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space matters: inside a z-loft

A couple of weeks ago, we had the privilege of having the first peek into our high school friends’ z-loft condo residence in Makati. While the floor area (around 70 square meters) is comparable to most high-end condominium units, the vertical clearance above the living area created an illusion of a spacious interior.

At the second level, there’s a nook adjacent to the staircase which was made into a study/home office. While a large desk was already in place, there’s still enough room for a slim vertical chest of drawers beside the desk and a set of bookshelves behind the work space for additional storage.

The bedroom is also spacious. It was able to easily accommodate a queen bed, two large side tables, an arm chair, a console table and a built-in closet.

Congratulations A & A on your new “home”!

home tour: fresh love, fresh space

I’ve always liked visiting homes of young couples and young families. Aside from their fresh and youthful aesthetic point of view, I noticed that young couples also manage to make their homes efficient without looking like a huge closet filled with built-ins.

This condo residence in the South is the new home of a young couple after living with their in-laws for almost two years. They told us that this is their first taste of “independence”. Independence means that they now do everything themselves including all household chores! Good thing that they chose to make their home supportive of an independent lifestyle.

Instead of maintaining the three-bedroom layout of the house, the couple decided to convert one into a den/entertainment room that opens to the living area (below), and the other into the masters’ en suite walk-in closet.

In spite of the relatively compact space, they were able to fit in their open kitchen a washer-dryer (hidden inside the cabinet beside the refrigerator), a dishwasher, and an oven. It also has a glass backsplash which they use as a message board where they write reminders, to-do lists, and even recipes.

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Reflecting the couple’s personalities, this home looks simple, easy, and happy. While the interiors are mostly done in basic white, black and gray, pops of color can be seen everywhere through their paintings and accessories, rendering this home with a fresh and welcoming appeal. df

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space matters: jigs adefuin’s home in the city

It is always a treat to visit a designer’s home. Because designers usually adapt to their clients’ style and taste, they don’t usually get to exercise their “creative freedom” when doing design projects. Oftentimes, their home is their venue where they have the liberty to apply all the ideas that have always wanted to try, sometimes to the point of having an idea overload. Surprisingly, this is not the case for my friend, Jigs Adefuin, who knew from the start how he wants his condo to be designed.

Jigs and I were officemates in my first job at Focus Global Inc.(FGI). He now has a successful practice together with his partner, Oliver, who takes care of the construction management arm of the company. I was just supposed to interview Jigs and Oliver for a Condo Living feature. But because Ana and Green Guide were also free that afternoon, I brought them with me to shoot the interiors for df.

Jigs and Oliver share this 3-bedroom condominium residence with their two dogs, Pucci and Krypton. Jigs used a lot of black and gray–two colors that he loves but his clients are not too excited about.

We love his pair of Arturo Luz paintings of the Palitana Temples in the living area (above & top photo), and the paintings of df’s creative director, Lilli Beth, in the dining area and in the hallway. They are the only sources of vivid colors in the entire living-dining-kitchen area.

The bedrooms are full of surprises! The compact office (above) also doubles as an extra guest room with a pull-down bed (below) built under the overhead cabinets. The turquoise guest room beside it, where Oliver’s mom stays when she visits them in Manila, has its own commode disguised as a chair. Because of the limited storage, even the small space behind the TV of the masters’ bedroom was made functional by integrating a pullout rack for cologne bottles and accessories.  Cool!

Jigs was recently named as one of Philippine School of Interior Design’s (PSID) 10 Interior Design Iconoclasts (congratulations!). To know more about Jigs’ past design works, check out his website here. Also, grab the June issue of Condo Living magazine which includes a couple of features about him. {thanks Jigs and Oliver for welcoming us in your beautiful home!} -ardel

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space matters: big pieces for tiny spaces

As apartments and homes shrink in size, a lot of people think that their furnishings also need to become smaller to fit their tiny residences and to make the space look much bigger.

Not necessarily.

The common misconception is that by making your furniture smaller, you make the space look bigger. Unfortunately, the opposite happens—smaller furniture requires you to have more pieces of one kind (for instance a chair) to accommodate a certain number of people. This, in turn, will make the space look cluttered because you have several items occupying such a small area.

In dealing with small spaces, the trick is to stick with the standard sizes of furniture (especially for sofas, chairs and beds), limit the pieces to what you only need (avoid “accent pieces” because you don’t have enough room for them), and keep all surfaces simple and clean to avoid visual clutter.

Take this 36-square meter condominium residence for example. This apartment can realistically and comfortably accommodate a couple with a child, or three individuals, at the most. Therefore, the interiors maintained its open plan layout, much like a hotel suite, without any partition separating the bedroom from the living-dining-kitchen area since privacy is not exactly an issue. This allowed for a standard double-size bed, a desk & chair, a wider-than-usual two-seater sofa, a coffee table, and a low TV cabinet to all fit in the small area with just enough space to move around.

The sizes of the dining table and coffee table (above) are much bigger than what you would normally put in a condo. But because they’re both in glass, they don’t seem to take a lot of space.

This apartment comes with an extra room for storage and closet space. Since space is very precious, this space was made into an extra bedroom as well. By making two-thirds of the cabinet into an overhead storage, a standard single bed, which functions as a sofa during the day and a bed at night, was able to fit underneath (below).

As long as you simplify your furnishings, keep everything organized, and minimize possible sources of visual and physical clutter, your relatively small home might just be the perfect size for you. df

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objects of design: space-saving furniture

Heaven-sent for those living in small spaces!

space matters: tiny apartment transformer

Here’s a design riddle for you: how do you fit 24 rooms in a 30-square meter space?

Change the walls to make the small space transform in 24 different ways!

This was the concept behind the design of this apartment. By incorporating moving walls and foldable components, Architect Gary Chang of Hong Kong has definitely made the most out of his small space. See for yourself in the video above.

The “one space fits all” idea is not new to us. The bahay kubo demonstrates a simple version of this concept where one space is used as a living,  dining, and a sleeping area by folding, unfolding, removing, and adding furnishings. However, Chang’s design incorporates more sophisticated strategies and components to suit today’s complex lifestyle.

I wonder if in the near future this would become the standard, as we see more and more condos being built in the city. I doubt it, though, because it would still be relatively expensive locally. Pricey steel tracks and lightweight wall systems were used for ease of movement. But Chang’s solutions are definitely ingenious.

Check out his other project The Suitcase House Hotel which used a similar design concept.

space matters: small space solutions

{dining area with brick wall – inspired by new york lofts}

Terence Conran, one of my design idols, once said that “the central dilemma of living in a small space can be best summed up by a single word: stuff.” For this cozy condo in Pasig, however, the designer found ingenious ways to fit and organize all of the owners’ and their children’s possessions in a limited amount of available space.

Luckily, the condo unit had a high ceiling so the designer was able to convert the extra room above the dining area and above the bed in the master bedroom into storage. With a trusty stepladder always on hand, the owners hide a lot of their belongings in these converted storage spaces.

{storage above dining area}

{additional storage below living room seating}

{left: clerestory windows let light & air in; right: cabinets on other side of the wall}

{left: closet space spanning whole wall; right: storage space above bed}

{left: kids’ room; right: cute shelves for children’s books}

I love how the designer cleverly placed storage solutions all over the condo – like above and below furniture and on wall partitions. It was obvious that the unit’s design was well planned and that storage was a big factor in the design process. I wouldn’t mind living in a small space if it was as chic and as organized as this!

diy tips: conquer your small space dilemmas

Like what hoa said in her comment here, condo spaces are becoming smaller and smaller. The average size of a studio unit is around 30-40 square meters, but can go as small as 20 square meters. As the space becomes more compact, it’s much more challenging to fit everything in and make your space look and feel comfortable. Here are some ideas to help you make the most out of a small space.

1) GET REAL!

Before you start doing or buying anything, you have to re-assess your lifestyle in the light of your small living space. A small space will require you to sort of have a lifestyle change. You can’t expect all of your belongings from a 100++ square meter home fit a 40 square meter studio without looking like a storage room. This means, take only those that are essential. When you want to buy something new, you have to give-up something to make room for it.

2) THINK MORE-IN-ONE

When buying furniture, incorporate pieces that have multifunctional features—an ottoman with storage which can be used as a coffee table, an occasional seat for the living area, an additional seat for the dining table and, for some models, a single foldaway bed (check Dimensione).

3) BE CREATIVE!

Storage doesn’t only come in the form of built-ins. You don’t want to fill your space with built-in cabinets because this will make your interiors look more like a walk-in closet or a pantry than a home. Be discreet with your storage. Consider fitting large drawers under your bed frame and using seats (stool, ottoman, and even upholstered sofa) with hidden storage. Maximize small corners. Instead of an end table, consider a slim chest of drawers which has more storage space. Above all, take only what is essential (see #1).

4) OPTICAL ILLUSIONS

How to make your small space look bigger? First, simplify interior elements to minimize visual clutter. Use less color contrasts (go monochromatic), less details, and less number of furniture. If you want color and details, limit them to just a couple of accent pieces.

Second, maintain an open plan layout. Avoid using dividers or screens because they just chop your small space into several minute spaces. Instead, define areas by arranging your furniture into groups and adding an element that will emphasize their centers such as an area rug or a pendant lamp.

Third, blur elements that signal boundaries/space limits such as walls, corners, and edges (photos above). Choose accent lighting over general overhead lighting. Accent lamps create a play of light and shadow that create depth, while general lighting make everything visible, and accentuating all four walls and corners of your little space. Add depth to walls by placing a large mirror, especially the tall kind (door height), that seem to create a door on the wall leading to a different room.

5) BE TRANSPARENT

Avoid bulky-looking furniture and add depth to a space by going for “transparent” pieces—a dining table with a clear glass top, chairs with a see-through backrest, and buffet cabinets with frosted glass doors.

6) ADD TEXTURE NOT CLUTTER

While it is encouraged to keep interior elements simple, you are not discouraged to give your space a theme and personality. Decorate with your belongings. If you love reading, use your books to decorate your shelves (top image).

Combine surface materials and introduce simple accent prints so your interiors won’t look dull and boring. Natural texture is not limited to wood. Indigenous materials (below) such as coco shell, crushed bamboo, buri, rattan, and abaca, blend well with wood. Use them for accent pieces if you want to maintain a clean modern look. Combine these with metallic accents to add a “kick” and to avoid monotony.

7) RENDER YOUR SPACE WITH LIFE

Use plants for decorating (above). Apart from adding color and texture to your interior, plants help clean your indoor air. For those who do not have a balcony where you can occasionally expose your plants to sunlight, choose plants that can tolerate low light levels. Examples of low maintenance indoor plants (based on my experience) are sanseviera, yellow water plant, some types of bromeliads, and dracaena.

space matters: a swanky bachelor’s pad

For our male readers, here’s a modern design for a bachelor’s pad created by Frenjick Quesada and Hisako Hirayama of Design HQ. What makes this condominium space unique is the unexpected Filipino twist added into its design. This space shows how modern design can be both high in style and big in personality. Read on to know more.

This bachelor’s pad features a clean modern design. Although the condominium space is undeniably masculine, elements of warmth and comfort were consciously integrated by reflecting the owner’s personality and interests onto the design.

A dramatic palette of chocolate brown and warm grays renders the space. Complementing textures of wood and leather were contrasted with stainless steel and other metallic accents, creating a cozy environment for relaxing while, at the same time, being a chic space for entertaining friends.

The client is an avid reader and has a wide collection of books. So, instead of storing the books inside closed cabinets, we decided to showcase them as an integral part of the interior design. Different types of built-in open shelves were carefully added throughout the unit to keep the books organized while making them a part of the interesting composition of the interiors.

There were shelves fitted above the windows, together with a customized step ladder, to maximize the space.

In both the entertainment area and the bedroom, there were drawers built under the ledges to further improve the functionality of the space.

An interesting feature of the design is the Filipino bone-and-wood inlay applied throughout the interiors. This detail was made modern by using customized linear patterns inspired by the client’s Arturo Luz painting displayed in the dining wall. The patterns, reminiscent of the art deco style, were applied to drawer faces, the coffee table top and key furniture pieces.

Another unique use of the bone-and-wood inlay is its application as a monogram on select chairs, spelling the client’s initials in Braille. The same approach was used for the main bookshelves, whose decorative wood panels have inlays that spell “books”.  A star pattern was also developed for some drawer faces, since the client’s name literally translates into the word “star”.

*photos by Erik Liongoren courtesy of Design HQ

space matters: a bachelor’s pad

Here’s something for the guys–a design for a bachelor’s pad.

The owner is a young economist currently pursuing his doctorate degree in UP. For several years, he was based in Bangkok (we want to go there!), working for the International Labor Organization. Now that he’s back in Manila, he finally got himself his own place. Because his loft-type condo unit is quite a challenge with it’s compact size, he asked for the help of an interior designer to maximize the space.

Like most men (i’m not sure if you’ll take my generalization on this, considering that I only have four male friends!), his space requirements and personal style are very simple and straightforward.  His designer seemed to understand this and made functionality as the main focus of the design. Everything incorporated into the space has its purpose. While aesthetics is equally important in order to create a visually comfortable space, it is only secondary.

The design paid attention on fitting everything into the small space. The designer’s strategy to make the interiors look bigger is easy–keep things simple, compact and, most imporatantly, clean and organized. As for the decor, he went for a contemporary theme with hints of Asian textures and details. His own stuff were integrated into the design to make the space look and feel more personal. His books and dvds are displayed on open shelves both in the living area and the bedroom. A series of framed buddha images and a pair of miniature tuktuk, which he acquired from Bangkok, were used to accessorize the unit. In addition to these, a couple of plants, such as a potted dancing lady orchid and a cut leaf from a bird’s nest fern, complete the modern tropical ambiance. 

If you want to get this contemporary look for your guy’s space, here’s the list of the stores which you can refer to:

          Living area furniture: Edia and AGP

          Computer area furniture: Edia

          Mirrors, dining set, and bed frame: 1903 Furniture, MarketMarket

          Lamps: Azcor

          Accessories: Rustan’s and Crossings Department Store