As a result, each household emits obscene amounts of Carbon Dioxide into our environment per year, consume even more obscene amounts of energy as TV culture is unlikely to die down, more so now with internet TV!

And if disposed incorrectly, these large chunks of metal go back into our earth with all the toxins they came with while being manufactured.

(Pic from stylehive.com)

We may not be able to let our TVs go, but GOOD NEWS – there are ways to lessen their harm on mother earth! Found a really useful article from Digitaladvisor.com, article here.

1. Opt for LED backlighting:

“Compared to fluorescent-based LCDs and plasmas, LED-backlit LCD sets are not only more energy efficient, efficient, but also free of mercury, a highly toxic metal that often leaches into the ground when TVs are disposed of improperly. LED TVs also tend to have a more vibrant picture, and can be obscenely thin — just a few millimeters in some of the flashiest models. These forward-thinking sets, of course, are more expensive inch for inch than their counterparts, but are easier on the environment and cheaper to operate in the long-run as well.” (Digitaladvisor.com)

2. When shopping, look for an ENERGY STAR sticker:

“…the newest Energy Star standards (version 4.0) will take effect on May 1, 2010, so any TV with a new sticker on it after that date will be really efficient — at least 45% more efficient than version 3.0 called for. ” (Digitaladvisor.com)

“Energy Star (trademarked ENERGY STAR) is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States of America… Devices carrying the Energy Star service mark, such as computer products and peripherals, kitchen appliances, buildings and other products, generally use 20%–30% less energy than required by federal standards.” (Wikipedia)

If you can’t see an Energy Star sticker, look for some kind of eco-label eg. Europe also has an eco-label – that of a flower stalk with the euro symbol surrounded with stars of the EU on top.

Here’s a whole bunch of eco-labels in Asia (not just for TV).

3. Go on the net and compare specs from your favorite desired sets:

Some TVs turn off completely when you’re not around, saving you even more energy and making you feel less guilty.

Cnet compared the power consumption and special features of a few super tvs. This was written in 2010, but it should still give you some kind of indication on what to look out for. Check out the chart here.

(Pic from homefurnituremag.com)

On the other hand, if you just want to make your current TV more environmentally friendly, it’s easier than you think:

4. Unplug your tv from the wall when switched off. If you don’t, the TV will still suck power, and that’s power you can save!

5. Calibrate your TV and turn the backlight down:

“Default settings usually have the backlight cranked way up so the display really pops on the retailer’s showroom floor, but most viewers never bother to calibrate the settings for the more subdued light of their living room. If your eyes hurt after 15 minutes of watching, it’s probably time to turn down the the backlight anyway” (Digitaladvisor.com)

(Pic from modernarchitectureconcept.com )

If a few simple steps can lead us to a more guilt-free TV viewing experience, why not right?

I’m heading to the couch to watch me some quality tv now. Hope these tips helped. And if you have some tips of your own, we’d love to hear from you! Comment Away!

This is one truly inspiring piece of work!

The house in Bangsar’s Terasek area was designed by JTJ Design, namely designers Jo England, Tony Heneberry and Jessica Lim.

As you can see, they stripped it down to its bare frames.

Photo credit: homedsgn.com

And this is the result from the exterior…

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

There’s a walkway just behind the unassuming industrial-meets-nature facade…

Photo credit: danielzain.com

A beautiful door!

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

I love the tranquility this area affords you. Closing the heavy wooden door behind you, it’s as though you’re shutting out the rest of the world and entering your sanctuary. Bliss!

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

Upon entering the house, there’s the cosy but still rather stark sunken entertainment area.

This sunken area no doubt takes inspiration from ‘conversation pits’ that were all the rage last year. But from here, the ID concept is already evident, with use of steel, wood, and (soon you’ll see) concrete.

Photo credit: danielzain.com

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

LOVE the wire mesh bookshelves that extend all the way up to the ceiling. Firstly, it connects the downstairs area to the upstairs where the mesh bookshelves evokes the same airy-ness as the perforated stairs. But more on that later.

It also accentuates how high the ceilings are and lends to the airy-ness of the space. That plant in the corner is so needed to soften the look of this space though.  Although there’s heaps of wood, there’s barely any colour to this space. The house is not that new anymore though, perhaps the owners have furnished the walls with some nice art pieces.

Go up the stairs and you’ll land in my favourite level of the house…

This is where the living happens!

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

The designers stripped off the ceiling – look how airy this space is!

Photo credit: blog.gessato.com

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

Look up and you’ll see the exposed concrete beam and brick wall.

Also loving on the coffee table that’s used to hold the plant here… there’s an identical one downstairs at the sunken area, and another one just behind that grey sofa set.

Look at the castors that the coffee table is on. This is also attached to the legs of this ultra unique, and definitely customised, dining table, which I love, love, love!

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

The kitchen also oozes personality with concrete and steel beams overhead, and exposed grey brick wall with its (lack of) backsplash over the stove.

While the side of me that loves pretty things went “ooooohh nice”, the other naggy housewife side can only wish the best to the owners at their attempts to clean that up everytime after cooking! tee hee

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

Still loving on how sleek it all looks though.

Photo credit: danielzain.com

Look at those doors… there’s never any lack of natural light coming in through this house. And the tall plants not only softens the feel of this space, but  also lends some privacy to the owners from the possible peering eyes from outside.

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

You’d think with the light and breezy ID of this house, the designers may opt for floating stairs, but no, they opted for something better that ties in the different levels of the house — perforated steel stairs. Gorgeous, but I’d be a little weary of upskirt views though. C’mon, I may have said it, you were thinking it!

Photo credit: danielzain.com

On the highest floor is a nice open space to look upon the rest of the neighbourhood in the mornings and evenings, or do a spot of yoga and meditation.

As you can see, comparing with the other houses on the same row, this level does not exist in the original house.

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

Here are some images of the bedroom downstairs…

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

Such handsome sliding doors…

Photo credit: jtjdesign.com.my

More images here!

Last year, Low Yi Siu became the first Malaysian to ever take home the coveted Red Dot Design Concept Award for her magazine rack design that repurposes or upcycles CRT computer monitors.  Form meets function, and serves to reduce waste too.

Check this out.

Photo credit: Yankodesign.com

According to the Red Dot site here, “Rebirth is a magazine rack that targets the problem of e-waste pollution. It is made with a discarded cathode-ray-tube (CRT) computer monitor. CRT monitors were iconic objects during the early days of the Internet. Now they have largely fallen into disuse.Rebirth capitalises on the appeal of ‘retro’ objects and appeals to our memories while addressing a serious side effect of consumption at the same time. Rebirth, says the designer, turns the coded files of the virtual world into a real-world compartment in which we can hide things.”

A belated congratulations Low Yi Siu, and well done!

Photo credit: Yankodesign.com

My room used to be stark white with office blinds (I thought it was tres cool in 2007)

Almost 5 years on, I had to accept the fact that getting the morning sun DIRECT in your eye line is no fun (my room faces EAST dead on).

Also, white on white on white, made it a little hard to connect with slumber on most nights. Already my energy level is through the roof! Something needed to be done.

So I finally gave in and researched on some Wallpaper.

I admit, I’d always had my reservations about wallpapering (I don’t know why I always associated it with my aunties’ floral ones).

Upon checking some of the latest designs out, a whole new world opened before my eyes! There are so many things you can do with wallpaper! Zoning your room/ segmenting a wall/ giving character to an area/ creating a feature wall/ creating illusions with 3D Wallpaper/ or in my case, making it a little cozier.

So, after adding black out material to some luxe Ivory curtains previously given to me through a magazine makeover , adding a little decor here and there, and choosing a wallpaper design which still suits my character, VOILA! Welcome to my (new) bedroom:

Note: left 1 wall plain, otherwise room may look like a cabin!

Cozier no?

See how the wallpaper visibly diminished the effect of this unsightly beam?

*Thank you to my girlfriends for lugging this trunk back from Bangkok with me! (It was only RM120! I was looking for 2 more 0s or something!)

Stark? NO MORE! I love what the wallpaper added to the wall where the TV is!

The entire feel of the room’s just so much more comfortable, don’t you think? I love my (new) room!

And I hope this opened your eyes to the wonders of Wallpapering too

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has more than a gripe with this – I can’t seem to find beds with beautiful, or even close to beautiful headboards!

Let’s not even talk about “beautiful”, how about just simple and functional? The more simple ones I could only find at either IKEA (when they have stock), or at uber expensive international furniture stores.

Otherwise, the ones you can normally find are either too gaudy, elaborate, kitschy, glossy, or just plain ugly!

Recently a friend of mine asked me what she should do with her generic, glossy, plain headboard. She asked if she should buy a new bed altogether.

I said don’t bother, why not innovate? Detach (if you can), the thing, and create your own amazing headboard?!!

Here are some amazing inspirations should you fancy doing the same:

(Pic from blog.fossil.com)

What did they say? “One man’s junk is…”

(Pic from casasugar.com)

Pretty sure quite a few people can already think of creative ways to utilize that mirror ;P The mirror instantly doubles the size of your room, and how luxe does this look?! If you’re iffy about mirrors you may wanna consult a feng shui consultant beforehand.

(Pic from interiordesign-tips.com)

A different approach to mirror idea. Okay, I read somewhere that panels of mirrors are a no- no for feng shui. If you’re not bothered – check out this cute room!

(Pic from knottinghillinteriors.com)

Paint straight onto wall and stencil! Fabulous!

(Pic from designmanifest.blogspot.com)

Screens – one of my personal favorites. Don’t like them anymore? Move them somewhere else!

(Pic from scoop.it)

Another screen – beautiful and functional!

(Pic from apartmenttherapy.com)

Ahhh… get in touch with the child in you. Everyone loves the good ol chalkboard. I’m smiling as I write this!

(Pic from neutralheaven.blogspot.com)

Ohhhhh Yessss. You know I like my whites. And you KNOW you can find these anywhere in town! So get creative with a can of white paint and make this yours!

(Pic from dreamywhites.blogspot.com)

I actually have already written about this pic here. Gotta adore what these salvaged items can bring to the home!

(Pic from revive-design.blogspot.com)

Almost like a piece of art. Framing your bed.

(Pic from blog.fossil.com)

How bout THIS for DIY!!!

(Pic from lavenderandash.blogspot.com)

“Coco Chanel” the hell out of the back of your bed! (I think I remember seeing a lot of these kinda motifs in pics of her home). Be a fashionista and wallpaper it! Frame or no frame!

(Pic from frenchbydesign.blogspot.com)

Textured wallpaper adds a whole new dimension!

(Pic from casasugar.com)

Or just a simple piece of canvas in your favorite color?

The possibilities are endless!

Hope you’re as inspired by these pics as I am! Got ideas you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you! Comment away!