In the Hutongren Courtyard

Where we roomed for four nights. The place is tucked in a bustling area filled with super-creatively refurbished shops and it's tons of fun exploring.

The hotel itself is an inspiration in Zen design, so I thought I'd share some shots.

Welcome tray filled with loose-leaf tea and sweet bean paste cakes

In the Courtyard, looking up at twilight

The little corner where all the teasets and accessories on display are for sale

Blackie the dog

We loved this setting, and plan to emulate this (on a smaller scale) in our new home

Throws and Art

So the little kink we encountered in the transaction of our new place has been ironed out. HUGE sigh of relief. Despite the delays (about a month), the bottom line is, we still love the place, and to undergo another round of house-hunting, negotiations and starting the process of purchasing all over again would be at least twice as long. So we'll take what we can get.

We made an order for a handmade woven cane sofa here in Miri. I am absolutely in love with it. It is a boxy, modern design, rustic dark-brown colour, grey Indian cotton upholstery and turquoise cushions. I can't wait for it to be completed. AK bought me a woven chest from them three years back for as a birthday present, and after two years it's still in pristine condition. You can't find hand-made, top-quality workmanship and materials for the same prices in West Malaysia.

In the meantime I am window shopping online for inspirations and other stuff.

I really want a soft throw for the sofa, to be used as a blanket to be snuggled into during movie nights and when it rains. Don't these sofas look super cosy? They are just waiting to be snuggled into. This is the kind of decor style I favour - a mishmash of styles that one loves and not necessarily strictly adhering to a certain look, be it modern, tropical or countryside. I especially love the look of the plain sofa with colourful throw cushions and cosy rug.

Pictures above courtesy of the Style Files.

I have been hounding eBay for soft throws, and found two that I really really like, from here and here (pictures c/o). They are made from Acapalca wool from Peru and they don't come cheap. So I think I will wait a couple of weeks - till my sofa gets here at least - to see if the craving still stays. I've made one too many impulse purchases last year just because I shappenned to stumbe something I thought I really needed wanted. So this time I am trying to practice a bit more self-restraint and I am trying to buy some time before I click "Buy".





Oh, and I've also been stalking Etsy for artwork. Mostly local vendors (Thailand, Malaysia). I love paintings of local scenes - shophouses and temples in Penang, tranquil seascapes like these ones from here. I have a real penchant for watercolours, and I love the moody blue washes in these pieces.

I also love artwork depicting food and the kitchen (this being one my favourite blogs - her works are super funny). So I am thinking also about artworks like this one here, from another Etsy seller.

 Ahh, decisions, decisions.

Mah fuhture maison

The great thing about renting In the earlier stages of your career is that you tend to know exactly what you want (and what you don't) when the time comes for you to take the plunge and BUY your own place. In honor of that, and also as a reminder to myself (and also because I can't resist), I've composed a little list of needs and wants of my future home:

1) South or north facing. Our current rental unfortunately has the main living room wall facing west, which means that except for those days when it rains, the air conditioner has to be switched on in the evenings.

2) Lots of natural light. No porch extensions or teeny windows.

3) High ceilings. I can't stand those tiny low one-storey terraces, and I'd take out any false/plaster ceilings.

4) Ditto for unnecessary partitioning. I'd really love an open-concept home where the living room flows into the dining, a breakfast counter then the kitchen. AK feels like this might be a waste of air conditioning, but I think we won't need it if we meet criteria #1.

5) A large dining area/space for entertaining. I want a space that can fit a table that seats eight.

6) In terms of location, a leafy, quiet neighborhood away from main roads, schools, commercial areas (i.e. Shophouses) and places of worship. Preferably with gnarly old trees and a nearby park. I don't care for places like Bandar Utama and Mutiara Damansara for precisely this reason - the houses are new and the amenities are great but there are hardly any trees around, which is a great shame. Desa Parkcity is a bit out of our reach, but the older suburbs of Subang Jaya, USJ, TTDI, etc. are great for this reason.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iP

My future home's gonna look like this...

...............Uma Sapna in Seminyak, Bali, where we spent a glorious three days relaxing in the super comfortable bed watching DVDs and snacking, swimming in our private pool and taking in the uber chic boutiques along Jalan Laksamana.



The Spa display

Zen landscaping

Our little slice of heaven on earth

And inside the villa, modern tropical with more than a touch of luxe

Borneo Inspirations

Hand-woven rattan chairs, ultra-expensive. From Miri.

Carved wood panels on the ceiling of the Nexus Karambunai Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu.

Carved wood panels line the lounge of the Nexus.

Fountain at the 6-star, gilded Empire Hotel in Gadong, Brunei Darussalam.

Gorgeour faux ivory lamp sold at the Empire gift shop. Fell in love with this one.

Courtyard Gardens

I love, love the concept of small gardens as close to living spaces as possible.

Creepear plants trailing down a shophouse courtyard wall. Skylight above.



In cramped balconies, plants hanging off an old clothes hanger.



Or hung along a sliding door.

Box planters filled with herbs. The planters are old wooden wine crates!

A little courtyard garden within a 70's-era flat.

Hanging blooms in an airwell - a gorgeous idea.

An garden within a little terrace house. It is possible! I imagine the exact same thing in my future home.

Photos are from the Singapore Home & Decor magazine.

Inspirations from Chiang Mai - Lanna Decor@Rimping

I love the rustic decor of our hotel, which bore a striking resemblance to Peranakan houses.


Bamboo blinds in the little restaurant in the hotel. The furniture would look pretty juxtaposed against a more chic dining interior - with homogenous ceramic tiles and a crystal chandelier.


I like the aircon covers, the woven roof interior and exposed beams.



Peranakan-like coloured glass inserts ona feature wall in the lobby. Note the teracotta flooring.

View from outside the lobby.

Again, stained glass inserts, used for the washroom doors.

Inspirations from Chiang Mai - Gardens of Rimping Village

The majestic banyan tree in the courtyard.

"Pocket" gardens everywhere.

Pots and pots of white orchids. Chiang Mai's cooler, less humid weather is the perfect climate for orchids.

Love the clay jars filled with water and plants.

Wall of bamboo surrounding the property. Keeps the eyes outside the property from peeping inside, and guests from the less-than-picturesque surroundings (the back of shophouses, and alleyways).

Morning sunlight streaming in, and a pretty view of the surrounding greenery as seen through one of the wood-framed, brass-hinged windows.