Bravo TV!

It's FALL in the United States and the start of fall brought plenty of gloom to Wallstreet and the outlook of the economy is not pretty, which I sort of expected few months ago but not to this effect, really. In fact, it will only get worse in the months to come. So be prepared to tighten your belt and I think we all MUST eat, pray and love more. Hehehe...

Anyways, on a slighly brighter note, most TV stations in Hollywood had kicked off almost all the new season for most TV series ie Desperate Housewives, Dexter (yay!) Heroes, Grey's Anatomy, Prison Break, Amazing Race, etc. Project Runway season 5 is already in it's 12 episode and is almost coming to an end - my top 3 favorite has got to be (in no particular order), whiny, arrogant, insolent Kenley, the lovely Karto Momolu (I love her name which is simply great for a fashion label, no?) and of cos, the geeky, nervy, Leane. Who do I want to see win the title of top designer? Perhaps, Leane but I feel more for Kenley's retro quirky chic designs.

Aside from Project Runway from Bravo TV, I am currently hooked on 'Top Design', the reality show in finding Top Interior Designer ala Project Runway. The reason is simply too obvious to mention *grin* tho I wasnt really thrilled before until of cos, Ad finally introduced it to me on youtube no less. And, there aint no turning back since.

Last week's challenge was a triathlon challenge and it was also an individual challenge to all contestants - finally, a calling to most designers cos for the past weeks, it has all been group challenges and many of them are frustrated because it could not show their talent entirely.

Challenge #1 - The Chair Challenge. Fav challenge of the 3 cos I love seeing transformation of things (I get a kick out of it, that's why design shows never failed to get me all worked up). The winner, Nathan, deserved it and the person come really close to him has got to be Eddie, the primadonna who's work can be quite Martha Stewart. I think he pairs really well with Wisit (he's j'adorable lol). The 2nd challenge is really more on styling a dining table -  I used to do that quite often back in my old co and am missing it much. And, the last challenge is to transform a space, white boring space, to something stylish but using only garden accessories.

So coool. I could go on but if you are like Serina C who loves Interior Design (see OK magazine, Msia ver) don't miss this one. Here are some trivias of the show: -

• Todd Oldham has been bumped from host to the Tim Gunn role as mentor, where he definitely belongs. In his place as host is India Hicks, who Bravo says "is the daughter of famed interior decorator David Hicks and Lady Pamela Hicks" and "has enjoyed a successful career as a fashion model." She has also published two interior design books: Island Life: Inspirational Interiors and Island Beauty.
  
  
•  Judge Kelly Wearstler, the irritatingly chic designer (I called her irritating cos of her voice!), is a mother of two has her own firm in Los Angeles, KWID, (AKA House of KWID) and the author of two design books, Domicilium Decoratus and Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style. A self-confessed Christian Louboutain shoe-fanatic (with 30+ pair), Kelly has two other, yet to be titled books set for release in 2008, one of which will showcase her grande home in Beverley Hills. F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! (ok, well that's just my musing ... but, goodness, look at her) source
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I thought she tried tooo hard in the show to be fashionable (sometimes), no?
  
  
• Jonathan Adler! Most famous for his potteries work (I love the iconic horse stand for a table lamp). Get his style tips all from his blog here
  

Beautiful, Dangerous, Sexy

If there is one reason I should visit Sydney again, it is not cos of Darling Harbour (that's reason no. 2 and Oxford St, raison numéro trois), it is cos I am very curious to visit the super chic, super funky, super everything that is, the IVY by the Merivale group (owned by the super talented, visionary Hemmes siblings) on George St.


My discovery of this "it" place was months ago when I got hold of the May/June 08 issue of Vogue Living. Completely blown away by the sheer size of the place (massive) and of cos, the amount of work done on the interiors from exceptionally good taste in furniture selection to lightings, to the cutlery and crockery to of cos, the people who served you - ahem, the word HOT don't even do justice. Quite OMFG-ish if you know what I mean :)



Let these pictures speak for itself ...

I wish I've more pics to share but I can't find any. Let's see if next year I get to physically be there. Or, come up with something similar if not better :) Till then

The Ivy is designed by Hecker Phelan Guthrie Design (Melbourne).

Best dream forward

I've got bored at work (Monday blues) and did some research or rather, googled some ID or design blogs. Found a couple that I really like and sorta gave me some preeeeety good ideas.

Of cos, I was dreaming of my own place ... how I'd decorate it. The furniture, artwork, paintings, kitchen.... Arrrghhhh. Kill joy, that was just me dreaming on a mid-afternoon boring Monday.

...

Living it up

I've started to salivate over Ralph Lauren's home furnishing products when I was (still) working with my previous company. Then, I was more interested with his range of home accessories such as bedlinen, vases, candle holders, tableware and soft furnishing ie throw cushions, throws etc. I never really fancy much the range of furniture because I know Ralph Lauren being an American brand, and that American's furniture is really not my cuppa tea (read: bulky, old-fashion, and a bit too Americanish), I completely ignored that section altogether.

Oddly enough, I have begun to appreciate RL's furniture recently in more ways than I would think I did. Whatever happened to old-fashion and bulky? LOL I suppose I see thru all that and found out when you mix the "American brand of furniture" with modern pieces ala Minotti or some scandinavian or European brand, it is OK (bear in mind, I do not agree with bulky furniture with skirtings or huge sofa/settee fit for a diva ie Kimora Lee. Meaning to say, not all RL's pieces of furniture I'd like).

And, of cos, my current company is carrying the furniture range. Haha... I know. Quite lame excuse because I am selling them but it is true. I was apprehensive when I found out that we would carry RL furniture and lightings. Now, I can say I am pretty proud to say I love it cos of its quality (the leather range is really nice) and I will continue to support modern classical furniture because I know when it comes to home interior, it is all about good taste - that is, money can't buy, people *grin*. Not forgetting, mixing & matching the right piece of furniture together with the interior design.

One thing I have learned after working for so long in this industry is that home owner should not be afraid to try like, mixing signature pieces ie the Eames stool, Barcelona daybed, Ligne Roset's Togo (read: expensive branded or famed piece of furniture/lightings ie Phillipe Stark, Mooi, B&B Italia, Ralph Lauren :) ) with simple, clean cut design that we'd call "modern contemporary" furniture. These items will be the accent pieces in your home and when you have guests, they just don't sit in front of the TV and wow at your 42" plasma TV or hang around your kitchen - which, erm, is another important part of your home.

I may not have graduated from Interior Design school or possess a degree in ID, but I know in interior design functionality is first, forms follow next. Malaysia's home living industry is still a baby compared to Bangkok or Singapore but, I can see it is growing ... albeit slowwwwly.

Love this piece of classic settee in strong red. Goes well with Eames low-back chairs, grey acrylic rug with patterns of green, low glossy finish coffee table set in a stark, modern contemporary New York loft. Arghh... I'm dreaming much.

RL Cliveden Armchair

Genuine leather mixed with distressed leather used as the upholstery for this classic piece of "butterfly" chair in solid beech. Timeless.

Tasteful chest that can be used as side table or just a decor item in the house.

More products available at http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com

I design Who?

It was SUPPOSED to be a perfect day today. I had a damn sinful breakfast - nasi lemak biasa tambah telur goreng with kuah sotong. And teh tarik.

fyi, I was not supposed to consume any beverages that contained caffeine (or nicotine :)) because it gives me Anxiety Attack. Yes, it has been confirmed because I did a self-experiement a couple of days before. I went cold-turkey and those two days had been ..... aggravating. Hey! I had to quit coffee, man! It wasnt easy but it proved a point. Just so you know, AA is not something you or we should take it lightly because it can lead to a lot of other illnesses. One such is depression or Bipolar Disorder. An excellent example is Ms. Spears.

But, I digress.

So, it was a perfect day with me doing a lot of planning at work and anticipating for a photo shoot later in the afternoon. Boy, I must admit the photo shoot of me is NOT easy! I was all nerves! Yes, that coming from someone who likes to shoot other people! I was a little self-conscious and the stylist and reporter thought I was DARN stiff! I guess I was damn self-conscious of my zits on my upper lip - yeah, of ALL places, kan? Damn malu, ok.

60 over shots and 25 minutes later, we wrapped up the photo shoot and I sighed with a huge relief! I much prefer interview because I love to talk heheee.... The interview that ensued didn't exactly went so smoothly especially when the reporter asked me this one particular question:


So who is the ultimate Interior Designer that you like? Anyone in this world.

Uh oh. I stumbled for an asnwer because I swear I did not have a favourite. Oprah Winfrey's ID, Nick? That Casa Impian Dude? (Shit I was fucking kidding!) ... she got me there. I really do not have one particular favorite designer. Is that wrong?


I struggled for a while and then I remembered the amazingly talented Muslim lady. She is of course, more famous for her architectural work/designs than that of an Interior Designer.

So I said it. That Muslim lady. I even fucking forgot her name! (the reporter was oh-so-nice-lady that she deserves a treat when the article is out. She said I can email to her later). Ouch.

If you must know, she is none other than Zaha M. Hadid. The ZAHA M. HADID!

You know the funniest thing is, I didn't make that up just so to get over the interview or pretend that I really like architecture or interior design for that matter. I really like Zaha's work except that I totally humiliated myself for forgetting her name (I think it must have been the tea this morning). Her work is an artpiece and she makes forms more fun with functions being the ... O-K I am not going to further embarass myself. I just like her.

I don't have to pretend. I know. The reporter asked Interior Designer. Zaha is a famous architect.

Damn the tea!

All images were obtained from http://zahahadidblog.com/