Jacques' Archive

With its tropical climate of warm and humid days and heavy rains, Malaysia lends itself to lush, tropical gardens. In most cases, the natural beauty of Lambir Hills National Park in Sarawak, or even one of the other rain forests in Malaysia, inspires this style of garden. This is a garden fashion highly sought after in the United Kingdom. Many townhouse gardens emulate this exotic look. However, most homeowners struggle to achieve the end-product in such a cold climate. Luckily, in Malaysia, the conditions are perfect for landscaping one’s garden this way. Rules or guidance apply to accomplishing this outcome. You may ask, “Which plants will grow in a tropical garden?” or, “Is a tropical garden low maintenance?” Although it is possible to achieve this on your own, the best idea always is to consult a professional landscape designer: such a professional will have expert knowledge of which plants will work in which soil and whether to plant in full sun or shade or part-shade. ...

It is possible to create a Mediterranean garden in Malaysia. Soft pastel hues, neatly trimmed hedges, large terracotta pots filled with olive trees, palm trees, and patios just right for alfresco dining are all common features of a Mediterranean garden. However, gardens that combine Grecian, Italian, French, and North African influences are mostly found in dry climates with cold winters. This does not mean that Malaysia, with its warm and wet tropical climate, is not suitable for this style of garden. However, you should select the right plants for the climate, adding some of the basic elements for which the Mediterranean style of garden is known. What hard landscaping elements will work well in a Mediterranean-style garden? Using pebbles and tiles to create paved areas The Mediterranean garden is more than just a garden; it is a space in which to relax and entertain guests. Paved areas of cobbles and pebbles with intricate mosaic designs not only provide space to place outd...

Your living room is the focal point of your home. It’s the area in which you entertain guests, or relax with your family, It can even be a multifunctional space in which you conduct your business. Irrespective of the use, the living room should be inviting, exuding a relaxed ambiance. Furthermore, the space should reflect something of yourself and your own culture. However, this does not mean that you can’t use design elements from other styles. For instance, if you wish to create a relaxed, yet elegant space, you could adopt elements of the Mediterranean style into your modern living room, so that it exudes a casual air while remaining stylish. The Mediterranean style can work well in Malaysia’s warm and humid tropical climate. However, to be practical, keep the space well ventilated and cool. Adopting a Mediterranean influence will help to ensure the room is informal. This style is in essence, very simple. To start your design inspiration, you might have a painting bought on a...

In 2010, author Timothy Ferriss formulated the slow-carb diet, indicating that exercise, taking supplements, and eating a diet low in carbohydrates could result in dramatic weight loss. This diet, very similar to the ketogenic diet, has five key guidelines that must be followed for successful weight loss. These five key guidelines are intended as a key to optimal fat burning that will result in the desired weight reduction. The first rule is to avoid white carbohydrates, especially all processed carbs such as pasta and bread made with refined flour. The second rule is to eat only the foods allowed on this diet. These include fats such as butter and olive oil, and fats from nuts; protein from eggs, fish, and meat sources; vegetables, particularly green vegetables, such as kale and beans; legumes, such as black, red, or pinto beans, and lentils; and spices, such as salt and herbs. All other foods, such as fruit, dairy, and fried foods, should be avoided. The aspect of fruit will...