Category

Materials & construction technique

Material and finishing know-how: engineered wood, stone, tile, laminate, ceilings, lighting, waterproofing — choosing right for durability and budget.

03 Jul 2026 · 8 min read · General

Engineered wood for interiors: MFC, MDF, HDF, plywood

The engineered wood boards most used in interiors: MFC, MDF, HDF, plywood and WPC, plus melamine, laminate, veneer and acrylic finishes, and how to choose.

Materials & Technique

03 Nov 2025 · 6 min read · Residential

Light and materials: the duo that shapes a space's mood

Light and materials together define how a home feels: choosing colour temperature (2700–4000K), pairing wood, stone and glass, and combining both so interiors connect emotionally.

Materials & Technique

05 Aug 2025 · 6 min read · Residential

5 common mistakes when choosing building materials

Five building material mistakes that inflate costs and shorten a project's lifespan: chasing low prices, skipping technical specs, wrong material for the job — with practical fixes.

Materials & Technique

30 Jul 2025 · 6 min read · Residential

Green building materials: common types and benefits

What green building materials are, their energy and health benefits, and common types: unfired bricks, FSC timber, bio-based paint and eco insulation.

Materials & Technique

28 Jan 2024 · 8 min read · Residential

10 best soundproofing materials for apartments

10 common soundproofing materials for apartments — EPS/XPS foam, damping rubber, rockwool, glasswool and acoustic foam — and where each works best.

Materials & Technique

23 Dec 2021 · 6 min read · Residential

How to choose kitchen floor tiles: a homeowner's guide

Guide to choosing kitchen floor tiles: granite vs ceramic, encaustic and wood-look options, 50x50 or 60x60 sizing, anti-slip surfaces and colours.

Materials & Technique

16 Nov 2021 · 7 min read · Residential

Green materials in interiors and construction: 5 types

Green materials in interiors and construction: green cement, engineered wood, bamboo and rattan, lightweight concrete and eco paint — how to choose well.

Materials & Technique

02 Nov 2021 · 8 min read · General

Popular wall cladding materials: wood, stone, tile, glass

Popular wall cladding: wood, stone and tile, PVC panels, wallpaper and glass. Compare traits, pros and cons, applications and pricing to choose per area.

Materials & Technique

13 Jul 2021 · 6 min read · Residential

Wood-plastic composite: a durable outdoor material

Wood-plastic composite (WPC) is an outdoor material that resists water and termites and saves cost. Benefits and uses for wall cladding, pool decks and gardens.

Materials & Technique

06 Jul 2021 · 6 min read · Residential

Wood and concrete: a material duo for bold interiors

Wood and concrete form a bold, modern interior duo. We analyse each material's strengths and how to pair timber with concrete in spatial design.

Materials & Technique

10 Jun 2021 · 7 min read · General

Gypsum ceilings: exposed-frame vs concealed-frame

Exposed-frame gypsum ceilings show the grid, install fast and cost less; concealed-frame ceilings look seamless and insulate better but cost more to fix.

Materials & Technique

02 Jun 2021 · 8 min read · General

How to choose floor tiles: 6 common types, by room

Floor tiles come in 6 common types: glazed ceramic, porcelain, cement, wood-look, granite and ceramic. Their traits, quality signs and choice by room.

Materials & Technique

22 Mar 2021 · 6 min read · Residential

Metal in interior design: the accent that adds luxury

Why metal is popular in interiors: durability, how it pairs with other materials, its flexibility, and uses in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

Materials & Technique

05 Feb 2021 · 6 min read · General

Wood slats in interiors: types, uses and how to choose

Wood slats are battens from natural wood, engineered wood or PVC, used for feature walls, ceilings and partitions. Their types, pros, cons and uses.

Materials & Technique

02 Oct 2020 · 7 min read · Residential

9 standout building materials and technologies to watch

9 standout sustainable building materials: prefabricated laminated timber, self-healing concrete, 3D graphene, transparent aluminium, nanocrystal glass.

Materials & Technique

27 Aug 2020 · 6 min read · Residential

Interior materials of the future: the sustainable shift

The interior materials shaping the future: brick, stone and concrete, wood, glass and humble bamboo and rattan — tied to green and minimalist design.

Materials & Technique

25 Aug 2020 · 6 min read · Residential

Concrete-effect paint: a trending interior wall finish

What concrete-effect paint is, the main types, its benefits in looks, cost and water resistance, plus application tips for a raw, modern concrete wall finish.

Materials & Technique

10 Jul 2020 · 7 min read · General

Effective waterproofing for roofs, bathrooms and ceilings

Waterproofing starts with the cause: roofs, ceiling cracks, bathroom floors and wall cracks. Solutions: a membrane over 3mm, turn-ups and multi-coat paint.

Materials & Technique

06 Jul 2020 · 7 min read · General

Marble in interior design: traits, uses and vs granite

Marble is a natural stone with luxurious veining, often used for floors and kitchen or bathroom cladding. Its pros, cons, uses and how it compares to granite.

Materials & Technique

06 Jul 2020 · 8 min read · General

An Cuong boards: MFC, MDF, HDF and spotting genuine wood

An Cuong is Vietnam's most common engineered wood, with three cores — MFC, MDF, HDF — and around 80 melamine colours. Uses per area and 4 authenticity checks.

Materials & Technique

02 Jul 2020 · 6 min read · General

Lighting in interior design: natural and artificial light

Lighting decides the look and mood of an interior. The key is combining natural light from windows and skylights with artificial light by each room's use.

Materials & Technique

02 Jul 2020 · 7 min read · General

Laminate (HPL) in interiors: structure, pros and cons

Laminate (HPL) is a high-pressure surface of 3 layers, with better scratch, heat and impact resistance than melamine. Its structure, uses, pricing and choice.

Materials & Technique

02 Jun 2020 · 7 min read · General

Simili vs PU leather vs genuine leather explained

Simili is PVC faux leather, cheap but not durable; PU leather is softer and tougher; genuine leather is best but costly. Tell them apart by smell and pores.

Materials & Technique

18 Nov 2019 · 7 min read · General

Natural wood vs engineered wood: a detailed comparison

Natural wood lasts up to ~20 years with unique grain but warps and costs more; engineered wood is stable, flat, fast and cheaper. Compare 6 key criteria.

Materials & Technique

04 Dec 2018 · 7 min read · General

What is oak? White vs red oak, and real-world applications

Oak is a hard natural wood with beautiful grain: white oak resists moisture better, red oak is easier to work and cheaper. Its density, pros, cons and uses.

Materials & Technique