Design Folder: Your Online Design and Decorating Resource

sneak peek: i-design in silang, cavite

Last Saturday, I accompanied a client to Silang, Cavite to order a couple of furniture pieces from a supplier. While driving along Tagaytay Road, a white store with a white couch displayed in front of it immediately caught our attention. This store, I-Design, is something different from the usual sight of hardwood furniture makers that line the road. My client suggested to check it out on our way back.

Thankfully, my brain was cooperating that afternoon and I immediately recognized and remembered the name of the lady who appeared to be the owner of the store. Irene Enriquez, both the owner and the designer for I-Design, is a designer that I got to interview more than a year ago when CondoLiving featured her Renaissance condo.

Apparently, the store is very new, around three weeks old since it first opened. Like Irene’s condo, the store looks clean, simple, and sophisticated. Most of their pieces, made of wrought iron and woven plastic strips, are outdoor furniture that can also pass as furnishings for the interiors. The store also carries wood pieces plus various accessories that Irene sourced abroad.

To get in touch with them, you can find their contact details in their website here.

*photos courtesy of irene

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objects of design: pillows from estela

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

bye-bye typewriter

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.

illustrations: stop the clock design

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Happy Easter! Hope you all had a restful vacation.

For a cheerful, sunny start to the week, we’re sharing with you these colorful illustrations from  Kathy Slatter and Erin Taylor of Stop the Clock Designs. Both girls have a degree in textile design which explains the “fabric collage” feel of their illustrations. I also particularly love the backstitched appearance of their line drawings!

Visit their site here to view the rest of their cards and past works.

Have a great week! df

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cebunext 2011: the show’s young designers (part 1)

What we especially like about CebuNext is the organizers’ effort to include young designers in their shows. Personally, I find it admirable for the pillars of the Cebu furniture industry like Kenneth Cobonpue and Debbie Palao to support and mentor students and up and coming designers and showcase their works in a big show such as CebuNext. Last year, they started an apprenticeship program wherein interior design students from San Carlos University and industrial design students from UP Visayas were partnered with Cebu’s furniture manufacturers to design and produce a prototype furniture pieces for the show.

For their 2011 show, CebuNext had this Kagikan Project (‘Kagikan’ is Cebuano for origin or roots) featuring five young furniture designers who are based abroad. Interestingly, each designer had his/her own unique interpretation of the theme ‘A Return to the Source’ resulting to a range of designs that are fresh, creative and inspiring.

While waiting for Lilli and Ana (who flew to Cebu right after their visit to Manila Now), I had the chance to chat with the designers of the Kagikan Project namely Stanley Ruiz, Martha Cech, Jinggoy Buensuceso and Wataru Sakuma. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet Daniel Latorre Cruz who wasn’t feeling well that afternoon.

It was a treat talking to them and listening to their points of view as designers. Frankly speaking, it’s not all the time that I get good and profound answers to the questions ‘What is your design philosophy?’ and ‘What sets you apart from your colleagues?’

For this post, I’ll just breeze through their works for CebuNext. We’ll share more about them in future posts, probably in our next Designers Under 30 (or maybe 35) series.

I was first introduced to Stanley Ruiz, an Industrial Design graduate from UP Diliman who is based in Brooklyn, New York. His designs are often unexpected yet very nostalgic.  He usually starts with common natural objects, forms, and ideas and develops them into designed pieces that give a new meaning and interpretation to ‘familiar object archetypes’.

above: an armoire inspired by religious structures (you can look at it as a church/basilica or a mosque) as a representative of the Filipino’s religious values and traditions

above: super-sized handicrafts like vases and a birdcage

above: contemporary application of the woven texture and pattern of the Yakan fabric on this white chair

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The youngest of the bunch is Filipino-Austrian industrial designer Martha Cech, who just recently graduated from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna in 2010. Given her background in industrial design, Martha designs all sorts of products. That’s probably the reason why her design approach is more geared towards an exploration of the functional features of traditional furniture pieces. Her ‘Corner Tables’ (that can be used as 4 individual corner tables or as one square table when put together) follows a similar concept as Daniel Latorre Cruz’s  ‘Split Armchair’, both of which demonstrates how developing a piece’s functionality could lead to a new form.

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(Sorry, I have to cut this post into two.  I might be late for a meeting! Second part later when I get back! ) -ardel

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love: put it in writing (and drawing)

(above) printable poster by bates mercantile co.

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Sometimes, all we need is a constant reminder of how lovely it is to love and be loved (not just the romantic kind). Here are some cute art prints, graphics and typography that you can display in your home and workspace to put you in the mood to love and spread love all year round.

Have a happy weekend!  -ardel

love giclee print by helendardik

love monster by laura george

abc love by jennifer ramos

graphic illustrations by love sugar design

love print from uupp

lovers heart by ingrid padilla

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objects of design: framed prints from brent couchman

These two prints from Brent Couchman perfectly sum up my life this December. Above is ‘Keep Drawing’ (and drafting and writing), and below is ‘Argyle Socks’ (which translates to ‘keep moving or else I’ll miss a meeting and my deadlines’).

Just some eye candies for you to enjoy. Now, back to work! -df

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lili & nana giveaway!!!

We just got our first Christmas gift! Last week, we received a package of pretty wrappers from Lili & Nana (Yay! Thanks Billie & Cristina!). We wanted to keep all of them for ourselves. But because this is the season of giving, we  decided to share the love (and the pretty wrappers) with our readers! We’ll be giving away 2 sets of Lilli & Nana wrappers (10 pcs.) + gift tags + satin ribbons.

To join the draw, just leave a comment on this post and tell us what you love about Lili & Nana. Don’t forget to include your email address (will not be published). This giveaway will end on Friday, Dec. 10, 4pm (manila time). Two winners will be drawn through a random number generator, announced on this post, and will be contacted via email.

I’m supposed to share with you some gift wrapping ideas using Lili & Nana’s wrappers and ribbons last Monday but work got in the way. I’ll try to make the samples by Friday and post it together with the announcement of the winners.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Ina Juan, Kat, and Misty! We’ll get in touch with you via email on how to claim your wrappers  :) (click here to view the screen shots of the random number generator)

style shopping: gift guide 2010, under P2000

Yay, it’s the month of gift-giving! Have you started your Christmas shopping already? If not, we’re helping you out with a series of gift guides. However, instead of fashion accessories, toiletries, and knick-knacks, we’re doing a roundup of practical gift ideas for the home. I’m starting it off with slightly pricier items with gifts from P2,000 & under. I was actually aiming for a P500 & under set, but the mannequin lamp and ceramic corals are just too pretty to edit out from this ‘girly’  set. I hope you’ll find something here for your loved ones. (Click on the item names for the sources) -ardel

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Image above: 1. Princess Rosette Lamp, P1850; 2. Bird Candle Holder, P285; 3. Hyacinth Pillow, P495; 4. Tulip Pillow with  sequins, P495; 5. Silver Ceramic Coral, P899.75 from Crossings; 6. White Ceramic Coral, P1,549 from Crossings; 7. Red & Yellow Flower Wall Decals, P350; 8. Heima Scents Soy Candle, P400.

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objects of design: christmas is coming!

Hello Christmas! And hello holiday traffic! =/

Sorry, let’s skip the Mr. Scrooge attitude and start the festive holiday mood!
Here are some pretty images to inspire you to decorate your homes for Christmas. If you have the time, you can make these ornaments yourself using found objects at home (and save yourself a trip to the mall):

1) glittered paper snowflakes (you can find snowflake patterns here)
2) doily wreath with fairy lights
3) flower wreath with fabric ribbons
4) abaca twine snowman
5) wreath of yarn and christmas balls

Green Guide and I will be joining a half-day build in a Habitat for Humanity site in Pasig tomorrow. I hope that the architect and the interior designer will make good construction workers, heehee!

Happy weekend everyone! -ardel

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*images (2-6) via marthastewart, designsponge, & houzz