Music video by Reba McEntire performing If You See Him, If You See Her. (C) 1998 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

Music video by Carrie Underwood performing Don’t Forget To Remember Me. (C) 2005 19 Recordings Limited

Music video by Billy Currington performing Walk A Little Straighter. (C) 2002 Mercury Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

Now, I spend my time at the hill where my uncle lives, underneath a clearing of
pecan trees. Those trees are where we all gather ’round in the summertime to
party and barbecue, so music is a constant. One of the regulars, my good friend
Brad, often blasts music from his truck, mostly old country kings like Willie
and Hank, Jr. and Merle, but one day he brought a new one out on us. It was Eric
Church’s Carolina; Brad had bought the song for its breakout single, the party
anthem, “Smoke a Little Smoke”, which he would literally put on repeat and
listen to it seven times in a row.

The album went far beyond my expectations of silly CMT fluff, though the slick
production reeked of Nashville. It’s actually not awful, comparatively. “Smoke a
Little Smoke” is a rockin’ hit, full of reckless abandon and full of a yearn for
freedom. For me, though, the real shocker was the introspective love ballad,
“You Make It Look So Easy”. In the modern realm of CMT love ballads full of
banal lyrics with the word “love” sprinkled here and there, this song stands
out. It’s deeply self-searching, and one of the most poignant ballads Country
has seen in ages.

Honestly, in the pantheon of country music legends, Eric Church doesn’t really
stack up. What matters about his album, Carolina, is that it’s the first piece
of real, personal and revealing songwriting that has graced Nashville in an
interminable amount of time. It’s truly worth a listen, if just for the breath
of fresh air.
Icehouse Wong

for a beautiful post about our Spring Summer 2011 Home Collection.

xx

C&R

for a beautiful post about our Spring Summer 2011 Home Collection.

xx

C&R

Dining in a beautiful, elegant, cozy, comfy dining room is always more pleasant than in a bland, insignificant, uninviting space.  Ambiance and atmosphere set the tone for the entire evening.  Of course a great meal doesn’t hurt either, but a great atmosphere can even make an unpleasant meal more tolerable! 

Everyone has their own perception of beauty and comfort.  When you think of the atmosphere you like in a dining room – what style would that be?

  Do you like color, do you like clutter?  Do you like monochromatic, modern lines?  Or traditional styles with lots of curves?  Maybe edgy and off-the-cuff?   So many beautiful styles to choose from!  It’s time to create some atmosphere in your own home and enjoy entertaining family and friends in style.   Don’t settle for boring and insignificant!  Check out these photos of some amazing dining rooms and see if you can define your style.

A modern traditional look.  The wall color compliments the chairs and the clean lines of the furniture bring a subtle elegance.  The soft rug adds warmth and personality without overwhelming the space.

The clean embossed white dining chairs look absolutely fabulous with the rustic table.  The palm trees in the corner add warmth, texture and interest.  Very cool!

For the modern yet eclectic, and maybe a bit funkier folks….look how sleek and classic this dining room looks.  I love it. 

Hip, modern vibe with the teal chairs, drum light fixture and Pottery “Barnesque” table.

Classic, traditional space with a bit of modern twist. Notice how the mirror enlarges the space?  Great way to give the illusion of a much larger area than it really is.   With the tile floor and no area rug it gives an otherwise traditional dining room a more contemporary vibe.

Very timeless and traditional.  The round table with a draping cloth, traditional chairs and accessories – always a great look.  Simple, straight panels on the window – again timeless.  By the way notice the color of the walls in the next room?  Don’t be afraid to transition to color.

Black, white and chrome.  Modern, edgy, and incredibly elegant! 

They’ve created a cozy sitting room here that can easily transition into a dining room by pulling up the settee and extra chair.  Great idea and great look.  The zebra rug throws a really fun twist to an otherwise serious space.  Love the wall in the background.  It brings tons of personality and interest that a simple painted wall could not.  Great space!

Over the top, opulent and not for everyone, but for that funky, edgy, “showy” homeowner who’s all about grandeur……it screams perfection.  Notice what pop the lavender chairs create in an otherwise black and white space?  A little color goes a long way in a space like this.  If the over-the-top furniture isn’t your “thing”, maybe the one thing you can take away from this picture for inspiration is the overall black and white décor with a fun pop of color in the chairs.  Just tone down the grandiose style of furniture with simpler lines, but keep the color scheme the same.

Cozy – urban meets country – dining.  Perfect for the no frills, casual homeowner.  Great for a very relaxed, friendly dinner party or everyday dining.

Classic urban space.  Love the white chairs and lighting against the dark wood.  Classic, elegant…..perfect for “fine” dining.

Sleek, modern.  For those who love a modern edge these white chairs and sideboard paired with the bright red table and accessories possess true Hollywood glam.  Does this reflect your style?  Go for it and wow your guests!

This space is contemporary, but casual.  Sort of a modern country style with the daisies.  Love the all white space with the splash of yellow.  Bright, charming and fun.

And last, but not least – a traditional, French dining room.  For those of you who prefer a formal, almost regal European space here’s a look you might like.  The colorful rug pulls the blue and white chinoiserie fabric on the chairs with the gold silk drapes and gives it that “Old European” look.  Europeans are famous for combining a multitude of colors and patterns for an interesting, very “lived in” space.  It reflects the tradition of old where rugs and furniture were handed down through the generations so that a home was filled with pieces from different homes and family members.  It creates a uniquely warm, inviting , “European” atmosphere.

So did any of these pictures help you to determine your likes and dislikes?  If so, it’s time to create your own dynamic dining room!  Define your style and soon dine in style with your family and friends. 

Happy Decorating!!

Here’s how I can best explain it: It’s kind of a mix of something modern, fresh, and crisp and clean, lots of woods, lots of whites and creams- meets flea market chic. There are a lot of neutral and earthy tones, with splashes of accent colors that are easily interchangeable based on season or mood. It’s very Pottery Barn- esque. It’s also that kind of country style that has real wood floors, and old woodwork, (either natural, dark stained, or painted white), pretty wallpapers, brass fixtures, claw foot bathtubs, white tile floors and walls in the bathroom and high ceilings. It’s also flea market and antique style, with beat up wood pieces that never seem to wear out, quilts, wrought iron accent pieces, and large old signs as wall art . Think organic, re purposed materials mixed with new design elements that will never go out of style weather your home is 10 or 100 years old. It’s a seamless mix of the old and the new. That’s what I think of with “Modern Country.”

I’ve read one site (design kitchen ideas . com) that refers to it as “a simple idea that uses  textures, organic finishes and classic shapes to define the design. It is about using the traditional materials in a modern way, without all the embellishments and extra details that create clutter in a room. It takes a cue from European country elements of plain stone work surfaces, wood floors and classic finishes and paint colors. There is lack of clutter and ornamentation and you feel like every element has a purpose for being in the room, not just for decoration.” And I couldn’t agree more.

Here are some pictures that I’ve found that are very “Modern Country”, and have a look that will never go out of style.

A beautiful and timeless kitchen with wood floors, crisp white walls, and baby blue backsplash tiles. You can’t tell if this is a new home, or antique farmhouse. Or hey, maybe it’s an update in an antique farmhouse.

This tiny kitchen is very updated with it’s stainless steel appliances and cabinet hardware, crisp white paint, and accessories, while being old fashioned with it’s wood floors, flea market style rug, and cabinet doors with glass panels with grills. I can’t recall where I found this fabulous photo, but I’ve pinned it to my Pinterest Board full of great kitchen ideas.

Whites, woods, antiques, and a large sunny window. Perfect.

An adorable little Pottery Barn office. It’s got the white, neutral tones, and the wicker and baskets for that touch of country.

This Pottery Barn bedroom is the perfect example of Modern Country. It has the old style of the wood floors, the wood bed, and little wood flea market style pieces in the room like the stool at the end of the bed for books, and the quilt.

This clean white look is a great example from Notebookmagazine.com. White walls, white furnishings, and old pieces like the “Open” sign and the ottoman.

This one looks almost Victorian with the chandelier and the ceiling high cabinets, with their glass doors, but I LOVE the Victorian era, just simplified. Like this. Via SanFranciscoChic.com

If I woke up tomorrow to find fresh coffee brewing. and muffins in the oven, I’d think I had died and gone to heaven. Or I’ve been the victim of some kind of science fiction movie. The stainless steel, wood floors, white tile backsplash, blue accents and crown molding make this kitchen from Traditional Home Magazine a dream.

That’s it for now, I hope I gave you a better idea of what Modern Country is. Happy Decorating!

Again, in honor of National Kitchen and Bath Month I’m focusing on the bathroom today.  The master bath is another extremely important space in the house in terms of re-sell.  Why not make it beautiful and enjoyable while you are living there and add value to home for re-sell as well?  Remember to define your style and pay careful attention to detail.  It’s the details that make the difference.  Take a look at some of the interesting bathroom idea’s from House Beautiful. 

 If you are contemporary something like this might make you sigh with a happy smile.  Would you like to soak in this fabulous tub?

Do you have a bent towards the rustic?  Or unusual?  Do you like a conversation piece to wow your guests?  What about this unconventional rustic bathroom?

Or are you more opulent?  You like the glitz, glamour and bling.  Maybe this Opulent French bathroom is something you’d like to see yourself in.

Would a traditional bathroom lure you in for a dreamy bath?  Maybe you’d prefer a more traditional look, but with a bit of a twist.  The addition of the black floor, black granite and bold stripes give this bathroom a modern traditional vibe.

Do you prefer a modern twist on a country style?  Perhaps this modern country spa like retreat appeals to you. 

If you tend to like minimal clutter and the modern flair you might be most comfortable in this eclectic modern space.

The wallpaper and country accents in this charming space may be just what you’re after.  If so you lean towards classic country.

                                                                                       Images by House Beautiful

Whatever your style you can make it happen in your home.  This is another area where hiring a professional would be a very good idea.  They are skilled at coming up with a polished plan, and paying careful attention to the details that will accentuate and define your style.  So give that idea some serious thought before you begin.

Have fun and happy decorating!

Since October is National Kitchen and Bath Month I’m going to largely concentrate on these specific areas of your home for the next few weeks.  I will continue to blog about other things and other areas, too, but in honor of  NKABM  I will focus each week on these very important, personal spaces in particular.  Hopefully this month’s focus will give you some wonderful ideas for the kitchen and baths in your own home.  Today I want to concentrate on the kitchen.  The kitchen is probably the most important, most frequently used space in the home so giving careful attention to detail here is highly recommended.  This is not the place to skimp.  Not only is a grand, interesting, charming kitchen great for gathering with family and friends it is also an extremely important space to consider if you decide to put your house on the market. Whether you are a cook or not everyone wants a fabulous kitchen!

 Take a look at this fabulous kitchen with the incredible blue and white wall and barrel ceiling.  Consider all the interesting details here that make this such a warm, inviting space.  Notice all the textures and mix of colors?  The terra-cotta tiles, the iron stools, the stained island, the white cabinets.  All this mixing and matching is what gives this kitchen its charm.  It’s important to remember this for your own space.

How about this charming kitchen with its soft blues and whites and hardwood floors?  Notice the country charm with the farm table look for the bar and all the little country bar stools.  How cute is that?  The distressed white washed cabinets framed in the blue look wonderful as well as the glass front cabinets and row of pendant lighting.  Great look!

Okay, now…..talk about creative and cozy!  Check out the unique details in this space.  The shaped tiles on the floor, the interesting island, the busy, colorful backsplash, the soft green cabinets.  And, of course that amazing ceiling!  Wonderful, warm, unique and inviting.

This interesting, eclectic kitchen has a multitude of unusual elements.  The rather simple cabinetry and rustic island paired with the rather ornate, colorful backsplash.  The somewhat modern looking barstool with the country details on the island and simple pot rack hanging above gives the space character.  And the diagonal wood and marble floor lend a fun, unexpected twist.

This wonderful kitchen is ultra charming with it’s French flair.  The large space with it’s incredible vent-a-hood, huge urn filled with flowers and unique island exudes interest, warmth and charm.  Again, take notice of all the textures they’ve used in this space….the iron, the tin hood, the hardwood floors, etc.  All of these elements evoke charm, charm and more charm. 

I think this brown and white kitchen is a vibrant, fun, “happy” space.  I love the checkerboard floor turned on a diagonal.  The chocolate walls with the stark white cabinets are hip and “happening!” and give a country kitchen a very modern, updated vibe.  Notice the backs of the chairs are monogrammed and the brown banding with the simple white shades give the windows punch. 

This eclectic space combines country charm with modern elements.  The wood floors, the distressed, rustic cabinetry and country table paired with the modern chairs is the perfect blend of the two distinctly different styles.  The clean, bare windows give off a modern vibe and the rustic lighting helps anchor the space’s modern country atmosphere.

If you are in the market or mood to re-model or enhance your kitchen take careful time to consider what “style” and colors you would like to see in your home.  Take the time to peruse magazines and books (and my blog!) and compile all your pictures and notes in your decorating file.  I suggest calling a professional for help with this tricky space as it can be a bit challenging.  Be brave and daring and don’t hold back.  Make this space as detailed, interesting, charming and creative as you can afford for it to be.  You and your family and friends will enjoy it for years to come and when it’s time to sell you have a wonderful, inviting focal point and great selling feature for your home. 

Images by House Beautiful

Happy Decorating!

I remember when I was small, my Abah took me for a drive one day. It was longer than usual as by the time we got back home, it was already dark. My mom asked where did we go and I answered her that we just went to Raub town. (Raub, as I have blogged before is a small town, like Peyton Place). I told her how we saw the elephants, tigers, deers and we even had burgers for dinner.

My mom looked at me in a weird way. Raubians had certainly find eating burger a luxury. So certainly the trip wasnt just to Raub town…we actually went to Kuala Lumpur instead!

The road we took was long, winding and rough. The bends were rather nasty especially when you travel between Raub to Bentong. There was hardly any rest stops for my dad to fill in petrol for the car or buy some refreshments if we got tired. Street lights were scarce as well. The car had no airconditioning and it can get really stuffy inside.

TV channels if I could recall clearly was rather limited to TV1 and TV2. In black and white. The broadcasting would start at 6.00 pm daily and ends at 12.00 midnight. My mom would iron my blouses using a heavy cast bronze iron filled with burning coals. A bowl of starch sat next to her. The house was illuminated using a few strategically placed hurricane lamps that I helped my dad to pump before Maghrib time. Sometimes we use candles too.

I would help my mom with her cooking in the kitchen. We used this kerosene two-burner stove that I found troublesome and tricky. I hated the kerosene smell too. Cooking was slow and we had to plan carefully if we want to eat early.

All these were way back in the 1970′s when life was certainly different back then.

My daughter finds all these stories amusing. She now travels to her college by taxi that she calls using her mobile phone. We have a 42″ flat screen tv that runs channels 24/7. In full colour. Food is no issue. In KL, all you need to do is to think what you want to eat and you can almost get in here. Almost 24/7 too especially when there are so many eateries in the hotels that dot Klang Valley serving every imaginable dish you want. All you need is money.

Travelling is so comfortable now that all major highways that connect every major cities and towns in the peninsular are well connected via 4 lanes highways. R&R’s are built along these highways with complete one-stop services that you would never feel lonely even when driving at night.

Every imaginable businesses sprouted to tap into the ever growing and demanding need of an expanding nation. You will see every imaginable nationalities in the business districts of the major cities. Cars of various makers, big and small. Mom and pop shops growing along with global MNC’s.

Yes, Malaysia may be now a modern country with all the modern structures and platforms but have we really move forward with the times? Have we changed our mindset and prepare ourselves for these changes?

We are still bickering about what details go into our Mykad. There are still people who live below the poverty line, children who have never seen the gates of schools, teenagers who thinks that “lepaking” is a great way to spend your free time.

There are those who could recite all the lyrics of famous bands but yet cant even remember the basic “rukun negara” (the National principals) and how many stripes are there on Malaysia’s flag. Do they even know that the flag has a name?

So, the question is – tomorrow our nation will celebrate her 52nd independance day but are we truly independant?

Selamat Hari Merdeka, my Malaysia!

The reviewer, Mike Miller, unfortunately  spends his first two paragraphs trashing Hank Jr. which is his right but it just didn’t fit into this review. However Miller is well within the bounds of fair comment when he compares the power of these Hank Williams’ performances to modern country which he says: “strips away all sincerity, packaging it in an embarrassing ensemble consisting of cowboy boots and a 10-gallon hat. Listening to Hank Williams today is bittersweet.”

He goes on to say, “His voice has never sounded clearer, his guitar never more cutting and he has never come across so tragically human.”

Finally, before taking a few more shots at modern country, he says, “Williams and his band the Drifting Cowboys made undeniably beautiful music: His voice sounds the way a broken heart feels; listening to Don Helms’ steel guitar is like watching your father cry.”

This a fairly short review with a few reader comments on the end about the writer’s strong opinions of Hank Jr. and modern country.  It’s here.