Colour of the month: Gold

“Interior trends are usually popularised by movies and TV series and, right now, the Chinese production Story of Yanxi Palace seems to be the topic of discussion for many people here. The ornate stylings and decadent gold touches in the Forbidden City are probably why many homeowners have caught on to adding the shiny hue to their spaces. I personally adore the aged look of hand-laid gold leaf with a tint of dark patina, which adds depth and character to rooms.” – Young Lim, editor of Home & Decor

New Book: Volume: Interior Tips and Tricks to Spice Up Your Home

It’s a sad thing that many homeowners in Singapore are cautious when it comes to their home interior colours. If you want to avoid a cookie-cutter interior, don’t shy away from the idea of having a brightly coloured feature wall. You can even take a leaf out of others’ book, such as this particular home featured in Volume. Here, the homeowner-slash-designer decided on a whimsical feel with orange, red and lilac shades. The trick is to pick loud colours from the same hue on the colour wheel, while going all out in terms of scale and proportion. So be brave and have fun designing your room!

This book by Patrick Kooiman is available on www.lannoopublishers.com, and retails for $70.

Shopping: Luxq.co

Handmade Italian ceramic plates with bird of paradise motifs, as well as colourful table runners with illustrations inspired by South African safari animals, will certainly add an eclectic twist to your home. You will nd these, and more home accessories like cushions and napkins, at Luxq. They all come in opulent, nature- inspired prints, too! Visit www.luxq.co.

Shopping: Heveya Natural Organic Latex Mattresses

You’ve heard of organic fruit and skincare, but what about organic latex mattresses? The Heveya Natural Organic Latex mattresses are made of latex that has been grown without the use of pesticides. Ideal for those with allergies, these chemical-free, anti-mould and anti-dust mite mattresses come with a removable bamboo cover, too, whose organic cotton padding provides an extra layer of hygiene. And, if you are concerned about its durability, fret not – it promises to last for 15 to 20 years, which is double the lifespan of a spring mattress.

Test out the mattresses at European Bedding, the sole distributor of Heveya products in Singapore, at 32 Eng Hoon Street, www.europeanbedding.sg.

Shopping: New shades of Cosentino's Silestone and Sensa collections

The scratch-resistant and water- repellent Silestone quartz surfaces come in a subtly veined grey hue (Desert Silver) and a dark, Milky Way-esque palette (Eternal Emperador). There are also two Sensa Brazilian quartzite options that look like marble, but are more durable: Taj Mahal and White Macaubas. They can withstand stains, due to the Senguard NK stain protection technology that lets the stone breathe and preserves its natural colour.

Check out the seven new colours at Cosentino City Center Singapore, 34/35 Duxton Road, tel: 6713-9543, www.city.cosentino.com

Shopping: Philips Deluxe Collection Multicooker

You can now experiment with recipes without fuss. The Philips Deluxe Collection Multicooker comes with functions, from Sauce- thickening and Saute/Sear to My Favourite, which saves customised programmes. Plus, ingredients such as greens will no longer lose their nutrients from overcooking with the Add Ingredient function ensuring the right cooking temperature.

The Philips Deluxe Collection Multicooker HD2145/62 retails for $369, and is available at leading electrical stores, major department stores, and the Philips e-store, www.philips.com.sg.