Bangkok International Household Fair April 2011

Dressing up one's property is equally as important as making the decision to invest in it. I particularly enjoy doing this and try to do it well (despite all the criticisms from my mother and friends). I think a nicely and tastefully furnished property attracts tenants and puts one in a better position to negotiate the rent, especially in a competitive situation.

Unfortunately, there really isn't many shops in Malaysia that sells affordable, good quality and unique pieces of furniture and household items. We have Ikea, of course but one can't go furnishing a luxury apartment with stuffs from there - at least not most items... and we have the furniture factories in Muar but I think they mainly cater to the lower end market, using low quality Melamine boards, rubber wood and Nyatoh. I see most of the quality stuffs made with expensive teak, Merbau or Cengal in Malaysia being exported or they are simply over-priced. We also have Indonesian teak shops that sells immature young teak wood which have not been properly dried so they tend to warp over time. The wood grains are also not fine because the trees were young when chopped. On top of that, the designs are out-dated - mainly for the older generation.
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So, I tend to have to turn to Thailand for a solution. For example, the apartment pictured above and below, (dubbed the Grocery Shop by my Mum) are furnished by pieces from Chiang Mai...

And what better place than the Bangkok International Household Fair to identify new suppliers and get fresh furnishing ideas. Only this year I get to write about it but unfortunately, this year's fair clashed with a similar event in Hong Kong. So, the size of the fair was almost halved with much fewer exhibitors.


The fair is arranged in 3 sections. The Design Hall carried most of the furnishing items although some furniture exhibits are also found in the other 2 sections, which are the Household Hall and the Gifts Hall.


There is no questions about the ingenuity and creativity of Thai designers. I have said it in their architecture and this holds true for their other designs as well. Many of their items are original and unique. This piece below made entirely with plastic is a Neo-Oriental design.


But I much prefer the wooden versions, here below made with solid Canadian Oak.


Oak, Oak, ...
and more Oak...


The chairs above costs only 4500 baht (RM450) each. I don't think we can get solid wood chairs at this price and design in Malaysia anymore.

Surprisingly, imported Canadian Oak seems to be common this year as Thai teak has begun to dwindle. In fact the prices have gone up quite tremendously from the last shipment I made in 2008.


The only teak I discovered at this show is from the exhibitor above. But the value of the Thai Golden Teak in it's beautiful gold grains are lost in the shiny black lacquer.




There are some really very good wood work and interesting refreshing designs. Like the piece above with a clever blend of solid wood, stainless steel and garnished with cushion clothed with natural fibers.

And there are also those who should go to jail for wasting Earth's natural resource...


There are also lots of bean bags and oversized cushions this year... but this one caught my eyes due to the peculiar shape...



Something for everyone... from the Flambo (flamboyant)...


...to the Retro, which is back in fashion...

These are some very nice pieces of bathroom sink carved entirely from a block of marble, with nice clean lines and shapes...




They cost no more than RM2000 each which makes me start thinking about gutting one of my bathrooms and remodeling it along this concept... and even have matching marble lamps to go...

Below are some nice furniture pieces wrapped with leather. They are really nothing new, but nevertheless looks very elegant although can be tough to maintain...



and a nice soft leather couch to go with them...


This year's household section is dominated by Plastics...


Plastics, plastics,...


plastics...


plastics...
...and plastics...
...and more plastics...

Some samples of new products and designs...













and more conventional and typical Thai designs that we see year on year...

Alas, in the Toys sections, this seems like a good investment for my niece to ensure that we get some good home cooking in the future...


I'm expecting to bring in more furniture shipments from Thailand later next year. I am writing this not because I am trying to sell Thai furniture but I would like to invite readers who are also interested to bring in furniture from Thailand to share a container to cut down the shipping costs. Hence, I am looking at organizing a shopping tour of factories in Bangkok and Chiang Mai in November or December 2011. Do drop me an email sinleongng@yahoo.com if you are interested to join.

Putrajaya - Yara 8

With Cyberjaya booming, the housing market will be making a windfall. I think some of it will be rubbing on to Putrajaya. That is why, there has been some interesting developments here recently. But nothing is more interesting than Yara8 by Putrajaya Holdings as this is a very niche development of Semi-D units by the Putrajaya Lake. There are only 26 units.

Yara8, aptly named after Melbourne's Yarra river (though a bit deceiving as this development is by a lake, not a river!) is located in Presinct 8. There is a very nice jogging path running along the development which is by the lake with a breath-taking view of the Putra mosque and the imposing Prime Minister's office.


Putrajaya Lakeclub (below) is located right beside. And not too far across the road is a school, a foodcourt, wet market and small township with banks.


As the Yara8 semi-Ds back into the lake, the front actually faces existing semi-Ds. These were built and sold for less than RM750k about 10 years ago and currently few units have surfaced in the market at around RM1m. Not too great an appreciation one would think but that could be due to its' heinous designs.



Obviously, Putrajaya being a seat of the Federal government, the first occupants are mainly government servants. There are also quite a number of Bumiputera allocated units which tends to suppress the price capability.


The best selling point, has to be the view. With complete unblocked views of either the lake or a park ...


... which flows right into the master bedroom window like a scenic painting on the wall..


...also enjoyed from the bathroom...


...and some may even get the impressive view of the Putra mosque...


The units itself do not look too bad. With contemporary straight lines, flat roofing and large windows...



These are 3 storey units. The lowest floor consist of the maid's quarters, complete with a small pantry, storage room and bath. There is also a separate maid entrance. There are 3 sides which includes the said maid's entrance,



The front porch entrance...


And the back entrance which opens out to the lake and jogging path. This part also includes a small pool, suitable as a spa jacuzzi or a fish pond, depending on your fetish...


Privacy is ensured by lifting the pool part one level above the jogging path outside.


The large windows are designed with no other motive except to enjoy the views outside. The living room and dining area is exceedingly spacious.



There is a open sky garden in the middle of the living area which separates the main entrance and the living hall.


There are 2 kitchens - one being a dry kitchen that is also part of the living hall and a wet kitchen. Unfortunately I was not able to photograph the kitchen as it is very small. This is without the cabinets so I wonder how bad it will get when the full set up is moved in.

Despite the hefty price tag starting from RM1.8m, I am also quite disappointed to find a lack of luxury materials such as marble or quality granite to adorn the baths and flooring.


Nevertheless, at the range of RM1.8m to RM2m per piece, this is still not a bad investment considering the prized location and the limited 26 units. Also, comparing against the projects in Cyberjaya such as MyDiva or Trillium which are almost similarly priced, the Yara8 is a steal. This is a collectors item.

Cyberjaya

Giant Multinationals have expanded or expanding into Cyberjaya. Shell is creating thousands of jobs and construction is running to keep up with the demand for housing. This certainly warrants an exploratory visit to this nook of the Klang Valley...


I have looked at several potential investments in Cyberjaya. The most impressive has to be OSK Property's Mirage by the Lake (pictured above). But OSK should be sued for misrepresentation because this project is no where by any Lake. Some of the taller units in the condo blocks may have a view of the Putrajaya Lake but in order to get there, one has to cross a road and trespass into another housing area before one gets to any water... However, the concept is a good one, although quite pricey, with the smaller condos selling above RM650k to 2 storey villas at around RM1.5m to 3 storey villas going for RM2m and above . The beautifully designed villas surround a salt-water spa.


Cyberjaya specialists, Setia Haruman is building their 2nd phase of the popular Perdana Lakeview, called Summer Glades, at Perdana Lakeview West (above). Few years back when Perdana Lakeview East (picture below) was launched, I was actually the 1st to register at the launching event. The whole event turned out to be a farce as after 2 hours and my 6th chicken wing, I was still the only person who turned up. So I decided then that placing a booking would be a bad idea and I left. At that time, a typical intermediate unit was going for RM450k. Today, it is almost fully tenanted with a minimum rental of RM4000/month and rare units come into the market at no less than RM750k. But the layout is arguably the worst I have ever come across - it is un-describable. So, Perdana Lake View West is set out to correct this mistake although the location is not as great... Summer Glades is sold out within weeks with intermediate units sold at RM750k and above...


On the topic of location, perhaps the best location goes to Shafted-berry, I mean Shaftsbury Square serviced apartments. This is as central to Cyberjaya as you can get and it is actually a mixed commercial, offices and residential development. As one would know, Shaftesbury (with an e in the middle) is a posh part of central London with fine boutiques and designer lofts. But one can't help but feel "Shafted" by the Cyberjaya version as one views the el-cheapo furnished serviced suites showroom... priced from RM300k and above for a tiny studio unit. Their 906sf 2 br unit below might be a more sober purchase at around RM600k. However, I do wish their units come unfurnished as I ponder on how to demolish and cart away those horrible built-ins they will be providing.


Nevertheless, Shaftsbury will be popular due to its location, and the commercial units downstairs are all taken up and it is said that all the banks will have one branch there. So, you won't be wrong with this one but the price says it all...

Also on the list is Trillium and MyDiva which are located adjacent to Perdana Lakeview East... minus the lake... But these Semi-D units are so over-priced, I think they deserve a miss...

More Coming Up in Bukit Ceylon

The parking space opposite Somerset Seri Bukit Ceylon has now been wrapped up, ready for something...
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At the same time, there is a project on-going beside Menara Bukit Ceylon and SixCeylon. And the plot beside Olympia College or behind the KLSE which was once said to be a new luxury condo named after a London Underground station is being cleared. It's really getting hot here...
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