(Not-So-Automated) Away Message

Dear friends... It's almost midnight here, and I am rarely up at this hour. But I need to drop you guys a quick note to let you know that I'll be away for a week or so. There's been a family emergency, it happened so sudden and we're all still coming to grips with it. I'll be flying home tomorrow. Will update when I can. Meanwhile, take good care of yourselves!

+ inspired by: Bright Cheery Home

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Hello dear friends! Gosh - we are in full winter mode here! It started raining yesterday afternoon, with strong howling winds, and there was even a half an hour black out when we were in the midst of watching Masterchef! I could still hear the pitter-patters when I woke this morning, and I spent the whole morning in socks and fleece with the heater by my side. Needless to say, it's quite depressing!

I wish I was here instead!!!

{Images by Lincoln Barbour, via JHID}

This is a 50's remodelled ranch house in the south-west of Portland, a project by designer Jessica Helgerson. I'm loving the bright, happy and fresh colors, and that breakfast nook! Imagine enjoying your morning coffee with the sun coming through the windows... Oh sun... I need you!

Hope it's much warmer wherever you are! Have a great day!

+ loving: Paperfashion

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I posted about Paperfashion by Katie Rodgers when I first started this blog. Since then I've been dropping by her website once in a while to enjoy and be inspired by her amazingly beautiful watercolour illustrations.

Thought I'll share some of her new works here this lazy Saturday morning...

{All images by Katie Rodgers via Paperfashion blog and shop}

I am especially delighted by the simple but super cute GIF images she's been sharing on her blog (you can see it here), it's amazing how a little movement can inject extra life into those quirky little drawings! Am also loving her 'Little Paper Things' - cut outs of her illustrations, some made into a short video - again, such a simple gesture, but adds surprising depth and dimension to each product!

Hope you enjoy this little piece of beautiful inspiration today. We are off to the city for some greatly missed Asian lunch. May you all have a great weekend too!

+ loving: Very French Gangsters

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Question: Why weren't there such funky glasses when I was a kid and needed badly to look cool?!!!

Haha, oh yea, believe it or not, I was such a nerdy, geeky looking kid, with those goldfish-like plastic frames; 'four-eyed-girl' was something I heard frequently, nothing pretty or cute, certainly not funky or with attitude!

But these!! These frames by Very French Gangster, a french brand specialising in eyewear for kids - they are an entirely different story, aren't they? But then again, kids today are in an entirely different 'world' compared to the one I grew up in - lucky brats!

{All images via Very French Gangsters}

The kids in the lookbook are super cute too! Check them out here.

+ ideas: White Floors

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I got an email the other day from a reader asking about white floors in a Scandinavian style setting and what my thoughts on them.

Coming from an Asian heritage, I have to admit that we grew up not being big on white floors, with the typical mentality that it will probably attract more dirt. But to be honest, I believe any color and type of floors still attract dirt, dust, stains and all other horrors, just that the darker colors maybe hide them better (or not, in the case of dust); whether you see them or not doesn't mean they are not there sharing the space you're living and breathing in!

{#1-#3 Minimal Lifestyle Home, via Ikea Family Live | #4 Tine K's Home, via ATNY | #5 | #6 Betsy Brown's Living, photography by Don Freeman via House & Home | #7 Industrial Dining, Photography: Jeltje Janmaat via VT Wonen | #8 Scrap Wood Design, Styling by French Uyterlinde, photography by Jansje Klazinga via VT Wonen}

From a designer's point of view, however, I love white floors! They really do open up the space and brighten the room, and when paired with appropriate furnishings and accessories, acts as a base which uplifts your entire interior. As for whether they are a nightmare to maintain, I guess it depends on the environment you're in, your cleaning routines, if you wear shoes into the home, and whether you have pets and children in the house.

 

{#9 White Floor by Annaleena | #10-#12 White Rooms, photography by Alexander van Berge}

In terms of the choice of materials, while most traditional Scandinavian homes have wooden floorings which gives the rustic, homely touch I love, you could also consider tiles, concrete or even epoxy flooring for a more modern finish.

Just like all design decisions, it takes common sense and an understanding of how you live and if a trend will fit into that, or if it's just a copy-paste from the showrooms with no relevance what-so-ever to your lifestyle; white floors may not be for everyone, but it will work in the right space and setting, and it can be really beautiful!

{#13-#15 Studio in Central Stockholm, photography by Johan Carlsson via Skonahem | #16-#17 Photography by Alexander van Berge}

Have fun with those white floors! 

+ loving: Over-dyed Vintage Rugs

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I surprise myself sometimes; for a long time, rugs almost never cross my mind, except maybe when I have to vacuum ours, and then suddenly they are all I can think about! And not just any rugs, but these gorgeous, history-laden, threadbare, imperfect, vintage rugs which are distressed and over-dyed.

It actually started when I was watching The Voice on TV, and they showed scenes from the practice studio, where the floor was decorated with oriental rugs of all shapes and sizes, overlapping one another, haphazardly placed around the space. Yeah I know, it's a singing competition reality show and I was looking at the decor - oh well, what can I say? Anyway, I started Googling, one thing led to another, I couldn't stop, and the collection below is the result I have to show!

{VT Wonen}

The over-dyed rugs trend has been around for a couple of years. Most processes that goes into creating one of these involves the collection of vintage, worn down rugs which are put through washes to neutralise and extract most of its original colors, and then re-dyed into these striking and beautiful over-dyed pieces.

I enjoy objects with history and bears traces of stories and memories, so these rugs really does it for me. I like how the original patterns remains, an imprint of the traditional, while the new colors give them a contemporary dimension.

{ABC Carpet: Color Reform}

Some rugs are made up of a collection of smaller rugs joined into a patchwork design, and I quite enjoy the patterns they create after being over-dyed into one color of various tones, as each different piece reacts differently to the dying process. I also like the ones which are mended and patched up in various spots, with the sewing still visible, or even the ones with frayed, worn out edges - they are all so unique and one of a kind. The over-dyed look then gives them a new, contemporary identity to something traditional; now they have another new layer of stories to tell.

Placed together with modern furnishings, these rugs creates such an interesting conversation between the old and new!

{Few and Far}

{Limited Edition}

{Carpet Reloaded}

{Woven Accents}

{Loom Rugs: Overdyed Vintage}

If I were to pick one for the house, I might go for one of those faded, lighter tone ones instead of the monochromatic striking pieces. But it would be a while (make that a long while) before I can afford even a small piece! Maybe I can start collecting one small section at a time and make up my own big patchwork later?

I hope you've enjoyed this round up. I know it's a long post, but I couldn't help myself after encountering so many amazing and inspiring pieces in my little research process! And finally, I've also attached a video below, by Mike Strout of Still & Co, on his work of over-dying Persian rugs.

{Still + Co.}

Have a great day!

+ inspired by: Stylist Susanna Vento

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Is it possible to experience inspiration overload? - in a good way, I mean. Well, I'm feeling an overwhelming sense of creativity-induced euphoria just looking through the work of super talented Finish interior designer + stylist Susanna Vento!

Her style is distinctively Scandinavian, yet uniquely individual. Her compositions are clean, focused, with well thought details. They can be simple, yet fun and quirky - a definite pleasure to the eyes - absolutely amazing!

I can seriously spend the entire day looking at the images over and over. They get me all inspired and make me happy, and that's what good design is, isn't it - they give joy!

{All images via Susanna Vento, by respective photographers - please see website for further details}

Hope you're feeling inspired too! Have a great day!

+ loving: Naked Bulbs!

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I've always enjoyed the look of the exposed light bulb hanging off a cord; it's probably related to the part of me which is attracted to industrial, loft-living, rustic, eclectic style. While flipping through some books and mags lately, I was reminded of the trend, and collected some inspirations to share here.

{#1 styling by Anouk B/ photography by Marjon Hoogervorst | #2 styling and photography by Anna Leena Karlsson | #3 from Overspray on Etsy}

The exposed light bulb look made its come back in the early 2000s, and was mostly spotted in trendy restaurants, cafes and boutiques. But it wasn't long before they got accepted into the homes too. I don't have one, though I do like the look very much; my dad would probably promptly give me some money if he spot one in my place, thinking I couldn't afford a decent shade!

{#4 Matt Blatt | #5 styling by French Uyterlinde/ photography Jansje Klazinga/ VT Wonen | #6 styling by Susanna Vento/ photography by Kristiina Kurronen}

{#7 styling by Tina Hellberg/ photography Magnus Anesund | #8 styling by Lotta Agaton/ photography Petra Bindel | #9 styling by Esther Jostmeijer/ photography Dennis Brandsma/ VT Wonen}

Yes, apart from being industrial and warehouse like, the exposed light bulb does give a sense of quirky incompleteness, and I love the basic, stripped simplicity of it! And if like me, you're worried about racking up high power usage with those old fashion bulbs, many shops now carry energy saving LED bulbs with equally cool effect (and definitely safer too, especially if you have children/toddlers in the house)! Also, be sure to keep the wattage low or invest in a dimmer to reduce glare.

{#10 sourced from Sigh.SE via Anna G. | #11 Photography by Jakob Nylund}

{#12 & #13 from ESNY, discovered via Anna G.}

{#14 Edison Bulb/ Anthropologie}

{#15 - Photography Jeltje Janmaat/ VT Wonen| #16 Norm Architects | #17 by Industry}

What are your thoughts on the naked bulb?

+ inspired by: Gosta Peterson Photography

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These images reminds me of the old fashion magazines and pattern books my mom and Aunty Karen used to keep. Many years ago when my mom was clearing out the old bookcase, she came across some of them and let me flipped through them. I can't remember what happened to them after that - I really should have hang on to those magazines!

These images dates back to the 60s and 70s. They are the works of Swedish-born, self taught photographer, Gosta Peterson. He specialised in fashion and portraits of jazz musicians.

There is an air of unspoilt, untouched - an almost unreal sense of feel to these images - they were certainly not Photoshop-ed, I'm sure! Love them!

{All images by Gosta Peterson, discovered via Iain Claridge}