Psychologist designs interiors that make for homey homes<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A Room to Breathe: A Refreshing Look to Modern Space<\/p>\n
Marlene Tabalujan Setiyadi<\/p>\n
PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Jakarta, 2005<\/p>\n
p.136<\/p>\n
\"Sometimes, people need to be alone, stay away from the
\noffice, colleagues and even family. They need a place to
\nbreathe,\" said Marlene Tabalujan Setiyadi at the recent launch of
\nher book A Room to Breathe: A Refreshing Look to Modern Space.<\/p>\n
She was responding to resporters as to her thoughts in
\nchoosing this particular title.<\/p>\n
Rather than filled with text from cover to cover, A Room to
\nBreathe presents numerous magnificent images featuring Marlene's
\ninterior creations.<\/p>\n
Her intention to write a book, she said, was inspired by her
\nown experience in helping customers to find the right furniture
\nand accessories at her furniture gallery Graha Toorak in Kemang,
\nSouth Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Marlene, who started her creative business 15 years ago, has
\nmade a name for herself in interior design. Prior to the launch
\nof A Room to Breathe, some of her work were compiled in a book on
\ninterior design that was published overseas in 2004.<\/p>\n
\"People in other countries see Indonesia as a failed state. I
\nhope this book will help to promote Indonesia. People should know
\nthat Indonesia could produce artistic work,\" said Marlene, who is
\na trained psychologist.<\/p>\n
Marlene said, she wrote the 136-page book with a belief that
\neven ordinary people, like herself, are able to create and
\ndevelop a delightful, personal environment in working with
\ndecorative ideas.<\/p>\n
The book is meant to inspire and to guide readers in designing
\ntheir own private spaces and homes.<\/p>\n
\"Readers will find themselves creating wonders by applying
\nsmall changes, like setting the right colors and themes, even
\nwith small budget and limited space,\" Marlene writes in the
\nintroduction.<\/p>\n
Marlene divides her creative designs into six sub-sections:
\nSmall Spaces, East Meets West, A Room to Breathe, Classical
\nversus Contemporary, Theme Houses and Modern Indonesian.<\/p>\n
In Small Spaces, Marlene emphasizes that the important thing
\nis the right choice of color and furniture in order to create a
\nfeeling of spaciousness, by highlighting the potential of small
\nrooms.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in East Meets West, she does not simply adopt an
\nEast-West cultural fusion. Instead, she adapts designs to
\naccommodate the local lifestyle and climate to suit a tropical
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
In A Room to Breathe, Marlene emphasizes the harmony of colors
\nto create a feeling of peace. For this purpose, Marlene suggests
\nthe use of primary colors paired with neutral shades like white
\nand cream to create a calming environment.<\/p>\n
The room should also provide supply of fresh air and natural
\nlight through open windows.<\/p>\n
Marlene's interiors are intriguing in themselves, so that
\ngraphic designer Praba Aristyawan said he only made small touch-
\nups on the design and layout of the book.<\/p>\n
\"Everything is beautiful,\" said Praba.<\/p>\n
The launch of A Room to Breathe is special with regard to two
\naspects. First, the book will function as a reference and give
\nguidance to those wishing to create a comfortable home.<\/p>\n
Second, it is the first book to be published by publishing
\ngiant PT Gramedia in English, which means this book may, in the
\nend, realize Marlene's hopes to grab the international market and
\npromote Indonesia's commercial artsts and art.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/psychologist-designs-interiors-that-make-for-homey-homes-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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