Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine

Page created by Marjorie Mejia
 
CONTINUE READING
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
July 2016

           FESTIVE
       Greetings

                                            Kitchen fresh
Q U I C K TR I C K S TO M A K E YO U R PL AC E LOO K C LE A N A N D I N V ITI N G
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
The only source of knowledge is
      EXPERIENCE
           – Albert Einstein
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
Rumah Plus
                                                                               Financing

Enjoy the excitement
 of moving into your
    Dream Home!

 Make your dream home a reality with flexible
 Home Financing options, combining competitive
 rates and hassle-free approvals.
 Have a conversation with our dedicated Home Specialist
 today that could open the door to your dream home.
 Call us now at 223 8181 to make an appointment with our Home Specialist or
 to find out more about BIBD Home Financing.

 Contact Centre +673 223 8181 | www.bibd.com.bn                               BIBDBRUNEI
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
A note from
THE EDITOR

    Retrace and Reconnect
    Coming up with the content for our Hari        occasions, they remind us of how much
    Raya themed issue did come about as a          humanity keeps us alive and celebrating
    challenge this time around but that’s no       them with others gives us a new lease
    excuse to be made of our fasting practice,     on life.
    but rather a rewarding experience that
    instead allowed us to tap into our inner       For this month, we’ve kept things
                                                                                                 ON THE COVER
    creativity. It was almost as if we were        grounded to a much more familiar sight.       A time to gather, a time
    expected to play the same song again but       With homes that could be your relative’s,     to celebrate. Hari Raya is
                                                                                                 a time when our homes
    in a different tune – creating this entirely   friend’s or even former colleague’s that      beckon the joyous cheers
    new melody with a few tweaks here and          just reminds you of how much time has         of crowds and the shine
                                                                                                 of radiance of our
    there. Ultimately, things came out fresh       passed since you’ve last seen them and        very interior.
    and having to fast through our routine of      need to make amends by catching up.
    work has kept us motivated despite the         Our message this month is to get back to
    obstacles and trials we face as a team.        those who we have been distant from and
                                                   re-connect with our humanity through                                                                                  July 2016

                                                                                                                                                 ATTRACTIVELY
    Hari Raya Aidilfitri has become                the spirit of forgiveness that is Hari Raya                  FESTIVE
                                                                                                                        aidilfitri
    synonymous with a lot of festive things        Aidilfitri.                                              Greetings

    these days. Flashy lights, fancy new
    threads, fresh furniture and that shiny        On behalf of the BHC team, I’d like to
    new car that’s just hit retail. But much       wish all our readers Selamat Hari Raya
    of it remains traditional in a sense that      Maaf Zahir & Batin!                                                                           Kitchen fresh
                                                                                                     Q U I C K TR I C K S TO M A K E YO U R PL AC E LOO K C LE A N A N D I N V ITI N G

    people still remember to visit the home
    of old friends and family members, taking      Enjoy!
    the time to re-connect with others in a
    world even if they’re just a text message
    away. That’s the beauty of all these festive

                                                                              Amir Noor
                                                                              editor

                                                                                                                                               july 2016                                 3
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
July 2016                         CONTENTS
6 Festive Lights
‘Tis the season to hang up your fancy ‘cucul’ around the
house with our simple tips!
                                                                                                                                 p28
                                                                                                                                Modern with
10   Adaptive Power
                                                                                                                                Tradition
Whether you are a home gadget junkie or just tired of
messy electrical wires, you’re going to enjoy this sleek                                                                        Take a look into this
new power supply - The Eubiq GSS System.                                                                                        passionate homeowner’s
                                                                                                                                place that effortlessly mixes
12    The Fourthcoming                                                                                                          modern with traditional.
It was our fourth birthday, and to celebrate we invited
a crowd of our closest friends to enjoy the bash with us
last May!

18 Cordial Comfort Ability
A subtle yellow warmth dominates this home and sets
up a calm yet exciting ambience for family and friends
to gather.

38     Quick Tricks to Make Your Place
Look Clean
Have we got some tricks up our sleeves for you! Use
our tips to clean your home like a boss.

48     It’s In The Mail
This is not your ordinary post office, but a place to
customise and deliver your shirts to you in the best
possible way: through their unique letterboxes!                            p40                   A Coffee
                                                                                       Comunity by Design
                                                                                                                                      p62
                                                                                                                                      Where To Buy:
54    Managing Space
                                                                                                                                      Loft & Co
Learn how to manage and create more space in your                                                 This humble coffee spot
home to accommodate your growing Raya guests.                                                           doubles as Brunei’s           Refresh your home just
                                                                                                   first commercial coffee            in time for Hari Raya
58     Surround In A Touch                                                                              roaster as well as a
                                                                                                       communal space for
                                                                                                                                      with this line of Ligne
                                                                                                                                      Roset products.
Want that gorgeous luxurious sound for your movies
and music in your home? Then let us entice you to get                                            discussing coffee and just
the ultimate sound machine: the BOSE SoundTouch                                                            about anything.
130 Home Theatre!

64 Index

                   publishing information

                                                 Butra Home Concept Magazine is a monthly
                                                 magazine on home living and lifestyle supported by
                                                 Butra HeidelbergCement and produced by MMW.
                                                                                                                Copyright2016, All Rights Reserved.

project director       graphic designer          sales team                    distribution team                No part of this work may be reproduced
Stuart Lee             Azhar Mohamad             Ak Zul-Majdi Pg Abd Razak     Eddy Adzlyn                      or transmitted in any form or by any means
                       Azran Yusof               Farah Abdullah                Norashidah Hj Ahmad              electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
marketing director     Majdina Yusuf                                                                            recording or by any information storage or
Azlan Ahmad            Syahira Baharudin         advertising inquiry           online team                      retrieval system, without the written permission
                                                 223 8380 / 223 8381           Amirul Hj Sukri                  of BHC Magazine.
editor                 interns                                                 Anisah Alkaff
Amir Noor              Haziqah Marzuke           all inquiries                 Ferial Ferari                    The contents of individual articles in this
                       Mas Amalina Hj Mumin      bhc@mmw.com.bn                                                 publication represent the respective writers’
art director           Nadirah Osman                                           printer                          opinions only which may not necessarily be
Hamdi Matussin                                   website                       Brunei Press Sdn. Bhd.           endorsed by BHC Magazine.
                       contributors              www.bhcmagazine.com
studio manager         Heartwrite
Ana Dzulkefdi          Standard Chartered Bank

                                                                                                                                                         july 2016   5
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
HOME ADVICE

                Raya
                Lights
                 Looking to spruce things up with
                 a little flash of ‘cucul’ this season?
                It’s a simple task to execute in the
                preparation of Hari Raya but here
                are a few tips on how to maximise
                  the efficiency of your setup and
                ensure your home gets the best of
                            the festive vibes.

                    To start things off, there are
                  two rules of thumb; you should
                     have a mix of light sources
                    at different levels to create a
                    flattering ambience and you
                 need appropriate task lighting for
                whatever you do in that space – for
                 this case, festive socialising! Here
                are a few key spots you might want

6   july 2016
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
HOME ADVICE

               to look into;

LIVING ROOM
Light three of the four corners, focusing
one of those lights on an object (art, a
plant, a striking chair). Use a combination
of table lamps and floor lamps, some with
a downward glow and some that shine
upward. Combine these with the right
illumination of your choice of cucul setup
and you’ll have a well-lit room enough to
keep things lively for your guests.

DINING ROOM
To draw people in, make the table the
brightest spot in the room by having
a chandelier or a pendant above the
table – limiting the total wattage to 100.
Elsewhere in the room, indirect lighting is
best – it’s relaxing and flattering. Give the
space a subtle glow with a pair of small
table lamps on a sideboard or matching
sconces on the wall above. Battery-
powered votives inside a glass-front China
cabinet can be a nice touch.

BATHROOM
This might not be the most festive place
for flashing lights but it is worth impressing
your guests with an attractive display.
The best choice for applying makeup
is sidelights, such as a pair of sconces
flanking the mirror. An overhead light
helps fill in any shadows on your face and
also fully illuminates the room.

                                 july 2016       7
Greetings - Kitchen fresh QUICK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR PL ACE LOOK CLE AN AND INVITING - BHC Magazine
TRENDS

      ADAPTIVE                                                                    Get with the times and let convenience run
                                                                                  through your home as they adapt to your

     POWER
                                                                                  needs wherever you like! That means, not
                                                                                  having to chase after a power socket when
                                                                                  your phone is running low on juice or run
                                                                                  out of them when you’ve just bought that
                                                                                  new home theatre.

                                                                                  Alsa Living Enterprise
                                                                                  Block F, Unit 1,
                                                                                  Bangunan Setia Kenangan II, Kg. kiulap
                                                                                  Bandar Seri Begawan.
                                                                                  223 7001
                                                                                     Eubiq Brunei

                          Introducing Eubiq’s GSS System, a modern solution to your domestic power supply needs
                          that matches your growing list of appliances and gadgets as well as your sleek new home
                          interior. It allows for freedom and flexibility, as it is fully customizable to your homely needs
                          where it can be mounted to walls, placed on a table, and even built into your furniture.

                          How it works is simple: insert an adapter anywhere along the power track and with a
                          simple clockwise twist and an indicative click, you’re ready to go! What’s great about it is
                          that it can be highly adaptable to your electrical needs not only at home but your office or
                          retail space as well.

10   july 2016
TRENDS

The sleek and aesthetically pleasing design of the power track surely beats having multiple
electrical extension cords lying around. This also adds on to the safety feature of the GSS
System where it effectively grounds all conductive objects that come into contact with the
power track, making it impossible for any hazardous ‘shock’. So even if your child pokes
their finger through when the power point is on, it is completely safe and childproof!

As far as home gadgets go, power sockets do seem to be the least in terms of excitement
but the Eubiq System will undeniably amp up your home in more ways than you can
imagine! For more information, head over to Alsa Living at Setia Kenangan II Buildings for
an up close look at what the Eubiq has to offer.

                                                                                              july 2016   11
HAPPENINGS

 the             fourthcoming

12   july 2016
HAPPENINGS

It was all smiles and cheers for our guests last month as we celebrated the
fourth anniversary of our beloved BHC Magazine! Hosting us were the
ever-generous folks over at Starbucks with their Beribi Branch as our venue
where we invited more than 50 of our clients, partners and friends to join
us for the festivities.

                                                                              Four years may be an odd number of
                                                                              years for a celebration but what we
                                                                              wanted to commemorate more than
                                                                              our age was our ties with our partners
                                                                              – friends we’ve made throughout the
                                                                              course of our journey and those who
                                                                              have continued to support our goal.

                                                                              Watching over us like proud parents
                                                                              was, Butra HeidelbergCement, present
                                                                              to share the momentous achievements
                                                                              of the magazine, as it was their initiative
                                                                              that we carried in spotlighting Bruneian
                                                                              content, home living and lifestyle. Their
                                                                              support not only meant the longevity of
                                                                              the magazine but also the prime example
                                                                              of how believing in local development
                                                                              can highly benefit the welfare of society
                                                                              in general.

                                                                                                              july 2016     13
HAPPENINGS

                 To start things off, our editor Amir Noor
                 delivered the welcoming remarks in
                 sharing his gratitude and appreciation to
                 our clientele as their presence meant that
                 BHC Magazine was on the right track in
                 delivering their promises to them as well
                 as their audiences. To add, he mentioned
                 the current trend of new magazines and
                 how their rise in numbers has led to the
                 pending challenge of keeping relevant to
                 our Bruneian readership.

14   july 2016
HAPPENINGS

“We may seem like a niche with our              to cut the anniversary cake – an annual        setting respectively. It was hoped that
approach to only home living and lifestyle      tradition which is a sign of our strong ties   their work would gain more notice from
trends in Brunei but the way I see it is that   and commitment to a promising future           our showcase for the day and that our
BHC Magazine adds a greater value to            together.                                      guests would benefit from their particular
the diversity of publications we have now.                                                     specialties when it came to decorating
Challenges they may be but it is without        The celebration was kept at a corporate        their homes as well. At the end of the day,
a doubt the most interesting time to be         casual setting where our guests were           it was our way of supporting such SMEs
with a magazine such as this,” he said.         invited to mingle freely with other guests     by introducing them to a whole new field
                                                while enjoying some of the special             of interest.
With the pleasantries aside, Amir then          vendors we’ve invited for the day. Among
invited Project Director Stuart Lee, Butra      the vendors were Do It Good Records
HeidelbergCement Managing Director              and Little Red Designs who were both
Marcelino Ugarte and Mixmediaworx               local SMEs who contributed their sound
(MMW) Creative Director NJ Matussin             and art form to complement a home

                                                                                                                              july 2016   15
HOME FEATURE

                 Cordial
                 Comfortability

18   july 2016
HOME FEATURE

Every Hari Raya calls for a celebration! And for such
an occasion, there’s always one house that stands out
to be one of those more memorable abodes that
isn’t lavishing nor an extravagant sight to behold – but
rather, a cosy familiar affair that hits the heart in the
right places.

                                                                 july 2016   19
HOME FEATURE

                 w           hat can be easily dismissed
                 as any other suburban home comes
                 this subtle warmth of a residence that
                 gives you a sense of calm as if it were
                 your own home. At times, you may find
                 yourself getting too comfortable to the
                 point where you even forget that you’re
                 a guest!

20   july 2016
HOME FEATURE

The main living room is where much of the hospitality takes place.
Crowds after crowds of families and friends bring the festivities
of the season and the ambience is dominated with laughter and
joy. The interior emanates a warmth of yellow that sets a joyous
mood in the night but late afternoons have a great ease into
ending the days.

                                                       july 2016     21
HOME FEATURE

22   july 2016
HOME FEATURE

About 16 years ago, much of the home         Space is no issue for this family, be it for
was like its neighbourhood of stilt homes    dinners or gatherings that tend to be the
– uniform from all angles with much of       throng of the neighbourhood, as the
its identity to be reshaped by its owner.    living room thrives in having furniture
Thankfully for this home, its interior was   thoughtfully placed with adequate walking
a treat that only the fortunate few were     room between the arrangements.
able to experience with such
exceptional hospitality.

                                                                                                july 2016   23
HOME FEATURE

                 Whatever the occasion, this home is
                 prepared with its conveniently laid out
                 furniture and intangible quality of humble
                 hospitality. This family knows how to keep
                 things simple without compromising its
                 class, a ménage who stand firm with the
                 love of company.

                                                              “This subtle warmth of a
                                                              residence [that] gives you a
                                                              sense of calm as if it were your
                                                              own home”

24   july 2016
HOME FEATURE

    july 2016   25
From all of us at BHC Magazine, we wish to extend our most sincere wishes to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
                      Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam
                                        on the occasion of his 70th birthday
COVER FEATURE

28   july 2016
COVER FEATURE

MODERN
 with     Tradition
                You can say three is a crowd but for
                this family, it certainly seems like a
                much smaller number compared to
                the company they usually have over for
                special occasions. This is a home that
                was made for more than just three. In
                fact, it was built for family festivities of
                every kind.

                                                  july 2016    29
COVER FEATURE

                 t    his home is called ‘Caradi Pujangga’,
                 a Poet’s Chamber. Majestically named not
                 only because of its tantilising attraction
                 but simply because it deserves it. After
                 being a stilt home for more than 10
                 years, the homeowners decided to make
                 an expansion with a grounded floor
                 to stretch their domestic resources in
                 accommodating their relative.

                 “The spotlight shines on the dining
                 area, elaborate with a centerpiece
                 dining table and glorious with a
                 mirrored wall that creates an illusion
                 of a much grander room”

30   july 2016
COVER FEATURE

The renovation took about a year to
complete and once it was done, Caradi
Pujangga was at its best to much of the
homeowner’s delight. The ground floor
is the main attraction with enough living
space to entertain more than 20 guests
at once.

                               july 2016    31
COVER FEATURE

32   july 2016
COVER FEATURE

Adopting what they like to call a ‘Modern   The spotlight shines on the dining area,
Traditional’ concept, the home retains      elaborate with a centerpiece dining table
much of the traditional Malay home          and glorious with a mirrored wall that
characteristics such as wooden furniture    creates an illusion of a much grander
with ethnic patterns, glass and crystal     room. The table serves up to 10 people
fixtures as well as earthy colour tones     and with a china set to match but as fancy
that keeps the mood of the living space     as the setup is, the centered chandelier
grounded. Nothing too extravagant with      keeps the consistency in the modern
the fixtures but that’s a good thing when   traditional concept.
they’re used to having company over for
even the smallest occasions – birthdays,
dinners and especially Hari Raya.

                                                                                              july 2016   33
COVER FEATURE

34   july 2016
COVER FEATURE

As much as the home keeps with what most Bruneians are familiar
with, Caradi Pujangga is an example to look up to when mixing
the old with new. It’s always been a challenge to bring the best
of two worlds into one but clearly this abode makes a proud
display of how devotion and passion for one’s home can also be
a masterpiece.

                                                                        july 2016   35
#look4bhc
   Win these amazing
   prizes simply by
   finding them!
   We’ve got one prize left for you to win through
   our #Look4BHC competition and that’s the
   Crosley Traveler vinyl player! Here’s how you win
   it, follow our Facebook page BHC Magazine
   and/or our Instagram account @bhcmagazine
   and catch our post of the item with the BHC 4th
   Anniversary logo! Snap a pic of the prize in the
   most fancy way you can think of and tag us with
   the hashtags #BHCMagazine #Look4BHC
   #4thanniversary to stand a chance to win!
                                                       CROSLEY
                                                       TRAVELER
   Remember, you must be a follower of our
   accounts to be eligible to participate.
   Terms and Conditions apply.

   GOOD LUCK!

OWN YOUR PERSONALIZED
WEBSITE FROM ONLY $199
The Great Business.com by PayGlass

We always love to talk:
Brunei     +673-2367158
           +673-2420258
Malaysia   +603-21786214
Dubai      +971-56-188-7264
www.thegreatbusiness.com
HOME ADVICE

          QUICK TRICKS TO
          MAKE YOUR PLACE
          LOOK CLEAN AND INVITING

                 There’s really no point in cleaning your place from top to bottom right before
                 your guests arrive. If they’re any fun at all, they’re going to make a bit of a
                 mess, right? But you want them to think your house is clean, even if you just
                 shoved those unpacked drink cartons or uncut kuih-muihs you bought weeks
                 back. This is how you can clean your house just in time for those Hari Raya
                 gatherings that’s just around the corner.

38   july 2016
HOME ADVICE

                                                                      1. PUT AWAY ALL THE STUFF THAT DOESN’T
                                                                      BELONG IN THE ROOM.
                                                                      Whether that involves stuffing toys left behind by your kids into
                                                                      storage or putting pillows together with their rightful sofas, you
                                                                      should get everything sorted with either its match or out of the
                                                                      room to avoid any unnecessary clutter.

                                                                      2. DO A QUICK SWEEP
                                                                      Can’t go wrong with pairing your panicked nerves with a good
                                                                      sweep of the room. Not only does it clear the room of dust and
                                                                      dirt, pushing to clean every corner often opens up spots that you
                                                                      may have missed when you scanned the room. Time is of the
                                                                      essence but being diligent does help in a time of crisis!

                                                                      3. WIPE DOWN PROMINENT SURFACES
                                                                      This is an obvious point but it is always good to be reminded
                                                                      when you’re in a rush for everything. Focus on areas where you
                                                                      can expect your guests to dwell around during most of their stay.
                                                                      Give it a good wipe or dust before moving on.

4. SPRAY SOMETHING THAT SMELLS NICE
Any bad stench can easily defame a room no matter how clean
and sparkly it may be! Be sure to cover this with a good spray
of fragrance to sell the illusion of an all-time clean fresh room
especially when there is food involved later on!

5. TURN ON ‘MOOD LIGHTING’
This is a great way to hide any corners or spots that you don’t
want to give attention to. Unbox those celebrative lights and arc
it around curtains, plants or even walls in true Hari Raya fashion.
Not only does this create a cozy atmosphere but it will also
help cover up any spots you may have accidently missed while
sweeping and wiping.

6. USE POPS OF BRIGHT COLOUR
Adding a couple of bright coloured things like a throw or pillow
covers to seating areas of the room will liven up the atmosphere.
Invest in a couple of pieces that you can easily add to a room, no
matter how subtle they can be.

                                                                                                                                july 2016   39
INSPIRING PLACES

40   july 2016
INSPIRING PLACES

    KAPRA A Coffee
Community By Design
                                               By Jia Ying Chia

           The exterior is decidedly industrial-minimalist, and
           as I turn the corner I realise there is no big signage
         proclaiming Kapra’s stake in the shophouse lot. Just
           a stylized ‘k’ in dark grey against a white brick wall,
            and some coloured perforated metal sheets form
        the façade in front of the glass which I subconsciously
      associate with coffee (raw green beans roasting to dark
       chocolate brown). I later find out this assumption was
             half correct and that they double as a sun screen.

             There is no showiness here but the space itself is
           visually striking and everything on the premises has
            a place and a purpose whether that is aesthetic or
            functional. Better yet, both. The glass door front
      opens into the showroom where co-owner Tiong Sian
      Chon and his business partner have managed to create
      an air of sophisticated elegance with simple accents that
        brings focus to their main agenda: fresh, quality coffee
                                          beans roasted on-site.

                                                       july 2016   41
INSPIRING PLACES

Their showroom is home to a small brewing station         Ceiling to floor glass panels set in a grid framework
on the right, flanked by a tall display shelf holding     separating the tasting room from the roastery
imported home-brewing equipment (mostly                   (inspired by the Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney) and
Japanese) and Kapra’s fresh roasts. In the midst of it    large sliding barn doors adorn its sides completing the
all is a large communal table where patrons can sit       industrial themed interiors. Tiong points out that as
together and learn more about various coffees and         potentially the first specialty coffee roaster in Brunei,
brewing methods. He confirms the wood’s origin to         there was no precedent or guidance when it came
be Meranti, a local species known for its hardiness.      to the construction rules. The end product resulted
Visually, the combination of the various wood finishes    from numerous consultations and support from
creates a symbiotic view point, with enough accents       overseas coffee professionals and local authorities.
to grab one’s attention at a glance. Wood grains are
highlighted where possible, with a simple coat of gloss
and the edges left au naturel.

42   july 2016
INSPIRING PLACES

“Coffee for me at least, is the most
complicated beverage I’ve ever
seen. It takes so much to create a
good cup of coffee.”

                                               july 2016   43
INSPIRING PLACES

 Community building is also at the
 forefront of their business, with the
 open plan layout an intentional move for
 transparency on their roasting processes
 and quality management. Tiong cites his
 extensive foodie and travel experiences
 as the catalyst for Kapra – his intention to
 refine his palate through experiences led
 him down the rabbit hole of the coffee
 industry. “I’ve always had a passion for
 food and beverage,” he confirms, adding
 that he’s as partial to a haute cuisine
 dinner as he is to chowing down on
 Penang kway teow in a kopi tiam.

 “Coffee for me at least, is the most
 complicated beverage I’ve ever seen. It
 takes so much to create a good cup of
 coffee.” Average statistics estimate that
                                                Kapra Coffee
 more than 2000 hours of work goes into         Unit 26, Ground Floor, Block C, Simpang 440,
 a good cup of specialty coffee, from the       Jalan Muara, Bandar Seri Begawan
                                                   kapra       @Kapracoffee
 agriculture process right down to when it
 reaches your hands.

44   july 2016
INSPIRING PLACES

The essence of Kapra, however, is that this is a workshop; a place
where their learned craft is practiced until perfect, and a place for
the new business owners to share their knowledge. As I sit there
watching Tiong demonstrate a pourover method, I am struck by
the proverb of ‘teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.’
I’ve been schooled so to speak, and maybe that is the beauty of
Kapra. Not its gorgeous natural wood detailing, or heavy duty
polished cement floor, or even the really, really good roasts. Most
definitely, the defining quality of this space is that it’s about building
a community, whether you are 50 and have loyally stuck to your
kopi o kao since forever or you’re a baby millennial looking for the
next hip place to Instagram. This one’s for you, Brunei.

                                                                                july 2016   45
INSPIRING PLACES

 Remember the good ol’ days when you
 would go about your morning routine,
 check your mailbox and find a pleasant
 surprise? Not that kind that your pet
 leaves you but surely a letter or even a
 parcel that you weren’t expecting! It’s
 moments like this that you can experience
 with The Letterbox Co., a place where
 you can not only print shirts but also pick
 them up in the same mailbox fashion!

48   july 2016
INSPIRING PLACES

it’s in THE MAIL!

                    july 2016   49
INSPIRING PLACES

                 t     he Letterbox Co. is a fresh
                 establishment on the Seri Kenangan II
                 block with the sole drive of letting you
                 print your choice of artworks and designs
                 on shirts, canvas bags and more! But
                 what’s more special than their services is
                 how they’ve set their signature look stand
                 out at their one and only branch.

                 “The Letterbox Co., a place where you can
                 not only print shirts but also pick them up
                 in the same mailbox fashion!”

50   july 2016
INSPIRING PLACES

The storefront combines industrial
elements with your typical envelope
patterns – alternates of blue and red
nicely paired with textures of wood and
cement. The high ceiling keeps the illusion
of the store being more spacious and with
fabrications hanging overhead, more details
complement the overall look to what
seems to be a very minimal approach to
interior design.

The lighting of the store is kept minute as
well, sticking to down lights and spotlights
to focus on key points within the space such
as the products and displays.

                               july 2016   51
INSPIRING PLACES

                 What truly makes this place stand out is the integration of the
                 letterboxes themselves, placed just outside in locker formation
                 with a numerical lock. These give a distinct look to the store as
                 well as add on to the store’s gimmick to serve customers with
                 a more dynamic approach. In short, it’s your morning routine
                 where you get the delight of a new shirt every time!

                 Have a try at The Letterbox Co.’s app and start designing your
                 own shirt now! It’s fairly simple to use and makes shirt printing a
                 fun experience with every visit you make to their store!

52   july 2016
INSPIRING PLACES

The Letterbox Co.
No E4, Ground Floor, Block E, Setia Kenangan 2,
Kg Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan
   theletterboxco         @theletterco

                                                          july 2016   53
HOME ADVICE

        MANAGING
                               SPACE

54   july 2016
HOME ADVICE

                         Flocks of guests are a staple for occasions like Hari Raya
                         Aidilfitri where you often find yourselves having too
                         many people in your home at one point or another
                         during your open house. It is inevitable no matter
                         how small your invitation list was and you don’t want
                         to resort to kicking guests out to make room for
                         more incoming.

                         It’s times like these where you need to get smart with
                         how to manage things; from people to the space you
                         have to work with and all those times you’ve mastered
                         Diner Dash might come in handy around this time!
                         Here are a few pointers you can prep for and even
                         work on now before the Raya fever kicks in!

EMBEDDING A                                    MAXIMISE STORAGE ON
MULTIFUNCTIONAL                                WALLS
FURNITURE                                      Minimize storage on the floor and bring
This is the number one trick that is most      it up on the walls. This can open up
effective when managing space! Free            and create a spacious environment for
standing furniture can take up a lot of        the room. Spice up your walls with an
space at times. But with combined pieces       open and closed shelving to replace
of furniture in one, it can help you solve     bookshelves and other storage units off
all your problems. If you want a taste of      from the floor
originality on your furnishings then you
can always try custom-made furniture.          COLORS
                                               White is an ideal backdrop since it is so
LET YOUR INNER CREATIVE                        versatile, hence why white rooms are
SCREAM                                         always associated with larger space. You
Well, figuratively. Not literally. There are   can always add a splash or just a hint of
endless creative ways to manage your           color if you are not fan of everything
space. Think about other ways you could        white.
do with the room you have. Does it need
a little “oomph”? If there is limited space,   LESS IS MORE
you can turn any furniture into a two/         Fewer furnishings make the room more
three-in-one piece with a purpose such as      spacious. But if you need extra furniture
putting a lower bookcase behind a sofa to      for you guests then you can opt for folded
create a space for your books as well as a     chairs and tables that can be stored later
decorative table.                              on for future uses.

                                                                              july 2016    55
CONTRIBUTION

                 Half yearly financial
                 Check 2016
                 with Standard Chartered Bank
                 What we always heard that peoples told you to maintain good health and
                 stay fit. There is nothing wrong about that, but did you know that you also
                 can maintain a good financial health? Almost first half of 2016 has gone by
                 in the blink of an eye, and let us not forgets to invest some time on our
                 financial health. You have a control over your financial health and wellness.

56   july 2016
CONTRIBUTION

Why should you conduct a financial                                 you can change things. If your credit card debt is
health check?                                                      high, consider channeling your monthly savings
Conducting a financial health check is similar to                  into paying off your credit cards instead to reduce
visiting a doctor for a regular health check. By                   the debt faster. If you have a housing loan, do
getting a health check performed, you give yourself                you want to repay a portion of the loan so that it
peace of mind on the state of your health if all                   can be restructured and be paid off earlier? Again,
results turn out well. If however, certain conditions              many options will present themselves to you when
are discovered then you can take steps to take                     you take the time to analyse which areas of your
better care of your health to improve the situation.               financial standings can be improved.

Similarly to a financial health check, it will help you            What other actions should I take?
to see if all is going well in the financial department,           Ensure that the filings of your documents are in
or if there are certain aspects that can be improved               good shape. File your finances in sections, for
or needs attention.                                                example, investments portfolio, property matters,
                                                                   fixed deposit, current account or savings account
Where do you begin?                                                statements, insurance policies, etc.
Conducting a financial health check will require
setting some time aside for this task. Depending on                Review your insurance
the scale of your asset and liabilities, you may want              The benefits of reviewing your insurance policies
to engage a trusted partner to help you.                           are to ensure that you have sufficient coverage for
Some people might even engage personal                             continuity. And in some cases, you might be over-
accountants. However, whichever way you                            insured and may be paying too much insurance
conduct your financial health check, it is certainly               premium. You may have had a new child or
better than none.                                                  maybe you may have had a pay raise. Either ways,
                                                                   conducting a review over your insurance policies
Be honest with what you have to deal with. Do                      will help to ensure that the appropriate amount of
not hide debts away hoping that if you don’t include               protection is placed over the issues you value most.
some debts they will magically disappear. Do not
set them aside to be dealt with later. By hiding                   Review your financial goals
these things, you risk cheating yourself of your real              It is important to review your financial goals
financial position.                                                regularly as they may change depending on your
                                                                   situation. Maybe you are expecting a new child or
Begin by listing out the value of your assets. Assets              you are expecting to switch jobs. Some may want
include houses or property, investment accounts,                   to stop working for a while to continue education
shares, bonds, fixed deposits, cash in hand, etc.                  or you may have come across a great bargain for
Then list out your liabilities like housing loans, car             a piece of property. Whatever the situation, they
loans, credit card balances, etc. Minus the liabilities            may have effects on your financial goals because
from your assets and the figure will give you your                 now your financial status will change as you may
net worth.                                                         have to commit to something that you may not
                                                                   have planned for and therefore changing the
What do I do next?                                                 dynamics of your plans.
If the balance of your net worth is positive, then
you are on good tracks and should continue on                      Good time to plan ahead for other matters
them. You can also make some adjustments                           While conducting your financial health check, it may
to current liabilities to see how these could be                   also be a good time to plan ahead for the rest of
improved. Or you can also revise your level of                     the year. How much do you anticipate spending
current savings. You may want to adjust you                        for the upcoming Hari Raya festivities and will you
investment portfolio by shifting some focus to                     be holidaying at the end of the year? Planning
commodities. All these options will be clearer to                  ahead can help you to keep track on whether
you once you have listed out what you have.                        your plans are still realistic at this point in time and
                                                                   whether or not you should stick with them or make
If your net worth is negative, there is no reason                  adjustments.
to despair. Analyse your finances to see where

This article is for general information purposes only and whilst the information in it is believed to be reliable, it has
not been independently verified by us. You are advised to exercise your own independent judgment with the
contents in this article.

                                                                                                                            july 2016   57
CONTRIBUTION

Surround                                                                 IN A

								 Touch

                                                              You don’t have to be an audiophile to appreciate the
                                                              clarity and clever positioning of sound these days. In
                                                              fact, there are a variety of systems these days that
                                                              emulates that cinema-like quality experience right
                                                              in your very home. But how do you decide which
                                                              diamonds in the rough best suit your expectations for a
                                                              home theatre that doesn’t disappoint? Fortunately, Bose
                                                              has the answer.

                 t     he BOSE SoundTouch 130 Home
                 Theater is top of the line brilliance when
                 it comes to sound not only for your
                                                              The SoundTouch 130 consists of a
                                                              soundbar speaker, wireless acoustimass
                                                              module, wireless adapter II and a
                 television and movies but notably music      universal remote right out of the box. It
                 streaming needs as well. It excels at        is easy to setup and beauty of its wireless
                 delivering seamless clarity through WiFi     features is that you can connect it to
                 network and Bluetooth connectivity           the BOSE family of wireless products –
                 even while you’re streaming through          equipping your home with the best sound
                 music services such as Spotify and           in every corner of every room. The
                 Pandora or even other internet radio         SoundTouch soundbar can be placed on
                 stations. And of course, you can’t beat      any surface or wall without compromising
                 being able to stream music from your         its delivery of sound. Its compact with
                 own music library stored on either one of    six precisely positioned drivers and two
                 your devices.                                PhaseGuide sound radiators that delivers
                                                              detailed sound with strong dialogue from
                                                              the center and compelling effects from
                                                              the left and right.

58   july 2016
CONTRIBUTION

The wireless Acoustimass module, which harnesses the bass,
adds dramatic low notes to your entertainment without adding a
cable connection from the module to the speaker. You can place
it pretty much anywhere in the room thanks to its 30’ signal range
and even when its hidden from sight, you will notice the extra
level of realism it provides, from blasting explosions to the roar of
a stadium crowd.

The SoundTouch 130 isn’t limited to the interiors of your
room either. Be it wooden floors, plush rugs or unique room
dimensions; the SoundTouch is consistent with its delivery thanks
to ADAPTiQ, its audio calibration system. It adjusts the speaker’s
performance based on the acoustics of your room so you don’t
have to worry – it does pretty much everything for you in getting
the right sound.

                                                  In truth, the SoundTouch 130 Home Theater does sound like a
                                                  sales pitch much like the other systems you can find on the market
                                                  but it is unquestionably one of the best ones out there. BOSE
                                                  makes it a luxury to have convenience in setting up your system
                                                  easily and having the quality that you paid for right out of the
                                                  box. Having the bonus of connecting similar BOSE family devices
                                                  together makes this a winner for those already familiar with the
                                                  brand and have products that can connect wirelessly.

                                                  Not convinced yet? Then have a go at it yourself by visiting
                                                  Techzania at The Mall for a live demonstration of what the BOSE
                                                  SoundTouch 130 Home Theatre can do and how your home can
                                                  easily be your own entertainment center!

                                                  AV Electronics
                                                  Unit 27, Ground and First Floor, Block B, Simpang 88
                                                  Bangunan Awg. Hj Ahmad, Kg. kiulap
                                                  Bandar Seri Begawan.
                                                  223 7650
                                                     AV Electronics         @av.electronics

                                                                                                              july 2016   59
Signature Wardrobe: Stello and Nouvo Villo wardrobe system

 THE SIGNATURE DIFFERENCE
                                                      “A place for everything and everything in its place”
                             Sums up signature wardrobe Stello and Nouvo Villo wardrobe system - with all its practical functionalities,
                               meticulous craftmanship and attention to detail in creating clever organising option for your space.

Style and functionality go                                             Contemporary and Sleek:                                             Timeless classic beauty
       hand in hand                                            It’s more than a kitchen, it’s a statement

                                                           STERLING SDN BHD A6B, Ground Floor, Block A, Scouts Complex,
                                                                            Kg Mata mata, Jalan Gadong,
                                                                            Bandar Seri Begawan BE 1718,
                                                                            Brunei Darussalam
                                                                                        Tel: 245 4893 / 245 6283
                                                                                        Fax: 245 4892
WHERE TO BUY

                 Give your home a fresh start with
                 a new line of Ligne Roset furniture,
                 courtesy of Loft & Co.! Now with
                 their promotional prices for Hari
                 Raya, you have every reason to
                 celebrate with your loved ones!

                  PRADO SOFA (2 SEATER)
                  BND8413 BND4207

                                                                      REWRITE DESK
                                                                      BND5293 BND2647

                                                        EATON DINING TABLE
                                                        BND11915 BND5958

62   july 2016
WHERE TO BUY

                                        LINES BOOKCASE
                                        BND6978 BND3489

                                                     MONO TOGO SOFA
                                                     BND1615 BND969

Loft & Co
Unit 6, 7, 8 & 9, Ground Floor & First Floor, Kpg Pengkalan,
Batu Bersurat, BE3719 Brunei, Brunei
242 0100
loftandcobsb@gmail.com
   Loft & Co         @loftandcobsb

                                                                   july 2016   63
index                                      A helpful list of references from this issue of BHC.
                                                Dial away!
                                                           Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
ADVERTISEMENT            FURNITURE                         222 2698
AND MEDIA
                         Alsa Living                       De’Olde Cottage
BHC                      223 7001                          223 4202
223 8380
                         GLOT Lifestyle                    Empire Lobby Lounge
D’Sunlit                 242 7351                          241 8888 ext 71164
245 3666
                         Neo Metro                         Flapjack House
Hoco Creative            862 1356                          245 0987
233 2668
                         The Woodworks                     Games & Lattes
Kristal FM               718 9183                          223 5200
888 8907
                         Venere Concept                    It’s A Grind
Magic Media              224 9188                          277 2424
223 3686
                         HEALTH AND GYMS                   KFC
Mint                                                       242 5597
223 3625                 Fitness Zone
                         223 3338                          Li Gong
Mixel                                                      241 8888 ext 71188
872 5515                 JPMC
                         261 1433                          Pepper Lunch
MMW                                                        225 3000
223 8380                 HOTEL
                                                           Spaghettini
Processta Printing       Brunei Hotel                      241 8888 ext 77368
244 6674/75              224 4828
                                                           Starbucks
AUTOMOTIVE               The Empire Hotel                  267 1177
                         241 8888
Maju Motors Sdn Bhd                                        The Krema
(Volkswagen)             INTERIOR                          897 3600
244 8999
                         Hias Design Interior                                        SERVICES
                                                           The Library Cafe
Indera Motor Sdn Bhd     242 3747                          717 9984
239 1000                                                                             PayGlass
                         My Space Gallery                                            242 0258
                                                           Wing-It
CONSTRUCTION             889 5787                          722 4999                  Savway Solutions
BUE                      Signature Kitchen                                           265 5323
                                                           Yugo Dessert Cafe
233 9191                 245 4893                          223 3358
                         245 6283                                                    Shiham Sdn Bhd
COURIER                                                                              888 1953
                                                           RETAIL
                         PROPERTY
BIACC                                                                                TELECOMMUNICATIONS
                                                           AV Electronics
233 3286                 Bess Perfect Property Agency      223 7650
                         242 5353                                                    Siemens
CONCRETE                 719 9739                                                    223 7732
                                                           Bang & Olufsen
                         719 6376                          242 0166
Butra HeidelbergCement                                                               TelBru
277 1395                 Russtini Estate                                             232 1321
                                                           Euro Classic Collection
277 1396                 223 7443                          243 1119
277 1397
277 1398                 SPAD                              Goldmyne
                         242 3747                          242 1491/2/3
Readymix
265 1798                 Valor                             Loft & Co
265 0032                 888 8713                          242 0100
EVENTS AND               RESTAURANTS + CAFE                L’Orient
CONFERENCES                                                223 9988
                         Anjung Layar Luncur Nur Wanita
Damalee Wedding          Serasa Branch                     My Space Gallery
898 5909                 277 1879                          233 8055
Regus                    Another Cafe                      Paloma
236 7002                 223 3593                          242 0240
FINANCES                 Au Lait Cafe                      Samo Furniture
                         223 1901                          223 4255
Baiduri Bank
244 9666                 Bello Cafe                        Supa Save
                         223 3989                          222 3107
Insurans Islam Taib
222 3004                 Belluno Cafe                      The Potters
222 2232                 242 9010                          242 4000
Maybank                  Brew Cafe                         SECURITY
222 6462                 242 7554
                                                           Locksystem Planner
Standard Chartered       Burger King                       223 4533
265 8000                 244 4109

64    july 2016
Building Generations

Since 1996, we have been laying the foundation for the people. From shielding
family homes to raising buildings and bridging the country closer, we continuously
pave the way towards the advancement of the nation and the people.

Here at BHC, we are committed towards building for the generations to come.

TEL +673 277 1395-8 | EMAIL bhz@bruneicement.com | WEB www.bruneicement.com
FB bhcbuildinganation | TWITTER bhcbuilds | INSTAGRAM bhcmagazine
You can also read