Thursday 30 July 2015

The Secret of Color Hues

Having a new condominium is a good opportunity to let out the imaginative and creative side of an individual although it takes a lot of time and effort. Still, we always want our space to feel like our own. Reviewing a lot of tip sites are not enough. 


According to a survey conducted by The Peterson Group Bespoke Condominium and Residences, matchmaker between the best and the most suitable luxury apartments and expatriates in the cities of Singapore, Jakarta, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Hong Kong, one of the most common issue among members is choosing the right palette of color to make their luxurious homes stand for its name. Most of them end up hiring a décor specialist who, most of the time, does not meet their demands. 

In response to this, we have prepared a guide on how to choose the right color combination for you to be able to pick your own color scheme. 

1. All white doesn’t make the room big
Contrary to the common conception, it does not matter much which color you are going to choose as long as furnishings are placed correctly and the chosen color can create inviting space with style beyond diminutive size. 

2. Choose Sharp Colors
One of the best ways to expand a space is with very clear colors. Choose a palette of sharper colors as opposed to duller ones. Sharp as in bright chintzes mixed with colorful plaids or really hot reds and electric blues, yellows and greens (with plenty of air between the pieces). Color combinations with negative space in between will enhance the space's clarity and openness.

3. Color Unexpected Accents

Bring splashes of color to a radiator, the inside of a bookshelf or a windowsill to bring excitement and depth to a room. If you're lucky enough to have a foyer or hall, paint that a dark color and ease into a lighter shades in the living room, which will make it feel more spacious by comparison.

4. Create a Focal Wall
Many people are concerned about using bold colors as it can be too attention-grabbing. Contrary to the complaints, using deeper colors on one part of the wall can work wonders. Sometimes a darker color on one wall can make it recede, making the space look larger.

5. The Unending Black Power
Black may not be a color but it works in everything. A black item, say a lamp, will help emphasize the color palette that you have used.

Thursday 23 July 2015

Make Your Small Condo Look Bigger


Small living is now a world-wide trend. If you have reviewed some episodes of Tiny House Nation, then, you probably have been convinced that living in a small space is both practical and creative since it would cost you less and open your inner creativity. But it would be a very big challenge to squeeze into a small quarters, how much more to design it with so many stuff. You may now be scratching your head.

No worries. The Peterson Group Bespoke Condominium and Residences, matchmaker in finding the best and most suitable luxury residential and apartments for you and your family in Singapore, Jakarta, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Hong Kong is to provide tips on the best things to do when you have a limited space and make it look bigger.
  1. Mirror
  2. Nothing beats mirrors when it comes to making the room look bigger. As the image in the mirror is reflecting that of the space, it makes it look like an extension of the place itself. With proper lighting position, mirrors may very well serve multiple purposes.

  3. Open Curtains
  4. Since heavy and dark draperies refract the light from entering the room, it can give a gloomy and dark effect. Opening windows to let the light spread inside the place may help things get a little more perspective plus help you get fresher air especially if you are living many floors up.

  5. Different Shades for the Same Colors
  6. Each color has different shades. It would be better to choose the one color and use different shades on it for unity. You wouldn’t want contrasting colors tug and pull each other. You don’t want to hear your guest complain because of highly unorganized color clutter.

  7. Stay away from Unnecessary Details
  8. Avoid using designs such as ruffles or large prints attached to your furniture and windows. Try to invest on smaller patterns or plain color fabrics and achieve a single and unified look to make the room visually roomy. Stick to these basic rules and be creative! Dealing with a smaller space once you have decided to live in a condo can actually be more exciting than daunting. You can unleash the interior designer and artist in you; express yourself while creating a more convenient living space for yourself and your loved ones.

  9. Less is Best
  10. Try to limit the clutter in your condominium particularly the furniture. Sometimes having large but multifunctional furniture would be more beneficial in the long run rather than having small home equipment taking too much space in the areas of your abode. Let go and do not get attached with things which you have not used in a year, you may just sell them online. With a minimalist style of condo living, you will appreciate the lasting comfort and breathing space it will eventually create.

Thursday 16 July 2015

What to Know When Renting an Apartment Online



While there are a lot of businesses already starting their presence online, we all should be aware of the pros and cons of internet purchasing especially when it is for residential purposes?

Members of The Peterson Group Bespoke Condominiums and Residential, a matchmaker in finding the most suitable luxury apartment and residences for fellow expatriates in Singapore, Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia have accounted to some stories which prove the existence of fraudulent online scams. If they, executives and managers in their respective fields admit to have been victims of these scams, then, it can possibly happen to you too.

The following are the things to keep in mind when doing transactions on renting online:

1. Know who you are dealing with 
Always make sure you know exactly who you are dealing with, as different actors in the business offer different services and guaranties. The following are the four main actors in the apartment rental sector:

o Dealing directly with owners
 Although this may seem like a very personal way to rent an apartment, always keep in mind that when dealing directly with owners, some of them won’t provide you with a contract.

o Online marketplaces
 Online marketplaces offer an online platform where owners can list their properties. Again, there are no set guarantees here, as these marketplaces don’t check an apartment before they advertise it online. Owners themselves put pictures of the apartments online, so you cannot be sure they genuinely reflect the apartment you want to rent, nor its actual condition.

o Travel agencies
 Travel agencies often offer a certain level of security, such as a refund or insurance. However, travel agencies still don’t visit the apartments themselves, so they don’t know the products they’re selling personally. However, some travel agencies work with reputable real estate agencies like New York Habitat.

o Real Estate brokers
 Real estate brokers are professionals and would have a good command of the market.

2. Do not send money via unsecured means of payment
When you want to pay for your apartment, whether it is for a deposit of the rent itself, be careful not to use services of payment that have no traceability. By making wire transfers to a bank account or using credit cards you are sure the payment can be tracked. You can also use trusted PayPal accounts or pay directly through a website that displays secure payment methods.

3. Ask for additional details
Pictures, videos, floor plans and information about a rental you are interested in should be provided when asked. If they cannot give it to you, then, they may be up to no good. Better secure your money and deal with legitimate businesses like The Peterson Group instead. 


Tuesday 7 July 2015

What to Look for in a Home

Now that you are in a foreign land and would need an extra assistance in bargaining for a home, The Peterson Group Bespoke Condominium and Residences which pairs you up with the best and the most suitable luxury residential that suits your needs and desires in the cities of Singapore, Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is very glad to provide some insights on what you should be looking for in a house:

1. Unobstructed views and light
An apartment interior that is open to the outdoors and lets in lots of natural light improves your mood—and resale value. That openness is usually more important than outdoor space. Do you look at a park, a river, a bridge or a skyline? Are these views protected? Understanding the surrounding air rights and zoning allowances of neighboring buildings will give you a pretty good handle on your risks.

2. Ceiling height
The higher the better, up to about 14 feet (after that you’ll be getting diminishing marginal returns). Instead of looking at square footage, consider cubic footage. There’s almost no such thing as a luxury apartment with 8.5-foot ceilings. (An exception: An apartment with especially good unobstructed views and light that offsets the penalty from lower ceilings.)

3. Architectural uniqueness.
Who wouldn’t want a unique design for their own? Aside from good aesthetics, good architecture also retains value. You can ask your agent who your architect is and review the artist’s achievement. Go for one who has a good track record. While it’s obvious how the building is perceived today, consider how it will be looked upon in a few decades. Of course, you should also consider your taste if it is also incorporated with the design. Comfort, of course, should be your first priority, to be able to call the place a “home”. If you are not a visionary, at least look for “good bones”: a solid foundation, unusual details, high-grade materials and an artistic component.

4. Storage
This is one of the most important factors when looking for a condominium. Do you have so much staff that needs bigger and safer storage? A closet is a good plus in a condominium. Another option is to create a customized a closet of your own but do you have enough space to put it up?

5. Practical Layout
Be careful not to choose a condominium which has warning signs and asbestos peeking through the holes or spaces. Also, make sure you have your own private space. Of course, since you are getting a luxury apartment, you would want to invite some friends over. Make sure you maintain a clear separation between your social and private areas.

Thursday 2 July 2015

How to Sell a Luxury Home ?

Many condominium owners invest on marketing team for their businesses. Established ones may not even need it anymore. Same goes for those who are selling their expensive homes. Of course, you would not want to sell your homes to just anyone. And you would want to market it efficiently. 

The Peterson Group Bespoke Condominiums and Residential understand your concern. With years in service and matchmaking and providing only the best and most suitable home for clients starting in our main office in Singapore and eventually partnering with only the best names in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Jakarta, Indonesia, we have the same concerns when we first started this business. Thankfully, we have surpassed it.

Getting a real estate agent can be risky at times. Many fraudulent agents are already rampant and if there is a choice, you would want to do the marketing yourself. Here are some tips that can help you sell that luxury home of yours:

1. Continuously expand your circle
Of course, let’s all admit it. Since you can afford that luxury home, you probably have made a big name for yourself. Your social circle may already have been wide. If not, then, you need to get involved in several charities, do a lot of humanitarian projects and be on several boards. Share your listings with organization members and event attendees. Even if they aren’t interested in my listing, they might have a friend or client who is. Every so often also reach out to different companies and forge relationships with the decision makers

2. Know Your Client
What do they do in their free time? Do they own jets, horses? Where do they shop? Where do they spend their money? In conducting web research and review of the profile of your clients you can find out more about them—which enables you to develop a profile of what will interest them in the sell or purchase of their home. Also sending a short questionnaire and up-to date account of my existing listings can be beneficial. People don’t always know what they want, but when forced to articulate a price point and what architectural style and amenities they might gravitate to, locating their new home can be that much quicker and painless.

3. Tell the Story of the Home
The story of the home makes it anything but ordinary. The home itself can always be used as a pitch. Share with your potential clients everything about the home, from the brand name appliances and types of materials, to the style aesthetics and architecture. This even includes neighborhood and amenities.