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all taken from cb2

the only thing that i haven't changed my mind so far is the flooring. i was persuaded that laminate flooring is not advisable, that tiles are still better. i've been quite settled on grey, light or medium. looking at these pictures, i'm even more convinced that grey tiles should be used. i haven't been too crazy over wood on walls but i find these rather nice. i really just prefer to go for the unique, not ubiquitous.  

patterns

bohemian apartment

i think i'm going to go for dark outside the shower area, and light inside, like how this bathroom looks here. i hope i don't flip again. i believe just yesterday i told myself to forget about dark bathrooms. sighs. 

i've also been flipping between plain and patterns (related posts to tell you what i mean). 

source

this space is so unique, eh? i love surprising elements shot in unexpected places. it's been a long time we had wallpaper in our abodes. the last time, my parents had the whole house wallpapered and the stairs carpeted. but the wallpapers used were in safe colours like ivory and cream. it's the textures that were different, so the walls had the embossed effect.

i'll save more musings about wallpaper for another post. 

color me badd

colour remains a perennial dilemma.

been thinking about the flooring colour for the longest time, cos all other considerations would revolve around this choice. 

really trying not to go for the typical wood colours, so i was quite bent on grey. only how soft or how dark should i go? sometimes i'd even want black, or the other extreme: white. and then i'd be stuck there. especially with black. 

then the next colour to consider would be for the walls...

actually i realised i didn't say flooring for which part of the house, eh? the living room. which would extend to the bedrooms if i want the place to look bigger.  and then i could think about the colours for the kitchen, the backsplash, etc.  this is the right approach?

so, soft grey or dark grey? or black??

then what about the walls? what materials? paint? fabric? wallpaper? tiles?

 

i'm loving this apartment very much. so much character! i was referring to these looks when i talked about identity. i really prefer these to those typical and expensive design ideas seen everywhere.

all pictures from wary meyers 

portrayal

as i went through more pictures for inspiration, i became more lost and unsure about what i want. i was flipping left and right too much too often.

it's akin to the evolution of my style over the years. even now, i struggle to identify the adjectives i'd like being associated with. i'm not exactly a minimalist although i'm definitely one in terms of decorating myself with accessories. it'd be easier for me to tell you what doesn't represent me, e.g. glam is not me, girly is not me. 

so's the case for my taste in decorating house. i can't decide if retro is for me or not. one moment, i like it clean (impractical). in the next heartbeat, i want it cluttered (real). i always told people the 'zen' look is not me -- which, i think, has been proven true. by now i'm getting quite tired of the 'modern' look: white walls, wood flooring, the works. sometimes such a look is called 'japanese', other times it's 'scandinavian'. maybe it should be labelled 'global'. i wonder if new media was the reason for the homogeneous look. just like how everyone's dressing alike these days. even i'm becoming one of them myself.  

how, how, how???

repeat

hock siong & co

what do you think of 2nd hand furniture?

i'm not sure about it. i imagine rotting wood and termites and things like that.

yet how is it i could tolerate pre-loved shoes? lol.

this is one of the many things that i can't decide as i consider the general theme for decorating the house. i always think i don't want the minimalist look. too industrial, too clinical, too cold. then i'd be drawn to shiny things you see in modern homes.

but show me a cluttered and less glamourous home next and i'd be totally smitten. i do think this is my original preference, imo a cosy home is not one that looks commercial.

because of my personal style in the fashion department, some seem to think i also like retro or vintage decor. i think this stereotype isn't going away already, i kinda enjoy it, tbh. i don't think they noticed my gradual departure from wearing vintage. i still love and enjoy and goodness-gracious-me acquire things from eras past. most of those which hadn't worked had been ousted (am currently plotting an etsy purchase in another browser as i write this post).

pardon the digressing. so i'm now contemplating if i should look back when it comes to interior decor. one draw is the cost factor, i would think. BUT. isn't $400 for a used teak writing desk expensive? or am i just being ignorant? i also wonder whether i should consider changing the clothes of old sofas if i go this way.

or maybe i have to go the ikea way since it's really more affordable? 

   

organiser

credit

so i got myself a new place finally. sometimes i was very excited about it. once in a while i'd still wonder if i'd regret the decision. there was this once i felt myself transported to a place in my mind's eye.. the vision told me it's just the kind of home i really wanted -- and it's very unlike the place i bought. hmm.  

i've been silent about my house-hunting in this space. it's been nothing short of amazing, the experience. it wasn't so clear initially but as i looked back, i felt i couldn't see it any other way. i viewed 12 units in 3 days and i made the decision in a week's. i almost never considered the one that i decided upon eventually. i was actually very put off by its small size and the brain just didn't give it much attention anymore. it was through an old friend (who accompanied me to the viewings on some days) and my SIL who led me back there. i was reminded what i really needed versus what i wanted. then it became crystal clear and making the decision was just so simple and painless. 

i won't be able to move in for a while more cos of the paperwork and approvals. and some more wait time depending on the extent of renovation. i have my ma to thank for this (apart from giving me a hand in the finances). i'm not going to talk about it; it hadn't been easy and i can't guarantee she won't suddenly have some thoughts in her head and then this whole thing goes up in thin air. i'll confess that the bigger issue here is about my decision to let her stay with me. i could say i didn't have a choice. but i did have a choice and i chose it easily. it's not entirely an unconditional and selfless thing to do, if i were dead honest about it. ok, i should stop here. i've left out a whole chunk of details, it just becomes too cryptic from here. 

can someone tell me what's the major difference between tumblr and pinterest? if you noticed, i've pretty much stopped tumblring. don't think i wanna follow the crowd again with pinterest. or there's something more popular now? i'm bringing this up only cos i'd need to start looking for inspiration for the new place, and pinterest seems more organised. i totally suck at home decor i really wish someone would help me make such choices so i don't have to live with my own bad choices. haha.