I am a throwpillow fan. Like plants, cut flowers and framed pictures, throw pillows, especially the more colorful ones, can instantly perk up any living space (except your kitchen and bathroom, of course).

I was happy to learn that the girls from online shop Estela–Anda, Jo and Joyce–are bringing in pretty pillows together with their collection of dresses and fashion accessories. I especially love the fuchsia pillows in woodblock-printed fabrics (above).

“We noticed that local retail shops in malls were lacking variety in terms of home accessories. Nothing seemed to look special or unique that wasn’t outrageously priced,” says Joyce.

Estela will be launching its first collection accompanied by a private sale of their items this Saturday, April 30, 3pm to 7pm, at Poseidon Park, Acropolis Subd., QC. For those who wish to join the event, you can register here. df

I probably worked on a mechanical typewriter twice in my life, way back when I was in grade 4. It was our neighbor’s–a verrrrry old 1930s model (like this) which was obviously so frustrating and difficult to use. I’m not sure why I even tried using that! Fortunately, my dad soon bought us an electric typewriter, the one that has spell check and eraser film/tape, which we used to type our school papers until early high school.

Sad news. Found out through orangetwits that Godrej and Boyce, the last company to produce typewriters, has shut down its plant in Mumbai India. (article here)

Although they will no longer be in production, I don’t think typewriters will totally leave our consciousness especially now that there seem to be a growing number of people who are fascinated by their vintage appeal. However, from being an office staple, the typewriter has now transitioned into a decorating accessory and conversational piece for home interiors, stores, and even wedding receptions.

Photo credits (from top to bottom): lucky-seed, fallon akers, tiffidOll, kristianen nicole, flax and spindle, ruffled blog, marry you me, and katie day photo.

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here are some of my finds while searching for halloween eye candies over the internet. make your own version of these decors using paper plates, scrap fabrics and patterned paper, dry branches from a tree in your garden, the ever dependable black cartolina, and a lot of black and orange acrylic paints.

happy halloween!

♦ halloween bunting and tree of mini treat bags from womensday

♦ spooky plates from design mom

♦ halloween dining setup from apartment therapy

♦ heirloom gem spiders from design*sponge

♦ halloween crafts from martha stewart living

♦ halloween decors from pottery barn kids

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Here’s an easy example: one bedroom with three different looks. By just changing the accent pillows and the prints inside the picture frames, the white-and-gray bedroom takes on three different looks to suit three different moods.

Above is a cheerful medley of pink, brown, and lime green.

Below is a cool combination of blues and lavender.

At the bottom, black, white and beige creates a clean, crisp setting. -ardel

You would always hear designers say that lighting is everything. And it’s true. Light influences how we perceive a space. In fact, the easiest way to improve a room is to improve the lighting by introducing a mix of lighting fixtures: general, directional, task, and accent lighting.

We have been accustomed to bright, white, overhead (ceiling mounted) general lighting even if it’s sometimes unnecessary. Plus, overhead general lighting is so unflattering to the space and to the people in it by making all the imperfections visible, creating ugly shadows, and highlighting blue undertones (for daylight fluorescent lamps) like blemishes and dirt marks.

To save on electricity and to make your space look and feel better, add a light where it is needed by incorporating table and floor lamps. They are much more efficient for task lighting because the light source is near the work space and would, therefore, require a bulb with a lower wattage (I prefer a 5 to 7-watt warm or cool white cfl). For aesthetic purposes, table and floor lamps are great accent lights that cast light patterns in the room that introduce depth and drama.

For those in a tight budget, here are some contemporary lamps that are super affordable:

1) Aluminum lamp (top photo, foreground), P6,000 from Chan C Bros., SM Megamall

2) Aluminum lamp with rippled shade (top photo, background) P3,000 from Chan C Bros., SM Megamall.

3) Tao Margot table lamp (above), P3,195 from Our Home

4) Tao Polaris table lamp (below) P1,995 from Our Home

Whenever I’m hit by the Procrastinating Bug, I go find something inspiring to bring me back to my working, thinking, designing mode. For this purpose, my flickr contacts have been very helpful.

This July, instead of design blogs, we are featuring six Flickr Photostreams for df’s Daily Reads. These are from my flickr contact list that are packed with photos which will surely encourage you to create, decorate, and make something beautiful for your space.

Here’s a quick preview of our July list:

day in the studio from artpropelled,

tilly & tommy elephants from retro_mama,

one of those moments from penwren,

my helper from fallon akers,

my studio from dottie angel,

and black wall from the happy home

Enjoy! -ardel

*top photo via dottie angel

I find it funny that most of us are scared of using two particular colors (or technically, non-colors) liberally: white and black. With regards to white, I understand that maintenance issues keep us from using it all the way, with the dust and pollution that may turn our white rooms into gray. Apart from that, there’s the Filipino’s horror vacui, fearing that an all white room may just look too empty, boring and clinical. I guess Ana’s post of on white rooms sort of debunked that claim.

How about black?

In my five years of writing for three of mega’s design/decorating magazines, I have never encountered an interior where black was used generously, especially for the walls. Maybe it’s a cultural thing–that black for us is just too depressing, negative, and even devilish.

I find black to be an interesting color for interior spaces. Like white, it’s versatile. It can be ultra modern, contemporary, and even traditional. Plus, it adds a certain mysterious character to the room.

Just make sure that when you use black for your walls, you use a paint with a satin or eggshell finish. Semi-gloss paint still has some sheen that will make your black wall look dirty instead of the bold, solid appearance that you’re aiming for.

So, how about we give black a chance? -ardel

*images via little.green (top & bottom) and xJavierx

I can’t believe that it’s already my 6^th year in my graduate course. I breezed through my subjects, finishing all the required units in just three semesters. Why haven’t I graduated??? I haven’t finished my thesis! I already have a topic and have begun doing library work. But all these years, between projects and writing assignments, I didn’t have enough time, energy, and free brain cells to start writing the study.

Now that everything is going very well with my family, I have the option of taking a “partial leave” this semester from design work (of course, I won’t be abandoning existing projects) and limiting writing assignments to maybe two articles per month. This way, I think I can already focus on my research.

To further help me concentrate, I decided to make myself an office/study at the stockroom behind our house. For the longest time, I have been working in the dining area. I have a desk in my bedroom but I feel claustrophobic and sleepy (because of the presence of the bed) working there. Unfortunately, working in the dining area means having to deal with constant distractions and interruptions.

Last Sunday afternoon, I cleaned the stockroom and converted a corner of the room into my office/study. Here’s a list of what I did:

1) ACCENT WALL – I wanted to paint a part of the existing white wall to define my space without using any dividers. Apart from cleaning the room, this was probably the only time-consuming part of the makeover. I initially wanted a bright color like lime green or yellow for the accent wall but decided against it because the color might just cause migraines. Instead, I mixed a dark khaki paint color using white base + burnt umber + black. To make the wall less sleepy, I made a series of slim branches by sticking ½” masking tape before painting the wall.

2) COLOR - After removing the tape, I realized that the white-and-dark khaki combination was too strong for me. To soften the white, I lightly brushed over the patterns with a pale blue-gray paint.

3) OLD FURNITURE + NEW ACCESSORIES – When the paint was completely dry, I positioned my old drafting table, mounted two cork boards on the wall (P88 each from The 88 Store), and brought in the new table lamp which I got for only P795 (from Robinson’s Department Store). I also added a small potted plant where I can stick reminders and to-do lists.

4) CHAIR SLIPCOVER – I didn’t want to spend on a new desk chair. To complete my one-day makeover, I just made a slipcover for an existing monoblock chair using a large scrap fabric.

For this makeover, I only spent around P1,160 for the paint colors (i used my dad’s leftover white latex paint for the base), paint roller, cork boards, and table lamp (the only expensive item).

I already started working in my new workspace yesterday! I just hope that all my efforts will finally lead me to a research proposal by the end of August and to a finished thesis by March. Wish me luck! -ardel

A df reader emailed us a question last week asking for tips on how to deal with her bare walls:

I am looking for inspiration on how to adorn our bare walls. Do I leave it as is or go ahead with putting up some photos?  I’m afraid it would look like your run of the mill photo showcase. We’re still recovering from the expenses of the construction and I’m hoping to work within a reasonable budget but attain a tasteful look.

A little help please…

As I mentioned in my reply, it’s ok to have some form of wall treatment on one or two surfaces. The trick is to balance your wall decor with the dimensions of the wall, the size of the room as well as the amount of furnishings and accessories in the space.

Here are five basic tips on how to decorate your walls:

1) IDENTIFY YOUR FOCAL POINT

You don’t need to treat every single wall. In a room with four or more wall, identifying your focal point helps you pinpoint the wall that has to be treated or decorated. The focal point is like your showcase corner or the best spot in the room. The idea is to draw the eye towards that corner upon entering the space and treating the wall of that area helps.

2) THINK BIG

The simplest way to decorate a wall is to fill the space with one large piece: a bold accent color, a different wall material or finish, a large framed mirror, a large wall clock, or a large painting.

3) CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN

Ok, a large painting or mirror is quite costly. For a budget friendly, fuss-free wall treatment, hang a set of framed photos, prints, swatches of vintage wallpaper and even fabric showing off a similar theme or color scheme. If you want a bold statement, hang two, three, or four large frames, depending on the size of the wall. If you want to introduce pattern and interest to your space, put up a set of six or nine smaller frames.

4) ADD A PERSONAL TOUCH

Instead of putting up paintings and framed prints, why not display your own photos? Look through your picture files for interesting or sentimental photos. You can also set a time with your family for a diy photo shoot. To make the pictures appear more dramatic and artsy, have them in black & white or sepia. Another inexpensive trick is to print them in a 5 x 7 size and mount them in large frames with matte board (available in all your leading department stores like SM Homeworld, Market! Market!, and Landmark). (Photo above via Baker)

5) THINK OUT OF THE BOX

Do not limit yourself to paintings, wall frames, and mirrors. You can also use unconventional items to decorate your walls such as carved antique wood panels, tapestry, decorative plates, stretched fabric (see Practical Princess’s tutorial HERE), and wall-mounted flower vases. (Photo above by William Ong via MyHome 2007  issue)

I hope these are helpful.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be surrounded by love everyday? I think having “love” around you doesn’t just happen. Most of the time, it’s a personal choice—to love, to be loved, and to be constantly inspired.

Love defines Iro-Ivy’s very white abode in Germany. Like Sarah (of abeachcottage), I saw Ivy’s Penthouse through flickr when I was searching for charming Christmas homes last December 2009. By just looking at the photos of her home, one could tell that Ivy has a kind of style that goes beyond creating pretty spaces. A style that seems to radiate warmth and sincerity. She calls it “love”.

Ivy is probably one of the most passionate people I’ve encountered. She finds joy and inspiration in simple things. You can tell by the way she arranges and decorates her space, and by the way she takes pictures of the Penthouse.

Today, as the third and last feature for our “romantic white homes week”, we take a tour of Ivy’s Penthouse as she shares with us her decorating style, her passions, and bits of her life.

[Image above: "These (garland of paper flaglets) are made from 1960's vintage, Albert Van Luit wallpaper and pages of the German vintage book 'Die Kleine Hexe' ".]

“I practice ‘living big is an attitude’, depending on making the best use of what we have. A few square meters can be very functional and quite ‘large’, with the right use. The Penthouse measures 65 square meters, with 22 square meters being the second open floor, where the bedroom and dressing areas are. The rest is the main floor including the entrance, bathroom, dining area, reading corner, kitchen, living area, and office corner.”

“I give my living space its time to evolve with me, as much as I evolve living in the space. Even though, I did make plans, as soon as we chose this apartment and knew which existing furniture would be used and what needed/wished to be bought, I took small steps into actualizing them. After 2 years of living in the Penthouse, I can finally say that it’s very close to how I’d like it to be. According to my partner’s view though, it was already perfect after a few days! Oh well…. Of course, it’s different when I plan for a client.”

“I love clean lines and interesting architecture. However, as much as I appreciate and love beautiful objects, I try not to overburden a space with too many of them. I try to be surrounded only by things I like. If I’ve made an impulsive buy (which happens rarely, after long years of effort!), I donate it or sell it.”

[Image above: Ivy's LOVE mirror by the dining area.]

“I always get inspired by my love for decorating & making beautiful, functional living spaces, and turning them into homes.

Loving more than words and my appreciation for life make this place look happy and clean! I’m happy to be here and sharing this space with the true, internal sunshine of my life, who has made all these possible for me. In a way, I gave up daily sunshiny life in Greece, but now sunshine lives inside me! And I get to travel a lot, so it’s more than fine!”

[Image above: Framed wallpaper samples make fun, colorful and inexpensive wall displays. Know more about this project here.]

“I refresh the look of my living space by rearranging things now and then. I also upcycle and re-purpose things, which means that a new addition can be made, without having to spend anything.”

“I love light and therefore choose bright spaces to live in. Nothing decorates a space better than natural light! I love white and natural tones (obviously!), as much as natural textures. It is the perfect canvas for being creative and playing with accessories and pops of colour according to moods and seasons.”

[Image above:" Heart collection on the white, wooden pole under the stairs and a glimpse to the reading corner."]

“I keep the biggest part of surfaces clutter free, so that they can be easily used daily according to needs. I keep things organized and make use of cupboards, drawers and boxes to their fullest extent.”

“I find that my studies in Psychology are of great help when talking to people (most often friends, friends of
friends & acquaintances so far) about organizing & beautifying their living spaces. Finding out their true needs and overcoming their drawbacks can begin from their living spaces. Just like when someone can organize a closet as a parallel need to organizing his/her thoughts.

I believe that living spaces do and should reflect who we are. They are like eyes being the mirrors of our hearts. And this is why I have my objections about styling based on trends and not on people’s likes and choices.”

Again, thank you Ivy for taking the time from your busybee schedule to do this! You’re one very kind and inspiring spirit. Hope you get to touch more people with your photos and your designs.

To know more about Ivy’s style, her Penthouse and her crafts, visit here flickr photostream here, her etsy shop here and her blog here.

*Photos from Ivy’s flickr photostream.