American Style at Heart...

Its been a few weeks since I visited Camden Town House in Kebon Jeruk Jakarta, but the thought of Meilinda Sutanto design for Arbor & Troy interior division (she's the creative director for Arbor & Troy furniture) still invoke my excitement every time I looked through the photos in my camera. The last time I had this similar exciting feeling was when I visited the Pottery Barn showroom in State. For a beautiful experience that only comes every once in a while, I'm always packed with excitement to share. Allow me to take you this fabolus small space inspiration..

Served as the Foyer Room, I didn't think this particular area would stand out, but not for this small cute foyer, half of the decoration that this room might have heard my "mmhhmm.." 

As I open the door and entering a home with soft colors, I feel relief and exhale. I love the way Meilinda put the soft green, white and brown colors all together. I'm glad I was the first one to acknowledge this project. According to the interior designer, Meilinda, who try to create such elongate room, most people would be suprise by the size of this house.

Meilinda surely knows how to give a surprise. It is the only one big area among the foyer room, up to mezzanie room, there was a slightly comfort open space (living room, dining and kitchen area) in soft green pallete and two giant mirror frame that brings a kick of chic-hotness, and it did just that at the right amount with the right size on the room.

In stair area, again, soft green wall served warm with the thin black lining and brown classic curtain, with cute bird painting that's flawless for good balance of the wall. What more to ask?

This was another surprise among the open space living area and the cute foyer. Here's where I see the playful side of Meilinda and her attempt to give her dose of modernism feminin in the main bed room. Its not your usual American Style bed room when the feel of too much wood-luxury, as you can see the white credenza and white chairs together with simple cute head bed in creme, came from a glimpse of not-too-heavy American Style look.

The only part of me that still curious is to see full design the kids room area. Design and created in a simple American Style design, but actually Meilinda said her kids room concept should be more various with lots of accessories, but then again budget wise from the developer stoped her to do that. But she very smart by using wall accent as the texture for the room. I think bold lining for the wall and the imaginary head bed for me is almost a must-have to do in every small bedroom area. 

Grand opening. Grand closing. That's all it takes for Meilinda Sutanto design for Arbor & Troy. She did just that with this perfect comfort style elegance for small space design. Light elegance of sweet American Style interior and soft color pallete was a pleasing way of beautiful visual. Another "hmmmmm.." to end up my interior review.

Having traveled 9 years in interior media industry, I see Arbor & Troy specialty of American Style design and particularly in furniture design is something recommendable and I'd definitely come back to. 

If you like Meilinda design for Arbor & Troy interior division, speak to me at twitter @styledecor1

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Arbor & Troy
Grand Indonesia West Mall (Ground Floor)
Jl. MH. Thamrin No.1 Jakarta Pusat
Phone. +6221 23580619
www.arborandtroy.com
Camden Town House
Jl. Meruya Ilir, Kebon Jeruk Jakarta Barat.
Photography by Rizky Rezahdy

As Good as it Gets...

Colonial style building from outside, lines of classic wodden ceiling at the lobby, used oldhouse bricks, this apatment welcomes me with its warmth. 

Soon after I enter the 3rd tower lift, going up to the 5th floor, I keep wondering the home owner of young couple that I want to review, must be the New York and American Classic at heart. But the reality is far from what I've been thingking, truly madly wrong...

The first of them is the appearance of painted dark grey solid foyer room, with orange and white framing the all entire wall list to the ceiling and coloumn. The composition of this small foyer look so appealing, followed with the long shoes cabinet in dark wood and mirror cabinet, and pairing with the round solid mirror and white square hangging modular. 

"Hi there, I'm Felicia," the young women with the modern short hair welcoming me with her warm regards.

The following room for me personally like the opening suprise. A modern long wood dining table presented with mirror wall in one ways. The open space living room was such a pleasure, cause I can imagine watching TV while eating truly comfortable here. I dont have to move but I can have best of both world at the same time. 

Halfway through the conversation with Felicia, as I were expecting that she will said all the acessories is brought by the designer, Yuni Jie, but appreantly not. Felicia is cute hunter, she's accesories junk who like to collecting all small little thing for her home. The red antique phone is one of them. I was schocked finding out that it's functional, they can use it as the apartment phone.

I have to say, this 140 square meters apartment design is worth the money. Classic outer look don not under estimate the owner and the designer to create something light, homey and almost feel like you're not in apartment. Replica option has never been this deliciously sinful. 

The only missing at this apartment maybe the large patio, but that's okay. That being said, you know what to expect when you live in apartment, no outside retreat.

Speak to me at twitter @styledecor1

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Jie Design

www.jie-design.com

Sun-kissed Terrace

It was a very sunny day, but somehow my mood to do outdoor photoshoot was right. And the photo session happens to be very sucessful. The location took in furniture showroom in Kemang, named Puri Artha, and we have the chance to use everything that they got in the showroom. Even actually I already borrow three brand with me for the photo session...upsss...

The first shoot was the rattan outdoor chair from Aida, Slide outdoor lamp, wood lantern from Puri Artha. This combination look very modern, but feel very chic at the same time. You can try this if you only have small courtyard corner. My second try is the pool corner using Whale lounge chair from Aida, round table bench by Alvin and box lamp from Slide.

Unlike the usual outdoor furniture you found in Jakarta, usualy from synthetic material or classic iron look, my furniture selection is more into natural material while the style is somewhat light and classier. 

I wasn't a big fan of styling outdoor area until I was introduced to Alvin T furniture, Slide lamp and see a lot of ecltectic inspiration that I got from design magazine. Only a big fan would go as far as I can bringing the personal touch to the outdoor furniture, like using three more item with different style and mix them together like a true living room out side the room..

If you have any reference for me, please contact me at my twitter @styledecor1

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Puri Artha
www.puriartha.com
Aida Rattan
www.aida-rattan.co.id
Alvin T
www.alvin-t.com
Slide
You can buy this item in Jakarta trough Vastuhome
www.vastuhome.co.id 

Elegant to Steal...

"Hi Erika, we just finish designing a penthouse apartment in Senopati, do you want to have a look?" my colleague Trisna from interior Shop Elite Grahacipta just text me in early morning on my way to office. I'm curious to know what they up into, so I decide to have a look.  And voila…I feel like entering a suite hotel not an apartment…

The first appearance is the high ceiling living room. The combination of long book cabinet with graphic armchair and carpets remain me of the West Elm design. The Baccarat chandelier makes the room feels like a lace fabric. Elegan but yet feminine.

The dining room area look bit funny with the umbrella chandelier. I don’t know what Elite trying to do, but this chandelier look miss match with the silver dining chair and table, for the console table I think it will be better if they use the light palette, not with the wood solid color. 

For the entire apartment my Favorite area is in the bedroom foyer. The unique cabinet perfectly combines with the circular mirror frame.

I've always been a huge fan of bathroom accessories, and this bathroom came out with a Parisian look cabinet that tickled my eyes, followed with a gray wallpaper and a mirror basin cabinet. What makes it even better is the pairing crystal lamp that comes together with it.

Do you like it? Speak to me in twitter @styledecor1

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Elite Grahacipta

Jl Kyai Maja No 6, Kebayoran Baru

Jakarta 12120

Indonesia

Phone(+62-21) 720.8475, 726.5513, 725.7727 - 28

Fax(+62-21) 726.5512

Style Affair at Scandic Grand Central Hotel...

I love the way design firm Koncept Stockholm designing the Scandic Grand Central Hotel. Like the World Architceture website said that ” Koncept Stockholm have created a love affair between the grand Vienna-style city palace and the street life of Stockholm”. Indeed...the combination between The urban theatre’ storyline look very supporting for each other.

The late 19th century city palace collides with materials inspired by everyday street life and together creating a very personal and inviting atmosphere, no wonder this hotel has been nominated to the design award European Hotel Design Awards 2012. The hotel was noticed in three categories: "Bedrooms and Bathrooms", "Café, Bar or All Day Dining" and "Restaurant." 

I cant wait to hear this hotel become the winner, what do you think…?

Let me know on twitter @styledecor1

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Scandic Grand Central

Kungsgatan 70

111 20 Stockholm

Sweden

Phone: +46 8 512 520 00

Fax: +46 8 512 520 11

E-mail:

grandcentral@scandichotels.com

Mad of Rattan...

It tells something more essential than simply how to choose of Rattan furniture. On one watch, the Rattan might appears as a pale looking wood with each braids step exaggerated into perfection. But I suppose, that's what it takes to remind us that every little thing of furniture craftmanship is beautiful. We just easily overlook it.

I mean, aren't every one of us has a love for great furniture? The afforable Indonesia Rattan furniture that sells in every corner of Jakarta street...Or have we forgotten? That is the case when we have a lot of something, and we know they come with bargain, we tend to take the quality for granted.

It happened to me...but not until I meet Mr. Kurt, the owner of Aida Rattan. He's Germany and he have a amazing knowladge about Rattan..

As I look at the same furniture everyday when I was a little kid, my mom has this Rattan Swing chair that use to belong to my grand father and given to my mom when shes married my dad. I forgot that we had a set of Rattan furniture at my home, because back then Rattan is something common that every family in Jakarta in late 1970's use to have for their home. 

As we grow old and the trend is coming, minimalist, modern, synthetic material... more and more trends, we tend to lose the passion to our traditional Rattan furniture. And now Aida Rattan, run by the Germany make me relize, it's time to investment with the good quality piece of Rattan furniture....Why not? This is our local resources material, we use to proud of them, why not now? 

The selection of Rattan furniture above from Aida is ready to buy, if anyone of you want to invest some item with good quality Rattan, don't hesitate to order... Believe me, one furniture that you buy from them, save the dignity of the local craftmant ship and the local Rattan farmer in Cirebon....

For order contact me at twitter @styledecor1

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PT AIDA Rattan Industry
Block Duku Setu, Desa Bodesari
Plumbon, Cirebon West Java
Telp. +62 231 324 556 (hunting)
Fax. +62 231 324 557
Email : kurt_schuetz@me.com

Another Missing Pictures in Milano

I know its to late, but I want to share my private viewing (thanks to Domus Academy Milan and Vastuhome showroom in Jakarta who sponsored me)at the Milan Furniture Fair 2012. 

Asian, European, American or Italian, from chairs, sofa to cabinet, this new trend on the block made quite a statement on its exhibition week. Lining up on a timely manner was a series of signature release collection expected to stood out among the long list of equally interesting furniture brand. 

Some of them really strike my head personally, while some others are possibly variety pleasers. If I were to rerun that week in my own terms, here's how it would be, brand by brand, designer with designer, old and new and iconic with mass design. 

Yeaaaay.... I'd like to start from Zanotta please. Hands down, the super comfortable collection was a winner. Possibly on par with my favorite Baker and Dwell Design collection. The layers of thinly sliced super soft fabric brings out the sweet and sleek to the surface, while the modern shape adds a complementary texture.

My second choice of modern furniture will go to Driade. Tropical jungle view at the booth was a great welcome warming for the visitor, served at the right tropical style temperature, although it was a bit on the Italian touch for the sofa selection. Otherwise, it was lovely. Some of the swing chair collection from Driade making it effortlessly homey, despite of the strong modern style furniture, Italian typical.

At some point, Missoni collection it was more like the Asian meet Tribal. If you know what I mean. And the last of the herd, would be like Oscar de la Renta meet Shanghai Tang. This is definitely something I'd like to have if I own villa properties in Africa. Some huge papper lamp with tribal mood, graphic cushion with tons of colors, big arm chair sofa in earth tone & light coffee table. You shall not be disappointed especially with the way they styling the booth, almost flawlessly relaxed.

And if I still have a few rooms for more in my future properties in Africa, I would venture this Thai inspired modern lamp and inspired paper lantern chadelier. The stylish look of this both lamp was appetizing with the craftmanship. While the selection of the material for the lamp pleasing my eyes. Visually appealing for local Asian lamp ideas.

But I have to admit it, my favorite pieces from the collection above, actually far from what I want for my home...I'm still vintage modern classic at heart, but with some twist of twiggy and lil'bit country at mind.. 

I'm lucky that in Milan Fair I have a chance to interview Marcel Wanders, Piero Lissoni and Front design..

Which one is your favorite? let me know on twitter @styledecor1

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Salone del Mobile Milan

www.cosmit.it

Zanotta

www.zanotta.it

Missoni Home

www.missonihome.it