Thursday, August 26, 2010

I HEART RESTAURANT MAKEOVER





From the moment I saw this reality show series on Asian Food Channel, back in 2007, I was instantly fell in love. The show is about challenging a pair of designer and chef, to overhaul a struggling restaurant with a very limited budget and time. Originally the show would match funds provided by the restaurant owners up to $15,000.

Although the show's premise is to help struggling restaurants, a number of establishments have failed shortly after their makeover -- sometimes before the associated TV show has even aired, thus not allowing them to reap the benefits of added exposure. This has become so common that participating in Restaurant Makeover is increasingly seen as a "kiss of death" for failing restaurants. Unfortunately when working with restaurants that are in such dire straits that they are about to close their doors if something doesn't happen to drastically increase business, sometimes even a $40,000.00 , or later, $30,000.00 facelift can't help a business with one foot already in the grave.

Despite of all the drama and criticism, what I love most is the designs that done by Cherie Nicole Stinson and Meredith Heron especially when they been paired to Lynn Crawford. I think what they need to succeed the failing restaurant is adding one more person, a marketer.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

CANDY COLOR BATIK FOR YOUR DECORATION










Amesh Budiristio created cushion cover and other home accesories with batik in candy color. Her collection is so vibrant and inspiring. Her background as a feature editor in a teen magz really reflected on her line. Check her collection on www.dreamesh.blogspot.com

Monday, August 23, 2010

SLIV BEDROOM
























I have just found it on WANITA WIRAUSAHA FEMINA. Olive Savianca Savitri is the first prize winner of Lomba Wanita Wirausaha that held by BNI and Femina magazine on 2009. She came with the idea decoration for university students's room. Here in Indonesia, student dormitory concept maintained by the university is not a common idea. So far that I know only several universities have it.
Savitri has been featured not only in Femina but also in Cosmogirl on last May edition.
She also writes a book titled 'Easy Room Makeover' which contain the ideas of makeover decoration under Rp.500.000,- or 50 dollars.
Her line under 'Sliv Bedroom' has girly and candy color with various decoration items. From hanging lamp to wall sticker, floor rug to bedcover, cushion cover to bedsheet and mosquito net.

Just in case you interested, you can check it out on her site Slivbedroom.com or visit their shops in Bandung or Jakarta.

Sliv Bedroom / Ruang
Jl. Dipati Ukur no.5A
Bandung
Telp: 08164864805

Ruang Pernik
Jl. Kemang Selatan 20D
Jakarta Selatan 12730

Loemoet
Jl. Karang Tengah no.14, Lebak Bulus
Jakarta Selatan

Saturday, August 21, 2010

MARTHA STEWART LIVING INDONESIA


I know it's been too late to post this story. Better late than never, right?

Reda Gaudiamo, publisher majalah KG, menjelaskan bahwa peluncuran ke-4 majalah ini merupakan sebuah tantangan untuk diri sendiri bagi KG. Selama ini, KG sudah memimpin untuk majalah-majalah atau media cetak untuk dunia anak, otomotif, dan lainnya. Namun, belum untuk majalah glossy, terutama yang berlisensi.

Menurut Reda, majalah-majalah ini akan banyak diisi dengan materi-materi lokal, dan harus bisa berhubungan kepada pembaca di Indonesia. Jika selama ini kita hanya bisa melihat majalah-majalah luar negeri dengan keindahan apa pun yang ada di dalamnya, tetapi tak bisa terjangkau, atau karena barangnya hanya ada di luar negeri, maka majalah-majalah ini diupayakan tidak seperti itu. Harus ada di Indonesia, dan bisa dipakai oleh para pembacanya.

Martha Stewart Living Indonesia
Dharmawan Handonowarih, Pemimpin Redaksi Martha Stewart Living Indonesia mengatakan, bahwa majalah ini hadir di tengah-tengah majalah interior yang memberi ide bombastis, sementara majalah ini lebih menekankan kebersahajaan. "Konsep majalah ini bersahaja, kontemporer, namun indah. Inovatif tapi praktis. Homemade sekaligus handmade. Tujuannya agar para pembaca terus meningkatkan kualitas hidup melalui pola hidup yang indah dan kreatif."

Penerbit: Kelompok Kompas-Gramedia.
Alamat Redaksi: Graha Mandiri, Lantai 14, Jl. Imam Bonjol No. 61, Jakarta 10310.
Pemimpin Redaksi: Dharmawan Handonowarih.

Terbit dalam edisi Indonesia atas lisensi dari Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Terbit di negara aslinya sejak 1991. Isinya adalah aneka artikel mengenai rumah dan keluarga. Ada soal interior, taman, kuliner, kecantikan, dan lain-lain. Beberapa nama rubriknya, antara lain, Good Things; Cooking; Apothecary; Food; Decorating; Gardening; Homekeeping; dan masih banyak lagi.

Majalah yang tampak di blog adalah Edisi Perdana/Agustus 2010. Harga: Rp. 34.500,- (Jawa) dan Rp. 35.500,- (Luar Jawa, Bali, NTB). Cover Depan: Martha Stewart.

ALVIN TJITROWIRJO

“I want my work to be statement pieces in a house. All my products have a bit of me in them. To put that personal stamp on a product, it must have strong character.That strong personal stamp is something that gives a work the power to outlive a designer.”
Alvin Tjitrowirjo - the Jakarta Globe

Kawoong, a coffee table and modular shelf unit that laser cut with batik pattern made from laser cut mild steel with automotive high gloss paint.
courtesy of alvin-t


Round table bench, a coffee table that also acts as a bench, round spacious, a combination of modern design with synthetic rattan weaving, suitable for both indoor and outdoor.
courtesy of alvin-t


With the weekend just around the corner, we’re certainly looking forward to two days of relaxation after a stressful week at the office. But since the style-conscious wouldn’t do with just any relaxation pod, check out the new Snug Lounger by the up and coming Australian designer, Alvin Tjitrowirjo. Designed as the ultimate lounge chair, Snug offers the full range of comfort by allowing the freedom to position the entire body in any way you see fit. Made from molded fiberglass with aniline leather upholstery, there’s also an aluminum polished stopper that turns this chair into a rocker.
Snug Lounge Chair courtesy of designcrave.com


This natural furniture ideas is called Linger Bench. Designed by indonesian designer Alvin Tjitrowirjo, this rattan furniture-based material ideas is designed to bring people together; it’s nature is to attract and to be experienced. Its a media for people to gather and socialize, Linger is made only by human hands as opposed to machines. Using material that comes from nature instead of a man-made. An escapade of nature’s beauty harnessed by modernity.“I choose the rattan look also to show the Indonesian touch,” says Alvin
courtesy of Decodir


Perched on a three-seater white synthetic rattan bench, a young man waits for people to drop by his corner in a creative industries exhibition. When someone approaches, he invites the newcomer to share the bench with him and starts explaining what that bench is all about: “If you sit here and someone else takes another spot, you’ll immediately notice each other. Even if you’re looking in another direction.”Mingle, the bench he was sitting on for the exhibition, is a featured work, his brainchild and his proof that a young man can successfully be idealistic even in the increasingly commercial furniture design business. “Mingle is based on the idea that a piece of furniture can set off a social interaction,” says the 26-year old Jakarta-based designer. “By distorting the balance of the bench, making it rock slightly as a person sits down, it generates the probability that people will start a conversation as they notice one another, be it about the bench, or about most anything.”

courtesy of The Jakarta Post and Grand Indonesia


Satool, an organic shaped stool that uses traditional weaving combined with strong synthetic rattan peel that is available for both outdoor as well as for indoors. The form expresses fluidity will break the hard edges of traditional rattan furniture.
courtesy of alvin-t


The “Snug Chair” is another good example of Alvin’s ability to blend design and function. This egg-shaped, molded fiberglass recliner is upholstered with rich padded leather, creating the perfect nest to cozy up in. The seat also rests on a polished aluminum stopper that, when removed, turns the padded lounger into an ultra-slick rocking chair.
Snug Chair courtesy of kangguru and the Jakarta Globe

Alvin Tjitrowirjo has been known for his originality, modern, sophisticated and stylish lifestyle products which has been the talk of the town due to is unsual dynamic designs.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Industrial Design from RMIT Universit, he joined Melbourne Movement, an organization which promotes young designers. Through this organization, the Bell Chair was selected to be exhibited in the world's leading furniture fair Salone Satellite in Milan 2005, and following the success, Snug was exhibited in Melbourne Design EX. In 2006, Snug was selected to be exhibited during design week (saturday in Design) in which it was awarded as one of the top 5 favorite designs choosen bye an international jury panel at the Melbourne Museum.

Upon returning to Indonesia, Alvin has joined Dform, an association to promote young Indonesian designers. In 2006, he held his first solo exhibition entitled Alvin+Volvo. The exhibition displayed a bold statement of his commitment and passion for design as it has indispuably earned him respect from other fellow designers, the media and the public itself.

In 2007, Alvin held his second solo exhibition entitled Mi Casa Su Casa.

In 2008, Snug and Satool were both selected to exhibit at Ambiente's Talents in Franfurt. alvin's unique and minimalistic style did not go unnoticed, where his succes was published in the local Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper expressing their interest towards 'Made in Indonesia, designed by an Indonesian for the rest of the world.'

The alvinT brand is dedicated to reviving the Indonesian design industry and communicate Indonesia’s distinctive design character and high quality materials and craftsmanship to both locally the rest of the world. With Indonesia enriched with a unique culture in history and art, alvinT is inspired by the traditional techniques and how inimitable innovation can be formed in the modern approach.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

INDONESIAN MASK FESTIVAL, an eXpresi exhibition

Left to Right: Topeng Kalingkoet Burung Elang, Kalimantan Barat,
Topeng Arjuna - Madura, Topeng Modang - Kalimantan, Topeng Jembling - Lenggeran, Wonosobo -
mask collection by Rumah Topeng & Wayang Setia Darma, Gianyar Bali

Ariel, firstly open up your masquarade!
frontman of famous rock band in Indonesia, who get caught in numerous sex tape scandals in the internet


Celebrating 65th Indonesia Independence Day and Festival Topeng Nusantara - Nusantara Mask Festival in Cirebon in order promoting our national heritage, topeng -mask-, to the world. eXpresi hold an exhibition of mask creation 'Panji' open for public. The Exhibition is participated by Indonesia's Emerging Young Talents in today's in creative industry.

Ari Buy, Aditya Wijanarko, Agra Satria, Anastasia Yakubenka, Andy F. Noya, Antya Purna Duhita, Arseto Adiputra, Dibya Sumendap, Diela Maharani, Eko Bintang, Elfandiary, GlobalPort, Gwendoline Winarno, Future10, Ika Putranto, Iwet Ramadhan, Jacky Suharto, JUICE, Kas, Kesya Moedz, M. Hendra Permana, Magic Happens, Marishka Soekarna, Mieke Amalia, Monica Hapsari, Nicoline Patricia Malina, Peggy Melati Sukma, Philip Kwok, Rahmah Umayah, Rama Dauhan, Ray Sahetapy, Rege Indrastudianto, Richie Ned Hansel, Rima Melati, Sanchia Hamidjaja, Sapto Djojokartiko, Sarah Jane (Saz), Sim .F, Soraya Haque, Syagini Ratna Wulan, Tiara Adikusumah, Titik Ide, Tora Sudiro, Whatnot, Yasmina Yustiviani, Yaviz Basalamah.

Opening :
13 - 22 August 2010
10.00 - 22.00 WIB
Alun-Alun Indonesia
Grand Indonesia


For further information feel free to contact:
Ditan : 0856 717 8585
Widy : 021 331 999 89

Thursday, August 12, 2010

MAGNO WOODEN RADIO by SINGGIH KARTONO





Since August 17 is the date when Indonesia celebrate his independence day. I want to expose Indonesian designers who made breakthrough by their designs and won numerous design awards. Started with Singgih Kartono and his wooden Radio.

These Magno Wooden Radios aesthetically simple and refreshingly non-tech, they are handmade by Indonesian carpenters in areas with high unemployment of two-toned sustainable harvested woods. Designer Singgih Kartono wanted to manufacture a product that was both sustainable and socially beneficial and I think he has more than succeeded. The radios come in three sizes and have the most current mp3 player compatible electronics and AM/FM and shortwave radio bands.

It started when Kartono made wooden radio as his final project in Bandung Institute of Technology. And the wooden radio took off. The rest is history.

The retro style, woody, green radio have won International Good Design Award in 2008 from Japan, and together with iPhone won the Asia Award in the brand category-the jury couldn't decide which one should win. And the list goes on, in March 2009 Brit Design Award 2009 from Britain and Design Plus Award 2009 from Germany. Last but not least International Design Resource Award Seattle, USA.

Kartono's idea is to wood-ify electronics. Radio was his first option because people can listen to the radio while doing other things too. The radio made of pine, mahogany, and sonokeling wood. Those woods' character suited to what he had in mind, combining durability of pine and sonokeling's sturdy. For Kartono what unique about wood is that wood is perfect in it's perfection. Kartono chooses wood for his radios not just based on aesthetics but on his appreciation of wood's simplicity and organic vitality.

Kartono realize that nowadays there is a great distance between people and their possesions. His goal is creating a bridge between human, nature and products of everyday lives. By combining wood with electronics, he inserted a soul in to the wood.

One type of his radios have no graphics at all. No 'volume' or 'frequency' written on the radio. Other types still have the frequency range indicator. He tried to reduce using graphics on his radio. His point is making connection between the user and the radio. User has to get to know the radio first before using it. By erasing the frequency indicator, users have to use their intuition to match the frequency.