Loving your home means filling it with the things you cherish, but what happens when your favourite appliances start breaking down past their warranty period?
Loving your home means filling it with the things you cherish, but what happens when your favourite appliances start breaking down past their warranty period?
A Convenient Clean
Couples will appreciate having the LG Hom-Bot Square around because they’ll no longer have to argue over whose turn it is to sweep the floor. Just leave it to this handy helper to work its wonders while you’re at work or asleep!
With the success of the original Hom-Bot design, LG has stepped up its game with a new and improved version. The Hom-Bot Square not only cleans as well as its predecessor, but it also has a Dual Eye 2.0 function that calculates the intensity of light and scans the ceilings in order to take clear shots of the room, to minimise wandering. Its Corner Detection system, square body and longer brushes enable it to reach tight corners more effectively, compared to round robotic cleaners. Its Ultrasonic Sensor also scans for obstacles, including glass or transparent objects, to ensure it does not collide with furniture or topple that antique Ming vase in the living room.
THE LG HOM-BOT SQUARE WITH DUAL EYE FUNCTION IS AVAILABLE IN METALLIC SILVER FOR $1,299 AT MAJOR ELECTRICAL STORES. FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.LG.COM/SG/VACUUM-CLEANERS.
Blast From The Past
Furniture of yesteryear is making a comeback with the new Pico Retro Pop Collection by Born In Colour. From South Korea, the storage collection includes cabinets and bookcases featuring a 1980s’ design style. Made using engineered wood and eco-friendly low gloss paints, the products are both practical and stylish. Give your home a little retro touch with these unique pieces.
PRICES FROM $329 ONWARDS FOR A SIDE TABLE. VISIT WWW.BORNINCOLOUR.COM.SG, OR CALL 6257-2501 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Simply Stylish
Paying tribute to world-renowned Danish furniture designer Hans Wegner, the Joi collection of chairs by Toou is simple, but eye-catching, with straight lines and gentle curves. They are designed to be stackable and waterproof. An assortment of three variations in different finishes lets you create an interesting mismatched look for your dining area!
JOI BY TOOU IS AVAILABLE AT GRAFUNKT, #02-34/35/36 MILLENIA WALK, TEL: 6336-6046, WWW.GRAFUNKT.COM.
BOOK REVIEW
TITLE
Vegetarian Sushi Secrets.
PUBLISHER
Tuttle Publishing.
PRICE
$21.40 (paperback).
REVIEW
While sushi is commonly associated with raw fish, vegetarian options can be just as varied and delicious.
The 128-page Vegetarian Sushi Secrets provides readers with all the information necessary to prepare delectable, meatless sushi. Explore 101 recipes that come with colourful photos and detailed instructions on how to make your own sushi rolls using ingredients such as apples and beets.
Author Marisa Baggett is a graduate of the California Sushi Academy and organises regular workshops on sushi-making. This handy guide includes sections on differentiating between the various types of rice, as well as equipment, sauces and seasonings to use. Vegetarian Sushi Secrets is suitable for novice cooks and well-honed enthusiasts alike. There are also recipes for preparing complementary dishes, such as seaweed salad, pumpkin dumplings and gyoza.
AVAILABILITY
Find it at all leading bookstores.
Cool To Be
Smart Imagine a fan that not only keeps the interiors cool, but is intelligent enough to adjust its speed according to the room temperature and prevent wastage of electricity. If that sounds too good to be true, you’ll be glad to know that the Cornell CTF-PD68ECO is capable of doing that with its Auto Wind Speed function. It also features a smart body sensor that powers up when it detects movement in the room, as well as 360-degree horizontal and 90-degree vertical oscillations, to ensure the entire room is cooled. Now that’s just what we need in tropical Singapore.
THE CTF-PD68ECO FAN RETAILS FOR $199, AND IS AVAILABLE AT LEADING ELECTRICAL STORES SUCH AS COURTS, GAINCITY, AND HARVEY NORMAN.
Mad Men Mania
Eyebrows were raised when the creative minds from advertising bigwig DDB launched the Degree Store in 2011. After all, what have advertising agents to do with an online retail site offering artisanal homeware, furniture and stationery?
Well, plenty it seems – and judging by the store’s overwhelming success, the worlds of advertising and furniture may really be linked by just six degrees of separation.
The team behind Degree Store recently updated its site offerings to include new collections of products conceived by local creative professionals, such as the Alphabet Furniture collection by DDB’s own design crew, and the Tilt stationery set by local design studio Acre.
Looking for customised furniture? You’ll love the unique Asanoha Kumiko Doors Credenza (pictured) by Shibui Furniture Collective, which features traditional Japanese elements like shoji screens. Kudos to the advertising agency for showcasing the limitless potential of its art team, and for offering homeowners lust-worthy items.
VISIT WWW.DEGREESTORE.NET. DROP BY DDB’S OFFICE (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, CALL 6671-4345) TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ITEMS.
Heavyweights
Available exclusively in Singapore at Vanilla Home, Glashutte Comploj presents the Paperweight Roses in a gorgeous array of colours, such as aurora, steel blue and Saragossa. Designed and made by Austrian glass artist Robert Comploj, these glass pieces are new, unconventional and unique. Make a statement at home with a couple of these stunning glass orbs on the console, or use them to keep your memos and receipts on the study table.
THE PAPERWEIGHT ROSES ARE AVAILABLE FROM $48 AT VANILLA HOME, 63 CLUB STREET.
Foodies Unite
For home chefs who are serious about their passion, having the right equipment and tools is essential to creating sumptuous dishes. Meant for all cooks and foodies to enjoy, Kikki.K’s Food Lovers collection features adorable hand-drawn illustrations that are bright and fun. With this collection, never forget another recipe, capture memorable meals and relive heartfelt moments.
RETAILING FROM $8.90 FOR A 20-PIECE A4 RECIPE INSERT. THE FOOD LOVERS COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE AT ALL KIKKI.K OUTLETS AND WWW.KIKKI-K.COM.
The Right Mix
While space might be tight in many bathrooms here, there’s no reason to compromise on style or quality when decking out your private sanctuary. British sanitaryware brand Victoria + Albert recently launched a wall-mounted bath mixer, Tubo 21, featuring a sleek handheld shower with an elegant full-width wall plate. Its sleek and minimalist form fits any contemporary bathroom design, while saving essential space in the bathroom for a larger vanity counter or towel rack.
THE TUBO 21 IS AVAILABLE IN POLISHED CHROME OR BRUSHED NICKEL. VISIT WWW.VANDABATHS.COM.
Updating History
The iconic K Chair was the first product designed and manufactured by Karimoku for the Japanese domestic market in 1962. A flagship piece of the Karimoku 60 range, its design remains unchanged today with the exception of the Japanese brand introducing new materials to give the classic armchair a trendy update. The chair in Tarp Blue, a textured fabric in a deep indigo, is one of the latest versions – it will look great in modern and retro-style interiors.
THE KARIMOKU K CHAIR IN TARP BLUE IS AVAILABLE AT RETRO COLONY, #01-05, 73 ENG WATT STREET, TEL: 6676-3817, WWW.RETROCOLONY.COM.
Tea Party
Crow For Gold
Gifting a zodiac accessory to your loved one during the Lunar New Year is a tradition in many Chinese households in Singapore.
In line with the dawn of the Fire Rooster in 2017, Risis’ annual zodiac collection features a captivating range of home accessories showcasing the animal at its most glorious. Cast in pewter and plated in 24K gold, the decorative pieces are designedto highlight five key virtues commonly associated with the animal.
Launched to complement the main Rooster collection, Harmony features the design of five chicks nestled among grains of rice, symbolising good relations and abundance. It can be used as a decorative desk accessory or paperweight.
For a subtle commemoration, check out the rooster-and-hen chopstick set, which comes with two pairs of gold-capped chopsticks and rests. The understated design makes it ideal as elegant cutlery for home, or as an auspicious form of wellwishes to a friend or business partner.
PRICES FOR THE ROOSTER COLLECTION START FROM $328; WHILE HARMONY (BELOW) RETAILS FOR $148, AND THE CHOPSTICK SET FOR $238. VISIT WWW.RISIS.COM.
OUR PICKS
Fancy A Cuppa?
Luxury tea brand Newby has released a limited-edition caddy to commemorate the year of the Fire Rooster. Warm colours of gold and brown – lucky colours for those born in the Year of the Rooster – were used in the design, whose fine and intricately illustrated motif takes inspiration from Chinese Imperial art and classical Victorian wallpaper prints. It contains the award-winning Assam tea, which has a malty taste complemented with hints of almond.
RETAILING AT $54.10, THE FESTIVE ROOSTER CADDY IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.NEWBYTEAS.SG.
Art and design showcases around the world worth checking out.
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Marisa Merz – The Sky Is A Great Space
Displayed for the first time in the US from Jan 24 to May 7, the works of Italian sculptor Marisa Merz will be housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Traditionally using copper, aluminium, waxed paper and paraffin wax, she often challenges art-world limitations and shows practices inflected by gender and cultural differences. In this exhibition, see works such as a face made out of graphite on paper, among other captivating abstract artworks.
THE EXHIBITION IS HELD AT THE MET BREUER, LOCATED ON LEVEL 2 OF THE MUSEUM. VISIT WWW.METMUSEUM.ORG.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: Tales Of Our Time
Helsinki Design Museum: Utopia Now – The Story Of Finnish Design
The Helsinki Design Museum will present a specially curated collection of iconic designs to celebrate 100 years of Finnish independence. Opening on Jan 28, the exhibition will showcase the importance of design in developing the modern Finnish welfare state. Thanks to a grant of 250,000 euros, the exhibit includes a wider range of materials not previously displayed, with the use of technology and digital platforms.
ADULT TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT 10 EUROS (S$15), WHILE VISITORS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 ENTER FREE OF CHARGE. VISIT WWW.DESIGNMUSEUM.FI/EN/.
TEXT DOMENICA TAN, LOUISA CLARE LIM, ELIZA HAMIZAH & GIRWINA TAN.
