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objects of design: a very spatial christmas wish list (part 2)

I already shared with you last Tuesday the wish lists of Ms. Creative Director (artsy nursery) and Ms. CFO (clean, chic office). Now, here’s my wish for an updated powder room (actually, an overhaul is more like it):

[images above, clockwise from top left: charles stone gesso crackle in bronze 24" x 24", $63.24 from ann sacks; laque black, 12x24, $92.82 from ann sacks; morris ribbon pendant lamp from baker; canton floor cube from ethan allen; white phalaenopsis orchid, P600-700 from Market!Market!; neoclassice etagere from kohler; tassel bench from baker; purist hatbox toilet with quiet-close toilet seat & cove from kohler, $4,059.95; purist wading pool wet surface lavatory from kohler, $905.70; stillness wall-mount lavatory faucet from kohler, $486.05]

Yeah, we know… we’re dreaming, haha! So, for “realistic” and more affordable gifts for the home, here are my picks:

(from top left) 1) a set of throwpillow cases or an accent pillow; 2) a nice flower vase with a simple but equally nice floral arrangement that you made; 3) a set of storage baskets in abaca, wicker, or water lily (you can also throw in some goodies like their fave magazines or snacks); 4) a set of framed prints or photographs that you personally took; 5) accent lamps; and 6) accent vases.

TIP: When you give gifts that are meant for the home (or office), do your research and make sure that your gift will go well with the space’s existing décor or, at least, will fit the receiver’s  taste and personal style.

conscious living: give the gift of clean air

[images above, clockwise from top left: spider plant, peace lily, Janet Craig dracaena, and philodendron selloum)

If you’re thinking of giving something “green” this Christmas, consider heading to White Plains or Manila Seedling Bank for green gifts—literally.

Houseplants are great gift options to give friends all year round. You are not only giving them something pretty to decorate their homes, but you are also giving them the gift of fresh indoor air. Yup, houseplants can clean the air from toxins such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds), according to studies conducted by NASA. VOCs are vapors that evaporate from volatile liquids or the gases that are given off by synthetic materials (like the bad smell that comes from new furniture made of hdf /mdf panels and plywood).

But not all plants are effective in filtering the air. Here are the TOP 10 HOUSEPLANTS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE IN CLEANING INDOOR AIR.

1. Reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii) – Local suppliers call/pronounce this as ziprichi.
2. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – This is the plant that is said to be excellent in absorbing formaldehyde.
3. Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig’) – This is also great for plant cuttings arranged in a vase.
4. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
5. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa’) – Our late german shepherd, Biggie, loved to bite on this plant’s flowers because he thought they’re the white butterflies that he often chased around. Haha!

6. English ivy (Hedera helix)

7. Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens `oxycardium’)
8. Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)
9. Golden pothos (Epipiremnum aureum) – Locally known as “yellow water plant”.
10. Selloum philodendron (Philodendron selloum) – Designers often use the leaves of this plant for minimalist arrangements.

(Source: Wolverton, B.C. et al (1989). “NASA report Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement”)

The good thing about this list is that all of the plants here, except for the english ivy, are tropical plants and are available here in the Philippines. In fact, half of the species listed are planted around our house. You can read more about this topic here and in David Pearson’s  The Natural House Book.

TIP: When you give plants as gifts, place them in a nice ceramic pot, or wrap the seedling bag with a cloth to make them presentable. Add a gift card on a stick that may also have the plant’s name and the maintenance instructions.

objects of design: a very spatial christmas wish list (part 1)

Channeling The Secret, the Design Folder team thought of coming up with an image board of what we want for our fave space this Christmas. Who knows, this might actually work! So, if Santa Claus is reading, here are our wish lists.

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Ms. CFO is wishing for a clean, stylish, and professional office:

“I spend most of my time in the office, doing work and accommodating consultations with the staff. I chose pieces mostly in black & white because I want a clean and organized work environment, helping me focus and not be distracted by any visual clutter. I also went for crisp designs to create a professional image for my space. There are also a couple of interesting pieces, like the colorful bookshelves and table lightbox, to add a bit of fun and make the room less stiff.”

[image above, clockwise from top left: desk from Bo Concept; cabinet from Dexterton/Kartell; photo frame from Umbra; visitor’s chair BenQ; de table from Umbra; shelves from Heima; divider/shelves from Bo Concept; tape dispenser from tinted mint]

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Ms. Creative Director is wishing for a stylish nursery showcase:

“With the new baby in the family, the nursery has now become the most used space in our house — a room visited by every member of my family at least three times a day, a room which friends and guests also frequent, and a room where we all congregate. At the moment, it’s not just a nursery — it’s our family room. It would be nice if the space was not only functional but stylish as well.”

[image above, clockwise from top left: enamored whale print by alberto cerriteño from etsy $20; monkey, bear and elephant by kay bojesen for rosendahl from enfant terrible; zippy zebra light shade from bed-e-byes; the place of the games (3 meters x 1 meter) by enzo mari from enfant terrible; antilop highchair from ikea $25; eames plywood elephant by charles and ray eames from vitra; alphabet zoo onesie by sara lee from threadless $12; vivienne riding her bike print by matte stephens from etsy $35; rill modular shelving unit by maria yasko; lillberg rocking chair from ikea $125; block clock by george nelson from vitra]

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I’m supposed to do my own image board also but my internet is letting me down.

I’ll just post my wish list next time.

giveaway!: the heirloom manila

Henry & Chriselle by Erwin Buencamino

I’m loving these pre-nup pictures from Heirloom Manila! It’s just amazing how one house can provide different looks for different pictorial concepts. You can just be cool and causal like this cute couple above…

…or, maybe, go vintage in black & white.

Jose & Jakie by Extreme Details Photography

Heirloom Manila also has nooks and crannies that are perfect for a glam rock concept…

Maricon’s Pre-debut shoot by Beyond Digital Photography

…or a dark, quirky photo shoot.

Romeo & Bernadette by Mango Red

(This one is my favorite! Very interesting. I wonder if they have a version with their eyes closed, ala The Others. Hmmm, not a bad idea. Or is that too dark for a pre-nup???)

As an early Christmas gift, Heirloom Manila is giving away a gift certificate to our df readers! This covers a four-hour use of the venue worth P5,000. Perfect for soon-to-be-wed couples, debutantes, models, photographers, and anyone who wants to have a fun and unique photo shoot.

To enter the raffle, leave a comment on this post with your email address (don’t worry, your addresses won’t be published and the df team will keep them confidential), plus your ideas/concept on how you would style your photo shoot if you happen to win the draw. Or, you can share with us your favorite feature of Heirloom Manila based on  our df post here.

The giveaway ends next Monday (12/14/09) at 8am, Manila time. One lucky Design Folder reader will be selected by a random number generator, announced on a post on that same day, and contacted via email.

*Photos courtesy of The Heirloom Manila

space matters: the heirloom manila

History is one feature that things from the past can boast of—the stories from the generation where it came from, and the patina that chronicles its journey to the present. This is the same element that renders a nostalgic appeal to The Heirloom Manila.

Design folder found this little Intramuros at the heart of Quezon City. Home to the Juco family, Heirloom Manila proves that old is, without a doubt, beautiful.

Built in the 1970s, the architecture is designed by Noli Bernardo, an architect who is known for designing churches, such as the St. Peter’s Church along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City. The property’s site is rich in adobe. This made it possible to extensively use it as the main building material throughout the house. The structure’s adobe stone construction gives the architecture its Spanish Colonial look coupled by the familiar church details, such as the gargoyles on the façade, the arched doorways, and the ornate wrought iron gates, that Arch. Bernardo usually integrated into his religious designs.

The outdoors is a fresh composition of lush tropical plants, mossy stone walls, and old kalesa wheels that, together, create an old world setting. However, the garden is not only meant to be ornamental. In fact, many of the species planted around the house are edible—lemon, thyme, turmeric, ginger, and lemon grass, to name a few. Most of them are potted on stone-like containers made of recycled plastic bins and worn-out refrigerator compartments that are simply covered with roughly finished cement to simulate stone.

To our surprise, no landscape architect was hired to design the gardens. It was all made by the artistic hands of Mr. Juco. He says that his art comes from innovating and making something out of what is available. He believes in recycling and transforming “waste” into a useful and more appealing object. His projects are found everywhere in the house, from the cement-covered plant containers, and the outdoor table that has a base made from an electric fan stand, to the spiral tendrils that decorate the exterior gates, and the round gate valve handles that were made into the knockers of the red garage gate.  

The nostalgic theme continues into the interiors. The furnishings and décor follow the “old house” theme such as the grand father’s clock and the antique piano in the living room as well as the family’s collection of antique jars and santos that are displayed high up the walls.

Early this year, the Juco family opened their house, The Heirloom Manila, to the public as an atypical venue for concept photography and small gatherings by artists, musicians and horticulturists. The Intramuros-like atmosphere with its rich texture and bold color accents against its rustic setting make Heirloom Manila a favorite venue for pre-nup and fashion editorial shoots.

 Andrew & Doris by Paul Vincent Photography

Jayson & Mary Tess by Nep Almonina Photography 

Alan & Tina by Francis Gil of Pat Dy Photography

Mike & Jackie by Split Image Digital

We love how the place provided a romantic backdrop for these pre-nup photos! With all the different areas of the house, you cannot run out of interesting locations and angles. Best of all, everything is within the home’s compact surroundings.

For more information (and pictures!), you can visit their multiply site or add them on facebook.

diy project: christmas twine balls

Instead of the usual glitzy, shimmery holiday decors, you may want to try a more organic look this year. In fact, we’ve seen several ornaments in rustic natural materials and earth-toned colors in Rustan’s.

I guess this is a result of the heightened consciousness to be “green” (sustainable). So in line with that concept, it is not surprising that design trends are  going towards the direction of a more “organic” (natural) style. Hmmm, this might be a preview of what to expect for the new trends this coming 2010.

Here’s an easy diy project for you to add to your Christmas decors—twine balls with satin ribbon trims.

Just rope the abaca twine around a Styrofoam ball or an old Christmas ball until it is completely covered. Then, glue the satin ribbons (we used maroon and brown ribbons) and gold string to add a hint of color. If you find this too plain for the holidays, you can add a bit of shimmer by topping the ball with some glittered leaves and berries.

You can use these as tree ornaments, or maybe arrange them on a plate or bowl and use them as a centerpiece.

space matters: a casa in metro manila

It all started with the acquisition of a comoda. The owner of this uniquely Filipino home started collecting antiques after falling in love with a single beautiful piece. We love how he turned his antique collection into a passion for recreating a 19th century Vigan-style bahay na bato right in the middle of the country’s busiest city.

Guided and inspired by Felice Sta. Maria’s Household Antiques and Heirlooms and Philippine Ancestral Houses by Fernando Zialcita and Martin Tinio, Jr., he collected materials and furniture from old houses in Ilocos and Binondo and from junk shops and garage sales to build his family’s dream house.

His wife left all design decisions to him but requested that he keep flamboyant and ornate carvings and details to a minimum. And it looks like he granted her wish. There are a number of intricate elements in the space but they don’t feel overpowering. The home is airy and light – true to the characteristics of an authentic bahay na bato.

There were just too many interesting details, like this medieval-looking Christmas décor in the picture below (inspired by Elton John’s collection of Philippine antique santos)  that fit the old world feel of the house, that we couldn’t fit them all in one post.

Watch out for the second part where we’ll show you the different furniture pieces and accessories that make this home unique. We’ll also share with you in the coming weeks this experienced homeowner’s guidelines on collecting and maintaining antiques.

pecha kucha night manila v2

Pecha Kucha Night is a forum for designers to present their work and ideas in 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds. Pecha Kucha (Japanese for the sound of conversation), which started in Tokyo in 2003, has spread virally in over 100 cities across the globe.

So far, two have been held in the Philippines. Don’t miss the third one at the Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Cineplex 3 on December 9, 2009. Dan Lichauco, an architect and urban planner, and Karima Palafox, an environmentalist and urban planner, are among the speakers. There are limited seats available so get your tickets now!

Visit www.pechakuchamanila.com for more information.

in good taste: charito’s delights by heidrun milan

[I know Tacloban, Leyte as the home of Imelda Marcos. I also love their delicacies, especially that suman that has a chocolate-like filling. Yum!

I have been to Tacloban once, last year, when I was invited to be a resource speaker for a design seminar. Apart from being rich in history and heritage, Tacloban is also rich in design talents. In fact, this is the hometown of noted interior designer Leo Almeria.

Our friend, and df reader, Heidrun Milan is another talented young interior designer from Tacloban. Ms. Creative Director and I met him during our review classes for the board exam (Heidrun finished fourth!). Apart from his design practice, Heidrun also teaches interior design in Eastern Visayas State University.

Today, he shares with us his design for Charito’s Delights, a delicacy shop in Robinsons Place, Tacloban. Using indigenous materials in non-traditional applications, he gives the rustic Filipino country style an updated look, making it more relevant and appealing to today’s contemporary taste. ]

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Charito’s Delights is a delicacy shop that sells cookies and pastries. Pili nuts are the main ingredient for most of their products.

When I designed their shop, one of the major considerations that we had is to create a cozy home-like ambiance. The owner wanted to adopt the appearance of a home interior as a reminder of its humble beginnings as a cottage industry. The look is rustic with an old world Filipino charm to preserve the brand’s identity as a homegrown product. However, the design gave the traditional look a modern twist by integrating unconventional applications of indigenous materials like bamboo and coconut shells. These are not typically seen in most commercial spaces.

The circular bamboo sections add an interesting pattern to the counter front while its countertop is finished with polished coconut shells.

These are also used for the open display shelves on the wall. To promote regional identity, Ticog mats, a major product of nearby province Samar, were used to clad the door fronts of the cabinets. They also serve as the inspiration for the flooring, with the tiles following a woven banig (mat) pattern.

Instead of using harsh exposed fluorescent lamps, indirect lighting fixtures are designed to make the interiors “glow”. Panels of laminated skeletonized leaves with back lighting are used for the ceiling to illuminate the whole space. Large droplights and wall lamps, also made of skeletonized leaves with abaca, provide accent lighting.

*Photos courtesy of Tricia Ann Ramirez Pagpaguitan

diy project: christmas candles centerpiece

Candles are among the staples in Christmas decorating. When lighted, they add warmth and nostalgic appeal to your home’s holiday look. Dress up your candles with a bed of garland and add recycled Christmas tree ornaments to make it look more festive.

M A T E R I A L S

garland

wire

candles in different sizes

leftover/recycled Christmas tree ornaments (berries, poinsettia, pinecones)

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1) Bend the long garland into a 5-segment zigzag pattern.

2) Wire together the corners to secure the garland’s form.

3) Place the candles in between the segments.

4) Spruce it up by inserting berries, pinecones, and other recycled decorations into the arrangement. Cut the bracts of a glittered poinsettia and add them as glittered “leaves”.

You can set this up as a centerpiece for your coffee table or console.