Lasting Beauty

Robert Majernik and wife Christine are no strangers to remodeling; they’ve completed a slew of renovations in the past and have even fipped a home for resale. When the time came to start updating their newest home (built in the mid-70s), they knew just where to start: the kitchen, one of the most remodeled rooms under the roof. 

As they considered the budget and the hard-earned money to be spent on their project, Robert and Christine decided that they wanted a kitchen they could really love (and one that would be appealing to future buyers of the home).  With design trends and styles changing constantly, though, how do you create a kitchen that will 

stand the test of time and remain attractive through the fuctuating tides of real estate? Take a cue from the experts—the Majerniks—who have found a prescription for lasting elegance. 

White Out

Exuding a nostalgic Scandinavian flavour, this open and airy home harnesses the best of this clean-cut style

Key Ideas

1. Brick walls are becoming the  hottest commodity as feature walls. Use strips of laminate to outline these coarse walls and make a stronger statement.

2. Claim the Scandinavian look with neutral doses of colour. Pastel, whitewashed and earthy hues all work well in creating a spacious and airy Scandinavian haven.

3.Be sure to select furniture with clean lines too. This helps with furnishing the space with an uncluttered feel.

4. Use fooring to expand the visual size of an area. A long strip of tiles or homogenous fooring from one zone to another can elongate the space effectively.

5. Move the vanity out of the bathroom if there are two people sharing it. Have double sinks so both users can wash up at the same time.

Rugged Simplicity

Primary elements of loft houses are applied in small doses to create a cosy apartment with a raw edge

Inspired by the edgy industrial feel of loft apartments, the young couple of this four-room fat wanted to recreate that atmosphere in their new home. With that understanding in mind, the designer team from Exin went about to accomplish this task.

In one and a half months, this new apartment was transformed into a cosy and functional home for the pair of newlyweds. Whites, browns and textured surfaces have been cleverly applied in appropriate areas to create a warm, natural look that  can  easily  be  jazzed  up for entertaining.

Open House

A complete reshuffle of this home’s original layout creates designated spaces for work, play and family time

Key Ideas

1. To break away from the norm, incorporate two or more different themes to create a distinctive look.

2. Closed cabinets can look stiff and block the fow of light and space. Opt for open shelving to create a look that is more free-spirited.

3. Instead of swing doors to connect rooms, use a sliding door or panel as a more space-saving option. 

4. Solid walls have the effect of boxing up a space. Reduce the boxed-in effect by replacing a portion of it with a glass panel to open up the space visually.

Metropolitan Flair

Developer extraordinaire Bolton Berhard merges Manhattan chic and Scandinavian serenity in this apartment beauty, located in Puchong.

This spacious apartment starts off with a stunning view of the living and dining areas, from a sleek neutral sofa surrounded by chrome-finished tables, to a dining table sheathed in gleaming surfaces and flanked by siz crisp white designer chairs. We absolutely adore the stylish mid-century TV bench in a rich shade of honey, a perfect juxtaposition to the contemporary yet ethereal looking drapes which allows plenty of natural light in. But we must admit, the ultimate scene-stealer would be the striking feature wall, a 60's inspired medley of wood, black marble and mirrored surfaces, all placed randomly to create a lively artwork of colour and texture. 

Iconic Ideas

"The home is a haven ideas. Here the show unit of Icon Residenz, a prestigious project by Mah Sing Group Berhad, experiments with colour and texture, furnishings, lighting and room planning."

With the growing demand for urban housing, developers andarchitects have worked towards making the most of our space and creating more interesting homes. Large living spaces are a highly desirable element in both houses and in this residence, a large, open-planned space plays host to three entertaining areas -the living, dining and kitchen. A sleek L-shaped sofa accompanied by ann array of luxurious pillow and an illuminated wall of glass shelves provide elegance to the living area while a modern six-seater dining set with gleaming chrome fittings sits perfectly beneath a stunning chandelier. A huge mirrored wall is also installed, which is a bril,ant way to visually enlarge and brigthen the space. 

Contemporary Hideout

A soothing Balinese vibe with a modern twist marks the style of this light-filled home

What makes a home a sanctuary for the soul? Is it the aura of calm that envelopes your senses as you relax into a plush sofa or is it the furnishings that evoke memories of a faraway holiday destination? To the owners of this three-bedroom condominium, it is a Balinese theme interspersed with modern design elements that provides a tranquil haven for them. Designer John Kow from Rhiss Interior gave this theme an eclectic twist which is most evident in the shared living and dining area. 

The walls are adorned with wallpaper with a coarse texture akin to that of natural pebbles and one of these wallpapered walls also serve as a living room feature after being fanked symmetrically by two veneer frames. Continuing the horizontal patterns of the frame, the area near the bay windows is installed with dark brown timber blinds to make it more conducive for relaxation. The base of the windows is deliberately left untouched, letting natural light pool at the bottom for a sense of lightness to the space. 

How to Increase Your Property Value

Smart design decisions can help you improve the ROi (return on investment) of your home. I outline some key areas where you should consider upgrading, inside and out.

Colour

Rather than opt for a white interior, choose a softer colour to showcase your home. Coordinating a full colour scheme is best left to a qualifed interior designer or decorator; however, if hiring a professional is not in the budget, consider colour palettes created by paint company designers. 

Kitchen

The biggest, single investment you can make is to update the kitchen. If your budget allows, stainless-steel appliances, stone countertops and refaced (or freshly painted) cabinets are a good place to start. Granite and quartz have the most pizzazz and are desirable features when reselling.