Bathroom might possess just a smaller area of your home, but it’s one of the most important area as we are using it everyday so instead of designing its physical appearance; it must be Healthy, Practical and Comfortable to call it a GOOD bathroom. I have designed countless bathroom for my clients, here are several things to consider when designing a bathroom.

Healthy

Bathroom is the most humid place as it gather moisture. creating bacteria threatening health. Do not sealed close the window and open up often  for air circulation. A good power ventilator is strongly recommended as it helps cleaning the air.

water outlet, where the water run is one of the important factor keeping a bathroom clean. Make sure the floor trap is install direct on top of the water outlet without angle to ensure best flow and choose a floor trap can trap hair, stone to prevent blockage.

Practical

Bathroom is the major usage of water. how to effectively save water and energy is important to create a greener environment and saving the planet. Choose good brand of sanitary item like Grohe, Toto, etc who are the expert in this field, or even branded product like Hansgrohe, Kohler, etc if you are willing to pay for it.  Not only the intensive and variety of beautiful product they carry, with the current eco technology they have, you can expect to save up to 25-30% of water compare to normal product especially those without brand.

Comfortable

Despite saving, comfort must not be neglected. Double sink getting more and more common as husband and wife do not need to fight for it and could enjoy spending time together in their beautiful bathroom. Indulge yourself with a jacuzzi, swirl pool or go digital with smart system shower or WC but remember to suit the budget of individual.

Green building has now becoming tend or even a need to end user homeowner especially after GBI – Green Building Index being introduced to malaysia in feb 2009. Due to the incresing demand and specifically require by my developer client, i have studied and understand it more comprehensively.

Green building can be defined as a term used to be taking into consideration the use of design and construction materials and method that are environmentally responsible, energy efficiency and creating healthier interior enviroment for homeowners.

A few examples of how to achieve the above advantages are, using less toxic application of floor finishes or paint, using foam insulation to overcome air leakage therefore a more energy efficient home will reduce monthly utility bills, it reduce repairs, reduced medical bills espcecially for those who are allergic to chemical or dusts.  

By going green, the main advantages would be:

1. improving personal health

2. create a more comfortable living space

3. on goin operation cost is lower

4. higher resale value

5. help saving the planet!

 I have began to train all my designers to apply it on to all our existing and future clients as going green doesn’t mean it will costs more, it can be cost neutral, save money over time and most importantly to design and create a healthier living environement.

Singapore Mandarin Oriental Hotel washroom at level 5

The interior design concept is old English style using classic old English furniture and accessories like photo frame with black and white photo achieving a really cozy and relaxing environment enjoying the cigar and whisky.

Do you want to spend load of cash for your dream kitchen and then forget some of the most important parts? I have listed down some of the simple yet crutial things that most people generally missed out on. A perfect design starts from the tiniest little details to the biggest picture.

#1 Lighting

Lighting stands an important role at all areas inside a house and especially for a kitchen as nobody wants to cook under a kitchen neither is too dim nor too bright. Make sure the lighting installed is bright enough to cover all working areas and also all the corners. Dimmer is not advisable for heavy usage area such as kitchen as the life spam of a halogen bulb is shorter therefore Separate gangs of switching is a better idea so you could adjust the brightness by switching on and off only the area needed.Concealed lighting underneath the top cabinet is another good idea to consider as it will enhance the look and also brighten up the counter-top of the Kitchen efficiently. A good level of natural and artificial light is vital to create a successful kitchen design.

#2 Counter Top

Common material used for the Kitchen counter tops are solid surface, granite or marble and concrete top. The selection of material should depends on the usage and purposes of Kitchen. For a wet Kitchen or a heavy cooker who cooks 3 meals a day and 7 days a week. Solid surface might not be the ideal choice as it gets scratch easily and the weight and heat resistant is not as strong as compared to granite, marble and concrete top even though the line-less join and unlimited choice of solid surface is irresistible.

#3 White Kitchen

Love the contemporary look of a modern white kitchen? No doubt a white colour kitchen is trendy and always look clean sensibly but it does require extra maintenance to make a “look clean” white kitchen really clean as stains, mud and dirt are always more visible on white surface. Secondly, a white kitchen does turn yellowish for a periods of time regardless of what material you are using.

#4 Sink

Single bowl or double bowl? Do you need a drainer? Under-mounted or top mounted? Answer all these questions by asking yourself do you even need or use it and what is the common usage of the sink. Tips: The size of sink does affect the size of the counter top so it should always be proportionally ratio to each other.

#5 Cooker Hood

Nobody like a smelly kitchen no matter how nice or expensive it looks. A cooker hood with a strong suction power is strongly recommended especially in a smaller or poorly ventilated kitchen as it will suck up any unpleasant smells and bring in fresh air. It will also helps preventing grease settling. Tips: a cooker hood should always be placed not more than 36” above the cooker hob.

#6 Door Clearance

Always take into consideration the amount of space needed to open the cabinet doors or appliance door.  Door clearance must be enough to open the door and still allocate ample space to walk past them.

#7 Kitchen Flooring

Carpet? A no no for your kitchen as kitchen floor is wet most of the time when you are cooking, the variety of cuisine and stains can become a nightmare to keep the kitchen clean. Go for stone floors either tiles or mosaic are easier for maintenance especially for wet kitchen but if you fancy a different look, wooden floor for dry kitchen can be consider.

#8 Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen appliances differ in width, length and height depending on the brand. Do not make assumptions, clear instruction can always be found in the box and if you could measure up before you buy is even better.

#9 Storage

The right level of storage is important as you wouldn’t want your pots and plates lying everywhere on the countertop due to the lack of storage place. Measure up your existing storage place and note down the items that you have or plan to buy.

#10 Electrical outlets

Electrical outlets will always allocate for big appliances but smaller appliances that will take place on your countertop like kettle and rice cooker should be taken into consideration as most of them comes with a short chord. Eubiq is an alternate brand of a flexible system I would recommend as the beauty of it is extra outlets can be add or reduce anytime upon installation.

P/S: The best thing you can do for your kitchen is to hire a experienced and creative designer. He or she will gives a step by step guidance, instead of cracking your head and worried about  your dream kitchen, leave it to the specialist!

Any question? Need help in renovating your existing or new home? Just post a comment here below with your details particulars or fill up the enquiry FORM for an absolute FREE design consultation.

Like the blog? Please subscribe your email in the RSS feeds to receive further updates from Desigva Design Blog.

Are you aware that even staying at your home sweet home can make damage to your health? Indoor air pollution is equivalent to outdoor one especially at a poorly ventilated or unclean area. I have listed down the most common things inside a house that could be making you sick as below:

#1 Paint

Fresh paint contain organic solvent that the smell can be harzardous to your health, normal symptom occurred like eye irritation, dizzy, headache and even hard in breathing.

Tips: keep a freshly painted room well ventilated and keep it vacant for several days before staying in.

#2 Furniture

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas which is commonly found in compressed wood products such as readymade furniture and carpentry works. High level of contact can be harmful to health.

Tips: ask your contractor or buy yourself a non-toxic sealer to apply on the wood to lock in the fume.

#3 Poor Ventilation

Some room just don’t get enough air and light, increasing the indoor pollutant level.

Tips: open up your window and door sometimes especially at a bright sunny day to allow air to circulate and bringing fresh air into the room

#4 Carpets

Carpets are the major source of impulsive organic compound in the air as it traps dust, dirt and dust mites. It is the main cause of allergy due to the micro organism contended inside. Consider of getting rid of the wall to wall type of carpet inside a house

Tips: use vacuum with HEPA filters for better result and dry clean your rugs at least once every 2 months

Any question? Need help in renovating your existing or new home?  Just post a comment here below with your details particulars or fill up the enquiry FORM  for an absolute FREE design consultation.

Like the blog? Please subscribe your email in the RSS feeds to receive further updates from Desigva Design Blog.

#1 Multiple canvas art

Hanging a canvas art piece is the easiest way to adorn the look of  your wall which most of the people are doing it but instead of hanging just one piece, u may try to hang  a few pieces together as it will immediately create a theme and character towards the house but picture must falls under the same family as in category.  For instance it could be beautiful scenery view, flowers or abstract art but not one of each beside one another  as you wouldn’t want your house to look like an art painting shop.

Estimated Cost: RM800 – RM2000

#2 Wall Decal

Wall Decal has become one trendiest decoration in the ID market now. These wall decal are mostly made of acetate, PET film and vinyl, all of which provide a greater degree of strength, flexibility as well as resistance to tearing compare to normal sticker. It has become popular kits as it has a variety of ready-made choices and designer can also custom-make it into any size, colour, shape and font to create the foremost character to match the overall concept of the house. It can be apply to almost any flat material like glass, wall, wood and tile; furthermore it could be removable and re-usesable.

Estimated Cost: RM800 – RM3000

#3  Wallpaper

Wallpaper, you will just be spoilt by the variety of choices u have and it has become a fundamental element of what a modern house should posse. You do not need to wallpaper up your whole house, by just highlighting a selection of wall, it will immediately spark up the dullness.

Estimated Cost: RM500 – RM2000

#4 Shelving Unit

Adding shelving unit to your wall serve two purposes; firstly as decoration and secondly a beautiful base for displaying things like photo frames, accessories, merchandise or any of owner’s collection. Instead of just 2 flat plank suspended on the wall, there are unlimited ways of shelving design. Just think out of the box to dress up the bare empty wall.

Estimated Cost: RM200 – RM2000

#5 Photo Frame Wall

Do you like taking pictures? How about a photo frame wall  to display all the memorable moments in your life. It creates an identity and it is one of the best way to make your house a HOME

Estimated Cost: RM200-RM1500

Any question? Need help in renovating your existing or new home?  Just post a comment here below with your details particulars or fill up the enquiry FORM  for an absolute FREE design consultation.

Like the blog? Please subscribe your email in the RSS feeds to receive further updates from Desigva Design Blog.