by Montie Mahtani | Oct 31, 2017 | Design Tips, Home Upkeep
The interior designer, just like any specialised career path, has a price tag attached to it. In a very competitive industry, it is extremely hard for an designer to justify charging significantly higher than the average rates.
There are a few reasons for having a cost blow out astronomically that goes beyond the designer’s fees.
- Home owners have unique requirements.
An interior designer’s job is to build a productive living area for you that is catered for your needs. Sometimes these needs and the space available make it a challenge for the designer and he has to spend nights mulling over how to be creative with what he has. The more challenging the demands, the more creative the designer has to be, and such a feat can take days of research and weeks of testing the proof of concept before execution.
- Expensive taste in material types
You are a person of exquisite taste and your home must reflect that all the way down to the nails and rivets. Imported items are generally a lot more expensive because of availability and cost of shipment. Some of these products are so unique that they must be customized, and such bespoke solutions are always going to be costlier.
- Complicated designs.
Love that herringbone fall tile design? Sure, it does look so stylish and chic, but such designs come with a high price tag, especially in Singapore when the tasks require manual labour. The longer the task is, the higher the price tag. Hacking of walls and retiling of floor tiles are other areas that usually builds up the cost factor.
So the next time you’re planning for a house, you know the areas to look out for that would probably bust a hole in your pocket. A small area doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to cost less. Always check with your designer on ways you can save money without compromising look and quality. Most times, it’s always easier to be forthcoming with your comfortable budget. Drop us a message if you need to speak to someone who you can trust.
by Montie Mahtani | Oct 10, 2017 | Design Tips, Home Upkeep
You have probably heard horror stories about the renovation industry and disgruntled homeowners having to fork out even more money to repair the shoddy workmanship. News like these is prevalent and unfortunate homeowners are usually left with little avenue for redress but to vent their frustration on the internet. Such rampant negative business practices give all of us legit businesses a bad name.
Here are 3 tell tale signs that you are about to get into a bad deal.
- Lowest Cost
Who doesn’t love a good deal? The problem with deals too good to be true is that it usually isn’t. The marketplace is extremely competitive with profit margins constantly being reduced. As professionals, we immediately know something is amiss when the price quoted by a competitor is remarkably lower. This could only mean one thing – cost cutting is going to happen where customers can’t see. On the onset, you may think you have gotten a good deal, but when the faults start to appear in the months that follow, the contractor is uncontactable, and customers have to fork out another round of money for repairs.
- Contractor or Designer
Designers by virtue of their expertise and effort that comes from project management come with a slightly higher price tag than a contractor. You can think of an interior designer as the architect of the building. Who would you trust to handle the integrity of your renovation works? A designer know what to look out for, which measurement works, and where to lay cables and how many light points is required, etc. For customers who may not be aware of the intricacies that goes in the planning, it’s easy to fall prey to contractors who make bold promises just to close a deal.
- Attractive Package Deals
The way interior designers help you save cost is by providing you a template design with pre-measured fittings. That sounds reasonable doesn’t it? After all, most HDB have similar layout and you stand to gain some savings for using a common design. This would be fine if you have very simple requirements and aren’t the type to sweat a little misalignment or gaps in between fixtures. The thing about design is that, it’s the little things that make the difference. A good design is supposed to make you feel at ease, unconsciously. A badly designed room tends to make the occupant uneasy. And should you request for any changes to the package, that’s when the cost starts getting exorbitant.
If you still unsure about the deal you’re getting, come talk to us and let us help you keep an eye out for renovation pitfalls.
by Montie Mahtani | Sep 21, 2017 | Design Tips
M3 was invited to the National Library of Singapore to speak on interior design topics pertaining to bedroom and bathroom considerations. The vide below is the highlight of that talk.
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
