HoMe DeCoR 4: Ep 5 HaRLEm UrBaNism 哈林都市情怀
Told you already..this season we have the weirdest topics..So..Harlem Urbanism..rings a bell? well, after much research on this topic(goggling..library etc…), i derived at this definition: A style of decor that echoes deeply the roots of african american..colour used are mainly earth tones (reminiscience of the vastland of africa)..tribal artifects..animals prints..wood furnitures..tradional art of hand woven things… a touch of jazz and hip hop blink blink…post modern touch with a tinge of old hollywood opulence..touch of manhattan style with global theme..Hmmm..very much a handul.With that in mind, our team carefully selected all the furnitures and accessories to bring out the essence of Harlem Urbanism..
Here comes the before pictures:)
We got ourselves a four room flat again..and this time round, it comes with a pink wall and a dining area that seemed odd in place..also, the ceiling fan poses as a main concern..
Other than that, the store room door is a bit of an eye sore..
This time round, as the space is not very big, we have to think of ways to let this living room feels roomy and not crowded..and with the size of the kitchen being that small, it is only right for us to create a dinning area instead of taking a short cut of doing away with it..and thus, we created this:)
As i have mentioned earlier, the store room door needs a real makeover..and thus, i applied one of the essence of Harlem urbanism decor, which is the art of hand woven pattern, onto this door.To weave this pattern onto this door is no easy feat..finally adhering it to the frame with 3M spray adhesive, we completed this DIM item with pride:)
To create the illusion of space in this living room, we selected a glass top round table with acrilyic chairs..if u were to look carefully at the chairs, its shape takes after the curves of manhattan style chairs ,fullfilling the criteria of old hollywood opulence…
If you set out to do something, you have to give it the complete treatment..In order to let it all gel together, we have to laminate the main door as well.we also got this jazz inspired Hat Light to light up the dinning area:)Bronzy metals are part of the essence of today’s topic and i translate it directly to the bronze framed mirror that we D.I.M.
This tv console in this raw wood colour defines the natural wood grain that is essential in today’s topic..And the lamp we have chosen with it’s crytal like balls are the blink blink that is so blatant in african american culture..
This velvet black sofa in its unique shape suggests the hip hop culture and the animal prints cushion covers fulfills the criteria of having animal prints in this design..The african masks on the walls is a reminder of the roots of their culture..
And last but not least, the colours that we have adopted for the walls are of natural earthy tones..again..fulfilling the criteria of this design..
Even though we crafted this home with strict accordance to the theme, the judges went the other way..
Nevertheless, i would like to thank the couple for their wonderful involvement in this project and thank you for allowing us to painsaking weave the woodskin onto your door…it was an effort of grit and love…
till the next epi,
Goodbyes……….
on January 5th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Hi Bryan, I am a fan of Home Decor. I should be getting my new house this year. Would appreciate if I could know if you have a designing firm on your own? Would be very keen to have some advice from you
on January 5th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
i like the weavings and the details you put into every piece of DIM
Nice effort overall
on January 5th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
bryan, me thinks your DIM all very innovative, well done!
and really admire that u did ur homework, the lecture on what the theme is all about was impressive!
i feel it’s really unfair that the other team could just get professionals to come install mirror and this and that lor
but i think viewers’ eyes are snow-bright one, or no need to be that bright oso can tell obviously who should have won la
on January 5th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Dear Bryan, Love the weavings u did, may i know wat material is that and where can i get it from? Sad to say tis episode not won by u, but nevertheless still looking forward to the next episode
on January 5th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
really like the hat light very much. possible to say where to buy it from? thanks!
or email me and tell me also can hahaha
on January 5th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
dear hunbun, u can find it at vlux ,a lighting shop along geylang road..
on January 5th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
dear d@p, its woodskin and u shld be able to get it from..hmm..woodshops in the industrial park areas..
on January 6th, 2010 at 12:43 am
Hi Bryan,
I dun normally post comments, but i have been surfing your website for the entire day today, and i muz say i am v impressed by your talents. Not only you have good looks, but also possessed great drawing skills as well as a kind and humble heart. They say those with lots of merit will gain intelligence and wisdom. I certainly see that in you.
My boyfriend and I are always v impressed with your creativity. The weaving designs are really interesting.. However, in my little opinion, i feel that the black sofa and the wooden chair and wooden tv console doesnt seem to blend well. I admit the theme is quite hard to do. Black velvet and wood is always hard to put together. The wooden chair has a too much retro feel to it, and the tv consol is a little bland. But other then that, your creativity is really professional level. And i really dig your designing ideas. I know that season 3 have 16 eps, but your blog only have 7. Do you have any idea where i can get the rest? I cant seem to find them anywhere on the net. Am looking forward to having new ideas for my new flat. And you are a great inspiration to me. Really. Hope you dun mind my 2 cents worth.
Cheerios to making ppl happy around you, I am sure you have lighted up the lives of dozens. Never be disheartened if there is a single soul you can comfort with words, with gifts or simply your presence.
Great job on everything and keep it up!! ; )
on January 6th, 2010 at 12:46 am
Hi Bryan,
Awesome transformation! Though success is not yours in this episode but more importantly keep going, keep perfecting and keep up the good job!
on January 6th, 2010 at 1:42 am
i love your design very much. great job.
however i feel tht you could hv played with the colours of the wall to bring out the “urban” feel of it. i think there’s a little too much tribal colours overall. the solid teak wood chair is also in my opinion a bit out of the place. it looks more like 60s and why did you choose the buddha head as the accompanying ornament? it would be better if u hv chosen one of those african tiki statue.
saw the trailer for next episode. can’t wait to see it…
on January 6th, 2010 at 2:11 am
Dear Bryan,
very impressed with your wooden woven creations. Hubby and I are now very tempted to DIY our outdated cabinets. Are the woodskin materials expensive? So sad your team didn’t win. My two sons, aged 10 and 6 are your ardent supporters. Needless to say, they went to bed sulking today. Gambatte!
on January 6th, 2010 at 3:22 am
I totally agreed w the hse owner abt wat he mentioned aft the result and it’s exactly wat i posted in ur blog b4: furnitures can be bought back to the hse but the concepts, ideas, memories and all the DIM are priceless.
on January 6th, 2010 at 9:12 am
luv ur DIM door to bits!
well done~ ^^
on January 6th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Hi Bryan,
The transformation is AMAZING! You’ve WOWed us once again! The little details you put in your DIY is most worthy to watch.
on January 6th, 2010 at 9:56 am
From your designs, one can tell you spent much effort on conceptualising and implementating of your ideas. And also, every detail is not spared, being a perfectionist you are.
Well done! You might not win for all episodes, but no one would deny the fact that you are extremely talented and creative.
By the way, I think you should have more judges. 3 judges sometimes not very zhiun leh.
on January 6th, 2010 at 11:13 am
never heard of harlem urbanism…I hear Harlem and I think of the Harlem Globetrotters hehehehe….I liked the weave pattern you did on the store room door and the frames for the masks…might just “borrow” your idea and make place mats or maybe runners using different materials. Have a question, what did you use to make the frame for the mirror…I didn’t catch that bit as my level of Chinese is only like 50/50 (Singaporean Ang Moh mah)
on January 6th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Hi Bryan.
Don’t be discourage. In my opinion you are still the winner. I really love the weaving on the door, the way you frame the mask and the hat light. Esp the weaving – it is brilliant.
But I like the mirror frame you made in Ep 1 than this bronze one.
BTW, I also like to DIY for my home improvement. May I know where do you buy those plywood, wood trimming, wood frame from? Do they ell in small quantity?
You may email me if you do not want to publicise their name and addres here.
Oh yeah, where to buy those “string” curtain for door way? – i.e. those curtain made up of many black strings / wool thread.
All the best to you.
Kelvin
on January 6th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
i honestly think that the competition should be 5-0 now
love all your DIM stuff and the sense for choosing the furniture, for me ur design not only stunning, i can feel the story behind ur design, so beautiful.
and i totally agree what the owner said
the idea that come from you, is priceless.
on January 6th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Hi Bryan, I like the weave door panel very much. I like the texture it created. I would definitely try this out with my new home…..
Maybe you should document your DIM in your website for our future references! Such beautiful works should not go to a waste.
on January 6th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Your DIY is getting more n more interesting. GOOD!!!
on January 6th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Dear Bryan, i also feel really unfair for yesterday bai jia le cos Guo huang had professional to help him to installed the mirror, and i was nearly fainted when i saw he DIY the kitchen glass door cos the colour really looked horrible lor. I m so disppointed w the result but i really like ur design esp all the DIY. U r always the winner, jia you!!!
on January 6th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
哇！那扇门也太酷了吧……
不一样设计
简洁又抢眼
on January 8th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Hiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa BRYAN!!! What can i say? That DIM woven door is a masterpiece! Super love the 2nd pic of the glass table & acrilyic chairs with the woven door as the background!! You made this small living/dinning room so pretty and cosy… I’d definitely like living in it!
This epi’s topic didn’t ring a bell at all except that it makes me think of Harlem Yu – 庾澄慶~
on January 10th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Your D.I.Y creation is very special and unique in every episode!!
on January 10th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Love your work, can’t believe that you lost this round! Feel so unfair for you and the couple specially when the other team did not even do much and still win!!
UNFAIR!!!
on January 11th, 2010 at 12:13 am
我如果生活的新加坡就可以报名这种节目活动，真正领略到Bryan哥这方面的才华了。。
忽然想到，新加坡的房价很贵吗？？因为中国国内的房价也涨得让人买不起的地步了。。
人人都成“房奴”了。。最近没进来问候禄江哥，请原谅哈。呵呵！
裴涵 留言
on January 11th, 2010 at 12:18 am
看你们永远都是短袖，我这边冷死了。。。我们是中国的南方，还不像北方，家家户户都有暖气，我们都没有暖气，所以家里和室外的温差都差不多，都很冷。。
on January 14th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Hi Bryan,
I am your fan for Hone Decor series.
You always have great DIY ideas.
In your HaRLEm UrBaNism, you have did a DIY storeroom door for the contestant.
We liked the idea. However, we have problem to purchase the laminate sheet.
Could you help to advise the store where we can get the 3M spray glue and the laminate sheet. Thanks so much.
on January 14th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
dear anne..go to wellwin tropical produce..add to be found at the end of recent posting
on January 15th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Thanks Bryan.
I managed to find it and hope to be successful with the DIM…
on January 15th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
thanks for da reply, yeah moi know where that shop is
on January 16th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
hey bryan!
can you give me the website of the craft course which you introduced on the new city beat show last night?(16jan)
on January 18th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Dear Bryan,
My mum and I are always amazed by your creativity! May I know where can the TV console from the Harlem Urbanism be found? It’s simple and sleek and very much what I’m looking for!
on February 9th, 2010 at 12:26 am
Hi Bryan
Enjoyed watching your home decor show, ok it’s not actually yours, as you share airtime with Mark. I am going to be really presumptous here, and ask for help, as I love your sense of style. Can you tell me the best places to buy minimalist furniture that won’t cost me an arm and leg? I am looking for a bench that should sit under my window and a low tv bench/display bench/table that should be under 1 metre wide. hope you have time to reply. thanks!
on June 5th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Hi Bryan,
I love your tastefully interior design. I love the ‘smiling face’ painting which you painted for the Minimal art house concept. Is there the a website where I can find the same picture. So I follow to paint too..hope u don’t mind. Many thanks. Jacqueline
on September 7th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Hey Bryan
Very nice design indeed. You are full of creativity. By the way, may I find out where you get the TV console?