Home Decorating ~ Think BIG

We have not had an official house warming since we moved in in October 2012, but we have received a few house warming gifts already.  To add, these gift are meaningful and we just love them.

The first is a lamp which a couple of friends gave us, JP & CMG.  It's installed in front of our main entrance.  It's to light up our lives, that we may have happiness always.

The light that lights up our lives

Then there is a BIG picture frame of a Chinese character "Fook" which means luck and fortune.  This was also given to us by a very good friend, LO.  Sometimes, the picture is placed upside down as a good luck charm.  This means that the luck or fortune is pouring in, in other words luck is coming your way.  It is normally displayed at the entrance of the home to welcome good luck and fortune. For us we displayed it at our hall.

The Chinese character "Fook" that means good luck

Then there is another BIG picture frame of green peonies with some Chinese characters also given by LO.  This picture is suppose to be harmonious and to bring the good luck to the occupants of the home.

The green peonies which means harmony

Missing Links ...

It's been 7 months since we've moved into our new home.  We are still in the settling down mode.  Some items are still in their boxes, so many stuff to clear and get rid off.  So many projects lining up:-

1. Fix knobs on all room doors
2. Varnish all room doors
3. Make study table for daughter's room
4. Clear Mezzanine floor
5. Put up photos & picture frames
6. Make back splash for kitchen
7. Refurbish a few furnitures
8. Re decorate master bedroom
9. Put up curtain rails  
10. Sew curtains
11. Build patio
12. Sofa hunting

And the list goes on and on ...

One item on this list that we are taking our time is the sofa, we are taking our time as we do not want to rush and end up buying something that we are not happy with.  We do know roughly what we want but we have to look around at other retailers.  The EKTORP three seater sofa from Ikea is one that we are considering.

EKTORP three seater sofa in White - RM999.00

EKTORP three seater sofa in Risane Beige - RM1,499.00

Right now, we are temporary using a Teak two seater chair that is meant for the patio.  We purchased this Teak two seater chair from Kedai Kaki Lelong in Ara Damansara.

The Teak two seater chair in our Hall

Another picture of the same Teak two seater chair

Home Decorating ~ Think BIG!

Decorating your home can be fun and at the same time challenging.  However, I personally feel that you don't have to hold a certificate or degree to decorate your home.  All you need is a good eye for things and the internet!  We can consider ourselves lucky as there are so many write ups, photos, ideas and tips in the internet.  People are sharing and exchanging information about decorating from the patio to the backyard and everything in between.

When we owned our first home, we had a lot of small items that decorated our home, like small picture frames, small little trinkets and we had to wipe the dust off every now and then. One of our friends who has the same passion and 'weakness' for furniture and home decorating like us said "Think BIG and decorate BIG!"  This was an eye opener! Her home had all the BIG mirrors, BIG frames, BIG furniture and it worked out well!

So now all my small decorative items which have sentimental value are kept inside a display cabinet and the bigger ones are displayed out.

The teak cabinet with all my little displays

Divided into three sections : 1st shelf, all things Chinese
2nd shelf, all my miniature chest box
3rd shelf, some of my Dutch heritage on display

My brass Monk and a little puppy
Love the details on his facial expression

My three candle holder Monks, a Christmas gift from a dear friend