Related: 3 Unique Neutral Christmas Tree Ideas

Minimalist Christmas Home Tour

After using the same holiday decor since 2015, I was desperate for a change.

I’m constantly trying to build an intentional and sustainable home; so I decided to switch from a traditional red-and-green theme to a neutral minimalist Christmas theme.

Although the decor looks more subtle, the house still feels warm, cozy, and inviting.

I chose white, gold, green, and wood tones because these colours are classic, and that means I can re-use my Christmas decor year after year.

Now, let’s take a look at my minimalist Christmas home tour!

Minimalist Christmas Tree

Our minimalist neutral Christmas tree is THE showstopper in our home.

I used the same artificial tree we’ve had since 2018 but changed its placement this year.

I wanted to make a grand statement with the tree; so I shifted it from a corner in the dining room to the top of our built-in nook.

It looks AMAZING – I don’t know why it took me so long to do this! The tree is now the first thing I see when I enter our apartment.

Honestly, I didn’t have a game plan when it came to decorating the Christmas tree.

Instead of going with a theme, I referenced my colour palette and bought ornaments with different textures, shapes, and materials.

I love a traditional tree but I wanted something whimsical and organic this year.

The result is a mish-mash of ornaments that still looks cohesive because of the neutral colour palette!

I also paired the tree with a black woven skirt to add contrast. It’s the first time I’ve used a tree skirt, and it really was the BEST. DECISION. EVER.

Since we don’t have a mantel, I stuck a simple hook rack next to the tree and hung two chunky knit stockings. How cute!

Wicker Christmas Tree Collar

$29.99

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11/03/2025 05:06 am GMT

Farmhouse Christmas Tree Collar

$49.99

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11/03/2025 05:03 am GMT

White Knitted Christmas Stocking with Pom Pom Ball

$22.98 $21.83

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11/03/2025 11:14 am GMT

Unglazed Winter White Porcelain Snowy House Tree Ornaments

$24.95

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11/03/2025 05:03 am GMT

5 PCS Hanging Honeycomb Paper Christmas Tree Ornaments

$13.99

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11/03/2025 05:04 am GMT

30 Pcs Gold Glitter Star Ornaments Christmas

$9.69

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11/03/2025 11:16 am GMT

Vintage Christmas Bells

$17.25

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11/03/2025 11:14 am GMT

15 Pcs Velvet Christmas Tree Ball Ornaments

$25.99

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11/03/2025 05:04 am GMT

Minimalist Christmas Living Room

With the tree being the main focus of the living room, I kept the other areas minimal.

I added new floral, plaid, and textured cushion covers on the couch.

As for the coffee table, I laid a wooden tray that held a basket of gold baubles, a wooden tree ornament, and two taupe pillar candles.

Despite using simple objects, the contrasting heights and textures made this minimal setup visually interesting.

I also made minor adjustments to our daily TV console decor.

I swapped the artificial fern for a mini tree and decorated it with white ceramic baubles on one side.

On the other, I added a maroon honeycomb paper tree for a pop of colour.

The final (and cutest!) touch was the Christmas village placed at the centre of the console.

Mark Feldstein & Associates Village Row House White

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11/03/2025 05:06 am GMT

Glass Christmas Tree Ornaments (Shiny Porcelain White)

$19.99

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11/03/2025 05:04 am GMT

Pre-lit Artificial Mini Christmas Tree for Tabletop or Desk

$154.99 $126.99

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11/03/2025 11:16 am GMT

Root Candles Unscented Timberline Pillar Candle

$35.99 $27.99

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11/03/2025 05:07 am GMT

Mini Christmas Tree Honeycomb Decorations

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Ceramic Winter White Trees, Set of 3

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Minimalist Christmas Dining Room

Chris Loves Julia’s tree artwork instantly inspired me the minute I saw it. They are the perfect addition to our dining room!

I wanted to paint the frames black but since I didn’t have enough time, I draped an artificial garland over the top.

Here’s my version of a holiday tablescape.

This is the most challenging yet creative part for me because I have to make things I already own look fresh.

The key to dressing up the dining table for the holiday season is to incorporate a lot of greenery and baubles!

I draped fresh greenery across the table runner and weaved in a couple of gold baubles.

At the very last minute, I threw in some dried babies breath across the table as well.

Lastly, I placed my festive pieces like a wooden mini Scandi Christmas tree (which doubles up as a candle holder), a white ceramic Christmas tree, and a gold tin house on the table.

Hemstitched Linen Napkins Set of 4 (Soft Rustic Green)

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11/03/2025 05:06 am GMT

6FT Artificial Pine Cypress Garland

$19.99

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11/03/2025 05:04 am GMT

Pack of 25-25mm Mini Christmas Tree Baubles (Gold)

$14.99

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11/03/2025 11:15 am GMT

Christmas Ball Tree Ornaments (36 pcs - Small, Medium, Large) Shatterproof

$26.99 $22.99

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11/03/2025 05:04 am GMT

Gold Taper Candle Holders Set of 3

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2 Pcs Wooden Christmas Tree Tabletop

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Minimalist Christmas Kitchen

This spot was my second favorite space to decorate after the tree. I was already thinking of the fun I was going to have styling my kitchen shelves!

For the upper shelf, I came up with a Christmas village theme.

So, I laid some faux tinsel before placing a group of ceramic houses, a wooden house, a bicycle, and a pair of bottle-brush trees. It’s all about the details here!

For the next shelf, I kept it fairly functional. Our plates and mugs remained.

I added some amber bottles and a ceramic pestle and mortar for visual interest.

But, the REAL highlights here are the wooden houses and a beautifully-handcrafted brass watering can.

Finally, I kept the kitchen counter bare with just a Christmas sign, a faux mini tree, and a wooden pedestal holding a sole ceramic house.

Then, I made a few tiny tweaks to our everyday essentials like the soap dispensers and tea towel to match the overall theme.

5"/7"/9" Gold Glitter Oval Artificial Christmas Tree

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11/03/2025 02:01 pm GMT

AuldHome Wood House Silhouettes Decor (Set of 7)

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11/03/2025 05:06 am GMT

House Shaped Wooden Farmhouse Home 2 Pack (White)

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11/03/2025 05:07 am GMT

Pre-Lit 2' Table Top Artificial Christmas Tree with 35 Lights in Metal Pot, Green

$53.09

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11/03/2025 02:00 pm GMT

Christmas Tree Decoration with Fairy Lights - Set of 3

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Cappuccino Felt Letter Board with Rustic Wood White Frame

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11/03/2025 11:15 am GMT

Minimalist Christmas Bedroom

I wasn’t planning on decorating our bedroom until I received these gorgeous sage green sheets from Sunday Bedding (check out the feature they did of me here!)

The sheets just screamed HOLIDAY, so I immediately replaced our existing sheets in time for the festive season.

I wanted the rest of the decor to compliment the sheets, so I layered an artificial garland across our bedframe.

I also added a couple of fun ornaments like velvet hearts, gold stars, and a mini tree on the garland.

Since the garland isn’t pre-lit, I strung some lights over the garland.

What’s a Christmas bedroom without twinkle lights, right?

Next, I placed a mini tree on one of our nightstands and laid a gold tray on the bed.

The final touches were two pre-lit ceramic houses and two gold bottle brush trees on top of the tray. Bring on the lights!

Bedding Duvet Cover Set 100% Washed Cotton Linen (Forest Green, King)

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11/03/2025 02:00 pm GMT

18 ft. Pre-Lit Kingston Indoor/Outdoor Garland with 70 Sparkling Warm Clear Lights

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Ceramic Lighthouse Home Decoration with LED Light

$14.95

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Ceramic LED Lighted Christmas Village Houses

$6.99

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09/10/2025 06:06 am GMT

Prelit Christmas Tree Glitter Tabletop Tree Bottle Brush Trees 13.8'', Gold

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11/03/2025 06:00 am GMT

Christmas Star Night Lamp Battery Operated Cordless, Gold

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11/03/2025 06:01 am GMT

What do you think of this minimalist Christmas home tour? Are you team traditional Christmas or team minimalist Christmas?

The post Our Minimalist Christmas Home Tour appeared first on That Isle Life.

Her sleek grey built-in cabinetry in the living room is decorated with chic accent finds – a shell pot from Ferm Living, brass candlestick holders from Stoff Nagel, and a sculpture from Qrator’s Design.

In another corner, you’ll find a silver statement mirror, a black wishbone chair that has been passed down from a previous generation, and an organic-shaped table lamp placed on top of a pedestal.

In addition, the first thing one sees upon entering her home is a large black and white abstract piece handpainted by Ain herself.

Beyond the refined collectibles, however, lies a sense of serenity.

That’s because Ain’s interior design choices are centered around making her family home a conducive and calm environment for her 11-year-old autistic son.

“Having a child with Autism plays a role in the home choices we’ve made especially when it comes to colors and textures,” Ain explains.

From minimizing wall decor to painting her son’s bedroom a soothing blue-gray, these design details are important because they help her son feel relaxed and comfortable.

Ain, who sells custom art pieces and hardware, is the perfect example of creating a home that’s functional for everyone in the family without compromising on style.

Read her contemporary yet modern house tour below, and follow her interior journey here.

Check Out This Other Modern House Tour:

• This Dark And Moody Home Looks And Feels Like A Five-Star Hotel Suite

A Contemporary Yet Modern House Tour

Name:  Ain Jamlus

Location: Shah Alam, Malaysia

Type of home:  Double-storey terrace

Number of rooms: 4 rooms

Size: Just under 1900 sqft

Years Lived In: 2 years 3 months

Rental / Owned:  Owned

How would you describe your home style?

It’s safe to say that it’s more of a contemporary style, but I do mix and match the furniture and decor pieces accordingly.

I play around with neutral tones like gray, beige, taupe, black, and white. Plus, I love to layer these tones with different textures and materials so that it doesn’t look flat. It’s easy to end up looking boring with just neutral tones.

I try to carry the tone throughout the living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room, and master bedroom because I want every space in the house to have a sense of cohesiveness and a natural state of mind.

What inspired your home decor? 

I think there are way too many boards I made on my Pinterest, which have helped me to create what I have for my home. 

I look for pieces that complement each other. Most of the time, I go for very distinctive designs and shapes that add a ton of visual interest into my neutral space. 

I do have a few favorite designers that I love who have inspired me – Kelly Hoppen, Ali Budd,  Leann Ford, Ines Kelly Mazzotta, Kelly Wrestler, and Steve Cordony just to name a few. 

What do you think makes your home you? 

Now that I’m in my late 30s, I’m into cleaner lines and the less is more design philosophy, which is a total opposite of what I liked 10 years ago. 

This has also reflected on my personality and lifestyle where I’ve become more grounded and mindful of the things I want to include in my life and my home. Especially having to live with a child in the spectrum, I want to make a home that is soothing, calm, and purposeful. 

Did you hire an interior designer for your home?

Yes, I hired an ID for my home. However, it was not a great experience as they were bad at managing the project and lacked attention to detail. 

There are many pros and cons to having an ID. One of the reasons why I hired one is because I needed someone to oversee the whole project as I was busy with my son. Additionally, my husband was mostly away due to work during that time. 

I wanted to work closely with them so that I’m able to portray myself and understand the technical part of it. Unfortunately, the company that I hired was not as professional as to how they sold themselves on their Instagram page.

It was a dreadful process, but I learned a lot from that experience. 

Did you renovate your home?

Yes, we extended our backyard to a small laundry room with extra yard space. The whole process of extension and cabinetry took about 4 months to complete.

What is your favorite element in your home?

All of it! Haha! I love the floor, the colors, and the partition screen that I changed in front of the main door. There isn’t just a thing that I like the most – I believe that everything has to tie in together for it to look the way it does now. 

What is the best investment you made for your home?  

We are lucky that the developer included a good security system for the house.  So, we saved on that!

Aside from that, I think a big chunk of the ID cost went to the built-in cabinets. We invested in them because we chose quality materials that can last a lifetime. This adds value to the home. 

Did you do any DIYs in your house?

I DIYed the abstract black and white painting I have on my dining room wall, which accidentally became a small business.

I knew I wanted something to pop in that space while still keeping the neutral theme in the house. So, I did some research, and voila! The artwork is one of the focal points as I enter the house now. 

Name one regret you have about your home.

Definitely the lighting. Ours now is very straightforward LED downlights. I wish I’d followed my instincts to have more ambient lighting options. 

We still got to achieve that with table lamps but we should have, would have, and could have. *follows with a big sighhhhhhhhh……….

Where do you shop for furniture and home decor? 

Most of the time I shop locally. My furniture is sourced from Fella Urban, Joy Design, Nic Chris Furniture.

Meanwhile, my decor items are a mix from H&M home, Zara home, Spotlight, Dilas Home, Furn KL, Qrators Design, Shopee, and other online sellers.

There are some special pieces that I’ve purchased online from @finnishdesignshop and Stoff Nagel.

What will be your next home project?

I’m hoping to finish up my son’s playroom where we’ve planned an L-shaped bench for the table in the room. I also want to finish up our backyard with composite wood flooring and roofing. I want to turn it into an extra chilling space outdoors.

We also have plans for the upstairs family area which we hope to do a mezzanine floor. But, that’s only going to happen in a few years as we have other commitments that we need to focus on now. 

Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey and raising awareness about autism. For people who may not know anything about autism, can you share some of the things you have done to your home to accommodate your child? 

Well, Autism is such a broad spectrum that not all kids have the same issues. We have learned so much from my son Ariez and picked up on the things that he likes and dislikes. 

There are 2 main spaces for him in the house, which are his bedroom and playroom.  I always keep his room clean, neat, and filled with calm colors. He loves shapes, so I got him a low pile rug that is within the color combo but is still fun with the geometric shapes.

He also requested to have a tent in his room and I found the perfect hanging tent that I’ve put over this bed so that it won’t take up much floor space but is still able to accommodate his needs. It’s made out of sheer material, so it’s not too claustrophobic for him. 

He also has some sensory issues, so textures and lighting also play an important role. I’ve included different soft materials for the beddings and cushions that he likes to touch and feel. As for lighting, I bought sensory lights that he can easily switch on or off whenever he needs time to regulate his thoughts n feelings. 

For someone who sells hardware for homes, what styling advice do you have for other homeowners?  

Don’t overlook the little details!  I m a firm believer that details matter and finding the right knobs or handles can elevate your cabinetry and automatically will make your space livelier. 

Any advice you would like to share with others? 

When building a home, don’t rush things. Take some time to think about the big and small decisions.

Be mindful of what you want to bring into the home whether it’s about the flooring or the littlest things like what kind of vase should I put on the shelf.

These are things that you want to inspire you and your family all year round. Never buy first and think later or pressure yourself into buying the IT thing even though you don’t really like it. 

It’s a journey of creating, so be yourself when curating things for your home. 

What do you think of Ain’s modern house tour? Don’t forget to check out her interior styling tips on her Instagram and shop her hardware here.

The post A Contemporary Yet Modern House Tour That Caters To Everyone In The Family appeared first on That Isle Life.

Fatin, a mother-of-two, understands this concept and has nailed the modern-day minimalist theme for her home.

Just take one look at her condo and you’ll instantly feel calm and relaxed. It is reminiscent of an upscale hotel room – elegant, understated, and clutter-free.

Despite the overall minimalist vibe in her abode, there is one room that is the complete opposite – her kids’ room.

From a sage green accent wall to a mauve canopy, Fatin’s kids’ room is the only one with a splash of color.

Although the room is adorned with colorful toys, books, and wall art, there are traces of Fatin’s minimalism peeking through.

The reupholstered cream bedframe is a classic that will see her children through the years. Plus, the rattan furniture can eventually be passed down as heirloom pieces.

Although minimalism is the core theme in Fatin’s house, her home is anything but dull.

The overall space focuses on clean lines, smooth shapes, and muted color palettes – together, they allow warmth, airiness, and comfort into the space. And, I can’t think of anything more welcoming than that.

Check out Fatin’s minimalist house tour below, and follow the rest of her interior journey here.

More Home Tours:

• This Dark And Moody Home Looks And Feels Like A Five-Star Hotel Suite
• This Timeless Singaporean Apartment Has The Cutest Room For A Furry Friend
• A City Condominium Is Now An Urban Jungle That Feels Like Home

A Cozy Yet Minimalist House Tour

Name: Fatin

Location: Puchong, Selangor

Type of home: Condominium

Number of rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 utility room & 2 bathrooms

Size: 1001sqf

Years Lived In: 2 years

Rental / Owned: Owned

How would you describe your home style?  

Our home is mostly minimalist with a hint of Japandi, plus a little bit of (almost) maximalism in the kids’ room.

While the rest of the house maintains a neutral color palette like beige, grey, and black, our kids’ room has both neutral and colorful tones! It is like entering another world in their room.

What inspired your home decor?     

We love traveling and staying in different hotels. However, we have traveled less since the pandemic.

So, we incorporated the idea of coziness, cleanliness, and relaxation like we used to experience during our staycations in our own home. Imagine waking up every day in a hotel room. Don’t you like that feeling too?

But, things are different for the kids’ room. It is a mix between @kidofthevillage and @deugniet_en_co because I just couldn’t choose between one!

I tried to buy only neutral-colored toys and kids’ room decor, but children will always be children. They love colors while I love neutrals!

The best solution is to mix both themes by creating a neutral sleeping space and a colorful playing space. My daughter and I think that it is a win-win situation. We love the outcome.

Did you renovate your home?   

We did basic things to this home because we are most probably going to make it an investment property in a few years.

6 things we did to this home are vinyl flooring, invisible balcony grille, kitchen cabinets, minimalist wall paneling at our dining area, master bathroom sink counter, master bedroom sliding door, and built-in master bedroom wardrobe. Pretty straightforward, right? 

We did most of our home renovation with local contractors. They don’t have any website or social media platforms.

However, our vinyl flooring is by @alaqsacarpets and the invisible grille is by klsgrille.com.my.

We limited all these renovations within 2 months after we received the house keys.

What is your favourite element in your home?

I guess one thing that differentiates our home from others would be our minimalist wall paneling. I appreciate how random yet elegant it looks, and the way it gives our dining area a different texture. 

What is the best investment you made for your home?

The best investment would be the vinyl flooring. It instantly gives our home another look that doesn’t require us to do much with the furniture or wall paint color to make our home look cozy.

We also don’t need to have a carpet for our home because the flooring itself provides our feet with decent warmth. Plus, the floor is so much easier to clean! It is like killing two birds with one stone.

I still remember how we used to be bothered about footprints on our rental house tiles. We had to constantly wipe and mop the floor. The job doubles and triples when you have a child (or more). I can say that this type of flooring saves our sanity.

Name one regret you have about your home.

The one thing we should’ve done to our house is to install extra air conditioners in the kids’ room and the utility room. Since our house is facing west, we are blessed with a beautiful sunset, but also the scorching heat of the evening sun.

Where do you shop for furniture and home decor?      

We shopped just about anywhere for larger furniture that didn’t require us to break the bank but still offered the desired quality and design. Whereas for home decor, I personally love H&M Home, IKEA, and Shopee!

What will be your next home project?

There is one project that I haven’t shown on my page which is our laundry/pantry/mini garage area. All 3-1 in a 7×5 ft room. Does it sound exciting to you? 

Any advice you would like to share with others?     

Home takes time and that’s okay. There is no fun in going into a house that has it all.

Creating a home is a journey, and a space can change over time depending on your interest and needs.

Feel free to browse on Instagram or Pinterest for home inspirations. You will finally land on that one look you have always wanted before you know it.

What do you love most about Fatin’s minimalist house tour? Follow her journey on Instagram here.

The post A Cozy Yet Minimalist House Tour With An Unexpected Maximalist Kids Room appeared first on That Isle Life.

Why DIY?

“We decorate and style based on our needs and budget first, aesthetics second. We wish we could do both simultaneously, but we’re individuals who have to mind our spending!” Awis explained.

From designing and building their own Ikea kitchen to painting the exterior of their house, they’ve transformed their 8-year-old home many times. They even created an Instagram account four years ago to document their home improvement journey.

This creative pair shows us that you don’t need a blank canvas to work your magic. Sometimes all you need is an idea, a willing spirit, and a can of paint!

And if things don’t work out? Laugh it off and share your experience with the world anyway. Awis and Amirul are not afraid to try, make mistakes, and show their progress to others. They are as real as it gets, and I love their home more because of this!

This cozy house of five continues to be a collaborative effort between the couple. Follow their journey as they continue to work on their labor of love, Caspia Home.

More Home Tours:

• This TikTokker’s Modern Grey Apartment Is Full Of Impressive DIYs
• An Incredible Makeover of An Old Terrace House Into An Impressive All-White Home
• You Won’t Believe This Cozy Cafe At Home Is Actually A Rental!

Name: Amirul & Awis | caspiahome

Location: Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Type of home: Intermediate terrace house

Number of rooms: 4 rooms + 3 bathrooms

Size: 22×83 ft

Years Lived In: 8

Rental / Owned: Owned

How would you describe your home style? 

Honestly, we don’t really have a specific home style. While other people can easily identify their home style as transitional, industrial, farmhouse, minimalist, and whatnot, it’s rather difficult for us to do the same. This is simply because we decorate and style our house based on our needs and budget first, aesthetics second.

We wish we could do both simultaneously, but unfortunately, we’re individuals who have to mind our spending (you can call us cheapskate, haha). Nonetheless, we love experimenting with colors in our house. We’re definitely not afraid of colors. The latest paint job we had was painting our guest room plum!  We love it so much as it’s rather bold and cozy. Paint is a great way to elevate your house, especially when you don’t have a big budget for wall paneling.

What inspired your home decor? 

We’re forever thankful for Pinterest and Instagram. We love seeing other people’s houses and admiring their beauty and the owners’ touch to transform them into homes. Besides local home accounts, we follow home accounts from different parts of the world too. We learn a lot from these people—the culture, the style, the taboos, the tips, and so on. There are just so many things to be inspired and learned from!

What do you think makes your home you? 

Although we can’t point out the exact style of our house, one thing for sure is that we pretty much DIY-ed things in our home. I guess that is what makes our home ours.

Did you renovate your home?

Yes, but it was just a small renovation in 2015 that did not involve any structural changes. It happened two years after we moved in. Our original kitchen floors were ripped and replaced with herringbone floors, while the wall tiles were replaced with new tiles with a Japanese motive called Asanoha. We had new floor tiles installed in our backyard too. Also, we removed our staircase railing and put up bricks instead. The minor renovation took less than two weeks to complete.

We didn’t hire an interior designer because we had little knowledge/exposure to ID services when we first bought our home. However, with the emergence of social media, ID services have begun to establish their expertise online. Unlike us, new homeowners are so blessed as they’re so spoilt for choices and ideas!

What is your favorite element in your home?

This is a difficult question, haha. But given the current situation, we would certainly choose our balcony! We recently transformed it to be a functional space for us.

We get to chillax (we just sat on the floor before we did the makeover, haha). We get to work there at night and we even had a virtual reunion with our friends outdoors! We have a working space at home; it’s just that sometimes it is relaxing to be doing things outside, especially now that we’re stuck at home due to Covid-19. Such bliss!

What is the best investment you’ve made for your home? 

We believe that our best investment would be buying power tools! Having power tools help us to improve our house, and we’re able to create home décor pieces.

What were the DIY projects in your home?

We assembled almost all the furniture in our home, including our Ikea kitchen! We did board and batten, shiplap, and all the painting jobs (including the exterior) with our own hands. We also designed our laundry area with raised washer & dryer. Again, we did everything from scratch!

However, we would like to emphasize that while it is possible to DIY, please don’t attempt plumbing and electricity on your own. We’re fortunate that Amirul comes from an M&E background, hence why we DIY-ed these parts ourselves. But if you don’t, please leave it to the experts.

Name one regret you have about your home. 

Ah ha. This is a good question! Well, the only regret that we had was installing grills for the house! Being young-and-naïve homeowners at that time, we didn’t put much thought into it. We should’ve spent that money on the alarm system rather than spending RM5K on the grill, right? Haha. Anyway, alarm systems are getting cheaper now with all these apps, wireless systems, etc. So I guess it’s never too late. We’ll start looking into it soon. 

Where do you shop for furniture and home decor? 

We mostly shop from Ikea simply because it offers affordable home furnishings! However, we sometimes create our home décor pieces too. Just simple DIY pieces that you can find in tutorials online.

What will be your next home project?

We would like to tackle our current home office. It is situated in the upper living area that has a high ceiling. As much as we love high ceilings, we find it challenging to design such an area. We’re still looking at some ideas on how to make it functional and how to decorate it. 

Any advice you would like to share with others? 

Don’t be afraid to do, design, create or buy anything you love for your home. It could be cheap stuff, or it could be high-end pieces! You’re the one who is living in your house. You do you and be you! Never compare with others, and always be content with your home progress, no matter how small or big it is!

What do you love most about Awis and Amirul’s home? Follow their journey on Instagram for more updates!

The post This Family Home Is Filled With Cool DIY Projects That Won’t Break The Bank appeared first on That Isle Life.

As someone who loves to travel, he wanted to feel like he was stepping into a hotel room whenever he came home.

“When I first met my interior designer, I told him that I wanted something different that stood out. It did not need to have a typical “homey” feel. I wanted to feel like I’m on “vacation” all the time,” KB said.

By choosing elements like dark forest oak carpentry and paying attention to non-conventional details like lighting, KB has created a home that can easily pass off as a 5-star hotel suite.

However, KB’s home doesn’t just look fancy. Every single aspect has been well-thought-out so that it makes sense for his lifestyle.

For instance, he enjoys cooking but he doesn’t want his entire home to smell like food. His solution? Creating a hidden door to conceal the rooms. Genius!

Each area also has enough built-in cabinetry to store everyday things that aren’t suitable to be displayed. This way, KB’s home is constantly clean and sleek – just the way he likes it.

Besides that, each room feels like an extension of the next. From the entryway to the master bedroom, nothing looks out of place.

KB knows the moody interior may not appeal to everyone, but it is his adventurous and bold spirit that makes his home feel personal and completely unique.

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• This Fashion Designer’s Apartment Feels Like Paris In New York

Name: KB

Location: Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Type of home: Condominium

Number of rooms: 2+1 rooms

Size: 1010 sqft

Years Lived In: < 1 year

Rental / Owned: Owned

How would you describe your home style?

Bold, modern, and timeless. #daretobedifferent

Upon entering the unit, you will be in the main area, which is an open concept combination of the living, dining, and kitchen.

Living and Dining Area

Key highlights:

• Our main feature wall is a plastered Venetian wall. It holds a display shelf and a hanging console in dark forest oak carpentry. All of the metal works come with bronze detailing.
• As for the TV wall panel, we had the dark forest oak carpentry extend all the way from the console and display shelf to the TV console and built-in bench by the window to maintain continuity.
• The main highlight of the TV area is the full-height wall panel in black marble design combined with nyatoh timber strips and bronze trimmings.

• We also added a built-in bench by the window, which is good for reading and having my morning coffees. There is also additional storage underneath.

• Finally, we have additional wall storage behind the sofa. The built-in wall cabinets extend to the wall panel in the dining area. It also comes with a hidden door. I cook quite a lot, and I didn’t want the smell to get into the rooms. Therefore, the idea to have a hidden door to the rooms is quite brilliant. The wall cabinets come in a light grey fabric laminate finishing.

Kitchen

We used black granite for our countertops and backsplash. I love how the veins remind me of waves hitting the shore. The cabinets also have a dark forest oak finish like the living area. We incorporated grey mirror detailing in each of the areas, which is a nice finishing touch.

Home office

Our home office will be on the left once you enter the hidden door. The theme/concept for this room is slightly different from the main areas. However, the color theme still falls on the darker spectrum.

Key highlights:

• Dark Chidori pattern laminated cabinets
• Display shelves
• Black glass panel for notetaking, doodling, etc.

Powder/Laundry room

We used the same Venetian plastered walls for this room.

Master bedroom

Our master bedroom and bathroom are at the end of the corridor.

Key highlights:

• Our “floating” glass wardrobe is something you don’t see very often in homes. We wanted it to look like a boutique-style wardrobe. It is fully covered in dark tinted glass and supported by metal frames bolted from the ceiling to the floor. It also has a row of dark forest oak drawers along both sides of the wardrobe. The entire combination creates the illusion that it is “floating”. This wardrobe serves as a display cabinet for fine clothing, accessories, and shoes (at the bottom platform).

• There is also a full-height mirror on the other side of the wardrobe, with front facing LED strips to help with illumination.

• We wanted to maintain the continuity of the theme throughout the bedroom. So, we used the same dark forest oak finishing for the bed side table, which is connected to the wardrobe. It extends all the way to the bed head and the dressing table.
• The full-height bed head panel consists of a laminate that looked and felt like natural stone. We complemented it with bronze trimmings and nyatoh timber strips finishing on the side before placing it on the Venetian plastered wall.
• To add color into the bedroom, we selected a tan coloured leather bed frame as the main furniture highlight of the master bedroom.

Master bathroom

The master bathroom boasts a full-length mirror with a storage cabinet across the drywall area.

We used the same granite stone as a backsplash for the master bathroom’s vanity and the same dark forest oak finishing for the cabinets to stay consistent with the theme. There are some metal racks for display/open storage as well.

Lighting

My ID joked that my home is a light museum because of the amount and various types of lights installed in my home (respective to the size).

In addition to the basic existing lighting that comes with the home, I have LED light strips in every room, a track light system, and a couple of spotlights in the living room.

I think lighting is one of the most important things that most owners tend to overlook (or find less important) when doing a home makeover.

Lighting serves more purpose than just brightening up the home. With the right type and amount of lighting, it can transform the home into something else. Lighting highlights the important features and hides the least striking ones, creating the perfect mood and ambiance for the home.

Accent color

Besides that, we decided on bronze as an accent color. Since the overall theme is dark, we needed to have a bold color to avoid everything from looking flat.

We chose bronze over gold because gold would have stood out too much. Bronze was the perfect color to create subtle detailing to the overall dark carpentry theme.

On top of the bronze detailing, we added grey mirrors and nyatoh timber strips detailing.

What inspired your home decor? 

The inspiration comes from various sources like places that I’ve visited, hotel rooms I’ve stayed in, and photos/videos I’ve seen on the Internet/Pinterest.

But, what really drove the inspiration for the overall concept is the continuity that I wanted to achieve from the moment one enters the condo building. I wanted the design to flow from the exterior/facade of the building, through the corridors, and into my unit. I didn’t want a feeling of disconnect when stepping into my home from the main building.

Since the concept of the condo building is pretty industrial, we adopted the same industrial feel as well.

To achieve the industrial yet luxurious feel, three main elements were selected for the home – metal, wood, and glass/mirrors. All of these details are noticeable throughout the home.

While the elements above are quite common in most homes, the color selection makes it different. I prefer a darker theme, as it brings out the little details in the design.

I also did not want to have any white walls and no wallpaper, as I prefer to have a
“real” feel and touch for the elements in the home.

The continuity theme doesn’t just flow from the exterior to our unit. Our interior has the same continuous theme from room to room. The same colors and materials are adopted in almost all of the areas. As a result, the condo doesn’t have much of a “rojak” look and feel.

What do you think makes your home you?

Personally, I’ve always tried to be unique and be different. The home design reflects this sentiment as well, with the bold and #daretobedifferent concept.

Did you hire an interior designer for your home?

Yes, I got help from an ID (Msquare Creation) because managing a home renovation on your own is really difficult. To achieve the results/outcome you want requires a lot of attention to detail, which is challenging for me in terms of time and energy. Therefore, it was worth it.

I was also pretty lucky to get an ID who truly understood the sort of concept, theme, and overall look and feel that I was looking for.

The whole renovation process took about 3 months (including the MCO period) from start to finish.

What is your favorite element in your home?

Too many to choose from. For the living area, I would pick the main feature wall that runs all the way to the tv area. As for the bedroom, it’s most probably the “floating” wardrobe.
I like them because they are a one-of-a-kind design. You don’t really see them anywhere else, and I would say they are the unique signature pieces of the home.

What is the best investment you made for your home? 

Lights! I spent almost RM4,000 on a smart track light system and LED light strips for the whole unit. They are perfect for lazy people like me, as they are controllable via my
phone through an app.

The best part about it is that I can create any sort of ambient/mood lighting I want in my living area. There are a million color combinations available for me to play around with whether it’s a movie night, poker night, gathering with friends/family, dinner time, and many more.

Name one regret you have about your home.

So far no regrets. But, if I could change one thing, it would be the window area in the master
bedroom. Currently, it is only a half-height window. It would be great to change it to a full-height window just like the one in the living area. Then, I would be able to have an uninterrupted view of the whole neighborhood.

Where do you shop for furniture and home decor? 

Living

• JoyDesign Studio (Damansara Utama) – sofa, coffee tables
• Taobao – stools, cushion seats, decors

Kitchen

• Builder’s Hardware (Kepong) – Fotile appliances (oven, steamer, hood &
  hob) and granite sink & tap
• Marble Emporium (Subang) – granite countertop/backsplash

Bedroom

• Rozel (TTDI) – bedframe, mattress
• Akemi (1 Utama) – bedsheets, duvet, etc

Others

• SSF
• Hooga (Starling Mall)

Any advice you would like to share with others?

Budget

You don’t need a million dollars to make your home look like one. It’s about having the
right theme, concept, and elements. These will make any home look great.

Having said that, it would be good to have a nice budget put aside for home renovation. Bear in mind that the bigger your home is, the more space you would need to cover (in terms of renovation), and therefore a higher renovation budget is required.

That’s why you need to start thinking of the renovation budget when you purchase your property. The renovation budget is approximately about 10-20% additional of the property price.

Consistency

Another important thing is to have a consistent theme across the whole home, so it doesn’t look too “rojak”. This is a struggle for most homeowners because some couples have
conflicting ideas (or too many ideas), and we would love to have everything.

However, we need to learn to let go of some of the ideas if they do not fit well into the overall theme/concept.

Details

Details are also important. This is another aspect where most homeowners tend to overlook. While they prefer to spend most of their budget on furniture to make their home look great, imagine putting nice rims on a “kancil”. Rims would definitely look cool, but if you step back a little and look at the overall car, something’s a bit off, ain’t it?

Therefore, the biggest challenge is to balance the budget you have. I recommend spending it on details like lighting, mirrors, and details like groove lines to bring out the best parts of your home, and then complementing these details with furniture.

There are many good-looking furniture sold by local makers such as Joy Design,
Kinsen and MoreDesign. Find the ones that bring comfort without breaking the bank. If
budget is something you are really tight with, take time to replenish and furnish your home later. Some “nice-to-have” furniture can wait.

Interior designer

If you are engaging an ID, find one that you can work well with. If possible, have a look at
their previous works or projects and visit them to check the workmanship of their contractors.

While it’s nice to find the cheapest ones, oftentimes it also means cheaper material, and less
attention to detail in terms of design and consultation. Again, it’s all about balance. Find a good one that fits your budget and ideas and doesn’t cut costs on material usage.

Most importantly, trust them and try not to change their design or concept too much. You hire them to provide ideas and what is best for your home. They are not products you can compare prices with and pick the cheapest ones out of the lot.

Interior designers provide service in the form of creativity and ideas, so it’s not fair to compare them like you would with a product.

What do you love most about KB’s dark and moody condo? Follow his journey on Instagram and Facebook.

The post This Dark And Moody Home Looks And Feels Like A Five-Star Hotel Suite appeared first on That Isle Life.

“We chose a Scandi boho style for our home because the theme is all about being relaxed, easy, pure and yet completely functional,” says Humaira.

As a mother of two and a full-time employee in the financial sector, Humaira’s life took a 180° turn when the pandemic hit.

When the country announced a nationwide lockdown, she had to quickly figure out how to transform her home into a place her entire family could work from.

Initially, Humaira decided to separate everyone’s work spaces. She placed desks in her boys’ bedrooms but soon discovered they were getting distracted in their rooms!

As a result, she decided to rearrange everyone’s workspace in a common area instead; creating a more “mother-and-child-friendly” workspace. The new layout allowed her to supervise her boys with their classes and homework while focusing on her daily tasks at work.

Her condo’s open living concept enabled her to make swift and comfortable adjustments for everyone in the family.

At the end of the day, Humaira knows a home will always be a work in progress. But that’s not going to stop this supermom from making time and space for what really matters… her family.

Related to A Scandi Boho Style Condo Is The Perfect Space for This WFH Family:

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Name: My name is Humaira. You can find me on Instagram @zecozeyhomey. I wanted to name it as the cozy homey but decided to make it catchier hence ‘zecozeyhomey’ was invented.

Location: Kuala Lumpur

Type of home: Condominium

Number of rooms: 3

Size: 900sqft

Years Lived In: 2

Rental / Owned: Owned

How would you describe your home style?

Scandi boho! I’ve always loved neutrals and I find that neutrals and white furniture are easy to mix and match.

What inspired your home decor? 

Pinterest, IKEA catalogues and lots and lots of browsing on the internet platforms such as Instagram!

Tell us about your favorite room in your home.

Our living area. It’s the area that we spend most of our time in. Since it’s the main space, we are forced to spend more time together here.

Our kids spend most of their waking hours together. They do their homework in the shared space, even though they have desks in their rooms. They read books out in the common areas, next to each other.

When one of us is cooking a meal, we can chat with whoever is in the living room just a few feet away. I also love that it’s near my balcony and we can enjoy the fresh air and plants from our couch.

What is the best investment you‘ve made for your home? 

Our coffee station makeover. We are big time coffee drinkers. We thought it’ll be perfect for us to venture into coffee-making during the lockdown.

So, we bought the Delonghi coffee machine with its grinder and accessories. We also made a special corner using the IKEA FÖRHÖJA kitchen cart. Additionally, we added vertical storage using IKEA’s open shelves. It has become a very special corner in our house!

Name one thing you would like to change about your home. 

Our kitchen. We added a basic kitchen with melamine cabinets and a glass door. The contractor was appointed by the developers of our condo and they had limited designs.

Prior to moving in, I hadn’t chosen our interior style and I just wanted something inexpensive. However, I wished I’d invested more in the kitchen so that it would be more functional and would sync with the rest of our Scandi boho home.

I also wish we had custom build-in wardrobes. The current cabinets we purchased are decent and serve its purpose; but I would love to maximize the space we have with more storage in our bedrooms.

Where do you shop for furniture and home decor? 

Most of our furnitures are from IKEA and our home decor items are from Spotlight, H&M Home and Kaison.

What is your next home project?

We’re planning to update our space with a DIY board and batten wall.

Any advice you would like to share with others?

Choose an interior design that feels right for you before you purchase your furniture. Creating a mood board will help a lot!

It’s worth taking a little time to find your decorating style before you start making decisions regarding your space. That way, you’ll avoid wasting time and money on things that feel ‘wrong’ once you take them home.

What do you love most about this Scandi boho style family condo? Follow Humaira’s journey on Instagram here.

The post A Scandi Boho Style Condo Is The Perfect Space For This WFH Family appeared first on That Isle Life.

“Although Glendale is quite close to the hustle and bustle of the city, it has a very suburban feel to it. We really enjoyed the general vibe and surroundings of the area. It’s quiet, peaceful and there’s no street cleaning regulations (shhh! don’t tell anyone). An extra perk is its close proximity to Elmhurst, where most of the city’s Indonesian restaurants are located,” says Zerlina.

Born and bred in Bali, Zerlina first moved to the US to attend Berklee College of Music. That’s where she also met Matt, her husband, a Californian. Both of them subsequently pursued a career in music together in New York.

As full-time musicians, they had a few requirements for their accommodation. Their first priority? Space. Ample storage for their equipment is a must. Second, first-floor accommodation for easy loading of said equipment. Third, two separate areas for working simultaneously. Lastly, easy access to highways, since travel is a huge part of their schedules.

Thankfully, the railroad-style apartment in Glendale checked all of their boxes.

Although Zerlina still misses her home in Bali, she has finally found her footing in New York; in the railroad-style apartment in Glendale, her home away from home.

RELATED: A City Condominium Is Now An Urban Jungle That Feels Like Home

Name: Zerlina and Matt

Location: Glendale, Queens, NY

Type of home: Apartment in a multi-family home

Number of rooms: 2 beds, 1 bath

Size: Approximately 1000 sqft

Years Lived In: 2

Rental / Owned: Rental

How would you describe your home style? 

The house itself is an old, charming duplex built in the 1920s. Known as a railroad-style apartment, they were constructed to create as much living space as possible. As a result, this apartment has a narrow layout, which makes the space a little dark.

However, we noticed that the owner had done some minor renovations when we viewed the apartment. The most impactful change was opening up the walls in the main living quarters; giving it a more modern touch and ultimately making the home feel much more airy and bright.

I really enjoy minimalist silhouettes but I’m also always drawn to rustic elements. I think this provides a nice balance between keeping it simple but also straying away from feeling too ‘sterile’.

What inspired your home decor? 

We are both professional musicians so our love for music and the arts inspired our vision for the apartment decor. For instance, one large painting we already had fit perfectly on the wall in our new dining room. We then matched the dining table and area rug to that aesthetic.

Being musicians, we are constantly surrounded by all kinds of other artists.  Matt has collected some large paintings from some of his friends in the visual arts, reciprocating their support for him in his musical journey. Most of the artists are from Montana, where Matt lived for many years.

Since we’re not sure how long we’d be living in the space, my husband and I wanted to keep it simple and functional. Most of our furnishings came from our previous apartment, so we only brought in a few new purchases as needed.

Did you renovate your home?

We didn’t do anything major but we did add a few little things around the house to make it more functional. For example, putting up shelves to maximize vertical storage space (even to fit a couple surfboards!) and replacing the kitchen’s faucet to make cleaning up easier since we spend a lot of time cooking for ourselves.

What is your favourite element in your home?

I really like all aspects of our home but if I have to pick just one, it would have to be the living room. The windows let in so much light during the day, which attracted me to this apartment in the first place.

It’s also why I put most of my tropical plants in this room. I think this element makes the room feel extra special! I love my plants because, well… they’re gorgeous and they remind me of Bali where I’m from. Additionally, I enjoy nurturing them and seeing them grow. With the urban environment surrounding us in the city, it’s really nice to have some nature inside the home.

We managed to create such a cozy atmosphere and I’m always looking forward to winding down with the hubby, relaxing on the couch after a long day at work, perhaps with a glass of Cab?

What is the best investment you’ve made for your home? 

The couch. The proof is in the pudding. We spend so much time on it!

Name one thing you would like to change about your home. 

The one downside of the apartment is a common struggle for a lot of people living in New York City. The absence of a washer and dryer makes what seems like such a simple task really painful!

Where do you shop for furniture and home decor? 

Most of our stuff is from IKEA or Target. Our couch is from Bob’s Furniture. We specifically made an effort to repurpose our old furniture or buy second hand furniture as much as we could. For this we would usually scour through Craigslist. Good for the planet and the wallet too!

We turned an old shelf unit where Matt used to store his clothing in his old apartment into a floating bar.

What is your next home project?

Matt made a few DIY acoustic panels for our home studio. We’re planning on making more of those once the weather warms up this Spring.

Do you have any rental-friendly decor tips? 

Living in New York City, you’re always trying to maximize the space that you have.  Stand alone shelving and storage is essential. They’re functional, but also can be used to display knick knacks and plants. We laid down large area rugs as well to protect the floor and give the space a warm and inviting vibe. Also, PLANTS PLANTS PLANTS!!

Any advice you would like to share with others?

If you live in NYC, always look for gems on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and @stoopingnyc on Instagram. You’ll be surprised to see what people give up for free on the streets of NYC!

What do you love most about this bright tropical railroad-style apartment? Follow Zerlina’s journey on Instagram here and here, Facebook and Spotify. Follow Matt’s journey here.

The post This Railroad-Style Apartment In NYC Is Now A Bright Tropical Home appeared first on That Isle Life.