theSun Property March 2015

1 / 4

ON FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2015
Email your feedback
and queries to:
X
WHETHER your intention is
to brighten up a room or
completely transform it,
the use of fabric is a
brilliant way to go about it. Versatile
enough to fit into any style and budget,
fabric has the ability to turn a boring
and inexpensive-looking room into a
fascinating and somewhat luxurious
looking one.
Though fabric can be incorporated
into home décor in many ways, be it
flooring, curtains or walls, the vast
amount of options available in the
market today makes identifying the
right fabric that is right for a particular
space or one that is suitable for a
purpose, a challenge.
“The biggest mistake of
homeowners, when using fabric in
décor, is the lack of practicality.
Frankly speaking, they are simply not
choosing the right fabric,” says interior
designer Tessa G. Ooi.
Therefore, it is essential to consider
the type of fabric that is needed and the
purpose, prior to using it.
“A few basic questions related to the
purpose of the space can be of great
help here. For instance, if the space is a
family living room or dining room
where children may eat and play, fine
fabric such as silk will not be the most
practical option.
“Similarly, conservatories that
benefit from lots of sunlight do not lend
themselves well to leather since this
material becomes hot in the sun,” adds
Ooi. “Besides, it sits better in cooler
temperatures.”
Recommended fabrics to use around
the house:
>Choosing the right fabric in home decor
3SILK
Silk is a highly delicate yet
luxurious and lustrous
fabric. To the touch, silk can
feel soft, coarse even, satiny as
well as velvety. In the home,
silk is most appropriately used
in curtains and cushion covers.
In using silk as drapes, it is
necessary for thematerial to
be lined to protect it from
damage from strong sunlight.
If silk is exposed to the sun for
too long, the fabric begins to
lose its moisture and the silk
fibres become weak, and
susceptible to tearing. Aside
fromcurtains and cushions,
silk is also a wonderful fabric
to use as decorative throws,
pillow covers, table runners,
mats and doilies and other
decorative intentions.
Best for: Bedroomand formal
living room.
Reference:
material
1COTTON VELVET
Cotton velvet is grandiose in touch, feel and sight. It is a
lavish fabric that can add drama and decorum to an area. It
can be found in a wide variety of colours and are both strong yet
soft to touch. Cotton velvet fabric is also long lasting if well
looked after. It can be used to upholster sofas and other forms of
seating. The best part is that the fabric is resilient or volatile; and
if you have children or pets, the texture of the fabric canmask any
crumples to emanate an appealing look.
Best for:Living roomand dining room.
5OLEFIN
Olefin is a syntheticmaterial and can be
extremely durable. Olefin can be ideal for
interior design projects. Some advantages in
using olefin in home interiors include its
resistant to stains, its strength, colourfast and
comfort, resistance tomildew, does not shrink
whenwashed and it is not harmed by exposure
to the sun. In home decor, it is commonly used
as soft furnishings and textiles, as cushions,
carpets and rugs, carpet tiles and carpet backing.
Its fibres are often used in upholstery, draperies,
wall coverings, slip covers and floor coverings.
Did you know that olefin is also easily recycled?
Best for:Children’s playroom, dining roomand bathroom.
Five questions to ask
before selecting a fabric:
- What will the roombe used for?
- Is the room a “high-traffic”
area?
- Will the roombe used by
children and pets?
- Howmuch sunlight is the room
prone to?
- Will guests be using the room?
2LINEN
Linen is a natural fabric that looks
fantastic but onlywhen it has been ironed
well as it is highly susceptible to creasing. For
this reason, linen is an excellent choice for fixed
home décor items, rather than “heavy-use items”
such as bedding. However, when blendedwith
man-made fibres, creasing can be reduced.
While linen is extremely resilient and can last
for a very long time, with appropriate care
taken, it is extremely difficult to treat without
the help of a specialist if it becomes stained. Household products using
linen include aprons, bags, towels and napkins, table cloth, runners, chair
covers, rugs, throws, covers and curtains.
Best for: Formal living roomand home office.
4POLYESTER
Extremely strong and
durable, polyester is
fantastic to use around the
house. This fabric is resistant to
most chemicals; wrinkle,
abrasion andmildew resistant;
does not shrinkwhenwashed;
and dries quickly. It also holds
well to sun exposure and daily
use. Polyester can also bemade
to look like natural fabric such
as suede and leather, and can be
found in all sorts of home
accessories including bed
sheets, blankets, upholstered furniture andmore.
Best for: Dining room, bedroomand bathroom.
Recommendations and views of Tessa G. Ooi.
DIY FABRIC DÉCOR IDEAS
FLOOR COVERING
Why pay big bucks for an
expensive rug when you can
make one out of your favourite
fabric? To start, buy a piece of
canvas in the same size as your
intended fabric rug. Purchase
fabric four inches longer than
your canvas on all sides. Place
your fabric flat on a table and
put the canvas on top of your
fabric. Cut the fabric to size.
Using fusible webbing, iron the
fabric and sew in the edges.
FABRICWALL PANELS
Fabric wall panels can be easily
made. For a stunning effect,
frame it in a bronze or carved
wooden frame … and voila! It
looks extravagant and stylish.
To start, buy a unique printed
piece of fabric and stretch it over
a ready-made canvas, or your
store-made frames of your own.
Fold the edges and either staple
or glue it to the frame/canvas. If
using glue, let it dry overnight
before you hang it on your wall.
Did you know?
* Silk is naturally hypoallergenic
and is recommended for
peoplewith dust mite allergies.
* The smooth, tightly-woven
fibres of silk bedding help keep
moisture in the skin and is said
to delay the onset of wrinkles.
SYMBOLICALLY reflective of the unique and breathtaking design of a
butterfly’s wing, D’Mayang Sari under Seri PajamDevelopment,
brings house owners and investors just about that – living spaces that
are intricately crafted and purposefully designed to exude a
comfortable and beautiful lifestyle.
Situated in thematured, landscaped surroundings of Nilai, the
developer offers double-storey terrace housing units that complement
with nature’s architecture, in a safe, guarded neighbourhood. Each of
these contemporary-designed living spaces offers amodern yet calmand
tranquil ambiance, complementedwith lush, verdant greenery, tucked
away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Interiors welcome good ventilationwith lots of sunlight, fresh and
clean air. Designedwith large and ample windows, homes beckon
breathtaking views that captivate. Other prominent design features
include innovative use of space that breathes life into the home,
rewarding the dweller with both a unique sense of luxury and harmony.
Open-concept designs, full-height wall tiles, a fully extended backyard,
and a car porch that creates a whole new idea and area of space to
playwith: these are additional characteristics of what to expect in a home
at D’Mayang Sari.
On the whole, D’Mayang
Sari bridges connectivity
betweenman and nature,
offering residents a greener and
healthier lifestyle. From
romanticwalks with loved
ones by the Eco Lake to
leisurely picnics at the Kite
Lawn, a “tai chi”workout or
earlymorning run at the Linear Park, even family bondingwith
the children at the Shaded Playground: these are some of the
treasures that come with residing here. While a good piece of property
is determined by its location, D’Mayang Sari provides just the place,
with easy connectivity and a host of conveniences tomake everyday
living a joy.
Be the first to view the brand newEusarca showunits at the
official grand launch of D’Mayang Sari onMarch 8 from 10am to
6pm. For details, visit
Articulating idyllic living