Elevating Your Home: Affordable Luxury Furniture & Decor

LIGHTING YOUR INTERIOR WITH AMBIENCE

Updated on 28 December 2020

We are featured by "Best in Singapore" as having the 6 Best Bedside Lamps in Singapore recently.

If you think that creating a cosy home is simply collating furniture and home accessories, think again! It is often the finishing touch that changes how the space will feel ultimately.

Up on the blog today, we shine our spotlight on one important key factor for achieving cosy ambience- lighting. Read on to get inspiration for styling ambient spaces, one lamp at a time. 

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Ever been to a cosy lounge and wonder what made it so comfortable? Perhaps it's clever use of lighting up areas with lamps instead of even lighting from the ceiling throughout.  

Place lamps at areas that allow you to receive a glow for reading or to have a drink. Consider one on a side table by your sofa, one on your TV console, credenza or entry console.

SIZE MATTERS

If you have a tall side table, then it goes without saying that a shorter lamp will look proportionate on it and vice versa. Another rule of thumb here is to pick a lamp where the bottom of the shade is at your eye level when you are seated or resting. Make sure that you are not able to see the glaring naked bulb in either position. This works whether you are shopping for a table lamp that fits your reading nook, a bed side lamp, or even one that goes next to the sofa in the living room.

COLOUR TEMPERATURE 

For cosier ambience, try using warm white light. They make the perfect choice for a soft, orangey glow to unwind and relax in. 
 
Cool white lighting is best for emphasizing details or to call for productivity at work. They are great for indirect lighting at display shelves or areas where you need proper lighting for reading like at the work desk.  
 
Not forgetting, dimmers are bonuses to help you adjust the light intensity to get the most ideal mood for any occasion! 

STYLE FACTOR 
Like everything else, the design of the lamps ought to match the rest of your interior. After all, styling a space is to seamlessly blend comfort and style. 

With our NEW collection of lamps, having every piece of ambient lighting in your interior looking stylish is pretty much effortless. See them here! 

Looking for a lamp that don't only look good but also showcases of your style and taste? Read here!

TRAVEL DIARIES: THE SIAM HOTEL, BANGKOK

On today's travel edition, we visit a beautiful gem tucked on the edge of the historic heart of Bangkok. In it are treasures of nature and beauty of art deco furniture pieces that will help you immerse in tranquility.

The Siam is a long way from downtown, but for those who are into sightseeing, the location offers easy access to the city’s main temples and museums and guests can get just about anywhere in the area by hopping on the hotel’s river boat.

An exquisite luxury hotel, the building seamlessly marries classic Thai influences with Art Deco aesthetics, and its interior is decorated with beautiful antiques and exudes sumptuous serenity. You get an impression upon check in that huge efforts are made to offer guests complete privacy and a unique experience.

Just a quick forty minutes from the international airport, this urban resort is a haven and escape from the hustle and bustle, including Bangkok’s galling crowds and infamous traffic.

Founded in 2012 by Krissada Sukoso Clapp and designed by celebrated hotel guru Bill Bensley, The Siam offers plenty of panache — silent marble corridors ooze Art Deco and classic colonial-style aesthetics, making this hotel a one-off experience. It’s a perfect synergy between east and west and the grounds are so spacious that the property feels like one’s luxury home, even when it’s booked out.

Elements of colonial-style aesthetics immediately transports you to a time where old world glamour reigned supreme.

The 28 standard rooms are in fact suites with high wooden ceilings, massive beds and large bathrooms with stylish tubs. Plenty of original artwork and 19th and early 20th-century documents and photographs grace the walls, complemented by heavy dark wood furniture and giant bronze ceiling fans, all of which creates a near-silent, luxurious ambience. Modern amenities aren’t lacking either, but they blend in with grace.

At the end of the day, take the time to enjoy the majestic Chao Phara sunset view with a cold drink in hand.

The Siam has three restaurants - the Chon Restaurant serves classic Thai haute cuisine by the banks of the Chao Praya – the pomelo prawn salad is excellent. The Deco Bar and Bistro, its walls covered in brass instruments, offers a great selection of western dishes. The Café Cha is a classic patisserie, ideal for afternoon tea. The perfect pre-dinner drink location is the Bather’s Bar by the pool.

The Siam Hotel

3/2 Thanon Khao, Vachirapayabal, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand

Love the look? You may like these too:

1. THEA MOTHER OF PEARL MIRROR

2. CLAUDETTE WHITE GLASS GOURD LED TABLE LAMP

3. FINN COLLECTION SCREEN 246

4. NOLIE & FINN: FAIRY PLACE LOUIS XVI ARMCHAIR

5. ANGELO SURMELIS DESIGNER COLLECTION: HAND LOOMED BLACK-SILVER WOOL RUG

6. PARAMOUR ROUND SOFA

7.CANDICE OLSON COLLECTION: GRAY LINEN-VELVET DOWN FEATHER CUSHION

Images featured in this post are from here.

3 EXPERT TIPS ON STYLING WITH STATEMENT RUGS

We love how easy it is to refresh the look of a space just by adding a statement rug. Designer furniture pieces go well particularly with statement rugs. Though pulling an interior look with them and avoiding looking tacky or like a kid’s funhouse may take some effort, we can assure you that it will be all worth it at the end of the day.

Up on the blog today, we have 3 expert tips that will help you incorporate statement rugs in your interior to a T. Read on!

1 MATCH A COLOUR FROM THE RUG TO YOUR DECORATIVE PIECES

Pick a colour from your rug and bring in some accessories to match. Throw cushions, lamps and vases or flowers are great to start with. By adding these accent pieces, it helps with fusing your rug beautifully with your space, and gives a sense that the space is being styled in unison rather than a rug that is placed in just for a pop of visual texture.

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2 MUTE YOUR FURNITURE IN THE ROOM

To keep a balance in the space (and for your visual sanity), pick a neutral hue like black, grey, brown or white for most of your furniture. Not only will this help draw attention to the statement rug, this style tip will also help minimise having to change your big ticket items should you give your space a quick update in the future.

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3 GO WITH PATTERNS INSTEAD OF COLOURS

Note ready to go all out with colours? Make a statement with a bold patterned rug instead. They are versatile in matching any interior looks without calling too much attention to itself, in comparison to a vibrant and colourful rug. Pieces like the Labyrinth Taupe Rug and Lattice Earth Rug is subtle and ideal to kickstart this bold journey with.

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Ready to start styling? Our collection of rugs, including curated pieces from Ted Baker, Candice Olsen and Julie Cohn Collections may just be the perfect fit for your space. Take a closer look here!

3 STYLISH LOOKS WITH FAYETTE CHESTERFIELD SOFA

If you love the ever charming Chesterfield sofa designs but do not want the old-fashioned interior design frills that are usually tied with it? Fret not. Up on the blog today, 3 stylish and modern looks that you can achieve effortlessly. Read on!

MUTED OPULENCE

This stylish mix exudes sophistication and class, which is perfect for your living room and executive lounge. Style with accents of gold, beige and ivory atop the base of warm grey tones.

Get the look with:

1.      ANNICK MERCURY GLASS CANDLESTICK LED TABLE LAMP

2.     CANDICE OLSON DESIGNER COLLECTION: MODERN CLASSICS ~ MORPHOLOGY IVORY RUG

3.     CIRCLES OF LIFE HAND-CARVED MIRROR

4.     FAYETTE CHESTERFIELD 3 SEATER SOFA - GRAY

5.     CANDICE OLSON COLLECTION: WHITE-STARDUST COTTON VELVET DOWN FEATHER CUSHION

6.     BROWN-GOLD FUR COTTON DOWN FEATHER CUSHION

MINT ELEGANCE

Always have a penchant for pastel colours? Nail the look by layering your space with an array of white accent pieces and mirrors or silver pieces for shine.

Get the look with:

1.   SIMPLE PERFECTION MIRROR

2.   IBERIAN-MOROCCAN BEAUTY CABINET

3.     FUR FUR IVORY DOWN FEATHER CUSHION

4.     JOI 1-DRAWER MIRRORED END TABLE/ NIGHTSTAND

5.     FAYETTE CHESTERFIELD 3 SEATER SOFA - SKY BLUE

6.     CANDICE OLSON DESIGNER COLLECTION: MODERN CLASSICS ~ INFINITY LIGHT RUG

7.     WHITE-SILVER LINEN DOWN FEATHER CUSHION-MODERN

ECLECTIC CHARM

Taking things to the dark side in style, this curated look features vibrant blues, warm tones of wood and a touch of gold is not only charming, but extremely fun to be in too!

Get the look with:

1.     GAUTHIER ANTIQUE MERCURY GLASS LED TABLE LAMP

2.     FLORENCE DE DAMPIERRE COLLECTION - AQUA-LIME COTTON DOWN FEATHER-CUSHION

3.     TEAL VELVET DOWN FEATHER CUSHION

4.     FAYETTE CHESTERFIELD 3 SEATER SOFA - BEIGE

5.     THIERRY NESTING TABLES (SET OF TWO)

6.     TED BAKER RUG COLLECTION: PLAID NAVY RUG

The Fayette Chesterfield 3-Seater is specially designed to also allow homeowners of smaller apartments to get the look without feeling overwhelmed with size. This unique 3-seater settee measures 1.9m with a perfect depth of 78cm and comes in a 2-seater option.

How To Choose A Good Sofa

Guide to Buying a Good Sofa

With so many choices of sofa in the market, it is sometimes hard to make a good decision. Lack of choices and being flooded with choices are equally challenging. This is especially true in a market where majority of products are made “not to last”. There is a tendency for factories to make something with 20% of the quality in the past, and vendors then sell them at 50% of the price in the past. So beware that whilst you get a 50% discount, you may be getting 20% of what you used to get in terms of quality, durability and enjoyment.

Here is a useful guide with simple to follow steps for you to make the wise choice for your sofa.

1. Know the available space

Give your space a good measure. People generally make the mistake of buying a sofa too small for their space because they are afraid to cramp up their living room. Most designers will tell you, “small sofa makes your place look smaller than it really it”. So try to buy one that is big enough; the likelihood is that it will never be too big if it fits into the space.

2. Understand your style

Everybody is talking about being riveted by Downton Abbey. You realize that it is because of the backdrop of every scene, the landscape and the interior, which is filled with style of the glorious past that resonates with your heart – Chesterfield, Knole sofas, nail head trims etc. You have to find what appeals to your inner voice – perhaps it is a plush, nature-soft genuine leather, or black-and-white stripes, or an coming-to-trend gray Chesterfield, or an elegant silver New York style tufted sofa. Whatever it is, avoid run-of-the-mills sofas without an appealing design.

3. Keep an open mind on colour

Some well intention advice mongers tell us “always choose a neutral color” i.e. beige, because it goes with anything. Whilst in some cases, beige can be the perfect choice for a certain frame, a certain look in your living room etc, in many other cases, it simply means it will be boring or inconspicuous. Consider midnight blue, red, black-and-white, gray, black, blue, silver etc Striking color brings out the vibrancy in an otherwise lethagic setting – so you could feel lively even whilst you are snoozing on the couch!

4. What is a good choice of sofa fabrics?

Choosing your sofa fabrics is different from choosing your bed linens. Whilst silk is a perfect choice for bed linens, designers typically prefer fabrics with a high polyester content; yes, polyester. This is because it is more durable. To have a sofa look elegant, for some fabrics, a small amount of cotton, linen or viscose is used. But the polyester constitution allows your sofa to be “evergreen”; too much of other materials such as linen or cotton may make it age prematurely.

If you minded to choose leather – and there is no reason you cannot afford it – buy only leather couches which are imported from places such as Italy or at least somewhere in the EU – as many leather sofas use synthetic, engineered leather that makes it look like genuine leather, or passing of lower quality leather as top grain leather. Leather is expensive and there is no escaping from it – so if a leather sofa is cheap, then likelihood is that it is not made of genuine top grain leather.

5. Pay attention to the sofa frame

This is simple – but often mistaken by people who after all buy a sofa once in say five to six years or even ten years. If the frame is very light, it is likely not made of solid wood – try using your palm to push the sofa backward, and if the sofa can be tilted by such a simple action, then avoid it like a plague. Have you not heard furniture that are too light falling on toddlers or pets with serious injuries? However, some sofas are so heavy that you can hardly move it – this is equally bad because it is likely it is made of engineered wood (i.e. wood pulp bonded together chemically), rather than solid wood. The problem with engineered wood is that they are very heavy – but they can given way one day without any warning. Solid wood frame is what you should go for.

6. Seat cushions of the sofa are important

This is somewhat a personal choice. Designers generally prefer “not to soft, not too hard” – so a medium firm is usually a good choice – you can sit comfortably on it, and you can use it as a daybed at the same time. Feathers or downs are great – but because they are highly costly, most couches that come with feather seat cushions are not sufficiently padded, and very quickly you will find they are not comfortable to sit on or sleep in. So medium firm is ideal, best is if it has some pocketed springs, of course.

7. Depth of the sofa

A sofa is often not just something to sit on, but a place to take a nap. So it is almost unforgivable to have a couch that looks like one you find in a dentist’s clinic that you cannot even put your whole butt on. Always make sure the sofa is at least 82cm deep; but ideally it is more than 90cm.

8. Buying “a sofa set” or “mix and match”

In the market, many sofas are sold as a set i.e. you get a three-seater, a two-seater, and perhaps even an armchair. This may seem like a bargain – but often it is not what you need, and yet you have paid for them all. It is far better to get a good three-seater for $2,000 than to pay the same for three-piece set which tend to be of lower quality. Most apartments really only need one good three-seater and perhaps an armchair. If yours is bigger than that, then you are one of the fortunate souls – and you can well afford splurging to “mix and match” a three-seater, with some beautiful accent pieces.  Always consider a lovers seat!