Singapore Singapore

Contemporary furniture of today offers comfort plus durability with designer fabrics that are rugged yet stylish. Wood never goes out of style and hand crafted tables bring a touch of warmth in any living area. For a family room where everyone wants to relax, having furniture that is easy to clean up with a damp cloth also saves on upholstery cleaning costs. Futons are a favorite that are bringing a new name to contemporary furniture. Mission style pieces can offer style without being too large and improved mattresses will bring a comfortable night’s sleep for any overnight guest.

With the trend of outdoor kitchens, filling your backyard with designer outdoor furniture can be a lot of fun. Asian touches are making a big appearance in the States with wicker, rattan and teak wood that holds up to any type of weather. Loveseats and chairs arranged on a patio can be inviting to any visitor in stripes, plaids or flowers. Made of durable wood, metal or plastic bases, you can mix or match different fabrics for new seasons to come. Together with landscape lighting and large potted plants, you will find yourself spending most of your time with nature instead of indoors.

We spoke to someone very familiar with the industry, Chee Yew Wen, and found out that the industry has been growing so rapidly in Singapore that there is even a market for replica designer furniture.

Designer modern or contemporary furniture in today’s world can turn any room into a sanctuary of your own personal taste. Browse online for the latest creations by artists, architects and designers that will delight you and provide ideas for your ideal home.

According to Chee Yew Wen, a European-designed lounge chair can cost up to S$10,000 a piece, while a replica retails for as low as 25% of the original version.

The local Malaysia property market has been booming for almost two years now and it is crucial to keep an eye on property stocks, according to experts. From being "overweight" previously, the property industry is now rated as "neutral".

Industry experts are closely observing for signs of change, but some of them predicted that the demand for property may slow down starting from next year due to various factors. However, with the Government's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) for better income and job creation, the industry seems to be positive in the short term. ETP is set to boost residential property in areas such as KL/Klang Valley, in line with the government's mission to increase population size by 2020. Still, isolated areas such as Ulu Kelang is expected to have low demand due to the lack of facilities and poor accessibility.

If the much feared "double dip" happens in western economies or there is a hike in interest rates for housing loans by BNM, property sales will predictably go down. However, projects by reputable developers with good track record, and having good locations, will weather the storm better.

Other drags on the property sector include the maximum 70% loan limit for third mortgages onwards, and concerns of a slowing economy. Inflation, if continue untamed, will contribute to a much higher construction cost which means higher borrowing cost for the end user, and which will in turn constrict any future housing credit expansion.

In order to maintain the current per sq ft rates for luxury condominiums, developers are banking on quality, design and a nice lifestyle story to attract potential buyers. It is estimated that an additional 1,314 units of luxury condominiums will be completed by the end of 2011. 10,104 units are readily available in the first half of the year alone.

According to HomeGuru, the occupancy rate for luxury condominiums currently stands between 60% to 75% in the first half of 2011. The rates for condominiums stand between RM800 to RM1,300 per sq ft in the city, and RM600 to RM1,000 per sq ft in the suburbs. Surveys have shown that most buyers are local but the occupants are mostly expatriates.