The real estate market has never been more competitive with some of the most active property development groups such as Ireka Corporation Bhd involved in multiple projects at the same time.

Ireka Corp has been highly active with projects as far as Sabah and even in Vietnam, chiefly via its subsidiaries and associate companies such as Ireka Development Management Sdn Bhd (IDM) and Aseana Properties Ltd.

IDM president and chief executive officer Lai Voon Hon and his sister Monica Lai – who is chief financial officer – recently hosted a media appreciation party. The event coincided with the final release of 80 premium units of the company’s SENI condominium development in Mont’ Kiara. Both of them are also executive directors of Ireka Corp.

RM1.5BIL
The SENI Mont’ Kiara development has a gross development value estimated at RM1.5bil.

The completed project comprises four residential towers – two 40-storey blocks (A & B) and two 12-storey blocks (C & D) – with a total of 605 units. The project site spans 8.8 acres. The blocks are named Van Gogh (234 units), Picasso (234 units), Dali (46 units) and Monet (91 units).

The final two “stacks” of condo units in the Picasso Block (B) are said to command the best views of the KL city skyline. Prices start from RM850 per square foot, with a built-up space of between 2,906sq ft and 3,714sq ft. Generally, each unit comes with three car park bays.

The development recently won the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2012 in the residential high-rise development category.

According to Monica, the last two stacks offer the best units. “We saw the demand for completed properties particularly for the foreign markets,” said the CFO during a guided tour of the luxury show unit.

“The final released units have attracted investors in countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and India. On the local front, we are also seeing more homeowners buying into the SENI lifestyle for the spacious and generous layout, the resort-style landscape and the million-dollar views.”

KLCC
Over at the KLCC neighbourhood, Ireka has acquired one acre of land on Jalan Kia Peng bought a couple of years ago.

Although details have not been finalised, some 200 condo units with built-up space of between 800sq ft-1,000sq ft each, are being planned.

There will be also a hotel component of
200-300 rooms for sale. It’s something relatively novel for property investors here.

Said Voon Hon: “We can’t build 400 condo units as we need to maintain a certain ‘exclusive’ image. And a hotel fits into the plan.”

An international management outfit will run the hotel.

SENTRAL
Ireka will also launch the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral by March 15 next year. The Aloft brand is marketed as a “vision of W Hotels” under the Starwood group. This new hotel development is touted to offer a stylish place to wine, dine and be seen.
The hotel management agreement was recently signed between the hotel owner -Iringan Flora Sdn Bhd – a subsidiary of Ireka’s associate company, Aseana Properties Ltd – and Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd.

The hotel tower is located next to the upcoming NU Sentral Mall, which is part of Lot G that forms a mixed-development project comprising two other Grade A office towers in KL Sentral. Both the hotel and office towers are developed by Excellent Bonanza Sdn Bhd. It is a joint-venture project of 60:40 proportions between Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) and Aseana.

The hotel development management outfit is IDM.

Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral will feature 482 rooms within a 31-storey tower, several function rooms and a ballroom which can accommodate up to 850 persons. Watch out for the Re:mix lobby lounge, the w xyz theme bar, the Re:fuel bar, nook all-day-dining restaurant, Re:charge fitness centre, Chill Out Sky Bar, “infinity sky” and wading pools as well as the Touch & Go kiosk providing Internet-based services.

SANDAKAN
And over in Sabah, Ireka has also been busy via Aseana. It is involved in the Sandakan Harbour Square, a waterfront development on 12 acres. This joint-venture project with the Sandakan Municipal Council, is developed by ICSD Ventures Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Aseana.

Managed by IDM, the urban redevelopment project, comprises retail lots, a three-storey central market, a mall and a business-class hotel managed by Four Points by Sheraton.

Phase 1 and 2 of the retail lots have been completed and 100% sold. Phase 3 Harbour Mall Sandakan and Phase 4 Four Points by Sheraton will have a soft-opening by May this year.

Phase 3 of the five-level Harbour Mall Sandakan will be the first harbour shopping centre in the heart of Sandakan, with 200,000sq ft of retail space.

Also scheduled for opening in May, some of the mall tenants include Parkwell, Levi’s, Gintel, Bata, GNC, The Body Shop, Tomei Gold & Jewellery, SOX World, SN Mutiara, SOG, Jeff Eyewear Space, Coolcity and Watsons.

Also scheduled for opening in May, some of the mall tenants include Parkwell, Levi’s, Gintel, Bata, GNC, The Body Shop, Tomei Gold & Jewellery, SOX World, SN Mutiara, SOG, Jeff Eyewear Space, Coolcity and Watsons.

The mall will also have a 10,000sq ft food court and a 6,000sq ft entertainment and games centre.

Under Phase 4 and rising above the Harbour Mall, will be a 26-storey hotel tower boasting the Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan with 300 rooms. It will be Sandakan’s first hotel with an international brand.

1. Choose a color scheme from the largest pattern in the space.
If you’ve got patterned upholstery, an Oriental rug or large piece of artwork, pluck colors you like from the pattern. For a neutral wall paint color, look to the pattern’s whites and beiges.

2. Start with the formal areas of the house.
Specifically, the living room, dining room and entry way. Choose a color scheme for those areas first, and then pull one color from the scheme. For example, take the red sofa and tone it down (say, to burgundy) for an accent in more private spaces such as the den, office or bedroom.

3. Follow your personal style.
If you decorate honestly, other people will appreciate it because it’s you, even if they’d never decorate their own house in the same way. That means if you want to make every room in your house red, white and blue, go for it. You can make any color look good as long as it’s your taste.

4. Study the color of your clothes.
Most people buy clothes in colors they like to wear and think they look good in. Similarly, you should decorate your rooms in colors you look good in. If you don’t wear yellow, don’t get a yellow sofa.

5. Use the color wheel.
In general, analogous color schemes – colors next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue and green – are more casual and relaxing, and work best in informal or private spaces. This is a good strategy for a bedroom, where you want to rest and recover.Whatever color scheme you choose, it is advisable to put something black in every room as it clarifies all the rest of the colors in the room. Try a black lampshade, a black vase or a black picture frame.

6. Use the rule of 60-30-10.
When decorating a space, divide the colors in the space into components of 60 percent of a dominant color, 30 percent of a secondary color and 10 percent of an accent color. The walls will most likely be the majority, the upholstery would represent the secondary color and accessories such as a floral arrangement or throw pillows would make up the rest.

7. Decorate your space from dark to light, vertically.
A real “cookbook” way to make any space look good without much risk is to use darker color values for the floor, medium color values for the walls and light values for the ceiling.

8. Go with the architecture.
If you have a small room in your house, don’t paint it white to make it seem bigger. Instead, cozy up to its architecture with a rich, warm color scheme. Let your big rooms expand with light, and your small rooms wrap you up and nurture you.

Sissons Paints, founded in 1803 and established on Malaysian shores in 1959, have over two centuries worth of experience and knowledge in manufacturing high quality paint. After an official rename to Boustead Sissons Paints in 1993, the company has expanded to not only producing excellent paint, but products to meet clients’ every construction needs. No longer limited to private homes, Sissons have successfully completed several large projects throughout Malaysia – such as The Curve at Mutiara Damansara, Sepang Gold Coast and Venice Hill Resort Condominiums, to name a few. Equipped with a larger than life vision, Boustead Sissons Paints aims to beautify homes and lives, with their every stroke of passion and creativity.

www.sissonspaints.com.my

At the same time, discard old lighting designing concept, and allow new lighting to take over. Lighting effects are not limited to the cabinet or wall colors, make use of the top and bottom part of the cabinet to light up the entire space.

You may also set up lighting in the cabinets, as it can provide you with sufficient luminosity should you need to retrieve something from the cabinet.
Besides, you can now have crystal chandeliers in the kitchen too! Generally, crystal chandeliers are designed to be located in the living room or in the hallways; however you can actually consider installing them at the kitchen for a stunning effect.

INFO:
Alfo
No. 178, Jalan Sg.
Besi, 57100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
T: +603-9221 7933
F: +603-9221 0933
W: www.alfo.com.my

Find out the choicest home appliances that would fit your home. Home appliances are not things that wear out overnight and most of them don’t come cheap either. So it’s rather important that we consider the options available and make the right long term investment.

1. MULTI-OSCILLATING STAND FAN BY PENSONIC
-16” Multi-Oscillating Fan
-With 360 degrees rotate and up-down oscillation
-2 Wind Mode: Normal wind and rhythmic wind
-13 angles oscillating mode
pensonic.com

2. IPORT BY MEC
-Smooth curve and clean line design
-Comforting to your senses
-Portable and unique
-First portable air-conditioner that has a full front panel slide to open feature
www.fimaco.com.my

3.PREMIUM LUXURY DESIGN MODEL BY HITACHI
-Internal hygiene
-Nano Titanium Wasabi Air Purifying Filter that is highly antibacterial
-Nano Titanium Pre-Filter that resolves the dust problem
-Easy cleaning
www.hitachi.com.my

4. IRON AID STEAM DRYER BY ELECTROLUX
-Full HD 1080P
-HDMI version 1.3, component video output
-Game, ebook, network movie, weather report, movie download
-High speed sensorless spindle motor
www.electrolux.com

5. BeoSound 8 by Bang & Olufsen
-Breathtaking sound performance with elegant design and simple user interface
-Fantastic solution for enjoying digital music either from one’s iPod, iPhone, iPad, PC or Mac
-The light characteristic makes it highly flexible in use
-Can be networked using the Apple Airport Express, making music collection conveniently streamed wirelessly from one’s PC or Mac to BeoSound 8
www.bang-olufsen.com

6. DGC 5080 XL STEAM COOKER BY MIELE
-Contains oxygen sensor that reliably regulates automatic programmes
-Allows cooking times to coincide with meal times
-Tank model provides container to collect surplus steam that condenses during cooking
-Features a PerfectClean finish, with special non-stick properties and rendering surfaces easy to clean
www.miele.my

7. SOLARDOM BY LG
-A convection oven, grill and an all-in-one microwave oven
-Its 12-Speed Cook Menus allow you to speed up cooking time by as much as 30%
-Its round cavity enables easy cleaning
-Uses heater to heat the food, preserving its taste and regulate moisture loss
www.lg.com

8. REFRIGERATOR BY HITACHI
-Inverter Technology
-Dual fan cooling system
-Nano Titanium Filte
www.hitachi.com.my

09. DISH DRYER BY PENSONIC
-High efficiency heating plate with warm air distribution
-Convenient design cover with wide opening angle
-Removable dish tray and water collector for easy cleaning
-Low energy consumption
pensonic.com

10. IRON AID STEAM DRYER BY ELECTROLUX
-Do away with irons and ironing board with this ultimate dryer that helps to iron
-Uses steam to remove up to 50% more creases than a conventional dryer
-Incorporates a Refreshment programme that uses steam to dewrinkle and remove odours from delicate garments
-Energy efficient technology
www.electrolux.com

11. FULLY-AUTO WASHING MACHINE BY KHIND
-Washing capacity up to 8kg
-Plastic Body Design
-Fuzzy Logic Control
-Anti Rat Design
www.khind.com.my

12.WASHER & DRYER (COMBO) BY LG
-Auto-adjusts to load size
-Dial-A-Cycle enables to find the right setting easily
-SenseClean System – Sets the water level and wash time automatically
-LoDecibel Quiet Operation – Reduces noise and vibration
www.lg.com

TIPS:
It is time to do away with the conventional method of drying your clothes outside and save yourself the trouble of having to constantly check on the weather. Here are three main reasons why you need to get a dryer for your home!

1. Dryers are infused with energy efficient technology these days, so it won’t be too financially burdensome.

2. Dryers come with ironing features, so it saves you the hassle of buying irons and ironing boards.

3. Dryers ensure that your clothes are free from dust and bacteria as they are not exposed outdoor.

This contemporary gastropub has a floor area of approximately 4,700 square feet and seats 100 patrons in the bar, lounge and dining areas combined. Raw cement floors lend an industrial feel to the place, while a graffiti wall adds the necessary edge. Vintage British paraphernalia and cosy leather armchairs complete the space. The various sections of Estate are seamlessly integrated, forming an overall experience that is casual yet unwittingly stylish, making it the perfect place for quick business lunches, after-work drinks and trendy dinners.

The menu at Estate begins with a selection of starters, ranging from the simple Parmigiano-Reggiano Egg Croquette to the more elaborate Lobster Salad. Pub classics such as the Guinness-Braised Beef Stew and Beer-Roasted Chicken make an appearance on the menu alongside other British favorites such as the hand-tossed, thin-crust pizzas.

To end a meal, there’s nothing quite like a sweet treat. Highlights from the dessert menu include the “Snickers Bar”, consisting of caramel mousse, salted peanuts, and milk chocolate ice cream sandwiched in a peanut chocolate cracker, resembling the famous chocolate bar, or the Plum Pie with Custard which is served with a dollop of clotted cream.

With an ambiance that brings to mind an Ivy League hangout, complete with ice-cold beers and live music sets from up and coming artists, Estate sets the tone for a new brand of restaurant-cum-bar in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

INFO
ESTATE
G01, Ground Floor, The Intermark, 182 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
T: +603-2163 5732

Express beauty and aesthetics in a 700 square feet area consisting of two bedrooms and a living room with Jioon’s Golf Series.

• The 250 square feet living room can be used as a gaming room, whereby homeowners can choose a simple and modern cabinet, with a 42 inch television hung on the wall, plus the open ended kind of coffee table that would polish off the look.

• The 180 square feet master bedroom would require a place for the dresser, however due to space constraint, perhaps one can choose the type of dresser that can also act as a study table so there won’t the need to create another study room.

• As for the 120 square feet guest room, just give the overall a simple decoration. Place the dresser cum study table to complete the room.

Decorate your 750 square feet area consisting of three bedrooms and one living room with Jioon’s Golf Series.
• The 250 square feet living room can be used to fit a huge cupboard to store everyone’s knick knacks. The coffee table can be used to encourage family and friends to come together and talk. Not forgetting the stool that has a hidden storage box at the bottom.

• The 200 square feet master bedroom can be designed the Oriental way. Through simple, fine lines, one can easily depict beautiful sceneries that projects ancient Chinese culture. The television console can also increase the casual atmosphere in the living space.

• The 120 square feet guest room can be decorated with simplicity as its theme, or be used as a future baby room.

For an 800 square feet space consisting of three rooms and two living rooms, embody your home with modernity with the A.City Series.
great storage capacity for the 180 square feet living room, not only can you save space, you are also creating extra room. The coffee table comes with three different layers of storage space, definitely a positive storage feature there.

• The 180 square feet master bedroom would require a place for the dresser, however due to space constraint, perhaps one can choose the type of dresser that can also act as a study table so there won’t the need to create another study room.

• For the 90 square feet study room, choose bookcases with simple designs. Bookcases with glass door panels can be used to keep books to prevent dust from accumulating. Bookcases without glass door panels on the other hand can used to keep stationary or items that are frequently used.

If you’ve got an 850 square feet flat, advocate a bold and dynamic new trend with Jioon’s Armany Series.
• For the 200 square feet living room, pick a multi-function cabinet so that it can serve many purposes. Choose a coffee table that has storage facility, so that you can have extra space for the kids to play about.

• The 180 square feet master bedroom may be small, you can still work wonders with it. Place chest drawers within it so that you can classify things that you keep, besides you can also put a television on top, maximizing the furniture.

• Last but not least, the 100 square feet room for your parents can be used to store a platform bed. As you can store plenty of things at the bottom.

The placement of the stove is a crucial factor. A wrongly placed stove may activate negative Qi that can affect the entire household, and brings about health issues related to the digestive system, emotions and temperaments to its occupants. So, where should you place it in your kitchen?

Kitchen islands are common in a number of spacious modern kitchens today. Installing a stove there – though it may look fancy as what you see in cooking shows – is an absolute no-no in Feng Shui. An island stove looks suspended in the middle of the kitchen with no solid support – like a heart exposed, unprotected. Ideally, the stove should be installed against solid walls.

The stove is a Yin feature, which complements the Yang element of the Main Door. The key word here is “stability”, as in the stove is not exposed to Qi coming from all directions, and thus, its reason for being located against a solid wall. The same concept applies to portable stoves as well.

Another common feature in most modern kitchens today is the kitchen exhaust fan, which sits overhead the stove. Although it serves the purpose of capturing smoke and oil mist in the air when you cook, it is not complementary, Feng Shui-wise. If this feature is unavoidable, you may need to have it reinstalled a bit to the side instead.

The stove should not be placed directly across from the sink, a Water element. This is a case of Fire and Water elements clashing, which causes disharmony in the household when they do. However, this only applies if the stove is opposite the sink in a straight line. Otherwise, it is fine. And wherever possible, ensure the sink and the stove are not placed side-by-side with each other. There should at least be a two-foot gap in between if such is the case. Similarly, the stove should not be aligned with the kitchen door as well.

Other than stove placement, you must also pay attention to where the stove knobs are facing or pointing. These should be aligned with the owner’s or the breadwinner’s favorable direction according to his or her Life Gua.

Keep in mind that if you want to harness the best Feng Shui for the stove, ensure you make way for a small, spacious Bright Hall in front of it. Better yet, the most ideal kitchen Feng Shui situation is to have a mountain or hill right outside the kitchen.

JOEY YAP’S PROFILE
Joey Yap is the leading Feng Shui, BaZi and Face Reading consultant in Asia. He is an international speaker, bestselling author of over 75 books and master trainer in Chinese Metaphysics. He has more than a decade of practicing and teaching experience in this field and has worked with many global organizations like Microsoft, Bloomberg, Citibank, HSBC and Standard Chartered, amongst others. He has also appeared in notable networks such as Time International, Forbes International, the International Herald Tribune and Bloomberg, sharing his expertise.
 Joey Yap is also the Chief Consultant of Joey Yap Consulting Group and founder of the Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics – one of the world’s largest and most successful academies on Chinese Metaphysics subjects like Feng Shui, BaZi, Yi Jing and Mian Xiang. Every year, his ‘Feng Shui and Astrology’ seminar in Kuala Lumpur recorded a crowd of over 3,500 people present, while many more has also attended his various seminars and talks worldwide..

www.StarryNite.com.my

Redefining the conventional office space, Asylum’s forte in sculpting experiential spaces lends a touch of nature to apbcOffices’ latest venture in Kuala Lumpur. Located in the city’s bustling main shopping, entertainment and tourism district, the new serviced office occupies the 16th floor of The Pavilion Tower at 10,473 square feet, incorporating natural materials to provide a comforting yet conducive working environment.

Opened in October 2011, the offices were conceptually designed with strong elements of nature, unfolding an experiential story at every corner. Upon stepping into the office, the walls are lined with timber strips, simulating a walk amongst trees, leading the way to the reception desk carved out of natural stone. Pop-art flower installations sweep across the boardroom, while meetings are rejuvenated in butterfly themed rooms. A unique interpretation of a nature-inspired enclave, the serviced offices are named after different breeds of birds, contributing to a warm ambience and holistic experience for churning out that next big idea.

Innovative, boldly creative and punctuated with an element of surprise, Asylum’s design of the space garnered positive feedback during its exclusive preview, with many key industry leaders citing the space to be a “creative, pleasant, soothing, calming and most of all out of the box and one-of-a-kind serviced office in the whole of Kuala Lumpur.”

ABOUT ASYLUM
Founded in 1999 by Creative Director Chris Lee, Asylum is labeled as a creative company that comprises of a design studio, a retail store, workshop and a record label. Asylum has worked on diversified projects such as interactive design, product development & interior design, packaging, apparel design, branding and graphic design, landing them over 100 international awards such as The One Show and D&AD. In 2008, Icon magazine wrote that Asylum is “probably the best design agency in Singapore today.”
www.theasylum.com.sg

The perfect bed linen and bed sheets can transform an ordinary bedroom into a stylish haven. Always opt for good quality sheet sets to adorn your bed as they will help you achieve the best sleep you deserve. Here are some tips to consider when buying bedding.

LOUIS CASA HOLMES QUILT COVER SET
Size: Queen, King
550 thread count combed cotton sateen
Price:
Queen RM699 / King RM739

GENOVA ATHENA COLLECTION
Available in fitted set / quilt cover set
Size: Super single, Queen, King
728 thread count combed cotton
Price:
Fitted set – from RM 219
Quilt Cover Set – from RM429

COTONSOFT PALETTES PLAIN COLOR COLLECTION
Comes in 11 colors
Available in fitted set / pillowcases / bolster case
300thread count super fine cotton blend fabric
Price:
Fitted set: from RM65.90
Pillowcases RM26.90
Bolster case RM14.90

Sets
Consider buying sets to decorate your bed. A set usually includes a fitted bottom sheet, a flat top sheet and pillow shams. Sheet sets are a good investment as you can conveniently dress the bed with the perfectly coordinated sheets and pillow cases.

Fabric
Fabric is an important factor when buying bed sheets. Cotton is a popular choice and you can choose from various types of cotton sheets for your bed. Egyptian cotton, Prima and Supima cotton sheets are of top notch quality and its super soft. Silk sheets usually exude elegance.

Quality
You can judge the quality of cotton sheets by the thread count. Egyptian cotton sheets have a high thread count that makes them soft and durable. Good sheets will have a thread count of 300 and more. When it comes to silk, the momme weight is the way to calculate its quality. A weight of 16 to 19 signifies a high quality in silk bed sheets.

Color and Pattern
You can easily extend the contemporary or classic décor of your home to the bedroom by choosing the right sheets. Stripped, paisley or floral patterns are more suited to the classic décor style whereas solid colored sheets complement modern contemporary décor.

At Home’s Harmony, there is a wide array of sheets ranging from materials, styles and affordable price ranges. The company constantly adds new products to its shelves to better suit your ever changing needs.

INFO
HOME’S HARMONY
Lot S319A, 2nd Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre-Phase 2, Persiaran Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya.
T: +603 7729 9662
F: +603 7726 8124
E: info@homes-harmony.com
W: www.homes-harmony.com