Tatami Residence

Exterior of the Tatami Residence

My cousin S from Singapore would agree with me that modern Japanese interior design is simple, subtle, pristine and are a perfect match with Scandinavian and mid-century modern furniture, my favourite type. When these schools of design are put together, what you get is a light-filled, airy, minimalist space with punches of colour here and there for visual interest.

The Tatami Residence in Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles, was designed for a young Japanese couple. This residence spans 1,800 square feet over a single floor and ingeniously manages to fit in a courtyard in the centre of the house that fills the abode with plenty of natural light. The system of multiples of a tatami mat was used to ensure that the scale of each room was liveable and comfortable.

Mid-century style living room and courtyard behind

View from kitchen - love the extended wooden island

Let there be light...

Natural lighting from the sky-lights

Wooden deck courtyard

The work station keeps me guessing what the home owners do. Fashion designers maybe?

Work station

A huge bathroom that has been thoughtfully designed with the bathing area (bath and shower) separated by a glass door from the rest of the bathroom.

Bathroom

* All pictures via Design Milk.

The Architect Barbie

We've seen Barbie as a princess, a fashionista, police woman, tennis player and as various glamour personalities. This is the first time ever that Barbie explores the field of architecture, all thanks to the partnership between Mattel and American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Barbie Architect via Design Milk

Even though Barbie traded in her couture gowns for practical work clothes, she still looks ever so glamourous with a hard hat, blueprint tube casing, a model house, chic work outfit and black rimmed glasses.

This has got to be my favourite Barbie, way better than haute couture Barbie and a million times better than the ones by Louboutin that come with a set of the red soled shoes. I mean, come on! Don't get me wrong. I love Louboutin shoes and wished I could afford to own more of them. But, what is the blatant marketing of a high fashion brand to young girls supposed to achieve?

Barbie by Christian Louboutin - how are young girls supposed to relate to this? via Barbie Collector

Combating the Heat

Those of you living in Peninsular Malaysia will agree with me that the dry spell, heat wave and haze earlier this week was becoming close to unbearable. Malaysia is supposed to be a tropical country with plenty of rainfall throughout the year but there has been little of it recently. We need it so bad right now to bring down the temperature and clear the haze that has turned our skyline grey.

Blurred visibility of KL skyline earlier this week via The Star

I work from a little study in my home with large windows and a gorgeous view of a communal garden that I share with other residents in my gated community. Sounds lovely, but I suffer tremendously from this west facing room. Starting from noon each day, the sun fully exposes herself into the room. Whilst the windows are shielded by thick blinds, it is also absorbing the heat from the sun and radiating it into my room which produces more heat.

What are the solutions to fend off some of the sun rays without blasting the AC all afternoon? You could plant a tree to shade your window or you could tint your windows. I'm going for the second option. From my brief research, I found that automotive tinting companies such as LLumar and Huper Optik are able to tint your home windows with the same type of film that they use for cars.

There are many other window shield and tinting brands in the market so choose wisely. Go for those with warranty and understand the components in the films. From what has been explained to me, those made with china and ceramic are superior. If you have a different opinion to this, feel free to comment in this blog or email me. I'm speaking on behalf of Malaysians when I say that we are all looking for ways to keep our cool in a most energy efficient manner.

* Some images are from unknown sources. Please email me if it belongs to you and I'll happily credit you for it.

Raiffeisen Bank in Zurich

It's been a pretty crazy few weeks and I'm finally able to find time for my beloved blog. I'm anticipating that the pace of things will spike very soon and I if I do neglect this blog again, I promise you it's for a good reason and I will reveal the secret once things are in place.

While perusing through some design blogs, this office space of a bank in Zurich caught my eye. I'm not one for modernist designs but I really liked this non-conformist approach for a bank.

Pictures of past members of the bank are etched into the Hi-Mac walls using digital production. It's a far more interesting way to keep the memories of an individual than putting their photos up on walls.

Portraits milled into Hi-Mac walls

And get this high-tech security solution...robots access and retrieve safety deposit boxes! I wonder what they'd do if they came upon an intruder. Are they also trained to fire at them?

Computer terminals are neatly concealed into furnishing elements. It's a cool idea and I'm all for seamlessness between technology and interior furnishing but what happens when it's time for a technology upgrade?

Concealed terminals

Nothing in this office is really straight. There are curves in every corner including the ceiling. The pendant lights by Tom Dixon add a touch of fun and glamour to the space, and ironically rejecting the impression of banks being unstylish. Adding to that, the nude-tan-earthy colour of the chairs is very today yet very timeless.

Meeting room with Tom Dixon's Mirror Ball pendant lights

Round edges and organic curves consistent throughout the design and furnishing

* All images are from Design Milk

Anya Hindmarch's Royal Wedding Kit

Just about every girl who I've known dreamt of being a princess. Dreams do come true, at least for Kate Middleton who is soon to wed the seriously charming Prince William.

Several companies have been cashing in on the big day of the much celebrated royal couple. There are mugs, t-shirts, posters and such printed with the dashing couple's faces being sold but none are more delightful than Anya Hindmarch's wedding kit. Packaged in a limited edition Anya Hindmarch tote, it contains a British flag incorporated with a "W&K" logo, heart shaped confetti a  a W&K tattoo.

Splendid, Anya Hindmarch, splendid!

* Image via Anya Hindmarch's website

Hidden Light by Giha Woo of Korea

Another brilliant Asian design discovery...the Hidden Light chair by Giha Woo from South Korea.

An inconspicuous chair that looks like this

turns out to be more than meets the eye. It's a 2-in-1 chair with a detachable top piece that's actually a task light and it is big enough to seat both mother and child.

Take some time to browse through the rest of Giha Woo's designs in his website. There aren't a lot of furniture but you will be fascinated by his practical and cutting edge industrial designs.

* Images via Giha Woo Design

Jarrod Lim - The New Mid-Century Modern Designer

It always makes me proud to see an award winning designer from Asia, especially South East Asia. Jarrod Lim is no exception. Based in Singapore, his work has been exhibited in the world's most prominent shows and have bagged a series of awards.

Jarrod's style is much inspired by mid-century modern designs and I've been a huge fan and follower since the first time I saw his work.

Idle Rocking Chair

Butler Table

Interlock Coatstand

Century Table - solves the problem of hanging bags or umbrellas on the table's legs

Collar Magazine Rack

* All images courtesy of Jarrod Lim Design