Happy Year Of The Dragon!

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Happy Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Gong Xi!

May the year of the dragon bring you prosperity, good health, 

great fortune, love and happiness!

{Image by Sixth and Main}

+ loving: Flight 001

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Good morning dear friends! By the time this post is up, I should be checking-in at the airport. Yup, I'm off again - this time we're heading home for the Chinese new year's holidays!! Haven't been home for more than a year now, and we seriously can't wait!! We've been counting the days, and were already on holiday mode since the weekend!

Packing for a trip is never an easy task; I'm always caught between what I want, what I need, and what I might or might not acquire along the trip. When I came across Flight 001 some time back, I can't help but wish that I have all these accessories to help me get better organised! Check them out!

While there are the usual bags and luggages, I'm much more attracted to these accessories and pouches, which will not only keep my stuffs so well organised, add comfort, but looks so good and stylish too!




Aren't these in-flight accessories funky? My flights usually never take more than 7-8 hours, and a book, a wrap and my iPod are usually sufficient to keep me comfortable and entertained. But these would be fantastic additions! And there are great products for when you've arrived at destination too!

{All images from Flight 001}

Alright dear friends, I'm off! I'll try to drop in as often as I can in between running around, shopping, and meeting friends and families... :) Take care there!! Missing you already!

+ loving: Lotta Agaton Shop

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Happy Monday dear friends!

Last month, we enjoyed the inspiring styling of the very creative Lotta Agaton; today, let me take you to her shop!

{Images from Lotta Agaton Shop}

The Lotta Agaton Shop opened recently in Stockholm, and it looks like walking onto one of Lotta-styled set! I love the monochrome look, and the way products are merchandised and highlighted in such casual manner. Also really loving the stacked crates along one of the walls (top image) - always been dreaming about having something like that in my own place.

{Images by Annaleena Karlsson}

You'd recognise more than a few familiar items too, like Therese Sennerholt's prints, products by Ineke Hans, and the Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar calendar too!

{Images via Lotta Agaton}

Wish I live in Stockholm!!

+ loving: Craig & Karl

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Hello hello, good morning and Happy Friday!! Ally and I were up at 3am munching peanut butter sandwich because we had problem falling asleep. While it is not a recommended practice for a work night, it was an experience to share nonetheless! And I think we both managed to drift off an hour after the comforting snack. Peanut butter could be the remedy to sleepless nights? haha...

Although feeling a little hazy and slow this morning, I'll soon be more energized after seeing these super-swell colour-popping work by Craig & Karl (while sipping strong strong coffee...)!

I first discovered Craig & Karl's work while shopping at Oroton (yes, I could still spot inspirations even when blinded by the spotlights on designer handbags!); I came across these cute and bright postcards with illustrations of Oroton bags on them and took a few before walking out of the boutique, empty handed, I might add! I love collecting postcards, and these are currently my favourite!


+ you can download these via the Oroton website and use as desktop wallpapers!

Craig & Karl live on opposite end of the world; Craig is from New York while Karl is based in Sydney. However, art and design certainly knows no graphical or time zone constrains, and these two amazingly talented guys manage to collaborate daily to create bold work that is filled with simple messages executed in a thoughtful and often humorous way. I really enjoy their quirky and unique style! Their impressive portfolio includes works of illustration, installation, typography, as well as character, editorial and pattern design. (find out more about their individual work and projects here)

And as I am not running on full brain function at the moment, I shall refrain from saying too much for fear of embarrassing myself (you should see the typo mistakes I've been making just coming up with this post!), and leave you to enjoy their inspiring, contemporary, funky and uplifting-ly cheerful work.


{Rooftop Cinema Campaign | Illustration and typography for Rooftop Cinema in Melbourne. The characters represent classic screenings from the event's sunset program: 'Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas', 'Lolita', 'Revenge of the Nerds' and 'Breakfast At Tiffany's', and sit in the cinema's iconic striped deck chairs.}

{Project 72 DP | An immersive mural created for the underground carpark of a private residence in Sydney, Australia. Mural installation by Edward Woodley. Photography by Katherine Lu.}

{Darcel from the blog Darcel Disappoints is the creation of Craig Redman. Here, Darcel covers the opening of the Louis Vuitton maison opening for LVMH’s Nowness.}

{The Little Price cover design and The Quick Brown Fox typography}

I'm gonna go try and wake up some more now... Please excuse my blur-ness!

{All images by Craig & Karl}

+ inspired by: An Oh-So-Impressive Flat In Bergen (and its occupants!)

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Good morning dearest friends! Happy Wednesday, and good to see you all back on this 'page'! Today, I am so so SO inspired by this beautiful flat in Norway, and the super creative people who live in it. This home has been featured in IKEA Family magazine as well as on the IKEA Family Live website, so if you've came across it previously, bear with me. But I'm gonna share with you all the little bits which got me all excited and inspired!

Siw (an IKEA interior design manager and award-winning blogger for the blog Design Shimmer) and her partner Roger shares this flat in Bergen, Norway, sometimes only with each other, other times with their 6 children (ranging from the ages of 17 - 25). While the children all have their individual places, this is the one home they all share, and it's been lovingly nicknamed "The Apartment".


The flat was supposed to be a temporary home, while the house Siw's designed to accommodate the whole family is being built. They've since been there for 5 years, and the new place is currently at it's final stages of being ready.

What touched and inspired me the most about this home is not the furnitures, colours or layout (although they are all brilliant!), but the people and the concept they live by. It may not be significant or obvious to anyone else; it's as much a sense of 'feeling' as what we can see and judge just by the images alone. It is probably also due to the 'ties' I have with the Scandinavian style and concept, of which is not something I live or am born with, but have learn about, adopted, fell in love with and have deep respect for. Of course, it has a lot to do with my previous years of working and training with IKEA, and seeing this home now, hearing Siw talk about the concept and their way of living, it reinforces the fact that it is not an idea which exist only for the sake of selling flat-pack furnitures and making a profit; it really is a way of life, you can bring it home, you can go to sleep and wake up with it, as long as you believe in it and make it works for you!

Phew ~ intense? I know... I get a little emotional talking about things I'm passionate about! Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself here! Let me show you the flat, and then you might just 'get' what I'm going on about! (and if you don't, its ok too!)


The overall style of the flat is modern and timeless, with lots of light, neutral furnishings, highlighted with some black which contrasts beautifully with the whites. There is a touch of quirkiness here and there, personal items which are not only decorative but adds a sense of history and individuality to the space, and lots of practical but smart solutions - check out the 'fake' window in the kitchen, created with just a curtain and some fairy lights! ps. and the 'house rules' on the kitchen wall is super cute!

{Image left by Anders Schønnermann | Images right by Sandra Aslaksen via Design Shimmer} 

Three little 'rules' help govern how the spaces are used:
1. Instead of 'zoning' a space with different colours, styles or furnishings, Siw believes in 'unifying' the areas within a room. "A room should work as a whole, while meeting a variety of requirements"

2. While storage is very important and creates space, they also take up space. "We didn't want to cram our home with storage on the wall, or for it to take up valuable floor space." Instead, take into consideration how much storage you really need, and also come up with ways to implement smart solutions. I love how Siw has lined pretty and unusual shopping bags along the top shelf of her open wardrobe, in which she fills with out-of-season clothings, creating recycled storage which doesn't look bulky (unlike mine, all in ugly plastic boxes!!) and are so visually pleasant too!

3. Mix, but don't match. While mixing textures, materials and styles gives the home it's own unique character and style, having everything matchy-matchy could well have a totally opposite effect. Coordinating, rather than matching, will help bring everything together.

{Image left by Anders Schønnermann | Images right by Design Shimmer}

{Image top left by Anders Schønnermann | Other images by Design Shimmer}

{Images by Design Shimmer}

But you know what? These aren't rules to live by, rather rules to help us live better! And they could be anything, as long as it's applicable to you, your way of living, and what works for you in your own space. That is why I find it all so smart and humanistic, so simple, and so inspiring! I grew up in the 'built-in' culture, and I know people who still live that way, where everything is fix into place, probably for the next 5-10 years, depending on the workmanship of your contractor. While it is uncomplicated and uniformed, and you don't have to worry about small items falling through the gap in between the wall and your wardrobe, it doesn't necessarily work for everyone, and I find myself moving further and further away from that (except maybe for the kitchen, I still need that built-in please!).

That's all from me, for now. Hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have, and thank you for stopping by and sharing this little space with me today! Have a creative day ahead!

{All images by Anders Schønnermann, via IKEA Family Live and Design Shimmer, unless stated otherwise}

+ quickie: Coffee {Table} Talk / 2

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{Image by Alexander van Berge, via VT Wonen}

Another design-quickie tip to make your day!

The living room, usually being one of the bigger and busier space (entertainment, relaxing, media...) within the home, it is inevitable for the room to bear a larger percentage of the storage load. This is when a coffee table which can also acts as extra storage comes into play.

While there are ready made tables with drawers and shelf compartments, nothing adds character to a space like up-cycled boxes and trunks. The top surface can be used to hold the usual items like drinks and books, while under the lid you can hide away anything from throws and cushions to magazines and remote controls. Not only is it green-friendly, but so multi-functional too!

Put a chair pad on top and it will also double up as a stool when guests drop by!

+ loving: "Say no to naked furnitures"

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Good morning dear friends! Hope your week is coming along well! Now here is something interesting I came across some time back.

For those who love their flat-packs, but feel the need to spruce them up a little, maybe add some colours and designs to the otherwise white, black, birch and pine furnitures - you'd love Mykea.


"Say no to naked furniture" is the big idea behind this small but creative and innovative company based in Amsterdam. It all started when they set up their own office with Ikea furnitures, and was confronted with a result which was functional but lacking in colour and personal touch. From there, the concept to "cover up the shameless nakedness and uniformity of the furnitures" was born.

Mykea has come up with a creative way to cover this so-called "nakedness", and allows you to customise your Ikea furnitures with exclusively designed vinyl prints, giving your interior a trendy, personal and unique look.

The most popular furnitures to receive this makeover are the Billy bookcase, Malm chest of drawers, Lack coffee table, Expedit bookcase and Malm bed, but Mykea also cater graphic sizes to many other Ikea furnitures (see the list here). 

The designers and artists they are working with to produce these great prints includes Judy Kaufmann, Threadless, Million Dollar Design, Beige Studio, and many more. You can also find popular characters from Nickelodeon and the Mr Men series under the kids and brands section. Or, if you would like to show off the graphic of your own choice, there's also an option to upload your own favourite picture. Oh, and if you don't want them on your furnitures, Mykea makes stickers for your walls too!



What do you think? While I have no problem with my "naked" furnitures, I do enjoy the idea and the creative process of the concept. And I never say no to fun and funky graphics!

{All images by Mykea}

+ loving: Graphics By Jessica Nielsen

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Apparently, we're not done with calendars just yet! Well, it is still only the second week of January!

Jessica Nielsen, independent designer and illustrator from The Netherlands, was recently featured in the January issue of 101 Woonideeen, and she created this super-cute calendar to go with the interview!

{Images by Jessica Nielsen | Free download via 101 Woonideeen}

I like her simple style, the adorable shapes and the beautiful colour palette. Did you notice that each month is represented by quirky characters inspired by everyday objects and home wares? So brilliant!

Apart from illustrations, Jessica also designs and develops colourful paper and textile products. Her work is inspired by pretty packaging from the 50s, animals and nature, and she is also fond of simple shapes, colours and text - all strongly reflected in her creations.

{Other products by Jessica Nielson, available for sale in her shop}

Have an inspiring day!

Weekend Tidbits: 08.01.12

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Hello dear friends! Happy Sunday! It's raining today, with howling winds like those to pick Mary Poppins up on her umbrella (oh hang on, she has magic, she doesn't need to wind!) - oh well, you get the idea, strong winds. Ally's working this weekend, so it's just me in the house. Some days I welcome the quiet solitude, but this weekend has been particularly restless.

But restless or not, I still have a few little bits and pieces to share with you here!




{1} "not all who wander are lost" Downloadable January Desktop Calendar from Oh, Hello Friend - I love this fresh and pretty calendar by Danni, and the canvas background gives it that raw feel which is awesome! It's up on my desktop already, and you can get yours here - also available for iPad and iPhone too! (Image by Oh, Hello Friend, found thanks to mimpimurni)

{2} This mid-century style inspired wedding looked like it really took place in the 50s - it is sweet and "adult" in a very old-school sort of way, yet funky and fun at the same time. Definitely one of those weddings that is styled full of personal character and unique touches! (Images by photographer Stewart Leishman, via Ruffled)

{3} I should probably stop thinking of sewing and just get on with it! And these make-your-own fabric doll kits by Miko Design could be just the project to get me started!! The I Love Paris Doll and Rabbit comes separately or in a combi set kits of red or blue. They are super adorable!! The kit alsohas little cameras and their own bottle of Chanel No. 5 - gotta smell glamorous, even if you're just a doll/ rabbit in Paris! (Images by Miko Design)

{4} Dutch graphic designer Carlien Peijsel created this series of screen printed cushions she adoringly named "Just Laying Around". I love the pale, neon-ish colours, and the fun part about these cushions is they have a "normal side" (keys, knitting needles) and a "naughty side" (bras and "toys") - cheeky and so creative! (Images by Carlien Peijsel)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

+ quickie: Coffee {Table} Talk

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{Photographer: William Abranowicz Designer: Lee Mindel - via Elle Decor}

Whether your living room is huge like the one in the image, or tiny like mine, you will most likely need a coffee table (or three).

These days, when it comes to coffee tables, there are no hard and fast rules. Of course they should serve their purpose of holding your coffee (or tea), and maybe a couple of magazines you're currently reading, and if you still have space left, some candles, everyday objects, decoratives and/or flowers.

Technically, you should go for something which spans about two thirds the length of your sofa so that it is long enough to create an anchor for the furnitures grouped around it, and still have space for traffic flow on the sides.

On a side note, how beautiful and bright is this living room? I love all that light in the space, and those cleverly placed funky coloured furnitures and decors really make the place pop!

+ inspired by: Kiddies Clothings IKEA Style

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My two and half year old niece just started attending pre-school/kindy. I thought it was a little early, but her mummy said it is normal for kiddies these days (!?). It's her fourth day at school today, and when I see her in two week's time, I must hug her tight and tell her what a brave and clever girl she is - and maybe get her to play hookie for a few days so we can hang out!

Now, blogging about kiddies stuff isn't really my style, as you well know. However, talking about IKEA is a frequent thing I do, and after stumbling upon these today, I seriously can-NOT resist sharing them here with you!


Aren't these kiddies clothes just super adorable?!!! Apart from not being able to create pretty illustrations, another thing I can't do is sew (like properly, with a machine and all). But after seeing these, I have an urge to learn to sew, if just so I can make such cute stuffs!

These tunic and pants are the creation of very talented craft-pro and pre-school teacher Hanna Berild (if I have a pretty teacher like her, I bet I wouldn't cry every time I was dropped off at kindy!!). She made them out of scrap Annamoe fabric from IKEA. Hanna also created some cute sets for the holidays earlier using Ritva curtain and fabrics from the festive range!

{Images by Andreas Slättner and via  Livet Hemma}

Inspiring people and creations like these makes my day! Hope you feel the same too! Have a creative day!!