Know the Basics of Feng Shui

It may be thousands of years old, but the Chinese art of feng shui is showing no signs of becoming outdated. On the contrary, it's more popular around the world than ever. Feng shui, which literally means "wind water" in Chinese, aims to incorporate natural elements and create harmony to actively encourage good fortune and dispel bad luck in a home.

Feng shui is not merely mysticism, it can add a touch of aesthetics to your home as well.
There are many principles of feng shui, but one of its main tenets is polarity or balance. The yin yang symbol is an excellent representation of equilibrium to bear in mind. In practical terms, this means having both relaxing, calm and passive (yin) and active, strong and vibrant (yang) elements. Ideas for yin features include a tranquil photo or painting and soft music, whereas bright colours and strong lights can add yang energy.

Whether or not you believe in the mystic benefits of feng shui, this art form can still breathe life into the layout, design and general feel of your home. Its basic tenets, which advocate placing five natural elements (wood, fire, metal, earth and water) into your home, can create a soothing atmosphere thanks to fountains with running water and potted plants.

In any residence, the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen form the vital backbone of a house. Feng shui is no different, and it recognises the importance of these three fundamental rooms. You will want your sleeping and washing areas to be filled with calm energy, and your eating area to be energised for hearty cooking and dinner parties.

In general, the way you decorate these rooms should be dictated by common sense. Trust your senses — if your kitchen is a hectic sensory overload of colours and sounds, your bedroom needs to be even more restful; a haven of tranquility to which you can retreat from noise and stress. Ideally, when considering your house room by room as well as in totality, it should seem like a stable, well-composed unit, with no room hogging the limelight.

Another tenet of feng shui is the flow of qi or energy. Again, while there are elements of mysticism here there is a grounding of common sense. "Blocking" the energy of your house can lead to a palpable sense of claustrophobia or oppression. Consider the entrance of your home, for example. Is that where you dump all your shoes and damp umbrellas? If so, your home forms a weak impression before you've even stepped through your door. A house with good feng shui will have a strong, clear flow of energy at the entrance.

And it's not just small homes that stand by this blend of aesthetics and mysticism. Massive and influential international companies such as HSBC, and even Marina Bay Sands here in Singapore, do consult feng shui masters when designing new office headquarters or buildings.
Whichever way you look at it, feng shui has something to offer to any home owner. Yet there is obviously a lot more to learn about this simple yet intricate art.

By Daniel Seifert


To hear more, you can head to the iProperty.com EXPO for a talk by Joey Yap, founder of Joey Yap Consulting Group. On October 29 at Marina Bay Sands Singapore he will be discussing practical feng shui for property buyers. Visit www.iproperty.com/expo/ for more details.

DIY - Creating the ideal home office

Working from home has over the years seen a paradigm shift from being an option to a chosen few employees to today being an alternative to many as the cost of commuting to work rises and as environmental consciousness and the willingness of employers to save on cost and retain valued employers become more important.

The great thing about making your home your place of work besides the fact that you don’t have to rush to get to work on time, is that you are able to work at your own pace, have your own schedule and most importantly, there’s no need to wear a shirt and tie all day long!

But working from home does present its own challenges too. For example, an office has all the necessary technology and supplies to help you do your duties, but your home does not.

Don’t worry, because here are some basic requirements that will set you on the road to a functional home office. They include:

◦Deciding on a budget.

◦Purchasing the necessary equipment that will help you in your work, and deciding where to set them up.

◦A computer, such as a desktop or laptop. This is a MUST HAVE!

◦A printer is a good investment. You might want to consider printers that double-up as scanners and photocopiers. You will save on money and space.

◦Setting up phone and electrical lines. You will have to make sure that you have sufficient electrical outlets to plug your computer, printer, etc.

◦Good lighting which is essential for you to work well. Purchase a small desktop lamp if you need to work into the night.

◦Is the room air-conditioned? If not, you might want to buy one. You can get an inexpensive portable air-conditioner these days which works well.

◦Designing your home office in such a way that your work time remains separate from what other family members are doing so that you do not get distracted and lose productivity. Noises coming from the television or the cooking that’s being done in the kitchen are some examples of distractions that can affect your work.

◦Using indoor plants to soften up the look of your home office. They will also help boost your general health by filtering air and increasing oxygen levels.

◦Investing in cabinets to help keep important files and documents.

Feng Shui For Your Home Office
If you are keen to make your stint working from home a success, why not try Feng Shui. According to Feng Shui practitioners, it can bring benefits to your work and lifestyle. Here are some tips you can try.

◦Have your home office as far away from the bedroom as possible. This will ensure that your work life remains separate from other activities in your private life.

◦Position your desk in such a way that your back is not facing the door. Also make sure you are not facing a wall whilst you are sitting at your desk.

◦Do not keep a lot of things in your work place. It is believed that clutter drains your energy.

It’s becoming easier to work from home
The huge advancements in technology have made it easier for people to work from home. You can converse with your colleagues or bosses over the phone and conduct meetings through the internet by using webcam technology and Skype. The conveniences of such technology are making home offices a viable option for more and more people.
Maybe it’s something you might want to consider for yourself?

Article courtesy of - http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/

Worst Decorating Mistakes

There are no decorating rules that are set in stone since everyone's tastes are different. There are, however, standards of decorating that most people agree on. See the list below for the most common decorating mistakes that go against common decorating standards.

Decorating Mistake #1 - Clutter
There should be a place for everything and everything should be in its place. Clutter can make even the best designed homes look bad. Clutter can also add stress, burden, and anxiety to your life, so get rid of it. Go through your decor at least once a year to purge and put away items that you no longer love. Instead of multiple smaller items, use one larger item in your decor. Kids have many things, so attempt to keep them in order. Try to Display Children's Art in a More Organized and Sophisticated Manner.


Decorating Mistake #2 - No Color
Most new homes are constructed with beige, cream, and white as the color scheme in order to appeal to as many people as possible. Paint your walls a color instead of light beige. If you are afraid of color, use a darker beige. Don't forget about painting your ceilings.

Decorating Mistake #3 - Protective Plastic Covering
Furniture and accessories often come in a protective plastic covering so they are not damaged or get dirty in shipping. The plastic covering should be removed immediately after you receive your item. Discard any plastic covering on your lamp shades, dining room chairs, sofa, or any other item. If you have children and are afraid of them getting your fabric dirty, consider getting a removable cover that should only be used when the child is using the furniture. You can also reupholster the furniture in a stain resistant fabric, such as a leather looking vinyl.

Decorating Mistake #4 - Cheap Artificial Flowers and Plants

Just admit it, you rarely clean your fake flowers and plants, especially the ones on top of your kitchen cabinets. Discard any faux flowers, plastic ivy, and dried flowers. Leave your upper cabinets bare except for maybe some uplighting. If you must have fake flowers or plants, spend extra money and get good quality ones, but make sure you dust them at least once a month.

Decorating Mistake #5 - Decorating with Generic Items to Fill the Space
Your home should be a reflection of your style, not a showroom for the popular accessories store down the street. Decorate your home with your own personal treasures, not generic items that happen to be the right size and color. Use decor from your travels, flea markets, antique stores, and other places that have one of a kind items instead of mass produced decor that your neighbors probably also have in their home.

Article courtesy of: http://www.interiordesigninfo.com/

DIY - Maximizing Small Spaces

Picture: http://www.smootree.sg/

Many newly constructed apartments in Singapore are notorious for having small rooms. This can make it tricky for you when you are designing your room. However, living in a small space doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on style or comfort. You can still have the home of your dreams despite the cramped space with these great tips to help you.

Choose the right furniture
Furniture always takes up a lot of space and if you have a small room, then it doesn’t make sense to buy big bulky items such as that king-sized bed or ottoman for your bedroom. Get furniture which is compact so that you maximize space and your room won’t have to look cluttered. Another room where you can maximize space is your dining room. For example, a foldable dining table will help create more space when you are not using it. Another option would be to buy those dining tables that come with chairs which you can place under the table when not in use.

Custom made in-built cabinets will also help you save lots of space and it is an idea which works well in any room be it the bedroom, dining room, kitchen or guest room.
Another design tip to note is just to buy the essential furniture. Don’t go overboard and buy lots of items because it will clutter your room and make it look smaller and you’ll realize that you don’t have enough space.

Apart from buying the right furniture, there are another 6 tips you can use to help you design your small room.

◦Ask yourself if the room really needs a door. Doors are great for rooms like the bedroom because they allow for privacy, but what about the dining room or living area? Ask yourself whether you need a door for those rooms. A door would just make such an area look smaller and they would cut out the light and air flow which would make you feel even more claustrophobic. If you really feel that you need a door, get a sliding door so that you can play with different options.

◦Low ceilings create the effect of a smaller room. If you stay in a landed property, it’s possible to create higher ceilings for your rooms. High ceilings will give the effect of more space to the room.

◦Remove as much clutter as possible from your rooms. Invest in good closet space so that you can keep all your personal belongings in an organized manner which will free up space at the same time.

◦Walls can also create the effect of a smaller space. Apart from those walls which are necessary for structural support, do away with those other walls which are making your room look smaller.

◦Mirrors are a great piece of furniture to have because they help add character to a room and also reflect light enhancing a feeling of space.

◦When decorating your room, keep it simple. Avoid buying too many items to beautify the room because it will end up making it smaller.

◦When painting your room, avoid using dark colours because it will make the room look smaller. Go for lighter colours such as white or beige to create the effect of a bigger space.

◦Lighting is important. Bright lights will help to accentuate the space in your room while dim lights will make it look smaller.

Article courtesy of http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/

Buying Guide for Kitchen Cabinets & Countertops

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the biggest and most exciting projects a homeowner can undertake. The choices and decisions may seem endless, but the possibilities and the payoff are immense. Your family will love cooking and eating together in a brand new space. And best of all, kitchen remodeling offers one of the highest return-on-investment results of any home improvement project. Start your kitchen renovation planning with these buying guides to get an idea of what choices await you.

Kitchen Cabinets
The starting point for every kitchen — the bone structure of the room — is its cabinetry. Kitchen cabinets can be arranged to meet specific needs, whether you’re a wine collector, a pastry chef or a family of nine. A wide variety of specialty cabinets and accessories are available to fit your specific situation.
The first decision to make about cabinetry is which type will work best for you. Kitchen cabinets are available in three levels of specialization and price:

Stock cabinets come in standard sizes and shapes, and are usually available to take home from the store the same day or just a few days later. Size and style options are limited with stock cabinetry, but the price is right for remodelers on a budget.

Semi-custom cabinets are built after your order is placed, so you can choose from among certain options of size and style. That flexibility makes it easier to design a kitchen that fits your particular requirements. Semi-custom cabinetry usually requires a longer lead-time for delivery than stock. Because they offer more choices, they are more expensive than stock cabinets.

Custom cabinets are made by hand to fit almost any standard you require. An odd-sized or irregular-shaped space in your kitchen might not accommodate a stock or semi-custom piece, but a custom cabinetmaker starting from scratch can build nearly anything you need. Custom cabinets are the most expensive of the three types; the exact price varies widely according to size, materials and options. The time it takes to receive a custom cabinet order depends on the cabinetmaker’s schedule.

Cabinet Accessories
Once you’ve decided on a set of cabinets, it’s time to think about accessories. As expected, custom cabinets offer the greatest range of accessories and personalization. But even stock cabinetry can be made much more efficient and useful with the addition of special racks, trays and drawer inserts.

Cabinet Hardware
A little black dress is a classic wardrobe choice, but imagine how much livelier it is when worn with a colourful necklace. Cabinet hardware provides a visual punch to dress up the look of the kitchen, and it also serves an important purpose. After all, what good are cabinets if you can’t open them up to reach inside?
Some cabinet hardware pieces are made specifically to work with the principles of Universal Design, which aims to make living and working spaces more accessible to people with limited physical abilities.

Kitchen Countertops
Once all the cabinetry decisions have been made, select a countertop to make the kitchen complete. Countertops are available in a variety of materials and price ranges, and the best configuration for your kitchen may actually involve more than one type of countertop material.

Article courtesy of Lowe's Home Improvement warehouse
http://www.lowes.ca/

Rules For Decorating Your Room

It doesn’t matter which room it is, there are some things that are always worth bearing in mind when decorating or re-decorating your living space.

Rule 1: Size Matters
While the room is completely unfurnished, amble around it. Stand in various corners, wave your arms around, swing cats (not really) -– just make sure you have a realistic sense of how much stuff your room can fit. Because you’ll look mighty silly when you stick a two-ton sofa or imperial-sized dining table into an area that can’t accommodate it. Conversely, make sure you don’t underestimate the capacity of a room and buy decorations that are too small. Undersized shelves, chairs, tables etc will make it look like you’re living in a doll’s house.


Rule 2: Pick Patterns Prudently
Curtains, tablecloths, carpets, wallpapers and more all blaze out their own colours and patterns, and you want to make sure that they work cohesively. You wouldn’t wear plaid pants and bright white running shoes, so why put your faux zebra skin sofa beneath the polka-dotted blinds? The answer is, you wouldn’t. Think about how your decorations can work best side-by-side. It helps if you squint at your furnished room –- with objects blurred, you’ll be able to spot pieces that are glaringly mismatched.


Rule 3: Let there be (the Right Amount of) LightRule 3: Let there be (the Again, balance is the idea here. You don’t want to give off a hermit-like vibe by installing heavy velvet curtains that give off a cave-like atmosphere, nor is it advisable to install 100-watt light bulbs every two paces. Either extreme end of the spectrum is liable to make guests feel like they’re about to be harshly interrogated. You’ll ideally want to make use of natural light wherever possible, and spread lamps around the room so that there are no incongruous dark zones. Above all, don’t mix fluorescent with normal bulbs; it’s a recipe for a headache.


Rule 4: Comfort First
While it might seem to run counter to the points above, comfort should supersede all other rules. If you’ve found a recliner that makes you feel like the king (or queen) of your castle, a recliner so comfortable that you dream about it even when you’re in your bed, a recliner so soothing that it could broker peace in the Middle East –- then by all means, that should take precedence over its Mr. Men motif or garish but ergonomic pillows. After all, this is your home, not a showroom. (Plus you can always reupholster!)


For more property news, real estate reports and celebrity home features, head to www.iproperty.com.sg/resources

Choosing The Right Tiles For Your Home

   








Picture: Topps Tiles

People forget how important it is to choose the right floor tiles for their home. While floors are not the first thing you notice upon entering a home, it is also the most basic structure of the house. Have you ever stepped into a home with uneven flooring, or had broken tiles? It doesn't create a good first impression at all.


In the past, tiles were used as artistic accents on the walls or floors of homes, but since they are easier to maintain than carpeting and hardwood floors, many people now choose tiles to line their floor.
There are many varieties of floor tiles available in the market today. Depending on the look and color that you want, you will be spoilt for choice. To help you narrow down your choices, here are a few tips to help you.


Style Star
The type of floor tiles that you choose for your home will depend on the style you are going for. If you are attracted to modern and industrial looking designs, then regular machine manufactured tiles should work well. But getting them all in the same size is important to maintain regularity.


If you are looking for a more rustic design, then you can opt for hand-made tiles. These tiles have uneven edges and are usually used for patios or driveways. Your contractor would need to cut the tiles to fit the space accordingly.
If mosaic tiles are more to your liking, then consult a decorator to give you design ideas on how to lay the tiles out in an attractive manner. The last thing you want is to have your contractor lay the tiles with no design in mind, which would be messy.


Size It Up
Before you can start shopping, you have to determine how much ground to cover. Exact measurements are imperative, as that would dictate how many tiles should be purchased. Tiles are usually 1x1 foot in size, so an accurate measurement of the floor space in square feet should be done.
If you're unsure about the size of your room, consult the blue-prints. Remember that any inaccurate measurements of your floor space could be a problem. You don't want to end up with too many tiles, which is a waste of money.

Hard Or Soft?
If you're looking to buy tiles for the floor, choose a harder variety. Determine how much walking is going to be done in the room. The more walking involved, the harder the tile should be. Other than that, you can choose softer tiles. Bathrooms don't need hard tiles as they aren't used as much as the living room. Determine how much walking is going to be done in the room and buy the right tile.


Budgeting
Tiles are sold per piece, so buying them for a large space could be an expensive proposition. Choose good quality tiles that are being sold at a lesser price. And if you're only re-tiling a small room, why not spend a little bit more on something luxurious. It so happens that Italians make the most expensive and beautiful hand-made tiles, often used for fountains and frescoes. So have a think about your budget before-hand.


If you're on a tight budget, then ceramic tiles are a good choice. They are the most affordable tiles on the market and are relatively easy to care for. A few quick swivels with a soapy mop will take care of most messes. And should an accident happen resulting in a few broken tiles, they can be easily replaced.

Article: Courtesy of Propertyguru.com