Carpentry is more than a set of skills and techniques; it is an independent art by itself.

The carpenter’s touch often directly affects the outcome of a piece of work. Therefore, when checking the quality of any finished carpentry, you have to know what to look for and what good quality means.

Are there any standardised ways to ascertain the quality of the carpentry? Let’s find out!

The Method

1. Whether it adheres to the design

When you hire handymen to make furniture in your home, you have to first prepare the furniture’s design print for their reference.

When checking, you should first determine when the furniture adheres to the design, and then see if the materials used are what you had demanded.

Design: Starry Homestead

2. Whether each board is straight and perpendicular to the other

Whether the carpentry is made in a horizontal or vertical direction, carpentry done skillfully is always straight and neat.

Check whether the curves (if that is present in the design) are smooth and even. For repeated patterns, check if each pattern identical to the other.

Overall, the piece of furniture should have neat, clean and symmetrical lines. There should not be bumps and dents.

Design: Weiken.com

3. Whether the corners and patterns are done well

Except for unusual designs, the corners of the carpentry is always bent at 90 degree.

For wood mosaic work, there should either be no gaps between the blocks, or uniformly sized gaps between.

Design: 96 Designers Group

4. Whether doors open and close properly

When checking the doors, open and close them several times to see if the movement is smooth.

There should be no strange noise made when opening the doors.

Design: Violetta Design Studio

Browse through the list of Interior Designers, their reviews and portfolios at http://www.renonation.sg/professionals/interior-designers/

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Original post How to Do a Quality Check on Carpentry appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Every year, colour and paint experts announce their Colour of the Year. Whether it’s a bid to sell their less popular paints or real research into consumer sentiments, everyone gets really excited by them.

At Renonation, we too are suckers for trends. So we’ve decided to put together some of 2020’s coolest colours, according to the experts, and show how you can introduce them into your own space with real-life examples from Singapore’s homes. Grab your swatches and let’s get started.

Pantone’s Classic Blue

No one knows colours better than Pantone, and this year, the colour specialists have announced the very timeless Classic Blue as its Colour of the Year, a hue which, according to Pantone, is meant to instil “calm, confidence and connection” as we head into an unstable era.

It’s somewhat of an overstatement, but we do agree with how safe and enduring Classic Blue can be. You can’t get a trending colour that is more un-trending than that. When used in the home, it can’t go wrong. It’s neither feminine nor masculine and it functions almost like a neutral, except when paired with other neutrals—that’s when it really gets to shine.

The classic blue hue is often found in coastal/nautical themed homes, conjuring images of the ocean and skies.

Design: Icon Interior Design

This long-lasting hue works perfectly with brassy touches for a more luxurious appeal.

Design: D’ Initial Concept

Make things visually interesting by playing with different shades of blue.

Design: The Local Inn.terior

Pairing classic blue with a neutral-toned wall like this cement screed surface allows it to stand out as a focal point.

Design: Fuse Concept

Dulux’s Tranquil Dawn

Like Pantone’s Classic Blue, Dulux’s Colour of the Year, Tranquil Dawn, is also a bid to inject a sense of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Inspired by the hues you find in the sky in the morning—green, blue and grey—it represents a “fresh start” and a “new dawn” so to speak.

Green has been popular paint colour for a couple of years now, although this very pale shade is one we haven’t seen very much of. It’s a great choice if you are looking to create a moody, Scandi vibe since it features more of a cool tone.

Tranquil Dawn is neutral enough to work as the main colour in a space. It contrasts nicely with black, which serves as the accents in this bedroom.

Design: The Scientist

This muted green can work as a subdued accent colour too, creating a sense of calm and serenity in this HDB flat.

Design: Adroit ID

The shade of green used in this entryway storage is a bit more minty than Tranquil Dawn, but we can definitely see the pale hue working perfectly here. Complementing this hue with gilded accents elevates this space immediately.

Design: Linear Space Concept

Benjamin Moore’s First Light

More fun than beige or white is Benjamin Moore’s First Light. It’s a tribute to the interior design world’s obsession with pink. Except, it’s just a bit subtler, softer and less saccharine—it’s like millennial pink all grown up. It’s decidedly more feminine than Tranquil Dawn or Classic Blue, but it’s definitely a versatile colour that works with most hues.

Like Tranquil Dawn, First Light can work really well as a neutral, but it also has the ability to hold its own thanks to its rosy shades. Pink is also very chic at the moment, so you will definitely be on-trend if you use it in your home.

We don’t think of this pale shade as a particularly opulent one. But pair it with jewel tones and voila! Instant sophistication.

Design: The Scientist

First impressions are the most important, so why not use the pink colour at your entrance? The shade used in this foyer leans towards peachy, but a First Light shade will steal just as much attention when used here.

Design: Open Studio

Bathrooms don’t have to be functional and boring spaces. Pale pink tiles were paired with interesting textures and patterns so that this space feels chic and modern rather than retro.

Design: The Scientist

Which colour trend will you try this year?

Browse through the list of Interior Designers, their reviews and portfolios at http://www.renonation.sg/professionals/interior-designers/

Submit your renovation enquiry:

Original post These are the Trending Colours to Use in Your Home in 2020 appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

When it comes to renovating your bathroom, one of the questions we inevitably run into is whether we should go with a shower screen or a shower curtain.

Designs: The Merry Men Interiors (left) and Chapter 3 Interior Design (right)

With shower screens, glass is the most common (get good quality tempered glass for extra safety), with a variety of options ranging from frameless and framed to single screen and full enclosures. When getting shower curtains, you need to consider materials, the length of the curtains, as well as whether you need an arc rod or a straight one.

To help you decide between a shower screen or a shower curtain, we list down the different scenarios for you to consider.

Go with shower screens if…

You want a bathroom that looks like an elegant hotel en-suite
There’s no denying the classy appeal of a glass shower screen. Unlike shower curtains which tend to give off a more laid-back, casual vibe, glass shower screens feel just that bit more elegant and put together. Plus, they are what luxury hotels use for their en suites, so you know you are in the right direction.

Design: Versaform

You want the feeling of a more spacious bathroom
For folks with smaller bathrooms, a glass shower screen can help to create the impression of a bigger space since it lets you see the bathroom in its entirety without any visual obstruction. Opt frameless for a better illusion.

Design: Violetta Design Studio

You have enough clearance space to wipe them down
Too often, we’ve seen people installing shower screens with not enough clearance space to wipe them down properly, which can leave unsightly soap scums and water stains on the glass surface very quickly. So when installing a shower screen, make sure there’s enough room for you to wipe down the screen on both sides without breaking your back. You will also need to ensure you can clean your shower screen seals easily, which are areas prone to collect mould and mildew thanks to the humidity in the bathroom.

Design: 19EightyThree

You need a splashguard that is more effective
Shower curtains aren’t great at retaining water within the shower area. Water can leak from the undersides and pool on the bathroom floor, especially if your curtain isn’t long enough. A shower screen is much better at keeping the rest of your bathroom dry. Whether it’s for safety reasons or you just want to prolong that laminated vanity cabinet of yours, get a shower screen if you want to restrict the splashes to the shower area.

Design: Hygge Design

Go with shower curtains if…

You want more flexibility
If you use the shower to shower your kids, pets or elderly parents, or you use the shower for activities like washing your clothes, you might need that extra flexibility and room, which a shower curtain can give. No more knocked elbows against a glass shower screen!

Design: Meter Square

You are on a budget
Looking for ways to save on your renovation budget? A shower curtain is one way to cut costs, since they are a lot cheaper than getting a shower screen. Choose one with a vibrant print, and you get to add instant personality to your bathroom without the heavy expense.

Design: The Scientist

You want lesser maintenance
A glass shower screen sounds like a lot of gorgeousness, until you realise you will need to wipe them down every time you use the shower to maintain its pristine condition. If you are getting shower enclosures, hinges and tracks also need to be regularly cleaned to be free from grime. With shower curtains, all you need to do in terms of maintenance is to throw them into the washer whenever they get dirty and hang them back up their rod to dry.

Design: Elpis Interior Design

You want a softer appearance
We don’t often think about this, but our bathrooms can look just a little bit too severe with their straight edges, lines and flat surfaces. To create a more comforting ambience, you will want to soften things up with elements like round mirrors or curved sinks. Introducing a shower curtain is also a fast and easy way to soften the edges.

Design: LAANK

You are opting for a curved shaped bathtub
Shower screens can be too rigid to fit in curved or different shaped tubs. Creating a custom one that fits your bathtub might be too costly, so the best way to keep the splashes contained? Get a shower curtain.

Design: Ethereall

Shower screen or shower curtain? Which camp do you fall into when it comes to choosing a splashguard for your bathroom? Let us know in the comments!

Original post Shower Screen Vs Shower Curtain: Which to go for in the Bathroom? appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

A space often overlooked in renovation: empty corners.

Corner spaces are usually forgotten, neglected spaces. But really, homeowners should never underestimate what a well-used corner space can do for the interior.

Not only does it increase storage capacity and freshen up the interior, a stylishly-decorated corner can up the classiness of your home as a whole.

This is the trick you should never miss.

The simplest way: shelf boards

Shelf boards might sound like a gauche addition, but if you cast aside your prejudices, shelf boards in fact have a high level of versatility no items can possibly have.

For one thing, shelf boards can go well with a myriad of decorative styles.

A simple shelf board plus pieces of ornaments can serve as a decorative background to the living room.

Add tiny potted plants to give a rustic air to your study and kitchen.

For the bedroom, replace bedside table with shelf boards to save space and money. With this simple item, possibilities are endless.

The most refreshing way: house plants

Plants are often featured in the corners of a house.

Normally, taller plants are chosen for its property of visual elongation. Snake plant, parlor palm and dracaena are some of the great choices of tall plants.

Use rope plant hangers for smaller plants. Vary the heights from which they hang to create an interesting visual effect.

The combination of whites and greens can relax your mental state. The assemble of plants also creates a partitioning effect.

It will look like your very own oasis in the house.

The warmest way: floor lamps

Purchase a floor lamp not only for lighting purposes, but also the warming effect it can create.

Be it the living room, the study or the bedroom, a floor lamp casting a glow from the corner of the space will soak the interior with a romantic, comforting feeling. It freshens up domestic life and brings solace in tiring, grey days.

The floor lamp is also one of those items that come in so many styles for the sake of cooperating with the rest of the original interior décor. Techno style, European style, Retro style, you name it.

The most extreme way: study corner

Who doesn’t want a study room of one’s own?

Due to limited space, as always, some dreams are harder to realise than other. In this instance, a study corner might be a good idea.

Corners with sufficient exposure to sunlight are best for creating study corners.

Define a space in a corner in the living room, the bedroom or the hallway with a desk, a chair and a simple set of shelf boards. Voila, your very own study corner is ready to use.

In addition to the study corner, storage shelves are also a great way of utilising that space otherwise wasted.

Opt for wood-coloured shelves and decorate with small green plants for an American rustic style. Choose clean white shelves for bathroom corners to increase toiletries storage space.

HKDecoman, now going global as Deco-Man, is a Hong Kong-based renovation platform which provides professional consultancy services and pioneers in the development of A.I. homeowner-engineer matching. We aim at educating the public about the art of home renovation and have our eyes on transforming the traditional renovation industry, bringing standardisation, transparency, convenience and automation to the business.

Browse through the list of Interior Designers, their reviews and portfolios at http://www.renonation.sg/professionals/interior-designers/

Submit your renovation enquiry:

Original post 4 Ways to Make Use of Empty Corners appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Our kitchens may be small, but they shouldn’t be basic. These handy extras will give a boost to a small kitchen, maximising the spatial utilisation while adding to its efficiency and functionality.

1. Pull-down cabinet system

In a small kitchen, you will want to add as much storage as possible. Having cabinets that reach all the way to the top is a great idea since you are making use of vertical space and freeing up precious floor estate—but reaching them, on the other hand, might be well, a bit of a reach.

By installing a pull-down cabinet system, you get to bring the rack down to eye level with a simple tug and a simple push stows it back into place. No more tip-toeing, step ladders or forgotten items up the shelves.

Design: Lemonfridge Studio

2. Pull-out countertop

Short on countertop space for food prep? Create extra workspace by incorporating a pull-out countertop that tucks away nicely once you’re done with it. Locate it near the cooktop for convenience or have it by the pantry area if you need that extra room to prep lighter meals.

Design: The Interior Lab

3. Drying rack behind sink

No space should be left forgotten when you have a small kitchen, and that includes the space behind the sink. Carving out a drying rack in that area is a great way to make the most of that forgotten space—not only does it free up your countertop for more important things, it also helps to conceal an unattractive drying rack.

Design: Authors • Interior & Styling

4. Shallow shelves

If your kitchen is much too narrow to install another set of counters, get shallow shelves instead. They are the perfect storage space for single bottles of condiments and spices as well as boxes of breakfast cereals or snacks. Unlike deeper shelves, where things can get lost in the deep recesses, you don’t have that problem with shallow shelves, which let you see where everything is at a glance. Plus, you don’t really need to have excellent Marie Kondo-level organisation, since shallow shelves basically organise themselves.

Design: DistinctIdentity

5. Wall-mounted pot rails

Pots and pans tend to be bulky, taking up a lot of space if you store them inside your kitchen drawers. Do up wall-mounted rails instead and display your wares there. They don’t take up very much space while giving you incredible ease of access—just grab your wares and go. And because the hooks on the racks are adjustable, you get to accommodate a range of pot/pan sizes as well.

Design: Design Chapterz

6. Pocket sliding cabinet doors

When opened, pocket sliding cabinet doors can be tucked away into hidden pockets at the side of the unit so you won’t risk bumping against the doors when you move around the kitchen. These are great options for cabinets that you need to keep open for a time, like pantry cupboards or your condiments cabinet, but will also need to be closed once you are done with them.

Design: Couple Abode

7. Raised bar counter

The best thing about adding a raised bar counter atop your kitchen counter is that they don’t take up extra room. Rather, they give you more room, by providing you a counter to casually lean against when you are having that pre-meal drink. It also affords you a little nook to store small countertop appliances, while visually hiding the clutter of your cooking space on the other side. How’s that for a versatile add-on?

Design: The Movement Design Collective

Browse through the list of Interior Designers, their reviews and portfolios at http://www.renonation.sg/professionals/interior-designers/

Submit your renovation enquiry:

Original post 7 Handy Add-Ons You Won’t Mind Having in Your Small Kitchen appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

 Image from Yum of China

Steamboat, the Chinese rendition of fondue, is an extremely popular choice for reunion dinner during the Chinese New Year period. Also known as hot pot (火锅), it is an easy to cook meal where ingredients are tossed in a large pot of carefully prepared flavorful broth. It is also said that the round steamboat pot, which symbolizes “reunion” (团圆), has the power to enhance friendship and unite family members.

If you wish to save money and effort of queuing for hours, just to dine at an overpriced steamboat restaurant, you can consider organizing a simple steamboat reunion dinner at the comfort of your own home. In addition, it is a much healthier option as you have complete control over the type of ingredients that go into your hot pot. Nevertheless, the first step to organizing the  steamboat reunion dinner would be purchasing the right steamboat appliance. Hence, here is a simple guide to help you get started on the ultimate communal dining experience!

#1. Electrical Or Gas?

Image from Shopee.sg

Electrical steamboats come either as standalone or as part of the induction cooker, while others come bundled together with a portable gas stove which runs on compatible gas canister. The advantage of getting a steamboat that runs on electricity is that the cooking is more consistent and they are the easiest to clean up. However, it is not portable since you need to ensure that there is an electrical plug. Whilst, the main advantage of having a portable gas stove is that it can be used anywhere and you have more precise temperature control. However, there are still concerns of safety after gas explosions at the steamboat restaurants were reported. Furthermore, you need to replace the gas canister every few hot-pot sessions and they are not cheap.

Tip: Invest in an electrical extension cord to make an electrical steamboat more portable. Tape the cord on the floor with masking tape to prevent people from tripping over it.

#2. Stainless or non-stick?

Image from Scienceabc

The steamboats come in mainly two types of finishing; stainless steel, which is corrosion resistant, and non-stick coating, that makes the hot pot much easier to clean. Furthermore, with a non-stick steamboat, you can also sauté the ingredients before adding the broth and this additional step will add more flavor to your meal. However, you should avoid using metal utensils with a nonstick steamboat as they will scratch and nick the non-stick coating.

Tip: Make sure that the non-stick coating used in the steamboat is either made without Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), or PFOA free. Exposure to PFOA can have harmful effects in our body. Always use wooden spoons or silicone-coated perforated and solid ladles together with non-stick steamboats. If you are getting an induction steamboat, make sure that your hot pot is made of stainless steel!

#3. Single or Dual flavor?

Image from Serious eats

Spicy? Non-spicy? Communal dining can also be a tricky affair when your guests have different soup base preference. Hence, most steamboats are designed with an internal divider, or a separator, so that you can accommodate two different flavors at the same time! In this way, you can get the most broth mileage out of one hot pot!

Tip: Choose a bigger capacity steamboat (at least 6 liters) if you decide to opt for a dual flavor hot pot. In this way, you do not have to refill the broth so frequently during the steamboat session.

#4. Hot Pot or Grill?

Image from Lazada.sg

Aside from steamboat, grilling is also another popular communal dining experience. Hence, steamboat-grills, which allow you to hotpot-cum-BBQ at the same time, have risen in tremendous popularity in recent years. In additional, they are also available in a wide variety of designs and sizes!

Tip: Look for steamboat-grill that comes with separate controls for the pot and grill, so that you have individual control over the hot pot and BBQ. Choose the steamboat design that comes with a reasonable grill capacity, and is also designed around the steamboat. In this way, it is easier for everyone to reach for both the hot pot and BBQ, no matter where they are seated.

Other features to watch out for!

#5. Easy maintenance
Make sure that the hot pot and the grill are removable for easy washing.

#6. Wide and Shallow Design
Choose for a hot pot which wide and shallow, so that a wider group of people can reach for the steamboat. The shallow depth allows that food to be visible and not lost in the sea of ingredients and broth. Furthermore, the ingredients will be cooked much faster in a  shallow hot pot.

#7. Heat Resistant Handles
The handles on the sides of the hot pot or grill must be made of heat resistant material, so that it is easy for you to lift it off the base.

#8. Tempered Glass Lid
The lid should be clear and made with tempered glass, with a heat resistant handle. In this way, you can monitor the broth easily, without having to take the lid off.

Steamboat Hack;
use an electric rice cooker as a hot pot!

If you are still undecided on which steamboat to purchase, or simply do not have time to shop for one, fret not! You can actually use your electric rice cooker, with its lid off, as a makeshift hot pot for your family!

Image from Hotpotambassador

Original post 8 Things To Look Out For When Buying A Hot Pot appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

We get up to work at sunrise and get rest at sunset. If you choose the wrong colour temperature, it may hurt your eyes and seriously affect your health.

For those who pursue a healthy life, you should think about lighting design at home. It can improve the overall design and atmosphere of your home while improving your life at the same time.

If the colour temperature is low, the light is yellow. If the colour temperature is high, the light is white and bright. 3000 K is warm white light, 4000 K is natural white light, and 6000 K is a bright white light.

The left image is white light, known as “cold colour”. The right image is yellow light, known as “warm colour”.

Living room (white light)

It is recommended to use 4000-6000 K white light in the living room, because white light makes people concentrate and it can maintain the transparency of the entire space. Coupled with the yellow light floor lamp and table lamp, they can create a warm atmosphere and increase the layering.

Bedroom (yellow light)

It is recommended to use 2700-3000 K yellow light in the bedroom, because white light will affect sleep quality and interferes our physiological clock. Since the main function of the bedroom is to let us rest, it is best to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

According to the needs of users, if the bedroom has a combined use as a study room, you can consider a colour temperature of 3000-4000 K, or add a reading lamp in the bedroom. This way, you don’t have to destroy the lighting style of the bedroom.

Study room (white light)

Having a study room at home is not usual in Hong Kong. But if you have one, you should have a uniform, bright and clear 4000-6000 K white light.

We also need to pay attention to the orientation of the light source, it is not appropriate to project the light behind the desk and chair because the backlight produces unpleasant shadows and it will make our eyes tiring. There are many table lamps on the market that are suitable for reading and working. If the study room lighting cannot meet your needs, you can also add a light trough or table lamp to supplement the light.

Kitchen (White light)

As we need to pay attention in cooking, we need a white light to help us stay focus. In fact, all kitchen should use white light. As the kitchen tends to be dirty, we can clean it easily with bright light. Under the white light, it can reflect the cleanliness of the kitchen. The colour temperature is recommended to be within 4000-6000 K. The interior designer may suggest adding spotlights under the kitchen cabinet or near the countertop to supplement the lighting. This can increase the aesthetics and make us safer while cooking.

Dining room

The dining table or dining room is usually connected to the living room, but most of the time it will have individual lighting. When food is exposed to yellow light, it has higher colour saturation that can increase appetite. Therefore, yellow light with 3000 K and the CRI index more than 80 is the most ideal situation.

Some high-end restaurants will add yellow light (or candlelight) for the table. In addition to improving the lighting effect, it may also increase the appetite of guests.

Bathroom

The bathroom is a relaxing area. Thus, the colour temperature should not be higher than 4000 K. However, most bathrooms use white light. Why?

Because you need enough lighting when washing your face!

It is not a must to use white light in bathroom. After all, you can add another lighting near the wash basin and the bathtub, such as wall-mounted lamps or spotlights.

If the bathroom is not well lit, it may pose a danger for the users. Therefore, we should use white light as the main lighting and to arrange other lighting equipment base on your needs. One thing you should be aware is that as the humidity in the bathroom is high, you should choose the light bulb with good water resistance and heat dissipation.

Conclusion

Don’t just buy a lamp without careful planning. It is recommended to have a thorough consideration and design before making purchase because lighting will affect our health. You can use different lamps combination to enrich the lighting atmosphere at home as well.

The content and pictures of this article are provided and uploaded by the author of this column, and do not represent the position of the company. If there are any copyright issues, please contact HKDecoman.

HKDecoman, now going global as Deco-Man, is a Hong Kong-based renovation platform which provides professional consultancy services and pioneers in the development of A.I. homeowner-engineer matching. We aim at educating the public about the art of home renovation and have our eyes on transforming the traditional renovation industry, bringing standardisation, transparency, convenience and automation to the business.

Browse through the list of Interior Designers, their reviews and portfolios at http://www.renonation.sg/professionals/interior-designers/

Submit your renovation enquiry:

Original post How to Choose the Correct Colour Temperature for Each Part of Your Home appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Being practical in your home design is a must, especially when you lack the space. But functionality without form is blah and boring. And that’s especially the case for TV feature walls, which, as their name suggests, ought to be well, a feature. If you are looking to make a statement in your own home, these stylish yet also practical TV feature wall ideas should get you on track.

1. Hidden Entrance

One of our favourite surface trends for the upcoming year is slatted wood, and this home’s TV feature wall is rocking it like a boss. But the best part about it is that it also hides the entrance into the kitchen, creating an all-round very sleek interior.

Design: Authors

2. Curved Proportions

Why settle for flat and boring, when curve is so much better? We love how the rounded edge of this TV feature wall lifts an otherwise plain and simple white feature wall. Warm cove lights add to the ambience of this chic monochrome living room.

Design: Kuro+

3. Stepping Up

This is a living room that accommodates both its human and furry occupants thanks to the feature wall that doubles as a cat ladder. We love how this structure also works just like a stylish visual interest.

Design: Linear Space Concepts

4. Muji Minimalism

Here’s a TV feature wall solution Marie Kondo will be proud of. It features a sliding front that can conceal the TV for when you want everyone to focus on the conversations rather than the black box, or it can also be shifted to hide the built-in open shelves for when decluttering takes a backseat to real life.

Design: Provolk Architects

5. Mirrored Muse

If you have a tiny living room, a mirrored TV feature wall is your best bet to really open up the area. We love that this one is tinted black, so that it is in tune with the luxuriously dark colour scheme in the rest of the home.

Design: Rockin Spaces

6. Bomb Shelter Concealment

Bomb shelter doors are ugly things, but they are here to stay. So if you don’t want it distracting your home design, consider concealing it with your TV feature wall like in this apartment.

Design: Space Factor

7. Set in Concrete

This TV feature wall for the large gaming monitor in the family room was crafted using concrete. Notice the matching shelf that serves as storage for the controls and consoles.

Design: The Local Inn.terior

8. Pegs and Shelves

Using pegs and simple open shelving, the designer crafted a TV feature wall that is both statement-making as well as practical. It’s also a really flexible design, since you can move the shelves around for a different storage solution or remove the shelves and use the pegs as hooks.

Design: Uno Interior

9. Half-wall Chic

To allow more light from the balcony to enter the living room, the designer did up a TV feature wall that was half gypsum board, half glass. A wooden border and a Suar slab add interest and warmth.

Design: The Merry Men Interiors

10. Art Gallery

A multipurpose wonder, this exquisite TV feature wall not only serves as a platform for the homeowner’s art pieces, it also hides plenty of storage, some of which are revealed only by sliding it open.

Design: Neu Konceptz

Original post 10 Practical TV Feature Wall Designs in Singapore that Look Really Good Too appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

We recently put out feelers on our Instagram Story to see what you guys thought about open shelving in the kitchen. We asked this question: For those of you with open shelving in the kitchen, would you go for them again? Tell us why. It’s a controversial thing, this one. As expected, some of you were way against it, while others quite liked it. Here were some of your responses:

If you are still on the fence about open shelving in your kitchen, we thought hearing what others had to say about their own experiences with it should help you in your decision.

The “Yes, go for it!” Camp

“Motivates me to be neat.”

Open shelving, according to some of you, apparently helps with keeping clutter at bay. Because everything is out in the open, you are, in a way, forced to keep things neat. On the flip-side, we reckon you kinda need a little self-motivation as well. Clutter is subjective; not everyone sees clutter the same way Marie Kondo does.

Open shelving might force you to solve the clutter issue in your kitchen.

Design: Starry Homestead

“Makes me think twice about buying unnecessary items.”

Compared with kitchen cabinets, open shelving definitely has lesser storage space. Lesser storage space = fewer things to accumulate. That’s a good thing if you tend to buy things on a whim without really thinking if you really need them. Not so good if you genuinely need the storage space though.

If you need the extra storage, consider combining closed kitchen cabinets alongside open shelving for the best of both worlds.

Design: Authors

“It opens up my small kitchen.”

Closed kitchen cabinets can cramp up your style, quite literally. Open shelving is less visually heavy, which allows your small kitchen to appear more spacious. But this doesn’t work if you put too many things on the shelves, making your snug cooking space appear overly cluttered.

In a small kitchen, open shelving can help to open up the space visually.

Design: The Minimalist Society

The “Nope, not happening.” Camp

“Not in the kitchen, as it will get a lot of dust. Not something you want near food!”

For those of you who don’t like living with open shelving in the kitchen, it’s mainly because of the dust. Unless you dust it often, dust will definitely accumulate and be an issue, particularly if you have allergies. Dust particles from the shelves can also get to your food, while you are prepping or cooking, which can be unsafe.

Dust regularly to prevent dust from accumulating on your open shelves.

Design: Boon Siew D’sign

“Tends to collect dust and grease stains, which means you will need to clean it all the time.”

Besides gathering dust, grease stains are also a particular concern for homeowners with open shelving. If you are planning to store serving wares on your open shelves, you might have to give them a quick rinse before using them. To reduce the amount of washing, store everyday wares so that you can get through them before grease or dust settles. Open shelving is definitely not low maintenance, so if you are opting for them, be prepared to do more cleaning.

On open shelves, store everyday used items that you can go through quickly before dust or grease settles.

Design: Free Space Intent

“Messy looking.”

As mentioned earlier, open shelving can definitely appear cluttered, if you tend to place too many things on it. The key to making open shelving work in a small space is to minimise what you place on it. Alternatively, curate your selection to trim the visual clutter and store similar looking items e.g. rows of glass containers or group together items that feature similar hues e.g. neutral tones.

Put in the extra work to curate your items on display if you are going with open shelves.

Design: Three-D Conceptwerke

Like with most things, there are two sides to open shelving. If you do decide to go with open shelving, restrict what you put on the shelves, understand that you will have to live with less storage space and be prepared to clean your kitchen more often. The advantage? You will be rewarded with a sense of spaciousness.

We want to hear from you: Will you be going for open shelving in your kitchen? Let us know in the comments! Follow us on Instagram (@renonation) for more design inspiration. 

Original post Open Shelving in the Kitchen: See What Real Homeowners Think About Them appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Image from Wikiwand

If you have received a box of single-serve coffee capsules as a Christmas gift and wonder whether if it is time to invest in a single-serve coffee capsule machine, fret not! We have got you covered! Here are some facts which you should know before investing in the single-serve coffee capsule machine!

Do you know?
A coffee capsule is made of a cylindrical plastic container, which contains ground coffee and is covered with an aluminium foil seal. The coffee capsule is usually comes in a single-serve vacuum packed capsule, which needs to work with a machine compatible with the capsule.  A coffee pod, sometimes known as a coffee pad, is different from a coffee capsule and contains ground coffee in a circular filter teabag.

Image from Segmentblue

#1. Single-serve coffee machines are extremely convenient to use

Coffee capsule machines have grown in popularity in recent years due to their extreme ease of usage and variety; hot coffee is instantly served with a simple press of a button. Furthermore, the vacuum-packed coffee capsules help to ensure the consistency and taste of the coffee as the vacuum packed nitrogen prevents oxidation. The leading single-serve coffee makers in Singapore include Nespresso and Nescafe Dolce Gusto.

Image from Lazada

#2. Single-serve coffee capsules come in a huge array of flavours

Single-serve coffee capsules allow you to take a huge variety of coffee flavours without having to go through the hassle of knowing how to brew individual cups. For instance, Nespresso and Nescafe Dolce Gusto have nearly 30 flavours of coffee for you to choose from.

Image from Mackay Cartoons

#3. Single-serve coffee machines are not environmentally friendly

As the coffee capsules are made of a mixture of plastic and aluminium foil, they cannot be recycled easily. Furthermore, on average, 6g of plastic and aluminium packaging is needed for a 3g of coffee in a capsule. Unfortunately, the demand for convenience coffee fixes has overshadowed the environmental impact of single-serve coffee capsules for many years, since plastic can take over 500 years to biodegrade! As an average person consumes 2 cups of coffee a day, this person can generate at least 307 kg of plastic in his or her lifetime! Hence, it is definitely a brewing problem which needs to be addressed!

#4. Single-serve coffee capsules might be harmful to our health

Although BPA-free plastics have been used for coffee capsules, some studies have shown that even BPA-free of material can still pose harmful effects when heated, especially since single-serve coffee capsules are subjected to extremely high heat during the coffee preparation process. When plastic chemicals are released, they act like estrogen and disrupt your hormones and may contribute to hormone imbalance, weight gain and fertility problems. Furthermore, most parts within the single-serve coffee machines are also made of plastics and may come into contact with the hot water. In addition, the coffee pod capsules are sealed in aluminium, which has been linked to “Alzheimers, depression, autism, and even autoimmune disease“, when they are exposed in high quantity. Also, a national French study carried out a research report in 2013, to compare the rate of different chemical compounds found in coffee capsules from different brands, in comparison to filter coffee. The study concluded that elements such as  “cobalt, chromium, tin, nickel, copper, zinc and acrylamide” were generally higher quantities in coffee capsules.

Image from Mojofury

#5. Single-serve coffee is more expensive than instant coffee blend

A single-serve coffee capsule generally cost more than the instant coffee blend due to its individual capsule packaging and the capsule-specific single-serve coffee machine. For instance, alternative cheaper coffee capsules wouldn’t work with the Keurig single coffee machines, since they only work with officially branded Keurig pods. In fact, the average cost of a single-serve coffee capsule is around $0.90c while the machine costs around $150, depending on the model and brand.

Image from Nuffoodsspectrum.asia

#6. You can actually enjoy the single-serve coffee capsules without even purchasing their single-serve coffee machines!

If you have received a box of single-serve coffee capsules as a Christmas gift and either due to cost or environmental concerns, do not wish to invest in a single-serve coffee machine, what should you do? Here is an extremely simple hack which you can do to enjoy your coffee without using the single-serve coffee capsule machine; simply cut it open, pour the coffee powder from the plastic capsule and stir in the desired amount of hot water. Here is a simple illustration.

Note: If the coffee capsules come with filters, simply pop them into a standing flask and pour the hot water through them.

What all these mean to you?

As consumers, we should know that our consumption habit has a huge impact on our health and environment. Hence, a small change in our habits can make a huge difference. Hence, you can make an informed choice by either avoiding the use of single-serve coffee machines or choose to use them with stainless steel refillable coffee capsules.

Original post What You Need to Know about Single-Serve Coffee Capsule Machines before Purchasing One appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Face masks are Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which people use during renovation and simple D.I.Y home improvement works. There are many types of masks available and they range from disposable cup-style or half-face reusable masks for you to choose from. Here are 5 things you should know about face masks to make sure that you are getting the right one!

Why should you wear face masks for D.I.Y projects and remodelling works?

With proper respiratory masks, you can breathe easy and perform your work more effectively. Face masks work by ensuring that the airways are not irritated by dust and the lungs are protected against harmful vapours and other particles.

1. Different types of masks are designed for different purpose

Image from Home Depot

Dust and Mold Mask
The dust and mould masks are effective against dust, mould, pollen and other solid particles. They prevent dust, which is produced during sanding, drywall sanding, rust removal and fibreglass installation, from getting into the airway and lungs. An N-95 mask is also known as “air-purifying particles respirators”, which protects the wearer by filtering particles out of the air but not against gases or vapours. Aside from haze, airborne biological agents such as germs and viruses, can also be filtered by particulate respirators. N95 respirators have a filtration efficiency of 95 percent.

Image from Home Depot

Gas and Vapor Mask
The gas and vapour masks protect against harmful gases and vapours and come in multiple chemical filter or cartridge configurations. Also known as a chemical cartridge/gas mask respirator, these “air-purifying chemical respirators” filter and clean chemical gases out of the air as you breathe. They are effective only if used with the correct cartridge or filter for a particular chemical substance. However, they do not usually filter out airborne particles unless their cartridge has a filter to remove particles. Image from Home Depot

Paint and Odor Mask

The paint and odour masks are particulate respirators that are effective against paint odours and latex paint. They have filtration efficiency against solid and liquid particles. Respirators in this family are rated as “N,” if they are Not resistant to oil, “R” if somewhat Resistant to oil, and “P” if strongly resistant (oil Proof).

2) Face masks can also protect you from the airborne virus

Image from Imperial

In case you have missed the news; the Wuhan virus has officially reached the Singapore shores on 23rd January a few days ago. For the uninitiated, Wuhan virus (2019-nCov) is a new respiratory coronavirus which has a mortality rate tracking at roughly 3% (based on the reports so far). As a comparison, the mortality rate for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is around 14% to 15%, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is 30% to 35%. It has been medically established that wearing masks generally decrease viral exposure and infection risk; since wearing a mask prevents you from spreading germs to others when you are not feeling well and vice-visa since it stops the droplets of saliva and mucus, carrying airborne viruses, from being passed into the air when one coughs or sneezes. Nevertheless, although N95 respirators filter out most airborne particles and most airborne biological agents, from the surrounding air, they are only effective against particles and pathogens down to 0.3 microns in diameter.

Note: Although there are reports that the Wuhan coronavirus is actually 0.12 microns in diameter and hence, N 95 face masks might not be entirely effective. Nevertheless, masks still lower the risk of an infected person spreading the coronavirus to others via saliva or phlegm.

3) Cotton face masks might not be effective against airborne bacteria, viruses and dust

Image from Sea.banggood

Cotton face masks come in myriad of colours and cute patterns. They fall under reusable masks since they can be washed. However, they might not be effective against tiny droplets since the pore sizes in most reusable mask designs are too big to filter out the droplets and dust. Furthermore, washing the cotton face masks might aerosolize* the germs too.

*Tiny liquid droplets which contain infectious virus and/or bacteria are released like an aerosol into the atmosphere.

4) A surgical mask is designed to keep large particle droplets and splatter from passing from a person’s mouth to nearby surfaces or people

Image from Indiamart

The surgical masks are designed to keep the wearer from large particle droplets and splatter from a person’s mouth to nearby surfaces or people. Hence, they are looser-fitting and is usually made of 3 layers,2 outer layers (1 white and another coloured), and a middle layer which is the filter. Surgical masks should have a filtration efficiency of 80 percent or higher. These masks are only meant to be used in the healthcare industry and not suitable to be used for renovation and D.I.Y home improvement projects.

Tip: Wear the surgical mask with the colored layer facing outwards. The white layer is an absorbent material, to absorb the humidity and mucas. Both the middle and colored outer layers are water-repellent to prevent any fluids from being absorbed into the mask.

5) Looking for a customisable mask? Totobobo mask might be your answer

Image from Totobobomask

Totobobo specializes in customised mask which fits the contours of your face for maximum protection and comfort. This mask stands out from others due to its 3 unique features: “watermark” feature where the frosty surface turns transparent once it is contact with wet skin. Hence, this makes it easy to identify any gaps between the mask and the face. It can also be easily reshaped and trimmed for a much better fit. Based on this review, it has quite a high performance and protects up to 92-99 percent of air particles.

How to purchase a mask that fits?

When buying your masks and respirators, check for the following:

– Manufacturer’s name clearly printed on the packaging (if the printing is unclear, it could be a counterfeit-mask);
– Filtration efficiency based on your needs (i.e. dust, odor, airborne bacteria and viruses);
– Expiry date (Disposable respirators are valid for about three years from the date of the manufacture;
– Sealed box which is stored properly and;
– Good fit with no gaps when worn.

Original post What You Need to Know about Face Masks Before Getting One appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Design: 4Mation ID

If you have seen creepy footage of alien-looking parasites escaping from the zombie insects, or have read about Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) ladybugs, I am sure that you will do anything to keep them away from your home!

Videos showing parasites escaping from a praying mantis and spider

An STD infected ladybug from Blogs Scientific American

Instead of resorting to commercial chemical toxins to get rid of these tiny pests, we can easily D.I.Y and create a safe, all-natural insect repellent. In this way, you can make your home a less hospitable place for insects while keeping it toxin-free.

Design: 19EightyThree

#1. Herbal insect repellent sachet

Image from Herbaliz

Herbs have been used for many centuries to effectively repel pests. Here is a list of insect-repelling herbs, and they are known to be quite effective against the tiny bugs.

• Cedar
• Cinnamon
• Citrus
• Citronella
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Tea Tree

Where to use it?
These dried herbs can be packed into small muslin bags, and tucked away in dark, hard to reach corners, where insects typically hide and thrive.

Design: LemonFridge Studio

#2. Essential oil insect repellent spray

Image from Jojotastic

Aside from herbs, essential oil* spray is another great way to keep insects away from our home.

• Cedar essential oil
• Cinnamon essential oil
• Citrus essential oil
• Citronella essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Tea Tree essential oil

*The list is not exhaustive.

Here is how you can DIY your own concoction:

• 5-10 drops of any of the essential oils
• ¼ tsp dish soap
• 300 ml of distilled water

Additional Tip: “List of essential oils that repel specific insects:
Mosquitoes: Citronella, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, basil, clove, thyme, lemongrass, geranium, and lavender;
Fleas: Cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass, lavender, orange, and pine;
Ticks: Rose geranium, juniper, rosewood, thyme, grapefruit, and oregano.“
From Organic Aromas

Mix all the ingredients in a glass spray bottle by giving it a good 5 mins shake. The dish soap will keep the oil and the distilled water from being separate.

Where to use it?
Spray the following areas at least once a day where the pests will use to enter your home and is impractical to use the herbal insect repellent sachet; the ceiling, window edges and door creases.  As certain essential oils may stain the ceiling, walls, floors and even wood, you should perform a small test-site first before spraying the area.

Design: Three-D Conceptwerke

#3. Salt spray  

Image from The Conversation

Surprisingly, Epsom salt (hydrated magnesium sulfate crystals) can be an effective and yet safe pest control, especially in the garden area. Epsom salt, a compound of magnesium and sulfate, is not table salt and is one of many naturally occurring mineral salts.

• An ounce of Epsom salt (1/8 cup)
• A gallon of warm water

Mix these ingredients in a glass spray bottle by giving it a good 1 min shake.

Where to use it?
Spray the salt concoction onto your plants or by sprinkling the Epson salt crystals around the garden and around each plant to keep the pests away.

Design: The 80’S Studio

#4. Vinegar spray

Image from Family Handyman

Another way to deter bugs from making their nests in yours without using pesticides, is to use a Vinegar spray. The acetic acid in vinegar is highly volatile to insects and keeps them away and as vinegar may damage or kill plants, it must be diluted before it can be used.

• 1 part vinegar
• 1 part water

Mix these ingredients in a glass spray bottle by giving it a good 1 min shake.

Where to use it?
This concoction can be sprayed around the perimeter of your home and places where the pests will use to enter your home.

Original post Watch these Creepy Footage of Alien-looking Parasites Escaping from Zombie Insects and Learn How to Insect Proof your Home in 4 Natural Ways appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Dividing the kitchen into two separate areas, the wet and dry kitchen, is a wonderful way to maximise the usage and functionality of the space.

In general, the wet kitchen is where the main cooking and washing up take place, while the dry kitchen is usually reserved for lighter cooking or food prep.

This separation not only helps to organise and manage the different tasks in the kitchen, it also better contains the grease and the fumes to the wet kitchen.

If you are wondering how to do this divide beautifully, these examples in Singapore’s kitchens should give you an idea.

1. Divide Between

For long-ish and narrow kitchens, a glass sliding door between the wet and dry areas separates the space without much fuss and without taking up too much space. A consistent all-white scheme in both zones create a seamless and uniformed appearance.

The dry area in this instance is mainly used for baking, which is why the built-in oven is located there. In the wet zone, a wall-mounted fan helps to disperse the smoke and smells after a heavy cooking session.

Images courtesy of Amoz Boon

2. Different Looks

Rather than design a wet area and dry area that look like they were cut from the same cloth, the designer chose to create visual interest by introducing patterned floor tiles in the dry kitchen. Wood-clad, full-height cabinets serve as the perfect neutral backdrop for this display. In the wet kitchen, white and blue cabinets offer a sense of openness and liveliness in the enclosed space.

Design: The Local Inn.terior

3. Bi-fold Glass Divider

Stretching across the kitchen island is a bi-fold glass divider that is used to demarcate the wet and dry areas. Folding it back allows the counter to be used in its entirety, but closing it up contains the grease and fumes in the wet kitchen, while transforming the dry kitchen into a breakfast nook with a concealed pantry.

Design: Icon Interior Design

4. Pantry Separation

You don’t always need to have counter space in the dry kitchen. In this instance, the designer went for open shelves and full-height cabinets to maximise storage as well as to create an easy-access coffee-making station. The wet kitchen is set behind glass enclosures, remaining partially open.

Design: Lemonfridge Studio

5. Two Cookers

There are two hobs in this wet and dry kitchen. The wet kitchen features a gas cooker, while an induction cooker was installed in the dry area. This allows both zones to be suited for whipping up a meal, albeit for different styles of cooking. Instead of a physical divider, transitioning floor tiles helped made the distinction between the two zones.

Design: DB Studio

6. Concealed Solution

Often, glass is used to separate the wet and dry kitchen so as to minimise the visual obstruction in the kitchen. But if you are looking to hide the clutter and mess in your cooking space, you might prefer a concealed solution like in this condominium kitchen, which uses a wood-clad pocket door to hide the entrance into the wet zone. When closed, it functions like a wood feature in the dry kitchen.

Design: Minimo

7. Separation Scheme

A consistent colour scheme and a classy theme keep this wet and dry kitchen connected, despite the distance between the two zones. The dry kitchen sits in the midst of the living room and is joined together with the marble dining table. Full-height cabinets function as storage for serving ware. The wet kitchen is an all-black space behind a sliding glass door, save for a metallic band for a touch of elegance.

Design: Icon Interior Design

8. Combining the Dining Table

No physical divider was used to separate this wet and dry kitchen. Here, graphic floor tiles and a boxy island that was built slightly taller than the rest of the counters serve to tell the dry kitchen apart from the wet kitchen.

Design: DistinctIdentity

Original post The Great Divide: 8 Wet and Dry Kitchen Ideas in Singapore appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

A cluttered kitchen countertop will drastically affect your productivity and effectiveness while you are rushing to prepare and cook meals for the family. If you need help to tame your messy kitchen workstation, fret not! Here are 5 simple ways to end your struggle with untidy, chaotic kitchen countertop!

#1. Build a kitchen appliance garage

Images from Contemporist

You have heard of a pantry garage; so what about a kitchen appliance garage? A kitchen appliance garage a specially designated storage area for all the appliances used for food preparation, processing, cooking and even cleaning. A kitchen appliance garage is a great way to keep the kitchen counter clutter-free since it is specially built to store the numerous appliances, of all shapes and sizes, neatly out of sight, while keeping them within easy reach! The kitchen appliance garage can easily be built at the corner, below and even above the kitchen countertop.

Images from Contemporist

#2. Leverage on multi-purpose kitchen appliances

Image from Yeobuild

When the kitchen counter space comes as a premium, kitchen space is extremely precious. Hence, you should de-cluttering the kitchen counter by replacing the uni-single purpose kitchen appliances with dual or multi-purpose ones. As the quality of multi-purpose appliances have improved over the years, these appliances will be able to make the kitchen more time and space-efficient! For instance, the GE® Smart countertop microwave oven comes equipped with the Scan-To-Cook Technology, which helps to prepare the food perfectly as how the manufacturer intended, with just a barcode scan. It also allows for voice command, control through Google Assistant and Alexa.

Image from Products GE Appliances

The June Oven, a Swiss army of the kitchen, is a 7 in 1 convection oven, air fryer, dehydrator, slow cooker, broiler, toaster and warming drawer. Hence, just imagine the amount of money and space you can save by using the June Oven! On top of this, it also has an app for you to use your phone to operate it and over 200 professionally developed automatic cook-programs.

Image from Trust Pilot

#3. Rethink how the kitchen sink should be used

Image from us.kohler

An over-the-sink cutting board is the easiest way to extend the kitchen counter space for food preparation or simply placing a cookbook or a cup of coffee! The extension can be done by either using a cutting board specifically designed to cover the sinks or simply use an over-sized cutting board which is big large enough to completely cover the sink.

Another way to make the kitchen sink pull double or even triple duty, is to create a customisable, multi-functional workspace through the use of specially designed mini ledges from Kohler, which features the Prolific™ stainless steel kitchen sink line, that can be installed inside the sink.

With more space to work with, you do not have to struggle with a congested, messy countertop during food preparation and meal cooking.

Image from Wayfair

#4. Reclaim space from an unused stovetop

Image from Onegoodthingbyjillee

Similarly, the unused stovetops can be covered with an over-sized cutting board or customised burner covers to create an extended work surface for an extra food preparation zone.

Image from The Kitchn

#5. Dead, awkward corners make surprisingly excellent storage space

Image from Hgtv.ca

Maximize awkward, forgotten corners between the end cabinets and walls by turning them into floating, display shelves to bump up the kitchen’s total storage capacity. Stack minimal, frequently used kitchen essentials such as the bowls and cups, thrown in with decor, vases (while keeping the rest in the cabinets) to amp up the chic timeless feel.

Image from Better Homes and Gardens

Turn the tiny, sliver of spaces under the kitchen countertop into space-efficient, compact two-tier knives organiser, to double the storage space of an ordinary drawer and kept them out of sight. In this way. the kitchen countertop can make do without a bulky knife block.

Image from Local Kitchen Blog

Likewise, a powerful magnetic knife strip can be installed onto the underside of the top kitchen cabinet. In this way, the knives securely are always close at hand, but safely hidden away from prying eyes.

Original post 5 Simple Ways to Keep your Kitchen Counter Clutter Free appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Image from Health Line

What are hand sanitisers?

Hand sanitiser, also known as hand antiseptic, or hand rub, is used to remove common pathogens when there is no time or no access to soap and warm water for handwashing. It is commonly available in either a gel, foam or liquid form, which works by sitting on your skin and killing the germs on contact before the alcohol evaporates. It is commonly employed as an easy tool to combat means of infection in officers, day-care centres,  schools, hospitals and health care clinics.

What should you look out for in a hand sanitiser?

The brand and type of sanitiser does not matter. What you should look out for, is the type of active ingredient and its concentration, as these affect the amount of microbes the hand sanitiser can eliminate from the surface. An effective hand sanitiser should contain around 62–70% alcohol, since the alcohol is the main germ killer.

Do you know?
The way you use the hand sanitiser also affects its effectiveness against . You need to pump enough hand sanitiser (around the size of a 20c coin) for your hands to be sufficiently wet. This amount of hand sanitiser will take about 15 to 20 seconds for it to evaporate and dry.

Image from His Packaging

Hand sanitiser vs hand wash debate; which is more effective?

Research has shown that while hand sanitiser is effective at reducing germs, only hand washing with soap effectively kills and removes germs. Aside from that, hand washing also removes grime, debris, and fungi spores that could make one sick.

Do you know?
The friction from lathering and Soap (at least 20s) helps to loosen the pathogens’ ability to grip onto the skin, while the water rinse them away. Wash your hands properly with the following steps:
(1) Wet your hands;
(2) Lather your hands and fingers (check your nails if you have long fingernails) with plenty of soap;
(3) Scrub for 20 seconds or more;
(4). Rinse your hands again with running water and;
(5) Dry your hands completely with a clean towel. 

Why are commercial hand sanitisers unsafe?

If you are a cleanliness-obsessed germophobe,  who use hand sanitiser regularly, then you should be aware that commercial hand sanitisers can have a negative impact on our health. Here are 4 reasons why:

1. Promotes antibiotic resistance
Triclosan, one of the most common active ingredients marketed as antibacterial, is actually a controversial antibacterial agent. This is because studies have shown that Triclosan is linked to the development of “superbugs.” As a result, Triclosan is banned by the FDA. Furthermore, Triclosan is only effective against bacteria and not viruses.

2. Interferes with hormones and weaken our immune system
Aside from promoting “superbugs”, Triclosan also disrupts the immune system function by interfering with our hormones. When this happens, we can expect a “host of issues, including early puberty, poor sperm quality, infertility, obesity, and cancer“.

3. Increased exposure to Bisphenol-A
When the immune system is compromised, we will also be more susceptible to absorbing Bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic chemical which is found in plastics and widely used on receipts to adhere ink to the paper. In fact, BPA absorbed through the skin is remains in the blood longer.

4. Exposure to unknown chemicals
Due to its immerse popularity, hand sanitisers are now available in various kinds of fragrances. As the manufacturers are not mandated to declare the fragrance ingredients they used, you are exposing yourself to other unknown harmful chemicals which can cause allergies, dermatitis and respiratory problems.

How to make a natural hand sanitiser with 3 ingredients in 4 simple steps

Whip up your very own toxin-free hand sanitiser is much safer and cheaper. Furthermore, it is not difficult to D.I.Y the hand sanitiser, since all the essential ingredients listed below can be found at most pharmacy outlets.

Tip: The Isopropyl alcohol can be purcahsed at the Value dollar stores at $5.95.

Note:
(1) An effective hand sanitiser should contain around 62–70% of rubbing alcohol to be effective against germs;
(2) Essential oils can also be a skin irritant when they are used undiluted and;
(3) * Essential oils can break down plastic over time and hence, it is recommended to use the hand sanitiser within a few weeks.

What you will need

1. Moisturizing
– Aloe Vera Gel
Used to treat dry itchy skin due to eczema due to its moisturizing properties.

2. Antibacterial and Antimicrobial
– Tea Tree Oil
Also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil distilled from the leaves of the native Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia. It is well known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties.

– Lavender Essential Oil
Known for antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, was widely used as an antibacterial in World War I.

3. Antiseptic – Isopropyl Alcohol
Also known as rubbing alcohol, it is a clear, flammable liquid that belongs to the same family of compounds as alcoholic drinks. 70% concentration is used as medical antiseptic solutions as it is not too harsh to the skin. Higher percentages (i.e. 99% Isopropyl alcohol), are only meant for household cleaning and disinfecting solutions.

Tools

2 Glass Bottles (same size)
1 Mixing bowl
1 Spatula
1 Funnel
1 Plastic bottle with pump or squirt top

Step 1:
Fill up 1/3 (to achieve 33%) of the glass bottle with the Aloe Vera gel and fill up 2/3  (to achieve 66%) of another glass bottle with 70% Isopropyl alcohol.

Step 2:
Pour the contents of both glass bottles into the mixing bowl.

Step 3:
1 drop of Tea Tree oil* and 2 drops of Lavender essential oil* into the mixture. Use the spatula to mix all the ingredients thoroughly.

Step 4:
Using a funnel to pour the mixture into the plastic bottle. Store in a cool, dry place and shake gently to mix before each use!

Original post 4 Hidden Dangers of Commercial Hand Sanitisers (and how to make a toxin-free hand sanitiser) appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

So you love your cup of joe and are looking to shell out some moolah to finally get that coffee maker you’ve always wanted. But with so many options out there, you don’t know where to start. And asking your coffee aficionado friend will probably get you a withering stare, a long lecture using words you’ve never heard of and snide remarks about capsule machines.

Design: Lemonfridge Studio

To save you from eye-rolls and your friendship, we’ve put together an unpretentious guide with information on popular types of coffee makers, ranging from traditional espresso machines for the barista aspirant to capsule makers for folks who just want decent coffee without any hard work. What we don’t have in this guide is judgement. Read on, coffee lover!

Espresso Machine

Espresso machines come with different varieties of control.

Image: Chevanon Photography from Pexels

So you are a purist, or you aspire to be. You like your coffee strong, full-bodied and full of flavour. Then the espresso machine is for you. It extracts coffee via the pressure method, where at high pressure, water is pushed through a filter to finely ground coffee to result in espresso.

There are various types of espresso machines, which varies in ease of usage and price.

Go with a full manual (pump/lever) machine like the Bezzera Strega to control the entire coffee-making process. Control is via a lever, which has a lot of room for error. Speed in which you pull down and release can affect the taste of your espresso. With the manual machine, you also get to adjust variables like the temperature, time and tamping pressure (the act of distributing coffee in the portafilter to create a dense, uniformed surface) in the brewing process. Manual machines have a steep learning curve, and you will want to have some knowledge about coffee making before deciding to invest in one. But once you get the hang of it, you will get to experiment with different brews or customise your coffee to exactly how you like it.

If you want a machine that is easier to pick up, get a semi-automatic that lets you control the tamp and grind size. Temperature is usually adjusted for you and extracting the espresso shot is via a push of a button rather than a lever. You don’t get to control everything, but you will still get to play around with the taste of your brew.

Then there are super automatic machines like those from Jura that do everything for you, right down to the frothing or steaming of milk. It’s convenient and consistent, giving you the same coffee you’ve had yesterday, today and forever.

When going with an espresso machine, choose one that has at least a 9 bar pressure as that is known as the optimal pressure to extract the best espresso.

Coffee Produced: Espresso-based drinks such as latte, Americano and cappuccino.

When Is Coffee Ready: Depending on the type of espresso machines you get. The fiddling around with manual and semi-automatic machines mean you won’t get your coffee as quickly as with a super automatic.

Ease of Use: Difficult for manual and semi-automatic machines and super easy for super automatic.

Price: Around $300-$1,200 for a manual machine, although commercial grade ones can go to the thousands. Super automatic machines are priced around $2,000-$3,000. Price for a domestic semi-automatic is somewhere in between, although commercial grade ones like the Rocket Espresso Milano R58 can cost upwards of $3,000.

Drip Coffee Maker

Espresso-based drinks are well and good, but you prefer a simpler brew for an everyday coffee, one that has a less intense flavour and is clear and smooth. Enter the drip coffee maker. A drip coffee maker, as its name suggests, extracts coffee using the dripping method, where water is filtered through ground coffee.

This Philips automatic drip coffee machine comes with a timer so you can prep coffee even before you wake up.

Image: Philips

There are automatic drip coffee machines that handle the process for you, allowing you to make plenty of coffee at a go and at however strong you want it. Water in the tank is heated and channelled through the ground beans. The coffee is extracted into a pot that usually sits on a heated plate so that it will stay warm for a while. Some machines even come with settings that let you programme when you want your coffee to be ready, so you can awake to freshly brewed java.

For a more artisanal method, consider the pour over coffee maker like the Chemex. You start by placing a filter and coffee grounds in the funnel of the coffee maker. The funnel is then placed over the given carafe or your coffee mug. You then pour water at regular intervals in a circular motion to extract the coffee. There are a lot more intricacies to take note of in this method compared to using an automatic drip machine. But because the extraction process is a lot slower, it will produce a more flavourful brew than regular drip, although consistency really depends on your skill.

A pour over coffee maker.

Image: Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Coffee Produced: Light-bodied, less intense and concentrated. Clear and smooth flavour profile.

When Is Coffee Ready: A couple of minutes with an automatic drip machine, but around 5-10 minutes if you know what you are doing with a pour over coffee maker.

Ease of Use: Easy with an automatic, but a learning curve to get it right with the pour over.

Price: You can get auto drip coffee machines for less than $100, although higher end models can go for around $300. Pour over coffee makers range from $30-$150.

Capsule/Pod Machine

If you like fancy flavours in your coffee, then get a capsule/pod machine. The most well-known brand out there is the Nespresso, but there are other brands you can opt for and popular coffee chains like Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf also carry their own brands.

The great thing about the capsule coffee machine is that it’s really convenient—there’s no need to get separate coffee beans and you don’t need to roast or grind your coffee. There are also no filters to clean. All you need to do is pop in a capsule and the machine does all the work for you.

Capsule coffee machines are all about the convenience.

Design: Van Hus

A pod or capsule comprises a pre-measured amount of ground coffee that is pressed between two layers of filtered paper. Hot, pressured water is then pumped through the grounded coffee in the pod to release the flavour, with each capsule making one cup. Consistent results every.single.time.

The one real disadvantage to getting a capsule machine is that you can’t quite enjoy the varieties of blends out there, unlike with an espresso machine. But the upside is you will get coffee with different flavours. So it really depends on what you are looking for.

Coffee Produced: A wide variety of coffee-based drinks. From espresso-based types to fancy types like green tea latte.

When Is Coffee Ready: In a couple of minutes.

Ease of Use: Super easy. Pop in a capsule, press a button and the machine does everything else.

Price: Around $200, not including the capsules, which cost slightly less than a dollar each.

Moka Pot

Moka pots, also known as an espresso pot, is a stovetop coffee maker that is popular with the Italians and for folks who want a decent coffee maker at an affordable price. Despite their name, they don’t exactly produce espresso, seeing as there isn’t enough pressure applied. As mentioned earlier, espresso needs at least 9 bar of pressure, whereas moka pots are only able to produce 1 to 2 bar.

While moka pots don’t produce standard espresso, they produce a strong enough concentrate for that caffeine hit.

Image: Eric Barbeau on Unsplash

The coffee that is brewed is decent if you get the grind right (a quality burr grinder will give you more consistent grinds) and flavour-wise, it falls somewhere between espresso and dripped coffee. The brew has a sharp, bittersweet taste and is great for espresso-based drinks like cappuccino or latte. But not so, if you want the intense flavours of pure espresso.

This stovetop machine uses steam to force boiling water through finely grounded coffee up to the spout to collect the coffee extract. Bialetti is one of the most popular brands for a moka pot and it comes in a variety of sizes. A 3-cup moka pot for instance is suitable for a couple or even a single person, as it makes about 150ml of coffee. When sourcing for one, make sure your moka pot works with your cooktop, whether it’s an induction or a gas hob.

Coffee Produced: A bittersweet coffee that is between an espresso and dripped coffee.

When Is Coffee Ready: 5 mins or so.

Ease of Use: Relatively easy to operate, although you will need to get the right level of grind.

Price: Around $60-$200.

French Press

A French Press retains all the aromatic oils from the coffee beans.

Image: Pratik Gupta from Pexels

For frequent travellers, a French press or plunger pot, might be a better investment. These are super portable coffee makers that come in a no-fuss flask with a press and handle. It’s popular also with homeowners who don’t have that much space in the home, since its compact size mean it will take up minimal space on the countertop.

With a French press, ground beans (coarse grind) are mixed with hot water and then steeped for a few minutes. The press (plunger) is then pushed down to separate the grinds from the coffee that can be enjoyed.

Coffee made from a French press is aromatic and flavourful, as there are no filters involved so all flavours from the beans, including the oils, gets to the extracted java. You will have to transfer the brew after extraction as having it sit too long in the flask will risk your coffee from becoming too bitter.

Coffee Produced: Strong, aromatic coffee

When Is Coffee Ready: Not so fast since you will need to spend time boiling water and wait during the steeping.

Ease of Use: Easy, although you will need to monitor each step.

Price: You can get them for less than $50.

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

This cold brew maker features a top container that holds ice or cold water. A valve slowly drips water into the ground beans and collects extracted coffee at the bottom.

Image: Quang Nguyen Vinh from Pexels

If you like iced coffee, meet cold brew, its superior cousin. Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground beans in cold water for at least 12 hours. Some cold brew makers have to be kept in the refrigerator during this steeping time, while others can be left out at room temperature.

Because of this long extraction process and because it doesn’t rely on heat, you get a strong concentrate that is less acidic and bitter. If you like dark roasts with complex flavour profiles, get the cold brew maker since you will definitely taste the nuances with it.

Coffee can be prepared overnight and it stays fresh for more than a week, so there isn’t a need to wake up early every day to brew your cup of joe.

Coffee Produced: A strong-tasting, smooth and clean brew that tastes less acidic and bitter than traditional iced coffee.

When Is Coffee Ready: In 12 hours, after your initial batch. Then, it’s almost instant satisfaction.

Ease of Use: Really easy. All you need to do is prep cold water or ice cubes beforehand.

Price: They can go anywhere from $30 for travel-friendly tumblers to $200 cold brew devices.

Original post Our Unpretentious Guide to Buying the Right Coffee Maker for You appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

When it comes to planning your kitchen lighting, most of us tend to leave it to the professionals. But it pays to learn the basics, since it allows you to better communicate your requirements to your interior designer. Lighting is a key aspect of an efficient kitchen and it also plays a big part in how your overall space looks, so you will want to get things right. To make planning easier, we break down the basics of everything you need to know about kitchen lighting in this guide.

Ambient, Task and Accent

Layer your lighting in the kitchen with ambient, task and accent lights.

Design: The Local Inn.terior

Kitchen lighting, as with most spaces, can be categorised into three different sorts: ambient, task and accent. A properly lit kitchen will have a combination of these.

Ambient lighting, or general lighting, is the main source of light in your kitchen, asides from natural light. It’s the first light you switch on when you step inside your cooking space.

Task lighting, on the other hand, helps to eliminate the shadows caused by ambient lighting. It is a focused light, dedicated to lighting key working zones in the kitchen such as the hob, sink or food prep area.

Accent lighting is the fun one in the group. It’s design-centric, seeking to enliven the atmosphere or accentuate certain areas in the kitchen for visual interest.

Start by planning your ambient lighting first, before moving to task lighting to see the key areas that need extra illuminating. Then finish off with accent lights that will take your cooking space to the next level.

What lighting to go for ambient?

You want your chosen ambient light to illuminate your kitchen evenly with as much coverage as possible. In smaller kitchens, a single flush mount ceiling light is usually sufficient. Not only is it budget friendly, the many options out there today also mean you can add a bit of design element to the kitchen with your choice.

A wood bordered flush mount ceiling light matches with the wood-lined kitchen cabinets.

Design: Tab Gallery

Track lights are also popular in Singapore kitchens, although they are often used as task lighting as well since they offer a more focused illumination. The great thing about track lights is that they are really flexible, with the option to adjust them to better illuminate your space. To make them work as ambient lighting, you will want to opt for ones with a wider beam angle (e.g. 60 deg) to distribute light better around the kitchen.

Task lights are also great as general lighting. Choose ones with a wide beam angle.

Design: Stylerider

Don’t want to see trunking running around your kitchen ceiling? Get recessed lights, which make an excellent ambient lighting option. Align them in a grid, and locate them close to the sides of your top cabinets to avoid casting too much shadow over your countertop. A small to medium-sized kitchen will need about 3 to 6 bulbs. They will have to be paired with a false ceiling, which adds to your renovation budget, but they are a lot less visually obtrusive, giving you a more seamless, modern finish to your kitchen.

Recessed lights are concealed in the false ceiling.

Design: ROOOT Studio

Tip: We recommend adding a dimmer control to your ambient lighting if your budget allows. It gives you more control over your lighting needs, which can differ depending on the scenario or the person using the kitchen space e.g. the elderly may require a brighter light setting.

Task lighting: think about the tasks involved

When planning your task lighting in the kitchen, pay attention to areas where you perform tasks like food prepping, cooking and washing up. Because ambient lights are usually located on the ceiling, they can leave shadows in these key areas especially when you are standing over them. Task lights are therefore included to rid of these shadows and to provide proper illumination in these key zones.

Under-cabinet lights are one of the more common task lights used. They help to illuminate your countertop, which can be obscured because of the top cabinets. Consider using LED strips or puck lights to illuminate the worktop. The former lends a more evenly distributed light for the entire surface of your countertop, while the latter serves to better highlight dedicated zones.

Under-cabinet lights are crucial for getting rid of the shadows over your worktop.

Design: I-Chapter

For easy installation and a DIY option, opt for battery-operated ones. There are also fancy recessed fixtures that can be hidden on the underside of your cabinet so you can’t see them. These usually need to be connected directly to your power source by a certified electrician.

To help reduce glare against a glossy or glass backsplash, place your light fixtures closer to the front edge of the underside of your cabinet. Plus, placing it nearer to the front helps to better illuminate the front-end of your worktop. If you are going with under-cabinet lighting, you might also want to avoid a countertop that features too much sheen in order to reduce glare.

Locate your under-cabinet light fixtures closer to the front-end of the underside of your cabinet to avoid glare. But that can also mean your fixtures will be less concealed.

Design: The Safe Haven

Illuminating the insides of your cabinets and drawers with LED strips or puck lights is also an option if you don’t want to have to rummage around for things in the dark. Get fixtures with motion sensors so they can light up automatically when you open your cupboards.

Kitchen island: what light to use?

Track lights are also great as task lighting in the kitchen, especially over kitchen islands or peninsulas where there are no top cabinets to locate under-cabinet lights. A long, linear light over your kitchen island also serves to provide an evenly distributed illumination for working on the counter.

If your kitchen island is more a gathering spot or an eating space, rather than a food prep zone, you might want to go with pendants instead which function more like a general, ambient light rather than a focused, task light.

As a general rule, there should be about an 80cm space between the bottom of your pendant light and your island countertop. You will also want to make sure it doesn’t reflect any glare into your eyes while you sit by the island.

Pendant lights are great for illuminating an island used mainly for eating and gathering.

Design: Charlotte’s Carpentry

Accent lights: the final flourish

Now that your kitchen is properly illuminated, consider adding accent lights to further boost the milieu of your cooking space. There are no precise rules to this one, so it really is all about what looks good.

If you have open shelves in lieu of top cabinets, wall sconces or wall-mounted, swinging arm lamps would serve as a great design element. A quirky, lone pendant by the side can also work to jazz up your space.

No top cabinets mean room for interesting wall-mounted light fixtures.

Design: The Monocot Studio

Installing toe-kick lights with LED strips can help to illuminate the pathway in a galley kitchen while serving to enliven the ambience. Including lights below your kitchen island can make it appear like it’s floating. Another accent light option are cove lights that reflect against the ceiling. The diffused illumination can lend a dramatic air to the space.

This kitchen features cove lights in the ceiling as well as toe-kick lighting for that extra ambience.

Design: Design 4 Space

For glass kitchen cabinets that you use for displaying your favourite wares, consider installing interior cabinet puck lights to highlight those areas to serve as a point of interest.

Puck lights serve to highlight the delicate glasswares in the see-through cabinet.

Design: Hygge Design

How bright to go?

When sourcing for bulbs, go with LEDs. Sure, they can be pricier, but they pay off in the long run since they are more energy efficient and can last longer than traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.

To learn more about LED bulbs, read our guide here.

Go with a colour temperature of around 2,700-2,800 Kelvin (K), which gives off a softer, gentler glow and feels more natural in a kitchen setting. Anything above 3,000 K can feel a bit too clinical. Accent lights can have bulbs which give off a warm hue e.g. 2,400 K.

Original post What You Need to Know about Kitchen Lighting appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

One kitchen trend we are noticing a lot of in Singapore is how blue the cooking space is becoming. From navy to cobalt, blue kitchens are popping up like crazy! We totally understand the appeal though—blue is a classic enough hue that can stand the test of time, but it is also interesting enough so that it appeals to folks who want to go beyond safe neutrals. If you are looking to inject this colour—which is also Pantone’s Colour of the Year, unsurprisingly—into your kitchen, here are some bold and beautiful ways to do so.

1. Deep Impressions

Go with a richer, darker shade of blue and pair that with gilded touches for a seriously luxurious appeal. We love how the ceiling is also painted the same colour as the cabinets, which allows the entire kitchen to stand out even more against the wood surfaces from the rest of the home.

Design: The Monocot Studio

2. Happy Go Lucky

For something visually lighter and cheerier, consider the cyan shade. Conjuring images of pristine waters in the Caribbean, this is one happy hue that will brighten up any space. It was combined with lots of white to balance this energising colour, while wood accents help to create some warmth.

Design: Ju Design Studio

3. Classic Vibes

If you are looking to keep your kitchen as timeless as possible, throw in other classic elements like a backsplash made of white subway tiles (go with gloss for a more modern look) and sleek, handle-less cabinets.

Design: Cozyspace

4. Country Road

While blue pairs brilliantly with white, it also works really well with another neutral—wood. This kitchen gives off a rustic, country style vibe, thanks to the shaker style cabinet fronts, shabby-chic wood laminates and the adorable penny tile backsplash.

Design: The Interior Lab

5. Small Change, Big Impact

Say you like the colour blue, but don’t want to commit to it in such a big way. Instead of having blue kitchen cabinets, just go with a blue backsplash. It makes the right amount of visual impact, especially when paired with neutral-hued cabinets like these woody ones here.

Design: I-Chapter

6. Refined Elegance

Here’s another subtle approach to consider. The blue shade in this kitchen features lots of grey undertones, so it feels almost like a neutral. And they go beautifully with the cement screed wall. A row of gold pendants take centre stage, lifting the raw appeal to create a very elegant kitchen overall.

Design: Adroit Interior Design

7. Pastel Perfection

A pale shade of blue lends a sense of serenity and calm, which is exactly what this kitchen exudes. The pastel colour was restricted to the bottom half of the cooking space, creating an element of interest as the upper half was given a wash of white. Bi-fold glass windows that are intended to contain fumes and grease add to the feel of tranquillity in this space.

Design: The Monocot Studio

8. Marvel at Marble

Up the sophistication of your cooking zone with marble motifs, which were included in the backsplash and island worktop in this open-plan kitchen. Choose a classic black-and-white scheme for your marble pattern, which will not only pair nicely with the blue but also prevent your space from looking overly busy.

Design: Sync Interior

9. Have Some Fun

Want something a little out of the box? Jazz things up with tiles. The zany black-and-white backsplash and a colourful geometric flooring break up the all-blue kitchen, adding a little more fun to the space.

Design: Zenith Arc

Are blue kitchens your thing? Or tell us in the comments the colour you’ll be going with in your cooking space!

Browse through the list of Interior Designers, their reviews and portfolios at http://www.renonation.sg/professionals/interior-designers/

Submit your renovation enquiry:

Original post Bold and Beautiful: 9 Blue Kitchens in Singapore appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Wallpaper is a commonly seen at home for decoration material. As it has a good visual effect and it is easy to hang, therefore, many people like having it for wall decoration. However, as time goes, problems such as bumps, and other damages will appear. How to fix the damaged wallpaper? In this article, we will show you different solutions to tackle the wallpaper problems.

Wallpaper bubbles

If there are bubbles on the wall, it is caused by uneven glue on the wall surface. You can use a needle to pinch the bubble on the wallpaper surface to release the air. Then take an appropriate amount of glue into the needle eye position to stick the wallpaper tightly. Use a book to flatten the bubble area and let it dry naturally.

Curling wallpaper seams

Curling wallpaper seams is caused by thermal expansion and contraction due to changes in weather temperature and humidity. Generally, you only need to use the wallpaper paste to paste the curled wallpaper again and flatten it with a book.

Mould

High humidity and poor ventilation in the room can cause mould to grow on the wallpaper. Wipe the wall with a dry cloth, and then use bleach or diluted wallpaper cleaner to remove the mould.

Damaged wallpaper

Wallpaper damages commonly occur. Most of the case is caused by scratches with hard objects. Small area damage can be repaired with glue. If the damaged area is large, it is recommended to paste a new piece of wallpaper.

Wallpaper becomes yellow and brown

If you hand the wallpaper when the wall plaster is not completely dry, the alkaline substances in the wall plaster will cause a chemical reaction with the wallpaper, making the wallpaper surface becomes yellowish. This situation is a bit difficult to handle. You need to remove the entire wallpaper and replace with a new one. If this problem occurs after a few years of living, it is mostly caused by natural ageing due to exposure to sunlight and air. You can wipe it with a bleach towel. Wait for half an hour and then wipe it with water again. It is suggested having a patch test before doing the whole piece of wallpaper.

HKDecoman, now going global as Deco-Man, is a Hong Kong-based renovation platform which provides professional consultancy services and pioneers in the development of A.I. homeowner-engineer matching. We aim at educating the public about the art of home renovation and have our eyes on transforming the traditional renovation industry, bringing standardisation, transparency, convenience and automation to the business.

Original post How to Fix Damaged Wallpaper? appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Many of us tend to settle for what’s safe in our home renovations—sticking with neutrals, going the minimalist Scandinavian route, or opting for conventional carpentry designs. That’s all well and good—if you want your home looking like everyone else’s.

Stand out from the crowd by undertaking the following interior design risks. Some will require more than a little push, but the result is a home that definitely won’t be called cookie-cutter. So throw caution to the wind this year, and adopt these less than conventional ideas in your renovation.

1. When it comes to layouts, live by your rules

When it comes to where everything should be, you know best, so don’t have anyone telling you where your living room or dining room should be. Want your dining table to take centre stage in your home because you host often? Sequester the living room elsewhere instead. Don’t watch TV, but need an extra bedroom? Do away with a living room and locate your bedroom where the living room would have been.

Design: Space Atelier

Design: The 80’s Studio

2. Deck the ceiling in wallpaper

Wallpaper doesn’t need to just stay on the four walls of your home. Take into account the fifth wall by wallpapering the ceiling. Use a bold print in a large area like the living room to make a big visual impact, while keeping the rest of your walls neutral so you don’t overwhelm the space. Or consider wallpapering just a small portion of your home, like a hallway, to make an impression without too much of a risk.

Design: Black N White Haus

Design: In-Expat Interior

3. Add rounded edges to your ceiling

Say goodbye to you conventionally boring ceiling by adding curves to it. It’s a minor change with no hacking done, but it makes a huge impact because it feels just like an architectural modification. A curved ceiling softens the edges in your room and can make a space seem taller than it really is.

Design: Goy Architects

Design: Uno Interior

4. Do away with everyone’s idea of what a sofa should look like

Sofas are not sacred, so don’t be afraid to change things up by getting an unconventional one. Do up a custom built-in sofa that would better fit in with your design theme (it’s also a great way to minimise space or to add extra storage) or place beanbags on a platform to create a more casual vibe to your space.

Design: Wolf Woof

Design: D5 Studio Image

5. Tile walls where they don’t (typically) belong

Wall tiles are often found in wet zones like the kitchens and bathrooms, since the material stands up well to water damage. But they can also be used elsewhere to create visual interest. Rather than go for a feature wall crafted from plaster or carpentry and then lined with laminates, consider creating one with tiles, which can add an extra textural dimension.

Design: Free Space Intent

Design: Wolf Woof

6. Try open concept bedrooms that offer no privacy

Bedrooms are often known as the private spaces in the home, but if you don’t need that privacy because you don’t live with a lot of people, do up an open concept bedroom just because. It channels serious luxe hotel vibes, and it’s a great way to make it the showpiece of your home.

Design: The Local Inn.terior

Design: Aart Boxx Interior

7. Divide Your Rooms in Style

If open concept is not for you, then you will need some really good looking room dividers. Why settle for typical concrete or that done-to-death black-framed glass divider? Pivot doors make a huge stylistic statement and will buck the trend, while louvres will definitely need seriously cleaning but can be really hipster cool.

Design: Story of Us

Design: Minimo

What other interior design risks will you be trying this year? Tell us in the comments!

Original post 7 Daring Design Risks Worth Taking This Year to Avoid a Cookie-Cutter Home appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.