Design * Buy

The Mitsubishi Electric L4 Grande Refrigerator 

My reflection in the
L4 Grande Stainless Steel

A few weeks ago I attended what would be my first ever bloggers event at the Melco Sales Malaysia (Mitsubishi Electric) Showroom for the launch and preview of their L4 Grande Refrigerator. I wasn't too sure what to expect but let’s just say that I was pleasantly surprised. And I’m not just talking about the delicious spread they had prepared for tea (yum!), they pretty much got me hooked and obsessed on a fridge, sneaky people!

But that being said, anyone seeing this refrigerator and kind of messing around with it like I did (hoping nobody noticed the ‘this is Naomi’s fridge’ signage I carved into the back) will fall in love with it instantly.

You see, when I first heard that the L4 Grande was from Mitsubishi, I was a little confused. I thought Mitsubishi was purely in the automobile industry. And yeah, you can shake your head at me for that, my darling husband did. But what I do know is that Mitsubishi is a reliable brand with a good design philosophy and functionality. So needless to say, I was very excited to see what they had come up with.

The sleek stainless steel L4 Grande

As I entered the event hall, there stood a refrigerator, black as night, sleek and modern (it also comes in stainless steel). They didn't have to say much then are there, I was immediately taken in. But we were given the opportunity to experience it first-hand (queue the signage!) which turned out to be very useful. I learnt quite a great deal.

What particularly stood out for me, especially with three mouths to feed at home was its functionality. And get this, the L4 Grande has this thing that actually stimulates photosynthesis! They call it the vitamin factory which acts on chlorophyll in vegetables. This means that the spinach you bought a day ago will be crisper and fresher a lot longer than if it was in any other refrigerator. Pretty awesome I might say! And ahem ahem, it’s the only fridge that does this.

Another very cool aspect of the L4 Grande is its energy efficiency. It automatically lowers the energy consumption during non-peak hours and it does this by memorizing the household usage pattern. So at night, when no one is opening the fridge, you can rest assured that energy is not being wasted. This also means that you won’t be spending as much on electricity, certainly a huge selling point for me.

A lot of room for a lot of food

But there are a lot of other things that were pretty impressive as well. The size, although big, is well designed to fit in all your favourite foods and drinks. It gives us the opportunity to utilize the space well, stacking foods is no longer necessary, and you can adjust the height levels of the door shelves. 

They pretty much compartmentalized everything to its own area which is known as the utility room. Set at 3-6C (brrr!) you can store fresh meats and dairy products and also canned and bottle beverages. On a hot day, you don’t have to wait long for your drink to become cold. Perfect for the tropics!

I have to say that for the price tag which is quite reasonable, the L4 Grande got a lot to offer. Mitsubishi Electric has shown that they can crossover successfully into the world of home electrical products. The design, form and function of the L4 Grande is outstanding, and for the modern family, it is certainly a perfect fit.

So if you guys have the time, do head on over to its show room and check out this sexy beast of a fridge. I’ve been telling Lars our old fridge hasn’t been working well and we need a new one. He doesn’t know I’m kind of fibbing. But, fingers crossed, when I bring him to check out the L4 Grande, he’ll give me the go ahead to get it! Here’s just hoping he doesn't read this little snippet before we go!

For more information on the Mitsubishi Electric L4 Grande Electrical Refrigerator , do head on over to the Melco Sales Malaysia (Mitsubishi Electric) Showroom at:

Lot 11, Jalan 219, 46860, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
(Located next to the AVON building along Federal Highway)

Design * Trends

Ombre!

Ombre Dresser

It's been a while since I've blogged anything on trends, and perhaps i'm a little behind on this post, but here goes. Ombre ladies and gentlemen, have you ever heard of it? I'd say most people in the fashion and design industry have.

Cool Ombre Wedding Cake

Ombre is a french term that literally means gradation or shaded. Usually a multi coloured stripe with colours graduating from light to dark. It was popular for a while last year, seen mainly as a trend for hair, but that fad has not yet died down in the world of interior design.

Many people have tried to recreate this look by using fabric dyes and paint and some have pulled it off really well.

I am particularly obsessed with the ombre dresser (left) which would look very cool in a nursery or kids room. lf you have the patience and eye for detail, this is definitely a project you should try.

I've also listed three more cool Ombre DIY's that are so easy, you'd wonder why you've never tried it before. Click on the links below the images to read the steps.

Paint Swatch Chandelier, Ombre Tissue Box & Dip DIY Cups

Design * Craft

Highlighting Spero Wood Work

Today I put the spotlight on a very talented young lady whose work is usually dominated by men. Her name is Yuqi Chock and she is a furniture maker and restorer.

I found out about her through the wonders of twitter and then stalked her (yes I admit I do that) online till I had the courage to get in touch. When I say get in touch, I really mean follow her on twitter. She eventually followed me back and the online friendship began.

Anyway, the reason i'm actually so keen on her is that she is talented, and i'm not just saying that. You see, in a world where women either work in air-coned offices in high rise buildings or stay at home taking care of the kids, here we have Yuqi, sweating buckets in a workshop creating or restoring a piece of furniture for our homes. Now there is nothing wrong with the latter, i'm a stay at home mother too, but there is something quite admirable about doing things differently.
When I finally met her a month ago, I asked her how did she get into this industry, she told me it was the desire for something different, that the retail industry she was in, was not fulfilling her and woodworking caught her eye. Soon after, she was studying at The Chippendale International School of Furniture in Scotland and has not looked back.

Now, back in Malaysia, Yugi is still up to her neck in saw dust but seems quite content in her world of timber and sand paper, saws and nails. Here she produces custom made furniture and restorers a couple of old pieces for her clients.

All in all, it's refreshing to know a woman like her exists in this country and the comfort in that is knowing that we aren't all meant to swim with the tide, swimming against it can be quite thrilling too, and I think she knows that.


Do check out her blog here and you can contact her here.

Design * Fabrics

Highlighting Fabric Fanatics

It's the new year and it's time for a new look. If you've got mad love for fabrics like I do, here in Malaysia we have Fabric Fanatics to appease the addiction. They have a shop at USJ19 Mall and they also sell their stuff online. From cotton, linen, canvas, to buttons, accessories and more, they have a wide range of fabric craft stuff   as well as offering classes in clay work and sewing. Check their website here or send them an email at fabricfanatics@gmail.com

Design * Buy

Etsy Finds! 

Clockwise from left: 1. Giraffe Original Artwork in ink print, 2. Up Poster in A3 size, 2. Fighting Queen, 3. Gift From Nature Set of 4, 4. To The Sea print, 5. Long Neck Buddies. 

Design * Handmade

Highlighting Angelicquirk 

I do love me some handmade stuff. Actually when I hear the word handmade, I get pretty excited it's ridiculous. But of course I come across a lot of rubbish, some people put a sticker on a folded A4 paper and call it a handmade card. There is no love there.

But my un-contained excitement is directed towards independent handmade brands such as Angelicquirk. This brand sells lovely handmade cards, notecards, gift tags, mini albums, coptic stitched journals, kettle stitched journals and more.

Evelin Tee, the brains behind Angelicquirk  is a self proclaimed "craft stuff-hoarder," lover of pretty things a blogger and a big time dreamer. Her style is refreshing and positive. But mostly, you can see that there is a lot of work put into each item. This is no sticker on an A4 paper. Its more than that, its love for the craft.

You can find her products online at her etsy page here or at her website here. She also provides classes for mini albums and cardmaking which is pretty cool to do if you've got a free weekend.

Additionally she does provide custom orders for cards so if you have a baby shower or wedding coming up, you should definitely give Angelicquirk a try!

Design * Buy

Renai for Raya

So Ramadhan has started, and that means Syawal is not too far along. Just like cleansing the soul, it's time to cleanse the home. Luckily, Renai, the local Malaysian brand that sells stunning home decor (read here for a previous entry) has the right kind of stuff to do just that. Their Raya Collection 2011 embodies what Syawal is about, beauty, bursts of colour and comfort. 

It is exclusively available in Metrojaya Living Quarters Mid Valley and The Curve or check out their website and Facebook page for more details. Happy shopping!

Design * Illustration

Highlighting Flying Mouse aka Chow Hon Lam

Sometimes I am shocked to find that such talented people such as Chow Hon Lam (who has already made a name for himself overseas) is so little known in his own country (Malaysia). I only recently found out about him by chance while doing my online design research for an ID project. Anyway, Flying Mouse, as he is known as, is a T Shirt designer and illustrator, and amazingly, a self taught artist!

Yes I know that there are a lot of pretty good illustrators out there but this guy happens to be doing pretty darn well. In one interview by Threadless, he is called a 'Modern Legend' and in Arty Walrus (online art decal store), a write-up calls him a 'Prolific Artist!'

Anyway, I don't want to sound like I am crazy over him... really I'm just crazy over his talent. But do check his work out yourself and you'll get what I mean.

 Sometimes one can have all the amazing abilities in the world and have no clue on what to do with it, but this guy right here, clearly does. Check out his page here.

Design * Buy

Vintage Furniture Shopping!

Second Charm

When it comes to furniture, I firmly believe in mixing it up. To me, a house filled with only modern furniture lacks a certain warmth to it, as a house filled with only old items can be a little too 'rustic.' Just like you update your wardrobe, you should update your furniture. Give it a one over, refurbish it or scout for that one of a kind piece.

Second Charm

1970's Study Table

However, looking for beautiful vintage pieces or refurbished second hand items is not exactly easy, and if you find one that catches your eye, you might be shocked to see how expensive it is, pretty much the same price as a brand new one. But before you walk out of the shop, take a step closer and look at it again.

Find out the story behind it, where did it come from and how old is it? Look at the workmanship and the material used. Nowadays, a lot of furniture is made using laminate. Nothing wrong with that, but compared to solid timber? It's a far cry.

I myself have a few old pieces, a 1970's slightly distressed study table (above right) and i'm also currently refurbishing an old sewing table to be my dressing table (i'll post a picture of it when its done).

Second Charm

Anyway, if you are interested in searching for your very own vintage piece, you should check out Second Charm in Taman Tun. The store is run by Puan Sharifah, a very helpful lady who knows what she is talking about. She also provides refurbishing services.

There are a lot of beautiful items that I was tempted to blow my rent money on but my darling husband dragged me out when I started talking about doing up our living room. Next time I think i'll go without him.

Design * Furniture

Highlighting headoverheels

I came across Redzlina's footstools by chance as part of what I do for my interior design business is sourcing for locally made furniture and their suppliers. So, while reading a blog on furniture, I saw these retro, colorful and fun footstools and I immediately fell in love!

They come in different sizes from small, rectangular ones to large round footstools. She also does mini ottomans and floor loungers. For now, she doesn't have a shop but you can email her here to find out more details on these adorable and very reasonably priced footstools. It's well worth the purchase plus you support a local designer!

Design * Art

Highlighting ilovedoodle

I love doodling, it's fun and it is a thoroughly therapeutic process, but to be honest, I am no way as talented as Lim Heng Swee. 

Song Bird - Print, Star Track - Print

The prints above and below are just a few of his amazing illustrations. Whats cool about his work, I find, is that it's refreshing, inspired and totally unpretentious, it's also imaginative (how cute is the Everyone Poops Print?!), and the colors he works with are warm and fun.

Colorful Mind - Print, Everyone Poops - Print, Photographer - Print

I'm a fan to say the least, and this home-grown Malaysian visual artist has indeed put a huge smile on my face. Check out his website here for more prints or visit his etsy page here to purchase some of her work. 

Design * Buy

Locally Made!

1. Ceramic Vase (by Inkypots) 2. Printed Notebook (by Angelicquirks) 3. Bag (by Kampung Club), 4. Love, Sign (by Phings) 5. Love Tree Poster (by Boandfriends)

Design * Buy

Shop Online at Shambijoux Store

I'm currently working on a DIY project which I will post as soon as I can find fabric suitable for it. But in the meantime, I came across this website, Shambijoux Store, that sells beautiful fabric designed by Amy Butler (I adore her stuff), Tanya Whelan and so many more. It is local (the store is run by Shambie Adzhan), which makes my life so much more easier then purchasing the stuff myself from America. She also sells cute accessories, bags and some preloved items. So check out the link above or join her facebook page here. 

Design * Buy

Highlighting Renai

Firstly, I’d like to say I am very excited to be introducing the ‘Highlighting’ column. I love homeware with a passion, and I love it more when it is a local brand. Simply said, it feels good to support local designers! And one such brand, which really needs no introduction, is Renai (taken from the malay word hujan gerimis).

 

Headed by a mother and son team (Hajjah Fazlon being the mother and M. Farhan being the son), Renai offers gorgeously stylish products that are bursting with warm yet vibrant colours. To me it is the perfect fusion of Asian, Middle Eastern and Western elements, combining both modern and traditional designs of home décor.

Their products include scatter cushions, throws, decorative pillows, designer pillows, table runners, fabrics, beddings, window treatments, seasonal gift baskets, imported laces and floral arrangement designs.

Quality control is also something they take seriously. Each and every product that they sell has been hand selected or produced with great care. But this does not mean their prices are way out of reach, for example, the price of their pillows range from RM69.90 to RM185.90. Value for money! 

So if you are looking to adding some texture and colour into your home, you can find the brand at Living Quarters (Metrojaya, Midvalley Megamall, The Curve, One Utama - Old Wing) and Parksons, Subang Parade. Or visit their site at www.atrenai.com