ideas from bangkok

I was in Bangkok recently and having heard that they produce some neat interior decor, I asked the 43places community about where I can shop for interior products. They gave me three suggestions:

- Siam Discovery Centre
- Suan Lum night bazaar
- Chatuchak weekend market

Since I wasn't there over the weekend, I went to the first two places, and it was a very rewarding experience. The Discovery center has some really neat designer furniture and decor, which are matched with high prices.

At one particular outlet, I was drawn to their Eva Solo collection on sale. Actually, it was the Cafe Solo coffee maker that made me drool. It didn't come cheap (RM300+), but it looked like it could last a lifetime in my home.... and sometimes, that's what matters the most.

Anyway, I moved on (didn't have much cash with me). Habitat has just opened a new outlet in the asian region at the Siam Discovery center. They have some really cool stuff from their own production houses, and they do sell stuff made by some great names in the design world.

Other places of note are Fai Sor Kam and Panta, which feature real made-in-thailand designer furniture and decor. It was worth going there to take a look, even though my aim was to go budget shopping in Thailand.

Anyway, when it comes to budget shopping, Chatuchak seems to be the best deal in town. Unfortunately we weren't able to book across weekends, so we settled for stuff at the Suan Lum night bazaar, which was equally interesting.... especially since many of the things sold at Chatuchak can be found here.

Here are some photos I took of the place:



(you can view more at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaremfan/)

gray walls

Many asian chinese use white as their dominant shade of color in their homes, which is funny cos most whites use colors and wallpapers on their walls. When mom used to buy paint, she would pick out beige-y colors and variations of off-white colors, which to the naked eye, doesn't really make a difference..... it's still white.

White is fine if you have tons of furniture and decor that are colorful and can mix and match very well. White is not fine when you're trying very hard to make large sections of your home look different and create a feeling of space and warmth.

Enter gray. Because it makes my furniture stand out more, and it helps me not to focus on a large bright wall, which has grown to be dull and uninspiring after years of living with that color.

Here's what one person thinks: article

I'll probably mix the gray with a blue. Actually I'm not intending to paint the whole room gray. Just one section. I'll paint the other walls a shade of light steel blue or sky blue or powder blue. I guess even if I don't mix the gray with blue, the blues will reflect off the other walls onto the gray.... though I'm not sure how that will turn out... but I'm willing to try.

I've got a deep red armchair, and I'm planning on getting a white hall rug. I also have a lacquered pine leksvik coffee table, all of which should go well with the blues and grays.

All I need now is that darn apartment.