MATERIAL / Living ASEAN - Inspiring Tropical Lifestyle

Domestic Alternative Materials: a Revolution of the Imagination

By livingasean
July 13, 2021
IDEA,LIVING,MATERIAL

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / Photograph: THINKK Studio /

Taking a closer look at creative industries, we think you will agree that “materials” take priority over any other matter. Hence, a project codenamed “Domestic Alternative Materials” was born to research into the innovation, introduction, and improvement of new products needed for the manufacture of goods and articles. By creating products that are original and unique, it takes design to the next level and helps reduce waste as natural raw materials become scarce and hard to come by.

Domestic Alternative Materials is a nice little collab that turns everyday things into items of higher quality and value. These include empty seashells, crab shells, glass bottles, water hyacinth fibers, coconut husks, coconut shells, betel nut fibers, even fabric scraps from the garment factory.

It’s amazing how a little bit of imagination can give scraps and litters new life. Together, the team transform trash into new products that the industry needs, among them faux metal bars and imitation wood that can be used as alternative materials for furniture making and light fixtures.

Like the wake-up call to a growing menace to the environment, the project causes us to look back at the trail of garbage left behind by commercial and industrial activities.

Hence to reduce waste, it makes perfect sense to transform those otherwise useless objects into alternative materials that can be put to good use again and in more creative ways.

The works of Domestic Alternative Materials are on show as part of a greater event known as Bangkok Design Week 2021. It’s a show designed to create an awareness among the people, architects, designers and consumers about the need to reduce waste and conserve the environent.

Despite disruptions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, it provides the opportunity to appreciate a revolution of the imagination that results in a stunning array of unconventional materials for the creative industries.

Project: thinkkstudio (www.thinkkstudio.com)

Homework Smart Fabrics: Solutions Beyond Beautification

By livingasean
November 19, 2018
IDEA,LIVING,MATERIAL

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story & Photograph: Courtesy of Homework /

Homework offers all-around knowledge about smart fabrics for solutions beyond beautification: Fireproofing, waterproofing, and long-term sun resistance.

Materials used for house décor and furnishings in the modern era need to do more than simply add beauty: they must also be more comfortable, convenient, and easy to use.

This includes fabrics we normally think of as decorative that have been developed to have fire-resistant and waterproof properties and – especially for outdoor furniture – high tolerance for sunlight, rain, and ocean salinity.

Today’s smart fabrics have evolved beyond old limitations to be more beautiful, durable, and adaptable to many new uses.

Fire-resistant fabrics

For the safety of people and property, in the near future fireproofing will be legally required for many types of equipment and materials, including fabrics. Modern production of fire-retardant cloth involves treating the fibers with fireproofing chemicals before color-dying the cloth and weaving it into sheets.

The admixture of these chemicals will not only make the fabric slower to burn but can also add as much as five years to its life. This can help save lives by giving more time to persons escaping a burning building, but also has the simpler advantage that the material can be washed and ironed an unlimited number of times.

This method is superior to earlier, more conventional fire-protection coating, where fabrics stored in either air-conditioned rooms or spaces with a lot of humidity will gradually lose such a coating within 7-8 months, reducing its effectiveness.

Fire-resistant fabrics; 01 Design No. 10216, 02 Design No. 10257, 03 Design No. 10258 / Note: 100% polyester fabrics are material of choice for curtains, throw pillows, and furniture upholstery.

TIP

NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 701 is a standard used in the United States of America and approved by international designers.

Waterproof fabric

Waterproof fabric is more appropriate for furniture upholstery or wall covering than for drapes, since they are more likely to experience liquid spills. Upholstery with waterproof qualities has to be strong and have a long-term resistance to water.

For more effectiveness the cloth is woven in a special, loose way, using polyester fibers with gaps between that allow waterproofing chemicals to penetrate, be absorbed in, and fully adhere to them.

Properly waterproofed smart fabric must be able to hold water for at least 35 minutes without any seeping through, and maintenance should be easy: stains should be quickly removable by wiping with a damp cloth, after which the furniture should be as beautiful as before.

Waterproof fabric / Impact Collection; 04 Design No. 1788/07, 05 Design No. 1788/20, 06 Design No. 1788/03; width 57″ (145 cm) / Martindale >25,000 Rubs. / Note: 100% polyester fabrics are material of choice for curtains, throw pillows, and furniture upholstery.

TIP

Homework’s waterproof upholstery fabric has a Martindale value of more than 25,000 rubs, higher than the general standard of 20,000 rubs. great waterproofing, and also extremely durable.

Outdoor fabrics

Acrylic smart fibers have enabled production of new fabrics for outdoor use because they have qualities that ordinary cloth does not: resistance to sea salinity and strong sunlight.

Color is added along with chemicals to produce “dyed acrylic” thread whose color remains fresh, beautiful and lasting for 5 years or more with no significant maintenance required even when subjected to air pollution, sunlight, and sea water.

Collected dust, dirt, and even pen marks can be easily wiped away with a damp cloth.

Outdoor fabrics / Oxford Outdoor Collection; 07 Design No. 1838/03, 08 Design No. 1838/05, 09 Design No. 1838/06; Composition: 100% Solution-dyed Acrylic / Finish: Water Repellent / width 61″ (155 cm) / Martindale >25,000 Rubs. / Note: 100% Solution-dyed Acrylic fabrics are material of choice for throw pillows, and furniture upholstery.

TIP

Smart fabrics designed for outdoor use are generally quite tough, and can feel uncomfortable to the touch. Homework avoids this problem by weaving its fabrics so that fibers are slightly spaced apart, giving the product flexibility and a comfortable feel even with heavy use.

Information and fabrics courtesy of HOMEWORK FABRICS

Contact information:
No. 9 Yaek 9 Soi Petchakasem 112, Khwaeng Nong Khang Phloo, Nong Khaem District, Bangkok 10160, Thailand
Tel: +662-119-7888
Fax: +662-810-8091
Email: marketing@goldhousedecor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/homework.th
www.goldhousedecor.com

Homework Fabrics with Style; Warm, Relaxing Tropical Elegance

By livingasean
November 14, 2018
IDEA,LIVING,MATERIAL

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story & Photograph: Courtesy of Homework /

Modern tropical is one of decorating styles that have become popular across the country. It’s a style that takes into account the warm and humid climate characteristic of the Region. This is abundantly clear in the way tropical décor materials sourced directly from the locality are being put to good use in so many ways. They include wood that promotes relaxing and peaceful feelings, floating furniture crafted of natural materials, home décor accessories, and fabrics for furniture upholstery, throw pillows, and curtains in striking colors and textures. Their simple yet elegant appearances bespeak a cool, contemporary style that’s classic in its own special way, a style that’s quite capable of answering many decorating needs.

Polyester fabrics look their best not only in home furnishings and decorative accessories, but also in business establishments from hotels to retail shops, where not seriousness but a friendly, relaxing and pleasant manner is everything and everlasting. For that, there are polyester fabrics to suit every decorating need. Here are some of the qualities worth considering.

TYPES OF FABRIC

The Modern tropical style is well suited to the warm and humid climate typical of the Region’s highlands and seaside environments. Polyester fabrics come in handy as the material of choice for their ability to resist exposure to a range of weather conditions, from moisture to bacterial and fungal contamination. These unfavorable conditions can have negative effects on consumers. To avoid problems, polyester fabrics are recommended because they are made of plastic fibers that do not absorb moisture. Unlike natural fibers, polyester does not accumulate humidity, which reduces the chance of bacterial and fungal contamination in fabrics.

MOOD AND TONE

The tropical decorating style evokes the image of bright sunlight and cool temperatures that accompany every rainfall. That sounds like a first good impression that most people have. To create interior design that will ring the bell, materials that provide a decorative and textured surface are of great significance. That’s not all. Materials for furniture upholstery and curtains in complementing colors and design are important, too. Together, they combine to make the interior living space feel warm and welcoming. There are plenty of ways to match colors. Whether it’s visual harmony or outstanding visual contrast, the choice is yours.

FABRIC PROPERTIES

Humidity in the air is among factors contributing to fungal and bacterial growth. Hence, it makes perfect sense to go for polyester when it comes to interior decorating. Polyester is great for curtains, furniture upholstery, blankets and throw pillows. It’s undergone testing to prove its worth. Thanks to its many outstanding attributes, polyester has remained a popular material of choice in a variety of applications. Its benefits are not limited to just interior décor or furniture. Some polyester fabrics are capable of serving multiple purposes. For information about polyester usage, consult the product catalog and label that comes with the fabrics.

Polyester Material of Choice for Modern Tropical Décor

01 Design No. 9554/05: width 110″ (280 cm)

02 Design No. 8072/03: width 54″ (137 cm)

03 Design No. 3151/07: width 60″ (150 cm)

04 Design No. 10056/103: width 55″ (140 cm)

05 Design No. 10051/105: width 55″ (140 cm)

06 Design No. DANE/104: width 54″ (137 cm)

Note: 100% polyester fabrics are material of choice for curtains, throw pillows, and furniture upholstery.

Information and fabrics courtesy of: HOMEWORK FABRICS

Contact information:
No. 9 Yaek 9 Soi Petchakasem 112, Khwaeng Nong Khang Phloo, Nong Khaem District, Bangkok 10160, Thailand
Tel: +662-119-7888
Fax: +662-810-8091
Email: marketing@goldhousedecor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/homework.th
www.goldhousedecor.com

A Fabric Guide to Home Decoration

By livingasean
June 11, 2018
IDEA,LIVING,MATERIAL

/ Bangkok, Thailand /
/ Story: Ektida N. / Photograph: Supawan S. / Styling: Worawat T. / Graphic Design: Pornpailin Nateetip /

“Fabric” is one of the most popular materials used in home decoration. It’s preferred for an enormous richness of sizes, colors, and types of textiles as well as design patterns to suit every need. There’s a variety of fabrics that are developed for the purpose of interior decoration. We call them HOME TEXTILES.

Home Textiles come in 2 categories: One for the curtains, the other for furniture upholstery.

CURTAIN FABRICS

In general, three types of materials are used in curtain making. They include: Nontransparent fabric (the innermost layer), Shade fabric (the one in the middle), and Sheer fabric (the outer layer adjoining the windowpane). Of the three layers, it’s the dark curtain that has the most influential visual effects that set the mood of the room. Factors that affect how you feel range from a palette of colors, to design patterns, to the thickness of the textile.

3 Things to consider in choosing the right textile for your curtains

Beauty

Curtains are a decorating material that is replaced the least often of all types of home furnishings. Some may never get changed at all. That being said, it’s extremely important to get it right the first time – especially the nontransparent layer. Besides the beauty of the fabric, style matters. It makes your heart sing to have beautifully hung curtains that answer your lifestyle needs and fit in perfectly with the furniture. Together, they set the atmosphere and style options in the same direction.

Fabric Types

The material most appropriate for making curtains is polyester fabric. Made from plastics, it’s easy to blend with other fibers and less likely to allow moisture to build up. This in turn makes it fungal and bacterial resistant. Apart from that, it stays beautiful for a long time because the color doesn’t fade easily. It’s machine-washable, and can withstand steam-press iron up to 165° Celsius.

Safety

For safety, choose materials that are covered by Ministry of Industry quality standards, which ascertain that the chemical process used in dyeing textiles are formaldehyde-free and lead-free. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of the chemicals is known to cause cancer. Start your search with countries of manufacturing, for example Thailand, or Australia, where safety regulations on toxic chemicals are strictly enforced.

UPHOLSTERY FABRICS

Durability takes the highest priority over other matters when selecting fabrics for furniture upholstery. The fabrics chosen for this specific task must be highly capable of withstanding friction and enduring heavier weight than can the materials made for curtains. While curtains are meant to be beautiful, upholstery fabrics are made to last. They have pride of place as soft, padded coverings on the furniture, the headboard, even the wall. Like the curtains, upholstery fabrics should be polyester, which is easy on the eye, and easy to keep clean. And the choice isn’t limited to just upholstery. There is polyester to meet every specific need, be it water-resistant, mold-and-mildew resistant, or fire-retardant, even the kind that suppresses noise.

Why100% Polyester?

// Made from plastics, polyester fabric has certain qualities which prevents moisture from accumulating, resulting in exceptional ability to resist to fungus, molds, and mildew. It’s easy to keep clean and retains colors much longer than other material. That’s what makes it ideal for furniture upholstery, throw pillows, and curtains. //

USEFUL TIPS

// Choose fabric that’s appropriate for the work to be done. Refer to information on the label accompanying the material for certain. //

NOTE: Check the product code for dimensions, type of fabric, and usage guidelines by referring to information underneath this picture.

01
Design No. ES044
Width: 300 cm.
Composition: 100% Polyester
Usage: Curtains

02
Design No. 10023/102
Width: 55 “ (140 cm.)
Composition: 100% Polyester
Usage: Curtains, Throw pillows, Furniture upholstery

03
Design No. 10016/102
Width: 60 “ (150 cm.)
Composition: 100% Polyester
Usage: Curtains, Throw pillows, Furniture upholstery

04
Design No. 10041/114
Width: 55 “ (140 cm.)
Composition: 100% Polyester
Usage: Curtains, Throw pillows, Furniture upholstery

05
Design No. : 1692/01
Width: 60 “ (150 cm.)
Composition: 100% Polyester
Usage: Curtains, Throw pillows, Furniture upholstery

06
Design No. 10063/116
Width: 55 “ (140 cm.)
Composition: 100% Polyester
Usage: Curtains, Throw pillows, Furniture upholstery

Information and fabric details courtesy of HOMEWORK FABRICS

Contact information
9 Yaek 9 Soi Petchkasem 112,
Khwaeng Nong Khang Phlu, District of Nong Khaem,
Bangkok 10160, Thailand
Tel: +662-119-7888 Fax: +662-810-8091
Email: marketing@goldhousedecor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/homework.th

Eco Flooring by Deesawat

By livingasean
November 21, 2016
IDEA,LIVING,MATERIAL

After the research, Deesawat used many kinds of waste materials to combine and create building materials as the new way.

For the eco flooring, basic materials will be cut in various timber species such as teak, white oak, rosewood, and walnut. Deesawat also add up eco board which is recycle material from the trash(aluminum and PE) from UHT milk pack, press into board and profile into another material. With this combination, the product is presented as an interesting combination of materials that can create a good reusable design for project requirement.

Eco Flooring by Deesawat received the DEmark Award in the industrial category from Thailand and also received the Good Design Award from Japan which guarantees the quality of the produce.

link: http://www.deesawat.com/home.html

Flexible Stone Veneer / The New Innovation of Natural Stone

By livingasean
October 27, 2016
IDEA,LIVING,MATERIAL

Flexx Stone – Flexible Stone Veneer // Light, Thin and Flexible to apply

31400875-stone-silhouettes-on-the-white-background-Stock-Vector — A project in Thailand, designed by Studio B

Flexx stone is a veneer with layers of natural stone and polymer composite. This innovation makes it thin, light and yet strong. It is used for both interior and exterior and especially where bending to a curved surface is required. Flexx Stone can be applied on any surface: concrete, masonry, wallboard, metal, plywood and drywall. It can be glued by PU adhesive, silicone and epoxy. Its surface can be treated like natural stone, glossy or matt.

mix_flexx — More than 15 color variation of Flexible Stone Veneer

Benefit of Flexx Stone:

Very light – 0.3 kg per square metre

Very Thin – 0.1-0.3 mm

Easy to cut and work with

Flexible to install on wall, ceiling, door, cabinet, furniture and decorative item

Cost effective

Water proof material

High Strength and durable

Every stale is unique

p02 — Columns which was covered by Flexx Stone at PLATO X Mobella Showroom Ekamai, Sukhumvit

m_img-20160906-wa0003 — The project in Canada

m_10345810_775366115834398_3509550309610608333_n — Left: ceiling application, Right: Translucent serie

Nowadays, Flexible stone veneer was installed in many countries in Europe, America and Asia. Flexx Stone in Thailand was distributed by Plan X Co.,Ltd.

Distributor: Plan X, Thailand – https://www.facebook.com/Plan-X-668377643313198/

Blog : MATERIAL

Domestic Alternative Materials: a Revolution of the Imagination

Homework Smart Fabrics: Solutions Beyond Beautification

Homework offers all-around knowledge about smart fabrics for solutions beyond beautification: Fireproofing, waterproofing, and long-term sun resistance.

Homework Fabrics with Style; Warm, Relaxing Tropical Elegance

A Fabric Guide to Home Decoration

Why100% Polyester?

USEFUL TIPS

// Choose fabric that’s appropriate for the work to be done. Refer to information on the label accompanying the material for certain. //

Eco Flooring by Deesawat

After the research, Deesawat used many kinds of waste materials to combine and create building materials as the new way.

Flexible Stone Veneer / The New Innovation of Natural Stone

Flexx Stone – Flexible Stone Veneer // Light, Thin and Flexible to apply

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