Stunning interior designs from a psychologist
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.
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A Room to Breathe: A Refreshing Look to Modern Space
Marlene Tabalujan Setiyadi
PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Jakarta, 2005
p.136
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