vex SREEREMA BANOO rorcuri, ABDUL GHANI ISMAIL FaStiv decoratin Four interior designers create their brand of fun and colourful holiday looks for under RMSOO ‘WEMAY HAVE just celebrated Deepavali and Hari Raya Aili, but the festivities are far from over as Christ ‘masand New Year arejustound the eomer And when ‘you think you're dane with decorating forthe year look ‘out, because the Lunar New Year comes next! And yes, its time where diets go out the window and mortgages are taken out to finance the festivities ‘While most ook forward tothe holidaysasa chance to be meny with family and fiends, it can also be 2 stressful and trying occasion for some as the season is not complete without festive decorations. Certain households go to the extreme of getting new linen, curtains, frnishings and even furniture for the home (Qhis is where the bonus will be spent) while others who are more prudent (and frugal) skip festive decora sionsaltogether. For those who have the means of bringing festive cheerinto the home ina lavish manner.atrip (or many ‘rips) to the malls and furniture or furnishing stores should do the trick But having just gotback on our feet after tough economic times, spending modestly on fs tive décor is nota bad idea, What's more, you can rope {n the family to help in your decorating endeavour ‘We asked four intsor designers to come up with inspiring ideas to decorate the home fr the festivities. Armed with a budget of RMso0 each, the designers — Richard Koh of Interiorscape; the team at Linear Design; Poesy Liang of Poesy Designs; and the team at Rezzuan Yeoh Ong — gamely put on their thinking capsand got to work ‘The results oftheir ideas prove that with some im- agination and creativity, festive decorating — whether ‘ones planning a funky New Years eve patty or a cosy candlelight dinner —does not have to break the bank. ‘So go ahead, have some fun and dazzle family friends and yourself with these inspiring ideas. Happy decorating and happy holidays! haven eect 2004 nan 2005] 35Noodles for two at RM253.80 While itisa blessing to have family and friends around forthe holidays, sometimes i is also sheer bliss to indulge in a quiet dinner with your partner, But instead of the conventional Western dinner fortwo table setting, Koh proposesan elegant noodle fortwo setting For some glitz and drama, opt for glassware, The elegance and fin ‘ery ofthe silvertrim glassware balances the simplicity of the dinner —with candles and ilies adding some glamour to what may otherwise seem to bean unfestive meal! Koh spent RM253.80 (not including the table, transparent chairs, tablecloth an painting) to create thissetting. Except forthe glases that hepicked up fom asaleat local department store and thecandlehelé- cers from a flea market, all the glassware i ftom Thailand, But you can also nick up similar glassware locally albeit ata slightly higher price Ifyou want to spend litte more on the setting then you can opt {or more posh tablewsre, for example, sterling silver chopsticks as op ‘posed tothe stainlessteel ones used here. You can also use white linen napkins instead of servettes, says Ko. 36 haven [oscember 2008+ any 2005] From|eft Ancleganc neodie-forrwassetting * Glasswate adel some glitz and drama tothe setting ues a0From left & chair forall occasions * Ong, Yeah and Rezzuan have re.interpreted the age-old tradition of putting up lights for ‘the fests inthe Form af Funky chat Rezzuan Tajudin, Yeoh Tze Shyun 7 Cost oft and Eric Ong of Rezzuan YeohOng ew Afunky year-round festive installation for RM320 = r ‘The idea behind Rezzuan, Yeoh and Ong's funky chair originates from the fir lights present {in almost every home duting festivities. By re interpreting the age-old tradition of putting up lights forthe festivities the teara came up with something unique and is certain to putasmile ‘on any guest or family's face, What's neat about this installation is that you can use it forany festive occasion, The starting point of this funky installation isthe chair's frame that is made by welding ‘together steel ods While Rezzuan is handy with a blowtorch and only took afew houss to put ‘the frame together, the rest of us need not risk life and limb and can seek the services ofa metal smith forthe job (Once the frame is ready all you ned isa length of rope light that canbe purchase from any lighting shop. The length of rope is then woven into a simple patter, Here the team purchased about 20 metres ofrope — buy a longer plece should you want to weavea more intricate pattern Limited by budget, they chose a conventional rope light but those who have more tospend ‘ean opt fora variety of coloured bulbs, a dimmer and even chasers. The latter, costing RM20 to RMas, will really give the twinkle lights effect. Meanwhile, with a dimmer (costing about [RM7s) one can adjust the brightness ofthe lights to create a particular ambience. ‘Obviously, guests cannot plonk themselves on this chair but just so one avoids any mishaps {or lawsuits) the team has put up cheeky sign warning guests ofthe potential hazards. ‘The team had much fun putting the installation together and says that ifthe home has a double volume ceiling height then one can explore funky sculpture oreven a chandelier. One ‘canalso create sculpture forthe garden. ‘The RMjzospent includes the feefor the elecrician. With bigger budget, youcan opt fora stainless steel frame for that polished ook and added glitter with the reflection of lights against ‘the frame. Budget an additional RM3o0 to RMgoo should you want stainless steel frame. jamsery2005} 37