Stunning interior designs from a psychologist

Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

"Sometime, people need to be alone, stay away from office works, colleagues and even family. They need a place to breathe," said Marlene Tabalujan Setiyadi at the launch of her book A Room to Breathe: A Refreshing Look to Modern Space recently.

She made that comment to answer queries from reporters on why she chose that title for her book.

Rather than texts, A Room to Breathe presents numerous magnificent images featuring Marlene's interior design creations.

Her intention to write book, she said, was driven by her own experience in helping customers to find the right furnitures and accessories at her furniture gallery Graha Toorak, Kemang, South Jakarta.

Started her creation 15 years ago, Marlene now has made a name in interior design. Before launching A Room to Breathe, some of her works are put on a compilation of interior designs published in 2004 overseas.

"People in other countries see Indonesia as a failed state. I hope this book could promote Indonesia. People should know that Indonesia could produce artistic work," said Marlene, who is a psychologist by profession.

According to Marlene, the 136-page book is written with a belief that even ordinary people like herself are able to create and develop their own delight in working with decorative ideas.

The book is meant to guide readers to be inspired in designing their own private spaces and homes.

"Readers will find themselves creating wonders by applying small changes like setting the right colors and themes even with small budget and limited space," Marlene wrote on the book's introduction section.

Marlene divides her creative designs into six parts, Small Spaces, East Meets West, A Room to Breathe, Classical versus Contemporary, Theme Houses and Modern Indonesian.

For Small Spaces, Marlene emphasizes that the important thing is the right choice of color and furniture in order to create a feeling of space.

The right selection of colors and materials will highlight the natures of small rooms.

On East Meets West, meanwhile Marlene does not simply adopt the East-West cross cultural design. Instead, she makes adaptations with local lifestyle and climate, which is a tropical country.

For A Room to Breathe, Marlene emphasizes on the harmony of colors to create a feeling of peace. For this purpose, Marlene suggested the use of simple primary colors and neutral shades like white and creme to create a calm environment.

The room should also provide supply of fresh air and light through open windows.

Generally, the works of Marlene are intriguing. That is why graphic designer Praba Aristyawan said that he only gave small touches on the design and layout of the book.

"Everything is beautiful. I only gives small touches on it," Praba.

The launching of A Room to Breathe is special in two aspects. First, the book will function as a reference and give guidelines those expecting comfortable home.

Secondly, it is the first book published by publishing company PT Gramedia in English. By publishing this book, Marlene and PT Gramedia attempted to grab international market and to promote Indonesia as well.

------------ A Room to Breathe: A Refreshing Look to Modern Space Marlene Tabalujan Setiyadi PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Jakarta, 2005 p.136 --------------------------------