A preview of my new home!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Art of Living
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Recently I acquired a new appreciation for furniture. It started of course, from my purchase of my first house.
Most people would regard furniture as something purely functional. Something I put some part of my body on for a certain task. A chair is for sitting, a table for eating, writing, talking, a shelf is for books and floor is to put my feet on.
Practical. Functional.
But to me, furniture is more than that. Furniture defines the very space we live in. Not only do they allow us to go about our tasks and lives with ease, they have the ability to add beauty and creativity. As human beings, we are very affected by our environment. thats is why places look they way they do. Officers are grey and serious, fast food resturants are bright and cheery, starbucks are warm and plush and shopping malls are spacious and well-lited, clubs are dark and funky, Churches are tall and white.
Environments have the power to shape a human being's perception and well-being. They constantly communicate subconsciously to a person, affecting mood, thinking, judgment, purpose and subsequently well-being and happiness. They have the same effect as food, drink and friends - they can shape us, affect us, persuade us.
Furniture is a huge part of one's environment. We are so surrounded by it that we don't notice them anymore. But they communicate to us none the less. They can add beauty and grace into a home or it can make it ugly and frustrating. Those of us more visual are of course more affected and sensitive to it, others, well, it is doesn't get in the way and I can use it its good enough for me.
For me, furniture goes beyond just function. To me, furniture is like Art. They can make a house beautiful, pleasant, exciting, alluring, comfortable. Why do I pay $7 bucks for coffee in starbucks? Coffee don't cost that much! Its all in the interior and how one feels when one is in it. So I think to myself, why do I want to pay StarBucks $7 bucks for the rest of my life when I can create a alluring environment in the comfort of my own home?
Choosing furniture to me is akin to choosing a sculpture. Art, but functional. We are affected by art. All human beings are. In a sense, we are artistic in nature. We create art and we are affected by it. We can appreciate it and that is a feeling of emptiness when we don't see it. We can tell what is beautiful and what is not. We cry when we see a sunrise, we cry when we see a disaster zone. What we see and appreciate is important to our souls. Art is important to life.
That is why God cloth the flowers that is 'here today and gone tomorrow', that is why He put the Orion and the Eagle Nebular in Space, the purple orange drama that is every sunset. God makes Beauty - He is Beautiful. He is Beauty itself.
A beautiful Home is important to me because I know how it can affect a person. Art moves the soul. A chair can be four-legged wood with back rest but it can also be a piece of art, designed by an artisan and now gracing within the walls of your home. It adds a touch of grace, of beauty, a tinge of excitement of a otherwise mundane existence. It makes coming home a joy. Like how going to Starbucks feels good. But why let Starbucks earn all my money?
It does not, of course, come cheap. Beauty seldom does. Nether do things that are important and valuable. But to me, its worth it. I don't live for it, its not what I'm all about - but it I have can the means, I would. Its like buying art. A nice sofa is better than a ugly sofa. But it doesn't have to cost a lot. You just need to take time to FIND. Buying Art is like that. But once you find something at the right price, its great!
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
Proverbs 24:3
Leo
Recently I acquired a new appreciation for furniture. It started of course, from my purchase of my first house.
Most people would regard furniture as something purely functional. Something I put some part of my body on for a certain task. A chair is for sitting, a table for eating, writing, talking, a shelf is for books and floor is to put my feet on.
Practical. Functional.
But to me, furniture is more than that. Furniture defines the very space we live in. Not only do they allow us to go about our tasks and lives with ease, they have the ability to add beauty and creativity. As human beings, we are very affected by our environment. thats is why places look they way they do. Officers are grey and serious, fast food resturants are bright and cheery, starbucks are warm and plush and shopping malls are spacious and well-lited, clubs are dark and funky, Churches are tall and white.
Environments have the power to shape a human being's perception and well-being. They constantly communicate subconsciously to a person, affecting mood, thinking, judgment, purpose and subsequently well-being and happiness. They have the same effect as food, drink and friends - they can shape us, affect us, persuade us.
Furniture is a huge part of one's environment. We are so surrounded by it that we don't notice them anymore. But they communicate to us none the less. They can add beauty and grace into a home or it can make it ugly and frustrating. Those of us more visual are of course more affected and sensitive to it, others, well, it is doesn't get in the way and I can use it its good enough for me.
For me, furniture goes beyond just function. To me, furniture is like Art. They can make a house beautiful, pleasant, exciting, alluring, comfortable. Why do I pay $7 bucks for coffee in starbucks? Coffee don't cost that much! Its all in the interior and how one feels when one is in it. So I think to myself, why do I want to pay StarBucks $7 bucks for the rest of my life when I can create a alluring environment in the comfort of my own home?Choosing furniture to me is akin to choosing a sculpture. Art, but functional. We are affected by art. All human beings are. In a sense, we are artistic in nature. We create art and we are affected by it. We can appreciate it and that is a feeling of emptiness when we don't see it. We can tell what is beautiful and what is not. We cry when we see a sunrise, we cry when we see a disaster zone. What we see and appreciate is important to our souls. Art is important to life.
That is why God cloth the flowers that is 'here today and gone tomorrow', that is why He put the Orion and the Eagle Nebular in Space, the purple orange drama that is every sunset. God makes Beauty - He is Beautiful. He is Beauty itself.
A beautiful Home is important to me because I know how it can affect a person. Art moves the soul. A chair can be four-legged wood with back rest but it can also be a piece of art, designed by an artisan and now gracing within the walls of your home. It adds a touch of grace, of beauty, a tinge of excitement of a otherwise mundane existence. It makes coming home a joy. Like how going to Starbucks feels good. But why let Starbucks earn all my money?
It does not, of course, come cheap. Beauty seldom does. Nether do things that are important and valuable. But to me, its worth it. I don't live for it, its not what I'm all about - but it I have can the means, I would. Its like buying art. A nice sofa is better than a ugly sofa. But it doesn't have to cost a lot. You just need to take time to FIND. Buying Art is like that. But once you find something at the right price, its great!
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
Proverbs 24:3
Leo
Monday, October 20, 2008
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These are the final days of single hood
Life as I know it will forever change.
As I take these steps toward a new Dawn
I recount the blessings that has been.
I am grateful...
1. that God has given me the most beautiful, wisest, devoted and God-loving woman to be my wife, lover and best friend.
2. that He gave us such a long, wonderous and challenging courtship. We have been through so many seasons together and have learn to love each as we discover more and more the beauty and imperfections of each other. I am sure I want to spend the rest of my life with Cassilda.
3. that God gave us an opportunity to spend a year at Hillsongs College, Sydney for a year. Learning to do life together, cook, study, explore, pray, serve, give, suffer and overcome together. Through it all, we have learn much about fighting together and not each other.
4. that we have the most wonderful community in Amplify, whose passion, love, friendship, support and belief has mould us to be who we are today, together. Our community will always be a part of our lives, the air we breathe and on which we mount on wings.
5. that we had the most memorable wedding proposal. One that I have been dreaming about since I was a young boy. One day, I will propose to my girlfriend with a 1000 roses and fill the entire place with it. Iggy, Josie, Linus and Ann helped make that dream come true. and most importantly, she said 'YES!'. and Life was never the same again. I will never forget.
6. that we got our flat sooner exceeding faster than we expected. We did not expect to get a flat until 2010. I had already made plans to move into Cassilda's room after the wedding. Guess what? Last I checked, they have finished installing the doors on our kitchen cabinet - in our very own flat - in Bedok Central.
Every time I step in, I am in awe. I still can't believe God's goodness to us. How can it be? Except that every good and perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father!
7. that we got a english speaking Contractor who so far has done a pretty decent job. We are quite happy with the work so far...and so fast. I think I will be ready before the wedding!
8. that we found a beautiful dining table after searching every corner of Singapore. (serious!) A Restored import piece from Holland. It was love at first sight for the both of us. Can't wait to move it in.
9. that we got our good wedding wine at great prices!
10. that my Father sponsored my air-conditioning and lights.
11. that our caterer is a generous man
12. that we settle our March In music 9 months before the wedding
13. that we found the perfect wedding bands. I absolutely love them! Simple and meaningful. I really can't wait to wear them on Cassilda.
14. that our parents have helped us a great deal in setting up the home.
15. That through it all, these months of intense preparation, I have grown to love and appreciate Cassilda more. We have grown closer and happier as we plan our home together, as we make decisions and faced down suppliers together. She has been so loving and patient with my obsession with every house and furniture detail.
16. And that God, whose mercies are New every morning, never fails to be faithful. Our Jehovah Jireh has given us so much and I can feel his Love from everything that has transpired so far. I can only bow my head in gratefulness for my God who love me and takes care of the both of us.
"Surely goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life."
Praise and Glory to You. My God. My All.
Leo
Life as I know it will forever change.
As I take these steps toward a new Dawn
I recount the blessings that has been.
I am grateful...
1. that God has given me the most beautiful, wisest, devoted and God-loving woman to be my wife, lover and best friend.
2. that He gave us such a long, wonderous and challenging courtship. We have been through so many seasons together and have learn to love each as we discover more and more the beauty and imperfections of each other. I am sure I want to spend the rest of my life with Cassilda.
3. that God gave us an opportunity to spend a year at Hillsongs College, Sydney for a year. Learning to do life together, cook, study, explore, pray, serve, give, suffer and overcome together. Through it all, we have learn much about fighting together and not each other.
4. that we have the most wonderful community in Amplify, whose passion, love, friendship, support and belief has mould us to be who we are today, together. Our community will always be a part of our lives, the air we breathe and on which we mount on wings.
5. that we had the most memorable wedding proposal. One that I have been dreaming about since I was a young boy. One day, I will propose to my girlfriend with a 1000 roses and fill the entire place with it. Iggy, Josie, Linus and Ann helped make that dream come true. and most importantly, she said 'YES!'. and Life was never the same again. I will never forget.
6. that we got our flat sooner exceeding faster than we expected. We did not expect to get a flat until 2010. I had already made plans to move into Cassilda's room after the wedding. Guess what? Last I checked, they have finished installing the doors on our kitchen cabinet - in our very own flat - in Bedok Central.
Every time I step in, I am in awe. I still can't believe God's goodness to us. How can it be? Except that every good and perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father!
7. that we got a english speaking Contractor who so far has done a pretty decent job. We are quite happy with the work so far...and so fast. I think I will be ready before the wedding!
8. that we found a beautiful dining table after searching every corner of Singapore. (serious!) A Restored import piece from Holland. It was love at first sight for the both of us. Can't wait to move it in.
9. that we got our good wedding wine at great prices!
10. that my Father sponsored my air-conditioning and lights.
11. that our caterer is a generous man
12. that we settle our March In music 9 months before the wedding
13. that we found the perfect wedding bands. I absolutely love them! Simple and meaningful. I really can't wait to wear them on Cassilda.
14. that our parents have helped us a great deal in setting up the home.
15. That through it all, these months of intense preparation, I have grown to love and appreciate Cassilda more. We have grown closer and happier as we plan our home together, as we make decisions and faced down suppliers together. She has been so loving and patient with my obsession with every house and furniture detail.
16. And that God, whose mercies are New every morning, never fails to be faithful. Our Jehovah Jireh has given us so much and I can feel his Love from everything that has transpired so far. I can only bow my head in gratefulness for my God who love me and takes care of the both of us.
"Surely goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life."
Praise and Glory to You. My God. My All.
Leo
.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Reno Rants (4)
Our Home is coming together!
In the midst of a flurry of activities, avalanche of choices and impending decisions tearing at our insanity and the every present gravity of the race towards the Big day, the home is taking shape and form. Deck the Halls
Rough cement floors are dressed up in (almost) white tiles, slate and laminates. The ceiling is a stage set for various lights to make their brilliant performance by next week. The kitchen foundations are laid, the counter is elected and I can almost smell the pasta cooking. (seafood marinara)
The air-conditioning is being installed even as I am writing this and the painting works will start tomorrow. I did not choose any crazed colours in case anyone is expecting us to. Keeping it simple.
Basically the renovations part of the house is like the backdrop of a stage. It should be a background that sets the context for the drama, not the drama itself. I don't like renovations that scream - "I just had a renovation". It should be functional, consistent and subtle in bringing out the best of the furniture and the stories of life unfolding within its embrace. Too loud and it becomes an end to itself and not a means to an end.
The Shape of Things to come
Next will be Carpentry. Jesus' own forte. The cabinets, the shelfs, the consoles and the cupboards. I'm pretty excited and at the same time nervous about it. Unlike going to a shop where I know exactly what I'm buying - Carpentry works in renos, you don't until its done. what looks good on paper may not look too fantastic when its standing before you. Or, it could look even better than you imagined it to be. Going to leave it in the hands of the Carpenter of Nazareth to cause all things to work out for good. Especially good ABS trimmings.
Furnishings is a 4-letter Word
IKEA is the name of the game. Every new home owner's savior. The rock on which more expensive and lasting furniture will replace in the near future. The sweet smelling air of swedish affordability and cheap practical brilliance line the walls of the mammoth blue and yellow building, holding out promises to people who hope they don't have to that rich to be clever.
"Buy from Ikea lor" is the mantra. ("Buy from EKia" if you are born before 1975) But seriously, if you take time to study the catalog, which I know sounds kinda strange to you non-house owners, you can pretty much pull off a decent looking house you'll be proud to bring your mother home to.Furniture, my friend, in the real world, is expensive. I was brought up on a furnishing diet of IKEA in my current home and naively thought that all furniture companies cost like that. They don't. And not all sell great hot dogs and meat balls either. That in itself is pretty sad. What next? That Santa Claus is not real? Sheesh. So sad. Which is how I feel when I look at the price tag on most furniture shops I...erm...fancy.
While you don't have to be rich to be clever, it certain would help a bit if you actually are.
Frankly, I blame my expectations on Interior books with their slick Photoshopped interiors and designer furnitures conveniently placed in the background. I should have seen through it! Come on! there is no way anyone can affort SIX pieces of Philip Starck Ghost Chairs and even if they do, why on earth do they leave it in the grimmey kitchen!
Planting Seats
But I do need to admit something at this point. I've found a new hobby - chairs. I love chairs. I don't know why but these little legged things you put your butt on has captured my heart. After days of pouring over furniture books and websites, I now know the history of at least 15 chairs and can call them by name. Chairs are to the furnishing world what Tee shirts are to the fashion realm. They are the main stay of every home and common as dust. Yet, they can be art pieces - just sittable.
Some of the chairs we take for granted, stack, kick when we are angry or thrown when someone insults our mother (I've seen it.), took years to develop. I know I know. Whats so hard putting 4 legs on something. Well, its the same why Giodano can sell black tees for $10 and Simon Cowl can buy his for $270. (yes, all three hundred of them) Its all in the details. The material. The angles. The finish. the ergonomics.
Okay, I think I better stop here before I sound mildly obsessive, won't want you to think that I really am, although I really am. Ask Cassilda. She will be more than happy to demonstrate some of the most amazing eye-rolling you'll ever see in this part of the world. she has gotten a lot of practice lately.
K. So I'll end here. For you guys reading this and could potentially be invited to our house warming held somewhere between this century and next, better start sourcing for gifts. Appliances, chairs and pillows are welcomed. Sofas, spare beds, lamps are advised. Fridges, 42" LCD Flatscreens, Herman Miller furniture and MacG5s come highly recommended.
Just let us know in advance so we know what to do with all the extra LCD Tvs.
8)
Leo
Standing in my freshly painted Study
with my photoshopped Eames Chair.
Exactly the way our ancestors did it in interior magazines.
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