Industrial/Retro Kitchen

Sounds like an impossible combination of 2 design aesthetics from opposite ends of the spectrum?

The beautifully decorated kitchen in Madrid shows that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to decorating your home. There's plenty of natural light flooding this open-concept kitchen, with glass sliding doors affording a seamless flow from the kitchen to the dining room.

Smart use of island cabinets in the kitchen to hide unwanted clutter makes it seem even more spacious. The oak furniture blends well with the industrial-style kitchen furnishings, due to its neutral white colour.

A fun chalkboard wall balances the stark industrial furnishings, and is a useful tool for writing messages for your family. Mom can even plan the dinner menu on this wall! The neutral colours of the kitchen allow various elements to work together and come together beautifully.

(all pictures via here, click on pictures to expand)

A Spot of Green

I love the calming and soothing effect of plants, but having a lush garden is difficult when most of us live in apartments/HDBs these days. I happened to drop by Hort Park a couple of weekends ago to view Vineyard @ Hort Park for an event, and chanced upon very interesting exhibits for DIY home gardens. These space-saving ideas offer you the chance to have your own little spot of green in the sky and also feature some very novel ideas you can adopt for your home! (Sorry for the low-res photos taken with my phone, was not expecting such an interesting display of items!)

A terrarium built into a living room table -  a functional statement piece. Fabulous idea!

Some useful tips on creating a balcony garden - it's important to consider things like how much sun your balcony receives, and how much weight your balcony is built to support.

I love this tooth-shaped planter which can balance on your balcony railing and comes in a variety of colours. The heavy soil weighs down the planter so there's little risk of it tipping over and posing a killer litter hazard. That being said, it's always better to be safe than sorry, and there's no harm securing the planter to your railing with cable ties.

A verdant vertical wall sets up a perfect spot for relaxing in cooler weather. 

Pitcher plants are relatively low-maintenance and are cute additions to your balcony garden! My brother used to named his pitcher plant "Jug Head". I'll definitely have some in my future balcony and name each of them!

 Click for a larger image

Why limit your greenery to the balcony? Here's an ingenious way to incorporate plants in your interior decor too. Adds a touch of homely to your kitchen!

If low-maintenance gardens are more for you, there are various kinds of self-sustaining eco-gardens you can choose from. These would look great on your living room table or as a decor accessory on your book shelf. Little maintenance is necessary and it adds an interesting element to your room.

 Terrariums

Terrarium and hanging desert gardens

  

Building a vertical garden does not need to cost a bomb and can be constructed yourself! Here's an idea involving a DIY vertical garden using orchid baskets. 

And here are some pictures of Vineyard @ Hort Park - a gorgeous event venue which is intimate and cosy. With outdoor and indoor options, your event needs will certainly be met.

Website: http://www.vineyardhortpark.com.sg/

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Oscars 2013 Inspiration!

Home decor inspired by the many many jaw-droppingly gorgeous gowns on the red carpet for Oscars 2013! (all Oscars images via here)

 Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta

(via here)

Sandra Bullock in Elie Saab

(via here)

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive

(via here)

Helen Hunt in (!!) H&M. How awesome!

(via here)

 Jennifer Garner in Gucci

(via here)

Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive

(via here)

 Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture

(via here) 

 Kerry Washington in Miu Miu

(via here)

Last, but certainly not least...the amazingly talented Jennifer Lawrence in Dior. Who cares that she tripped on her way up on stage to accept her award? With that much talent packed into all of her 22 years, she can do no wrong in my eyes! Had a great time watching Silver Linings Playbook! 22 years old!!

(via here)

Bathroom Inspiration!

Bathrooms are often neglected when it comes to decorating. A few simple touches can turn a drab bathroom into a classy space. Here are some ideas to get you started!

I love the cool neutral colours, which make the bathroom seem much brighter and more spacious. Although there's no space on the counter for his and her sinks, the initials on each side of the mirror add a personal touch and seem to add to the illusion that there are separate spaces for each! (via here)

Simple, yet gorgeous, glass shower. Clean lines for the sink and cabinets pull the look together. It certainly helps that there are such large windows allowing natural light to flood the bathroom! (via here)

Prefer a splash of colour? Why not consider mosaic tiles in shades of your favourite colours? These grey and white mosaic tiles add a graphic element to this bathroom. If you think it's too visually distracting, consider having the mosaic tiles only on one wall, and you'll have yourself a feature wall in your bathroom! A functional hole in the wall is also a smart way to house your toiletries, instead of having an awkward shelf. (via here)

If you're lucky enough to have a window in your bathroom, adding plants would be a great way to add cheer to your bathroom. Plus, it somehow makes the space feel clean and healthier! They'll also add colour to an otherwise neutral colour palette, and can be changed as and when you like! (via here) 

Here is a useful list of plants that will thrive in the high-humidity of your bathroom: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-best-plants-for-the-bathro-112048)

For the art fanatic... as bathrooms typically feature much wall space, why leave them blank? This floor to ceiling arrangement of pictures, drawings and images will keep your bathroom user well-entertained and certainly amused! (via here)

Gorgeous nickel accents add a touch of luxury to this simple bathroom. Most of us are short on storage space, so I would probably opt for cabinets under the sink which would allow me to store my supplies. However, if space was not an issue, this pair of sinks with their elegant marble detail - too pretty to resist! (via here)