Is It A Home Or An Office? (Part 1/2)

IS IT A HOME OR AN OFFICE? (Part 1/2)
Jerrrytan Residential opens up their office — a shophouse brimming with character and style exemplifies the new type of commercial space

By Alexis Pabasi | Photos by James Liang
Repinted with permission from Home Concepts Magazine

IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL ART, THE WALLS ON THE FIRST LEVEL ARE LINED WITH INK PAINTINGS BY THE LATE CHUA EK KAY.

ASK anyone who has been to the office of Jerrytan Residential and they will tell you that walking into the 3½-storey shophouse is an experience to be remembered. When Home Concepts dropped by, the company was hosting its annual year-end gathering for clients and friends and the entire first floor had been transformed into an inviting yet posh

The brains behind this chic 500sqm office located in Club Street is Sydney-trained interior designer and Jerrytan Residential executive director Khaiz Noor, who worked closely with the architects from day one of the project.

“We certainly do not want a normal-looking office,” Khaiz emphasises. “Our premises reflect the nature of our business dealing in beautiful and luxurious residential properties in Singapore and the region. Because we represent beautiful homes, our office needs to look and feel like a warm and beautiful home that has its own personality.”

THE PERFECT SPOT FOR THOSE WHO WISH FOR A BIT OF SUN OR SOME QUIET TIME.

So far, the space has been a hit with clients. “Everytime new clients come, they are impressed. We serve them champagne, wine and cheese and sometimes they stay for hours because they feel so comfortable. To make them feel even more at home, our managing director, Jerry, plays the piano and we all sing along,” Khaiz adds with a laugh.

The first floor, inspired by the heritage homes on Emerald Hill, is pristine yet far from clinical.

Three Chinese ink paintings of the exteriors of shophouses by celebrated local artist, the late Chua Ek Kay, adorn the walls leading from the entrance.

A firm supporter of local arts, Khaiz has filled nearly every wall of the office with artworks by local artists ranging from calligraphy paintings to photo prints by Russell Wong.

A white baby grand piano is the life of every party held here since Jerry and Khaiz, both talented performers, enjoy entertaining guests with their wide repertoire.

To add expanse to the narrow room, large mirrored sliding panels were positioned on one wall. These cleverly conceal a kitchen complete with sleek Miele appliances, a fridge, a wine chiller and even an oven.

THE COMPANY'S THREE DIRECTORS AND THEIR STAFF WORK IN A
COMPLETELY OPEN ENVIRONMENT FOR EASY COMMUNICATION AND BONDING.

Click here to read Part 2 and see more photos

Source: Is It A Home Or An Office? (Part 1/2)

Expert Advice On Beds And Pillows (Part 3/3)

Garden of Refreshment
Quench your thirst with delicious beverages and
desserts taken right off your little plot of green

By Wilson Wong | Photos by Koh Boon Wei | reprinted with permission from Home Concepts magazine
Thanks to Hortpark for the venue

Click here to read about the Aloe Vera
Click here to read about the Passion Fruit and Dragon Fruit

The Roselle
The roselle is another plant that can be used to make refreshing drinks. Botanically known as Hibiscus sabdariffa, roselle grows as a shrub with attractive red stems and deeply lobed leaves.

The plant grows up to two metres tall and produces yellow hibiscus-like flowers with dark red centres. After the flowers are pollinated, they fade away and fruit production begins.

With time, one will notice a bright red, crown-like, fleshy calyx that forms around the base of each fruit. The useful part of the roselle is this fleshy calyx which is boiled in water to yield a sourish and deep red beverage.

It is best served chilled and sweetened and is rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and anthocyanins.

The plants can be grown in the ground or containers using well-draining and fertile soil. Roselle thrives when grown under semi-shade or full sun. Plants do get straggly over time and new ones can be started from seeds and stem-cuttings.

If the calyces of the roselle plant are not to be used immediately, they can be harvested, dried and stored in a cool and dry place.


COOL RECIPES!
1. Passion fruit juice can be made by blending fruit pulp and some cold water at low speed. Filter seeds away using a sieve. Add sugar to sweeten the drink and more cold water to achieve the preferred taste. Best served chilled.

2. Make dragon fruit jelly by dropping small cubes of the pulp into agar-agar. Some people mash up the pulp and add that instead. Allow the jelly to set and the dessert is best served chilled.

3. Peel away the ‘skin’ of a fresh Aloe vera leaf and rinse away any green sap using water. Cut the translucent gel into cubes and boil them in water with rock sugar to taste. The dessert is served chilled.

4. Boil one part of roselle calyces in three parts of water to yield a dark red decoction. Filter away the calyces and add sugar to taste. Allow the beverage to cool and serve it chilled.

Source: Expert Advice On Beds And Pillows (Part 3/3)

Expert Advice On Edible Garden Treats (Part 2/3)

Garden of Refreshment
Quench your thirst with delicious beverages and desserts taken right off your little plot of green

By Wilson Wong | Photos by Koh Boon Wei | reprinted with permission from Home Concepts magazine
Thanks to Hortpark for the venue

Click here to read about the benefits of Passion Fruit and Dragon Fruit

The Aloe Vera
The medicinal aloe, botanically known as Aloe vera or A. barbadensis, is a species of succulent plant that we are all familiar with. A cultivar that is prevalently grown here is Aloe vera var. chinensis, which has numerous white spots on its leaves.

The medicinal aloe is a succulent with a rosette growth habit comprising stiff and fleshy leaves that are studded with white teeth. Mature specimens produce a tall flower spike with pendulous, yellow tubular flowers.

The translucent gel-like substance found inside the leaves of the medicinal aloe is used to treat various skin conditions and injuries. The juice obtained from them is traditionally taken internally to treat digestive problems.

Nowadays, finely cut bits of the gel can be found inside numerous drinks and desserts. The medicinal aloe grows best under direct sun and is a drought-tolerant plant that should be kept on the drier side and grown in well-drained soil.

Harvest the lower and more mature leaves. It is propagated from suckers that appear around the base of a mature plant and can be grown in containers.

Tiny bits of the translucent gel found inside the leaf of the medicinal aloe can now be found as an additive in many beverages right Grow the medicinal aloe plant in a sunny location with well-draining soil to reduce the likelihood of the plant rotting away!

Click here to read about the Roselle and other cool recipes

Source: Expert Advice On Edible Garden Treats (Part 2/3)

Expert Advice On Beds And Pillows (Part 3/3)

Rest and Recline (Part 3/3) (click here to read previous chapter)

To get a good night’s rest, you need to start with a good mattress, followed by a good pillow. Michelle Ane Ng, Marketing Manager from Simmons, tells us how to find – and maintain – that perfect cradle

By Grace Chan | reprinted with permission from "Expert Advice" by Home Concepts Magazine

WHAT ARE THE TELL-TALE SIGNS THAT YOUR MATTRESS OR PILLOW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED?
For hygiene purposes, it is generally a good idea to change your mattress every 10 years even if there are no tell-tale signs.

As for pillows, it is advisable to change them every two years or when they get worn out. Change them when they get flat or when you feel a strain on your shoulders or experience continuous neck ache, which may serve as signs that the pillow is too low and lacks the spinal alignment.

SIMMONS HAS JUST LAUNCHED ITS FIRST POCKETED COIL PILLOW, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The Simmons Beautyrest NeckCare Pocketed Coil Pillow is permanently soft and plump as there are 296 gallons of air pockets inside each pillow, which means that there is no need to puff up the pillow. Also, the air climate inside the pillow creates an ideal micro air climate around the head and face to improve sleep quality.

With its pocketed coils, this pillow can adjust and adapt to any head shape, weight and neck movement. This ability customizes the ideal resting posture for the sleeper, and the different degree of firmness keeps one comfortable regardless of the sleeping position.

click here to read Part 1

Source: Expert Advice On Beds And Pillows (Part 3/3)

Expert Advice On Beds And Pillows (Part 2/3)

Rest and Recline (Part 2/3) (click here to read previous chapter)

To get a good night’s rest, you need to start with a good mattress, followed by a good pillow. Michelle Ane Ng, Marketing Manager from Simmons, tells us how to find – and maintain – that perfect cradle

By Grace Chan | reprinted with permission from "Expert Advice" by Home Concepts Magazine
WHAT ARE HYPOALLERGENIC MATRESSES AND PILLOWS?
These are ones with fabric made of natural material that are breathable and mite-, mildew- and mould resistant.


HOW SHOULD THE MATTRESS BE MAINTAINED?
Do not fold, bend, stand or jump on the mattress. Use a quilted mattress protector to protect the mattress from getting soiled. A soiled mattress/box spring can negate the warranty. You should also not remove the white cloth law label or the mattress satin trade labels. These labels serve as a means of identification to establish your warranty rights.


In addition, it is important to use a right base/foundation. The base unit such as the foundation box, box spring, or bed frame is built to work with specific mattress construction to maximize the benefits of a particular mattress and to valid the warranty. The base unit boasts high durability and acts as a shock absorber to minimize movement and enhance sleep. An inappropriate base unit may not provide sufficient support and will gradually cause the mattress to sag. This will invalid the warranty.


Also, flipping and turning will help to relieve the compression on the upholstered materials that work with the coils to provide comfort and support.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD MATTRESSES AND PILLOWS BE CLEANED?
There is no fixed number of times to clean a mattress. Ways to clean a mattress include brushing, vacuum-cleaning and airing. The best way to protect your mattress from stains or from being soiled is to use a mattress protector.

Simmons mattress protectors feature the unique Expand-A-Grid benefit to hold the mattress protector firmly to a 15-inch mattress. Its glove-like fit also allows proper sheet fit. Filled with polyester fibrefill and antimicrobial-treated fabric, it helps to eliminate household dust mites and protect the fiberfill from the growth of mildew, as well as control odours. It is made of 100 per cent cotton, is very comfortable and adds an additional layer of breathable comfort to your mattress. It is also machine washable and dryable. You can wash the mattress protector each time you change the bed linens.


Simmons Beautyrest NeckCare Pocketed Pillows cannot be washed as there are coils inside. You can keep your pillow clean and sterile with a pillow protector (available at department stores) in addition to the pillowcase.


HOW SHOULD THE MATTRESS BE CLEANED WHEN SOILED?
Baking soda is a simple way to spot clean your mattress. Simply apply it to the soiled area and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Vacuum and repeat as needed. It’s also a good idea to air the mattress as much as possible. Never use dry cleaning fluid or any liquid cleaning solution on your Simmons mattress or foundation as it may damage some of the materials and void your warranty.

Click here to read Part 3

Source: Expert Advice On Beds And Pillows (Part 2/3)

Expert Advice on Home Security (Part 2/2)

Securing The Home…And Peace Of Mind
The importance of home security can never be overemphasised and goes beyond the brick-and-mortar of our house. We hear from Corinna Choong, Senior Vice President, Group Marketing & Communications of Certis CISCO, on how to keep me and mine safe and sound.

By Nadya Huang | Photos courtesy of Certis Cisco |
reprinted with permission from "Expert Advise" by Home Concepts magazine

Click here for Part 1

OTHER MEASURES TO TAKE TO MAXIMISE HOME SECURITY

• Avoid being complacent and be vigilant of and report suspicious characters loitering in the vicinity of your home to the police

• Keep abreast of the latest modus operandi of criminals. Examples include deception and impersonation of government officials/ regulatory authorities; gaining entry through false ceilings, ventilation openings, rubbish chutes; using adjacent properties as a platform to break-in, etc.

• Ensure that all family members especially the young and senior citizens are periodically reminded not to allow strangers into the home

• Ensure all doors and windows are secured when leaving the home even for a short while

• Avoid keeping large amounts of cash and valuables in the home

• Change locks when keys are misplaced and/or when given to renovation contractors

SHOULD YOU BE AWAY FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME, AVOID GIVING SIGNS THAT YOUR HOME IS UNOCCUPIED

• Cancel your newspaper and magazine subscriptions; avoid leaving notes to indicate your absence even for short durations; use timer switches to turn on the lights to give the impression that your home is occupied

• Ask neighbors and/or trusted persons to keep an eye on your home while you are away and to remove unsolicited brochures left outside the entrance of the home

• Inform your Neighborhood Police Centre that you will be away from home

Source: Expert Advice on Home Security (Part 2/2)

Looking for Part-time Maid In Singapore?

How To Work With A Part-time Maid
Prioritize the tasks according to importance, says maid agency

THE poor economy is not the only reason why more people in Singapore are looking to hire part-time maids instead of full-time domestic helpers.

“It is also due to full-time maids giving many problems, insurance increase, strict regulations, etcetera,” says Dorothy Loh of AxcelMaid, an maid agency which specializes in Singaporean or PR part-time maids.

With a part-time maid, you don’t need to bear any medical fees in case of an accident. “Furthermore, neither meal or insurance need to be provided,” adds Ms. Loh, whose agency charges $50 for hours on weekdays and $60 for four hours on weekends ― regardless of the time.

“Timing is very flexible for part-time maids, as long as they themselves and clients can oblige each other.” That’s certainly good news for working people who only have the evening free to clean up the house.

The most common tasks assigned to part-time maids, according to Wipes It maid agency, are vacuuming and mopping.

In order to maximize your investment on a part-time helper, Wipes It advises that you ask the maid to do “only basic housekeeping jobs and additional ironing.”

AxcelMaid, on the other hand, discourages assigning tasks such as hand mopping and hanging of laundry as they take too much time to finish.

“In order to save time and cost for all clients, they need to prioritize the jobs according to importance ― cleaning of rooms, toilets, kitchens, all windows, changing bedsheets, cleaning cupboard & drawers, etc. Ironing should be limited to 12 to 15 pieces if too much housework is assigned within the 4 hours per visit because any OT will be charge accordingly,” says the part-time maids specialist. JPO

Source: Looking for Part-time Maid in Singapore?

Would you like to share your own experience with a part-time domestic helper? Did it work for you? Leave your comment below.