Interior Designs For Homes Ideas

When we start to design our living spaces, the best way to look for ideas and to get inspiration is to run through images of actual rooms. By doing so, we are able to appreciate the different styles, concepts and techniques that have gone into creating such spaces. But do we know what specifically we are looking for? Inside every home illustration, there is a wealth of knowledge to look out for, and here are some tips to use the next time you go hunting for ideas.

BALANCING COLORS


Colors play a vital role in how a room is set up. Always take note that there are 3 types of primary light sources - direct sunlight, reflected light and artificial light. How light reflects around the room will affect the overall color ambiance and general atmosphere.

Interior Designs For Homes Ideas

 
In the first example, there are a few key elements to look out for. The first thing that captures the eye is how the purple furniture set is set onto a timber finished floor with a stone-cladded wallpaper finish. Through the contrast of colors, the purple tone forces the furniture set to dominate the entire room, yet is toned in a manner where it doesn't overwhelm the room. 

The next element to look out for is the reflection of light, which in this case is seen through the semi-reflective surface of the ceiling, which helps to capture small essences of the purple tone, thereby creating a soft ceiling finish rather than a white-washed ceiling that may otherwise contrast with the settee set.

USE THE SKY AS PART OF THE DESIGN PALETTE

Not everyone is blessed with an ocean or valley view, which you see in many design illustrations; look around your home and you will find that the greatest view will be the sky. So think of ways of how to incorporate this landscape feature as part of your home. For example with this kitchen, the skylight is shaped as a fan to mimic the kitchen layout, thereby creating a visual central point that blends into the space perfectly. 

Being the central highlight, the constant movement of the sky from dusk through dawn will create amazing lighting variations, thereby changing the atmosphere of the space throughout the day.

INTERNAL GARDENS
 
In areas void of any external landscaping, the easiest way to create a view is to install an internal courtyard. Doing so allows the surrounding rooms to focus onto this central feature piece, which will not just pull all the spaces together but will also help to soften the overall environment. In this example, the living space is set on a modern white concept which without any color would otherwise make the room feel too clinical or yang. By introducing a setting for plants and water, it helps to create an internal backdrop to the space to balance out the uniformity of the open space plan. 

The other key design element to take note of is the treatment of the overall depth to the space. With an open plan concept, it is important to treat the space in such a way that you get the overall sense of space without the feeling of living in a single big hall. The central landscape in effect acts as a buffer between the main living room and the study on the other side. The use of glass screens meanwhile allows the rooms to connect with each other, yet maintain a sense of privacy, giving the user the illusion of depth without compromising on the quality of each separate space. 

VISUAL PLANES
 
The final design element to look out for when sifting through for ideas is the concept of planes. Look at a space in its raw value and identify what makes the space unique and interesting. In this example, the use of the Architecture plays a vital role in setting up the overall mood of the room. 

First, horizontal planes between the concrete roof and timber flooring help define the horizontal surfaces, but it is done in a manner whereby it helps to frame the garden beyond as if viewing it through a picture window. The next design element are the raw concrete walls, which extend outwards from the living space towards the garden, thereby giving a vertical anchor that pulls the user outwards as if signifying there is more beyond the confines of the covered area.
 
The next time you are looking for ideas, be sure to look deeper into the Design Concept and understand what makes the space unique and how you may incorporate those ideas into your home.

ILLUSIONS OF THE MIND
 
The next design technique to incorporate is to create illusions in the mind. While we may not notice it in the beginning, we will ultimately feel its effect in the end and start to question how it all works. For example, this dining room scenario is set with an open view to the exterior. What is interesting as a design note is how it all comes together? 

While we may at first be taken aback by the sprawling view of the landscape, the key element to look at is how are we able to do so as if the structure is separate from everything else. First, the use of a thin window flame profile helps to minimize the physical barrier between the inside and the outside. But the next element that starts to make the mind wonder is how the roof is held up, as we know the thin window frames - will hardly have the strength to hold up the concrete roof.
 
So by playing with different materials and structural elements, we are able to generate illusions that add a bit of spice to create a unique corner for the home.

 
In this example here, the effect is again translated through the corner glass sliding door and the feature wall at the end. By having the opening at the corner, it helps to highlight the floating ceiling, but the effect is amplified further through the wall at the end, which stops short of the ceiling, thereby teasing the user further with this "floating" effect.

You can see then that through these architectural design techniques, we are able to create uniqueness to the space that will leave an impression... and such is the power of Architecture. To find out more, you can check out Interior Designs For Homes Ideas.

Traditional Malay House Design

Built in 1989, it was constructed with chengal wood, one of the finest hardwoods in Malaysia chosen for its durability and its property of a natural substance that repel wood-destroying agents particularly termites.

The house is constructed on stilts without the use of any nails or screws using the ancient methods of wedge and slot when houses in days of yore were literally dismantled and relocated when the occupants were moving house. Tradition dictates that the spacing between each support pillar of the house is measured according to the arms-spread of the wife in the family when the house is being constructed. There are 77 round pillars to support the structure, without any sharp edges that will create "poison arrows". 

Traditional Malay House Design

The sprawling house consists of two wings with an ornate porch over the main staircase to the house leading to a sheltered verandah at the entrance called the anjung, which separates the public from the private domains of the house. Casual visitors are received and entertained here. Only close friends and family would be invited into the main living room. An ornate wooden screen stands guard at the entrance to the main house, protecting the privacy of the inner sanctum of the home.

As in all Malay houses of this grandeur, the interiors have specific functions for each room. The "Rumah Ibu" literally means "Mother House", which forms the core of the house, named in honor of the mother of the household, symbolizing the importance of the mother who is responsible for nurturing and looking after the welfare of the family. It is flanked by two wings, housing the "Rumah Tidur" or "sleeping house" where the bedrooms are located, and the "Rumah Dapur" or "kitchen house" where all the food is prepared and normally the domain of the women of the house. This is the teaching kitchen of Chef Shukri for his cookery classes.

As befit the house of an epicurean, the windows and walls are carved with intricate designs depicting herbs, spices, flowers and fruits for aesthetic as well as for ventilation purposes. Ornate designs of star shaped aniseeds and jasmine etched through the window panels and cornices allow air to circulate in the house. It is such a clever way of combining decorative elements and practicality for the home.

The "Rumah Ibu" is very spacious and cool, albeit a bit yin due to the dark wood. It is the main hub for entertaining close friends, with the dining area as the centre piece, as most Malaysian social activities are centered round food. The room opens into a small sheltered balcony at the back of the house, which has been converted into a cosy family room for relaxation and reading, and it overlooks a natural garden. 

A family of macaques are eying us from the tree overhanging by the balcony when we are inspecting the house. "These monkeys are a nuisance and they keep invading the house. They "redecorate the rooms" by moving stuff around and even broke a mirror on the wall. They are very naughty and intelligent," quipped Chef Shukri in despair. 

The macaques shriek in unison and I could see mischief in their eyes waiting for the right moment to invade the house again. I can see why the dining room is very sparsely decorated courtesy of the cheeky monkeys. But at least their antics inject some yang energy into an otherwise yin ambiance with their exuberance and raucousness.

As the sun is signing off for the day, I head down to the beach to dine at the Lighthouse, Chef Shukri's Mediterranean restaurant set in a decommissioned lighthouse. It is the best spot in Langkawi to watch the sunset while sipping a sundowner before tucking in the delicious dishes on the menu prepared by Chef Shukri and his team. The blue sky slowly transforms into a glowing orange canvas splattered with gold and vermillion, the color of ripened tomatoes and paprika, with a touch of saffron akin to the colors of the dishes at the Lighthouse. I raise my glass to the breathtaking sunset while watching the silhouettes of people catching the last rays on the beach like a shadow play. This ends Part 2 of Traditional Malay House Design.

Malay Traditional House Architecture

One of my favorite Malaysian dishes is the rendang, a spicy beef stew infused in herbs and spices simmered in coconut milk until the beef is tender and totally absorbed the sauce. There are many versions of rendang but I learned how to cook this national dish at the feet of a master, Chef Shukri, in Langkawi few years ago. 

Chef Shukri ran a popular cookery programme for budding chefs called "Cook with Shuk for a Cultural and Culinary experience", attracting people from all over the world who have come to the legendary island of Langkawi, just off the northwest coast of West Malaysia, for a "sun, sand and saute" hobby holiday to learn a cooking skill while on vacation. He holds the cookery classes in his beautiful home designed in a traditional Malay architectural style reminiscent of royal palaces and homes of the nobility. On my visit to Langkawi, I pay homage to this celebrated chef.

Malay Traditional House Architecture

Driving down a dirt track through a small village flanked by a padi field on one side, an imposing wooden house looms in the distant through a metal gate. It is surrounded by trees and lush undergrowth at the edge of a forest where monkeys frolic like naughty school boys on the trees and the trills of the birds sound like a ringtone from a mobile phone.

Butterflies with colorful wings flutter over fragrant herbal bushes and ginger and lemon grass shrubs planted around the house. These are Chef Shukri's home-grown fresh ingredients for his famous dishes which he would show his students before they worked the wok. I have arrived at "Vistana Atas Bukit" or "View on Top of the Hill", Chef Shukri's homestead.

This much celebrated abode has been featured in magazines and television programmes for its unique architecture. This palatial home is probably the last traditional Malay wooden house built on the island. Chef Shukri greets me warmly like a long lost friend and shows me round his home explaining the ritual and customs in the construction of the house. Most cultures in Asia have their own house-building rites and this house is constructed according to the Malay geomancy similar to Chinese Feng Shui.

Tradition and culture played a major role in the building of the house. A bomoh or shaman was engaged to survey the land and to select the most auspicious site for the house, and at the same time to pacify the spirits of the land with spiritual cleansing. When the site had been selected and the land cleared and prepared, the villagers assembled to help erect the main pillar of the house known as the "Tiang Seri" or "beautiful pillar" after a gold coin is buried underneath it to bestow good fortune to the family. This pillar forms the heart of the house from which all the rest of the house is built round.

Before the roof is constructed, three pieces of handkerchiefs in red, black and white are place on the pivot of the pillar, denoting black for valour, red for courage and white for purity, blessing the occupants with these attributes.

As in all traditional Malay houses, it is built on stilts, originating from ancient practice of safety for the occupants protecting them from floods, attacks from wild animals and intruders and for sheltering livestock or for use as storage. Chef Shukri has utilized this airy space for entertaining and socializing with his guests and cookery students. There is even an antique brass bed for guests who want a quick snooze after a hearty meal.

The majestic building is built on a five-acre piece of land on a low hill where the forest has been cleared but still surrounded by a swathe of verdant vegetation harnessing the energy of the lush environment. It has a big open space at the front enjoying a splendid 'bright hall effect' where accumulates and disseminates into the house. It is skillfully designed for both style, substance and comfort, oozing with charm and tradition in harmonious proportions to the land. This ends Part 1 of Malay Traditional House Architecture. You can read more at the next post.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion History

Near the seafront in George Town stands Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, the former palatial home of a wealthy merchant from the Teochew District of China. It was built on the advice of a Feng Shui master from China in 1896 and took seven years to complete.
 
The mansion is symmetrical in shape and has an airy courtyard to trap "heavenly chi" and to receive water from the sky. Here, the Feng Shui master applied the principles of Water Dragon Classics to recycle the water gathered from the gutter and guided through pipes to flow through the sunken courtyard, making an exit in an auspicious direction, in accordance to the owner's kua or Feng Shui number. The front of the mansion enjoys a great ming tang and the whole estate is enclosed within a wall enjoying the armchair configuration of Landscape Feng Shui.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion History

 
Cheong Fatt Tze was a man of immense wealth and power in his time. In keeping with his powerful status in society, he had eight wives and numerous concubines. Today, the mansion has been restored to its former splendor and serves as a museum and hotel.
 
ENTER THE DRAGON 

The topography of this turtle-shaped island determines the characteristics and fortunes of the people. The hilly terrain of the land regulates the flow of energy and plays an important part in the Feng Shui of the island. If a giant pa kua is to be placed on the island, it will reveal the life aspirations of Penang. The Northwest (mentor luck) of the island is mountainous and prominent, which indicate strong paternal influences in the political and business arenas, while the hills in the Southwest (relationship) reflect the dominance of women in social and family matters, often holding the purse strings of the household.
 
Malaysians often jest that Penangnites (as the islanders are called) are too thrifty and careful with money, and the women are strong-minded and protective of their families as the maternal energy is strong here. The centre of the island is dominated by the highest peak, Penang Hill, which local Feng Shui masters liken to a sleeping dragon.

The vibrant energy from such prominent landscape commands respect and influences the sentiments of the Penangnites, who are renowned for their fierce loyalty and the pride they take in their heritage, their culture and especially their culinary skills.

The mountain range traverses to the South where fame luck is energized, resulting in Penang's production of a fair share of famous Malaysians, including a former prime minister; and Jimmy Choo, the much celebrated shoe designer who enjoys international acclaim. In the North (career luck) the land tapers into Batu Feringgi, a stretch of sandy coast, Penang's holiday playground where most of the hotels and seaside attractions are providing employment for the people in the tourism industry.

George Town is established in the Northeast corner of the island which influences "knowledge luck" producing educated and skilled human resources in the government, financial and commercial sectors. It is the administrative and business centre and tourism hub. The Southeast, the sector determining wealth luck, is designated for industrial zones and for Penang's international airport, bringing wealth into the state with trade and tourism from its extensive airline networks.

The most auspicious part of the island is where the famous Kek Lok Si stands. This is the largest and one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. It stands majestically on a hill in the district of Ayer Itam, commanding the best site on the mountain range considered the "dragon's nest" in Feng Shui speak. This complex of temples houses thousands of Buddha statues and at the highest peak stands a stunning giant statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, overlooking George Town blessing the city with growth and prosperity. As long as the "sleeping dragon" is left in peace and not ravaged by over development, Penang will surely continue to thrive. For sure, the visitors will continue to visit, as will the foreign investors who are already coming. This ends Part 2 of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion History.