the season everyone longs for during the darker, colder months of the year. Ha! If your home doesn’t have AC (or you are choosing to leave it off as much as possible) you can feel stuck, especially when it comes to getting a restful night’s sleep. According to an expert in condo interior design Singapore, there are few simple changes, however, can keep your home cooler and more comfortable throughout the summer months, allowing you to skip or skimp on air conditioning—and save some cash in the process.
Read on for a handful of helpful ways to beat the heat this summer.
Have a DIY A/C
Source: YouTube – DesertSun02
A simple do-it-yourself air conditioner can help keep you cool: simply place a bag of ice in a metal bowl, then position a fan to blow over the ice. For an even more elaborate set up, consider a homemade A/C unit like this one. Now, that’s a great way to stay cool and save lots of money, right?
Or, if you want, buy a high-efficiency air conditioner: for room air conditioners, the energy efficiency ratio (EER) rating should be above 10; for central air conditioners, look for a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating above 12.
Let Those Fans Work
Source: Wikipedia
Ceiling fans can be your best friend come summer, but make sure they are set to run in a counter-clockwise direction; this allows them to draw cooler air up from the floor. At night, try positioning a box fan in an open window to pull in the cooler air from the outdoors.
Cook Al Fresco
Cooking dinner over a hot oven heats up more than the chef—it warms up the home as well. Keep your house cooler by doing more of your summer cooking on an outdoor grill, or opting for cold salads and sandwiches. If you must use the stove, run the ventilator hood fan to draw the hot air out of the house.
Keep Them All Closed
Source: Red Velvet Occasions
When the sun’s rays pour in through windows and doors they can contribute to an overheated home. Keep curtains and blinds drawn during the daytime to block heat generating sunlight. Then when night falls, open the windows to allow cooler nighttime air to enter the house.
Related: 4 Things That Interior Designers Won’t Tell You
Use Nature’s Coolers
Source: Rosalind Creasy
Planting trees in the yard goes a long way to keeping your home cool during the summer. Leafy deciduous trees provide shade during summer, but let in light during the winter once their leaves drop. If trees aren’t an option, consider installing awnings over the sunniest side of the house.
Eliminate Heat Sources
Source: USwitch
Chances are that you can do without some of the heat-producing equipment in your household. Unplug chargers when not in use, as these can draw additional heat into the home through electrical sockets. Replace incandescent light bulbs with cooler (and more efficient) CFL or LED lights. If you normally park the car in the garage, leave it outside in the driveway for an hour or two until the engine cools off.
Screen Time
Source: Mobile Screen Shop
If there’s anything worse than a hot house, it’s a hot and stuffy house. Consider installing a screen door over the front or rear exits. Then, open your door in the early morning and after dusk when the weather is at its coolest to air fresh air into your home. Besides, this is considered as one of the many ideas when it comes to condo interior design in Singapore.
Ventilation
Source: Best Ventilation Fans
You can help get rid of unwanted heat through ventilation if the temperature of the incoming air is 77 F or lower. (This strategy works most effectively at night and on cooler days.) Window fans for ventilation are a good option if used properly. They should be located on the downwind side of the house facing out. A window should be open in each room. Interior doors must remain open to allow air flow.
If you need some great ideas like the aforementioned, we here at M3 Studio can definitely help you out. With the hot days we’re experiencing, it’s always cool (pun not intended) to have something to feel refresh. Give us a call and we’ll surely make it all worth it for you!
by Montie Mahtani | Mar 11, 2016 | Design Tips, Home Upkeep
Needless to say, choosing the right furniture is very important. Its significance is more than falling in love with its initial beauty. Experts in Singapore interior design say that both the construction and style your furniture should be able to last many years. Therefore, you need to consider the unique details as well as the construction quality of a certain piece. Doing so is enough to help seal the deal. But of course, a little guidance from pros will never hurt an arm.
Below are 7 useful tips on how you should choose the right furniture for your home. Keep them in mind before you purchase one!
Silhouette
Source: Deviant Art – PixerSize
Is the general shape of the piece trendy or will it stand the test of time? A piece of furniture is an investment in your home and says a lot about you. Choose a silhouette that you will love now and in the future. This doesn’t mean, however, that you should choose something shapeless or without style. Whether your preferences are contemporary or traditional, there are many updated options available on the market.
The Fabric
Source: Blazzing House
Lighter colored fabrics can be appropriate for a formal living room, foyer, or bedroom. However, if this is a piece of furniture that will be used frequently, it is suggested to choose a slightly darker fabric. Select the one that you think is appropriate for the area of your house. This is key if you want to be consistent in terms of the design and ambiance.
The Finish
Source: Iowes
If your piece of furniture has any exposed wood, the stain or finish color is an important point to consider. Many pieces can be altered dramatically by the color of the finish. You can easily take a chair from traditional to contemporary by changing a cherry stain to a black paint. Likewise, a mahogany piece painted white will instantly appear more feminine.
Construction
Source: FAQ How
You want the furniture piece to feel solid and heavy. Avoid particleboard and light aluminum frames and stick with solid wood construction. Solid wood frames will generally last much longer and is the standard for fine furniture. However, make sure that the price is consistent with your expectations for how long the piece is going to last – or better yet, ask a help from an expert of interior design in Singapore. The cushion is also an important point to consider when looking at construction. Before purchasing anything, give it the sit test. No matter how beautiful your new upholstery piece is you won’t enjoy it if it’s not comfortable.
Related: 4 Things That Interior Designers Won’t Tell You
The Unexpected
Source: Design Rulz
Look for furniture that has an element of the unexpected or has some personality. The overall shape of the piece could be a little unconventional, or maybe there’s some interesting tufting, or nail head detail. Either way, your personal style should be reflected in the piece of furniture that you choose.
Quality
Source: Frazier and Son Furniture
No matter how beautiful your furniture is if the quality is unknown, it’s all but pointless. You see, there are various furniture that are indeed cheap; however, when it comes to the quality, it’s totally hilarious. That they don’t even last, say, a month or two. You see, beauty and quality should come altogether when buying the right furniture. You need to go with a perfect design, but ensure that the quality is not compromised. As much as possible, don’t for furniture that are offered at low rates. More often than not, they easily rot or destroyed.
Quantity
Source: eBay
As much as quality is of importance, the quantity of your furniture should also be noted. Of course, if you have a small living room, stuffing it with lots of tables and chairs is not a good idea. The same goes with a bedroom that is full of useless furniture. Remember that space can create beauty, so don’t pack your home with lots of furniture. Only go with the ones that you think are really important.
Are you looking to purchase furniture for your home? Why don’t you visit us here at M3Studio first! We can provide you with the right ideas, as well as suggest which furniture should work best for your home. Give us a call now and make things a lot easier for you!
by Montie Mahtani | Mar 7, 2016 | Design Tips, Home Upkeep
There are more than a few ways to decorate your home space, and especially living room – where the “living” takes place. It is fair to say that living room is the heart of the home and where most people spend the most time in around the house. It is also where you host all your guests and the “first impression” your guests will get from your home. Even designers pay so much attention in living room design in Singapore.
Naturally, living room is also the home decoration spot light. The design of your living room often sets the tone of the design of your entire home. Some people go out to the wild and hunt a buck (In places where it’s legal with proper license and permission) and bring home its head to hang on the wall in the living room, some people spend big bucks and make a fireplace out of one of the living room walls.
And some people, unfortunately, maxed out their decoration budget after that last set of basic furniture.
That doesn’t make it a lost cause though, sure, you could stare at the empty walls in your living room at your brand new home and be absolutely happy, but every now and then, freshen it up a little will give your living room, and even your entire home a brand new vibe. The best part about this is: You don’t have to go hunt buck (And let’s not forget, get the permit for it and all that.), neither do you have to import the most exotic foreign designer piece just to mix things up a little. (With that said, there are also local designer pieces in Singapore for your living room, consult your interior designer and see how you can incorporate those into your “very Singapore” living room design.).
The truth is; and this might surprise you – Sometimes it takes very little to freshen things up! This, of course, also applies to living room design. Sometimes all it takes is just a little bit of wall art.
Yes, wall art. It might not look like much, but it does make a huge. But don’t take my words for it, see it for yourself:
Image source: Practicallyspoiled.com
While it is already a colorful living room with a strong vibe, the simple wall arts that go with the color theme really brings the living room to live.
And of course, it works really well with the classic white wall as well:
Image source: chuckebyrdwallart
While changing apartments frequently is not really something people do for a variety of reasons, using wall-art to freshen it up and giving your living room and the home space and brand new vibe is not only effective, but also vey budget friendly, if you’re a very hands-on person, you can even choose to do it yourself! And because its budget friendly nature, you can even update your themes by the season or as often as you like!
For a city as hot as Singapore, living room designs often tend to be on the “minimalist” side with white walls to create a spacious and cooling vibe, which is a great strategy. However, a little tweak here and there on the wall does wonders to lighten up the mood and if you choose to do it yourself, you might just get a kick out of it as well!
Don’t worry about it if you don’t have an art degree, while paintings are a popular choice of wall art, it is not the only choice. Take this lady for example, she completely steps up her wall art game and created this elegance looking wall art using plastic spoons!
Image source: manicmakings.com.wordpress
I know what you’re thinking, that looks nothing like plastic spoons and actually even looks expensive! For those who would like to try it at home, you can learn how to create the exact same thing here.
Don’t have too much time on your hands to DIY your wall art? Well, there’s always something money can buy that allows you to be creative without too much work. Perhaps something like this for your living room?
Image source: dms-design.webs.com
Turning the classic look of wooden furniture and white walls combination into something lively and fun, the wall art magic strikes again!
by Montie Mahtani | Mar 4, 2016 | Design Tips, Home Upkeep
The inspiration strikes—you simply cannot live for one more second with that old, sagging sofa or those tattered, sun-faded drapes or those paint-chipped kitchen cabinets—it’s time to redecorate! The potential that comes with a home redecoration project can be exciting, but also difficult when it comes to logistics. While some homeowners have inspired ideas when it comes to design, they might not have the means or skills to put it all together and make it happen. This is where the professionals come into play—this is when it’s time to hire a condo interior design Singapore based.
Interior decorators are essential when you have so many good ideas, but you don’t know how to narrow them down, or on the other side of the coin—you want a home makeover but don’t know exactly where to begin. They can be a great resource when it comes to taking ideas and putting them into motion in your home. However, interior design is also a business and there are definitely some tricks to the trade.
Here are 4 things that you should know before opening your door to the professionals:
Professionals Have Connections
Source: New Town Connections
Interior design is a business, albeit a creative one, but still a business at its core. When hiring an interior designer, you must consider it just like you would any other business deal. This means that interviewing potential candidates is a must. Since networking is a big part of any business success, you will want to hire an interior designer who has a long history in the trade; therefore, has lots of connections.
Remember that a well-connected designer has great resources when it comes to discounts which they can pass onto you. An interior designer that is new to the market may try and exaggerate their connections because they don’t want you to know that they lack a history in the business. Make sure you ask who your interior designer knows for specific products such as flooring or countertops. These features are pricey, but could be reduced with the right connections.
Discuss Budget First
Source: NewBerg
While it would be nice to think that your interior designer has your budget savings in mind—this usually isn’t the case. Unless you clearly discuss your monetary limits at the start, your designer is going to choose the best features in quality and structure. The finished job reflects upon them, so of course they want it to look lavish and top-of-the-line.
This has the potential to boost your bill beyond your budget, and unless you’re looking to break the bank, be sure to discuss budget limits and how far you’re willing to go. If you have hired the right designer, they will give you some ideas on what changes to your design plan need to be made to help you stay within that budget.
Related: 7 Important Tips to Remember When Choosing the Right Designer
Don’t Bypass Your Preferences
Your interior designer is a professional, but also a person with preferences. If you leave the options too wide open, you might soon realize that what your interior designer loves is what your home becomes. This is also the sign of a poorly qualified designer—their main job is to design for you not for themselves. Interior designers don’t want to design rooms that they think are ugly; rooms that do not adhere to their tastes, but that is simply part of their job.
Be sure to have a discussion about what you love before your interior décor becomes a testament to your designer’s interests and hobbies. Show the designer pictures of rooms you love, colors that call to you, and fabrics you admire.
The Best for Less?
Source: Royal Randwick
Just because they claim to be the best doesn’t mean you can’t find someone just as talented for less. Interior design students will often take on projects for school credit and could offer up quality services for half the cost. But remember, they are just starting out, so they will not have the connections that an established condo interior design in Singapore professional does.
Ask around for referral from friends who have hired interior designers. Be sure to check out each designer’s portfolio to ensure that their ideas meet your expectations. Take your time in hiring a decorator. Although the saying goes ‘you get what you pay for’ you deserve to find an interior designer who can give you what you want and within your budget.
At M3Studio, we always ensure that the design you’ve always wanted is reached – we won’t call it a day until we don’t put into reality what is best for your home! At the end, it’s your decision and input that we always prioritize. Give us a call and we’ll let you experience the best interior designing.
by Montie Mahtani | Mar 2, 2016 | Design Tips, Home Upkeep
When planning for the perfect interior design, the heavy task relies on you first. Why? That’s because you have to find the perfect interior designer to do the job, which is something that isn’t easy. According to a condo interior design Singapore expert, hiring an interior designer will help you choose the right materials for your dream home. However, there are things that you need to know first so as to ensure that you hire the right person.
Remember that when meeting with the designer that you wish to work with it’s to identify if he or she can materialize the ideas you’ve always wanted to become a reality. In order to help you out, you better keep in mind these six essential questions that you may want to ask.
What is Your Design Aesthetic?
Source: California MRKT
The designer should show floor plans, photos, fabric samples and anything that pertains to their completed projects. Doing so can help you a lot in assessing if your vision can match their style. Consider asking about their previous clients and how they worked on a project so you can look into how they work. From there, evaluate if he or she can deliver the design you have in mind.
Were You Able to Work with a Similar Project in the Past?
It’s essential to know if your interior designer is experienced at working with similar spaces and households which are similar to yours. If you live in a condo, it would be advisable to work with a condo interior design Singapore expert who excels in maximizing small spaces. Doing so can help you evaluate the skills he or she has particularly in working with such similar projects.
Can You Tell Me About Your Rates?
Source: SVA.Edu
An interior designer once said that when you hire a professional, typically they will charge you a law-standardized fee for the design solutions to your problems. If that is the case, it’s better to ask for a clear overview of the designer’s rates. Find out whether you’re paying an hourly rate or a project fee, and remember to inquire about more affordable solutions if the total costs exceed your budget. Remember: asking questions means no harm, so don’t think twice about asking such question.
Is My Preferred Design in Line with the Current Budget I Have?
Source: Sales Bench Mark Index
This part here is really tricky, as there are designers who would not tell you about the difference between your budget and your desired design. As a result, you’ll be surprised with how much you’ll actually be spending and that the money needed isn’t in anyway in line with your preferred budget. If the total cost exceeds your budget, inquire about more affordable solutions. Your designer can give you suggestions about working with what you already have.
Related: 11 Awesome Interior Design Ideas You Can Apply In Your Home
How long will it Take You for the Project to be done?
Source: Autobody Concept
Before signing the contract, you need to have a project timeline. An excellent interior designer will work within your time frame, as well as inform you of if it is not possible. Know that it’s important for you to know an estimated finished time, so as to anticipate all the resources needed for the design to be achieved. Otherwise, you will be caught in the corner, as you are not prepared for the timeline.
Will You Be the One Who’ll Do the Purchasing?
Source: Bedrock Data
Your designer will suggest furniture and accessories that will work well with your home. Or that he or she will ask you to buy materials that are not within your budget’s reach. Nonetheless, know that what he or she is telling you is for the purpose of getting the perfect design. However, it is your decision if you will let him/her do all the buying or if you really have to buy the said materials – remember that the right interior design can give you other options so as to save yourself from spending too much.
Do You Offer Discounts or Something?
Source: Realistic
Although not all designers are into giving discounts at first projects, it doesn’t hurt to ask such question. Keep in mind that the purpose of asking this is to have the knowledge of how flexible his or her rates can be. It could be for the purpose of getting discounts the next time you’ll contract her for another project. Also, it’s a great way to introduce possible rate negotiations.
We here are M3Studio believes that acquiring the right interior designer is as important as getting the right design for your home. If you need an expert at such, give us a call and you won’t regret it. We can offer you good prices for great designs!
