Idea and Inspiration | 24 Minimalist Home Office Design Ideas For a Trendy Working Space

Home office design idea with sleek wooden surfaces and minimalistic overtones

Premhouse.com JAKARTA | The modern trend is indeed all about ‘less is more’ and the philosophy is pretty evident in the way current set of designers and architects and their designs for contemporary homes. With clients also increasingly opting for the sleek, stylish and clean look that has well-defined lines, interiors of modern homes seem to be following the minimalism trend to the core. Home office designs are also following the same path and that is only understandable as they need to blend in with the already existing interiors or seamlessly amalgamate with the rest of the house.

Servants Registries | Interviewing Your Prospective Household Help

Premhouse.com JAKARTA | Either you are new in this town or you have been living here, especially those who are moving to Jakarta with spouse and children, maid or servant may become the needs to help you taking care of the house and children. Here is below, a selected article that will be useful for you to take consideration before taking decision.

Servant Registries

BWA maintains a Staff List of available servants, and makes this available to BWA members at their center to view, or it is accessible by download from a private BWA members web page. ANZA has some folders of references for staff available at the front desk. 

Another great resource is the Upper Crust's classifieds. Just ask to be added to their mailing list and you'll be able to read recommendations straight from previous employers who are trying to place their household help before they leave Jakarta. 

10 Factors Why Your House is Hard to be Sold!

Premhouse.com JAKARTA | Hire a real estate agent to accelerate your house selling! | Are you willing to sell your house? You think you have delivered the best effort to meet this purpose but it is seemingly still hard to get the right buyer? Here is a summary of the main factors which might cause you get difficulties to find the right buyers:

1. The price is too expensive

Like or dislike, you might feel free to determine the right price for your house. Nevertheless, whether it will be sold or not, the price plays an important role. In order to ease yourself in finding a reference for its market price, it is important to compare your house price to the ones around your neighborhood. If you start with the price that is too expensive, it is surely hard to be sold.

Best Tips to Help You Successfully Buy Your First House

Illustration (Image courtesy of renjith krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net) 

Jakarta – Owning your own home in Depok can be very rewarding. Home ownership has proven to be a prominent way to build one’s wealth, apart from being a way to create wonderful memories with family and friends. Of course, there’s a lot that goes into buying one’s first house. If you will soon be a first-time homeowner, preparation is key when finding a house that suits your needs.

The first step you should take is to create a checklist of all the qualities you expect in a house. This action sets the foundation for the home buying process by encouraging you to assess your needs as well as your wants, according to Fox Business. Your checklist should include must-haves, nice-to-haves, and other necessities, for a well-rounded outline. Once you have a comprehensive list put together, print it out and take it with you on trips to view different houses on the market. When going through each house, you can check off every note you made that applies to the house’s overall quality.

Kitchen Design Ideas

Kitchen credential: looking for kitchen design ideas? While the living room may be the social hub of the home, many of us have a tendency to spend an awful lot of time in our kitchens (and it's said that 'all the best parties end in the kitchen') which makes it all the more important to find a kitchen that works for you. Click through our images below and take at all of our kitchen design ideas. Whatever your budget, we're here to help you create a kitchen you'll love.

Beautiful House for Beautiful Family Living

Pondok Indah, literally means "beautiful house", is a district famed for its tropical and has been one of the cities poshest and most affluent residential areas. There are tree lined streets and huge mansions, where the local people or foreign residents take it for some particular reasons. You can find some international and national-plus schools around, and also some entertainment and recreation at Pondok Indah Malls I and II, where you can find the popular water park and classy golf course. 

Get Your Steps Now to Kebayoran Baru Area!

Kebayoran Baru which the urban planning of the area was designed during the post-independence period, is becoming a great location to stay and live, since the design was following the principle of a garden city that is popular during this era. It is one of the most affluent areas of Jakarta, where many wealthy citizens reside, which being known for its lifestyle businesses. Residences here are primarily chosen, especially by expats. is easy to be reached and not quite far from Pattimura Elementary campus of the Jakarta Intercultural School. It is also near Jakarta Stock Exchange, Energy Building and Bapindo Tower which make it preferable location to stay and live especially for executives and expatriates who work at the center of business district area. 

If you or your family love to go for shopping, there are a lot of close by shopping mall and shopping center, such as Pacific Place, Pasaraya, Blok M, Senayan City, FX Center and Plaza Senayan. The major streets can be quite congested, yet most side streets are quiet. 10 to 30 minute commute to the Golden Triangle area, depending on your destination. The flyover project for Jl. Antasari has actually increased traffic congestion in the area, where many ambassadors have their residences.

Enjoying the Green Views around Pondok Indah!

Pondok Indah is the closest neighborhood to the Cilandak campus of Jakarta Intercultural School. Stately mansions line the major thoroughfare of Jl. Metro Pondok Indah, just south of Pondok Indah Mall I, II and III. A well planned community with tree-lined streets. Although it is a newer neighborhood compared to the Kemang or Cipete areas, the houses often lack the backyards that are a much enjoyed asset in the older expat neighborhoods. 

The commute to the the Golden Triangle could be as long as 45 minutes to one hour, depending on your destination and traffic congestion. Commute time to the British International School from the Pondok Indah area is around 45 minutes, however because the commute is going against the flow of traffic into the city, typically it is a smooth commute.   

Housing in Cipete Raya Neighborhood Jakarta

Cipete Raya is well known and lies in South Jakarta where you can find various cafes, resto and shopping centers if you'd like to hangout around such back streets that may be not too crowded. This place is quite attractive and here are many houses around under the shadow of green trees. Living in this area has become interest of many Jakartans and perhaps for you too! This area is quite strategic and can be accessed easily. Many of local and expats families are happy to stay their living here and you may consider the same as well. 

Pondok Indah, the Beverly Hills of Jakarta

Pondok Indah is an upscale residential area in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, Indonesia. Dubbed the 'Beverly Hills' of Indonesia, this is a much sought-after suburb by expatriates due to the proximity to the Jakarta International School. Ciputra and Brasali, Indonesia's pioneers real estate developer and the Metropolitan Kentjana Group built Pondok Indah in the 70s into the most prestigious and complete residential complex and commercial area in Indonesia.

Reportedly, the median salary for expatriate residents is US$357,200 annually plus benefits; however, this is difficult to verify as the Indonesian government does not publicly release these figures. Houses in this suburb can run upwards to millions of U.S. dollars. Many mansions in the area comprise one to three floors, with designated quarters for household staffs. Many of the larger mansions are inhabited by wealthy Indonesians. The 'Jakarta Post' estimates that 74.5% of residents in Pondok Indah are expatriates, following their annual survey of Indonesia. (Jakarta Post, issue 6 edition 21, January 6, 2007) Most expatriate children in the suburb attend the Jakarta International School. Younger children are commonly accompanied to school by their nannies.

Hunting Residence Around Kemang Jakarta

Some people call Kemang as a "village of expat". It may be a joke, but if you go around this area you would admit that it is true. There are some compounds, side by side with some large size houses with high gates, surrounded by building of business centers, malls, resto, cafe, galleries and apartments that are built so close to each other. In this area, not only locals but many expats you will see around the places, not only the housewives or mothers, but also those with the kids in the morning or during the day, but also male expats in the evening with business attires or casual look.

If you call Kemang, it is an area that traditionally has been popular to be Jakarta’s expatriate community to live in. This area provides availability of generous facilities, business center and the international school close by, as well as western supermarkets, like Kemchicks, Hero Kemang and Gourmet Garage, as well as a myriad of popular restaurants and bars. Kemang offers residents a self contained all-in-one living experience. 

Living in Pondok Indah Exclusive Area of Jakarta

Stately mansions line the major thoroughfare of Jl. Metro Pondok Indah, just south of Pondok Indah Mall I, II and III. A well planned community with tree-lined streets. Pondok Indah is the closest neighborhood to the Cilandak campus of Jakarta Intercultural School. Although it is a newer neighborhood compared to the Kemang or Cipete areas, the houses often lack the backyards that are a much enjoyed asset in the older expat neighborhoods. 

The commute to the the Golden Triangle could be as long as 45 minutes to one hour, depending on your destination and traffic congestion. Commute time to the British International School from the Pondok Indah area is around 45 minutes, however because the commute is going against the flow of traffic into the city, typically it is a smooth commute.

Great Home at 'Sunday Market' Area

Pejaten is a strategic location around Pasar Minggu, literally means Sunday Market, which was a fruit cultivation area developed by the Dutch government during the colonial period. The central point of the cultivation area is the traditional market of Pasar Minggu which still busy until today, regardless some shopping malls around are developed. 

House for Rent at Pejaten, Pasar Minggu 'Sunday Market' South Jakarta | List ID 5578
Detail and Facilities: 3BR, 2 bathroom, 1 maid room, 1 maid bathroom, 300 sqm land size, 250 sqm building size, furnished, excellent condition, 3300 electricity power, SHM certificate.

Permata Hijau Area May Become Great Choice!

Permata Hijau, literally means 'green diamond', it is an area where you may not find such giant shopping malls or office buildings but it makes a perfect option for the families who have children. There are plenty of greenery surrounds and scheduled back streets make Permata Hijau suitable, either for you or your family who like taking morning walks or jogging. 

From world renowned designer labels to specialty Indonesian goods that are found nowhere else, the city of Jakarta pulls out all the stops when it comes to an all-encompassing retail experience. Frequented by shopaholics from across the region and the globe the sheer diversity of shopping venues on offer in the Indonesian capital makes it one of the most shopper-friendly areas in the country. Littered with sky scraping malls and sprawling traditional markets shopping in Jakarta is anything but ordinary as bargains and fantastic deals can be had at every turn.

House Hunting Tips in Jakarta

In Jakarta, the easiest way to find a house or an apartment is to use an agent. Alternatively, you can find ads for houses and flats for rent in the Jakarta Post newspaper. You can also find a lot of homes for rent (through agents) at the website  www.premhouse.com. If you are on a limited budget, finding a home on your own and negotiating a lease directly with the house or apartment owner, may cost you less, as the owner saves the fee that the agent usually gets. Small towns around the country will often not have property agents, and oftentimes also not many houses for rent, but the people in your workplace can help you find a place. In most cases the rent can be negotiated - whether you find your home through an agent or on your own.

Following are some tips and information that may be helpful for those who have recently arrived. The information is mainly geared to people who will be staying in Jakarta, but some of the info can be useful also if you are settling in other parts of Indonesia.

Useful Information for Expat | Living in Indonesia

Expats in Indonesia have very little chances to buy properties in the country due to the laws in place. Although expats may purchase the house or unit, the sale does not include the land. Nevertheless the process of purchasing real estate is a long process for expatriates.

Foreigners rent accommodations instead. The expat community in the capital Jakarta is growing; foreigners prefer to live there as commercial businesses, civil services and other amenities are located in the city. Jakarta is also an inexpensive city, compared to other metropolitan areas in Asia. Rental prices do however vary. Expats must be aware that landlords are known to rent their units for a more expensive price when dealing with expatriates.

Elegant Property in Pondok Indah Area

The commute to the the Golden Triangle could be as long as 45 minutes to one hour, depending on your destination and traffic congestion. Commute time to the British International School from the Pondok Indah area is around 45 minutes, however because the commute is going against the flow of traffic into the city, typically it is a smooth commute. 

While a lot of the appeal for you is the proximity to the school, it really is pretty nice to live in Pondok Indah area. The neighborhood is frequent and there is also a lot less open burning of trash, which is nice. You can run outside on well-maintained, low traffic streets, surrounded by trees, instead of stepping across broken asphalt worrying that you will have to jump into a filthy canal to avoid the motorcyclist whizzing by. That's a huge benefit that makes nearly every day significantly more pleasant!

Living in Pejaten at South Jakarta

Pejaten is a strategic location around Pasar Minggu, literally means Sunday Market, which was a fruit cultivation area developed by the Dutch government during the colonial period. The central point of the cultivation area is the traditional market of Pasar Minggu which still busy until today, regardless some shopping malls around are developed.


House for Sale in Siaga Raya, Pejaten | List ID 4609
Detail and Facilities: 4BR, 4 bathroom, 261 sqm land size, 218 sqm building size, furnished, excellent condition, SHM certificate.

Enjoying Lifestyle in Exclusive Area of Pondok Indah

Pondok Indah is an upscale residential area in Kebayoran Lama, Jakarta Selatan. Commonly dubbed the 'Beverly Hills' of Indonesia, this is a much sought-after suburb by expatriates due to the proximity to the Jakarta International School. Ciputra and Brasali, one of the Indonesia's pioneers for real estate developer and the Metropolitan Kentjana Group which built Pondok Indah around year of 1970's into the most prestigious and complete residential complex and commercial area in Indonesia.

Pondok Indah is famed for its tropical and it has been one of the cities poshest and most affluent residential areas. There are the tree lined streets and huge mansions, where the local people or foreign residents take it for some particular reasons. You can find some international and national-plus schools around, and also some entertainment and recreation at Pondok Indah Malls I and II, where you can find the popular water park and classy golf course. 

Elite Housing Area in Menteng at Central Jakarta

Menteng area which close to Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, is known for Dutch colonial era mansions. Hence there are a lot of houses that considered as historical landmarks. In this area you can old buildings for bank, business district, besides the embassies, ambassadors' residences and other senior Indonesian officials. Menteng with an old infrastructure, surrounded by tall and shady trees and narrow street, is such a prestigious area and therefore the rents are high. Listing of house for rent or house for sale are available with large size in convenient area. 

Menteng remains being popular for the housing much with the upper-class elite and ambassadors where the house of former President Soeharto was living ad yet his family is still there. The location of Menteng is so full of historical moments for Jakarta. Hence, living here can be quite expensive for certainclass of society. The environment here is a bit less of crowd, even tends to be quiet, with the trees and green garden around at city park and fountain.