Storage Solution

Your growing stuff in the house will never be a problem if you had already mastered the art of organizing. In today's modern homes, space is always a problem. Most of you might be living in condo units or apartments where the space is very limited and organizing your things as well as your kids is always a challenge. The solution? Some storage furniture are designed to address that problem. Let's take a look at the following options courtesy of pottery barn:

I specially like this storage rack for books and magazines. This can be placed somewhere in your living room and this can be moved or transferred anywhere and anytime you want. I love the flexibility of this organizer.

How about these cottage house book cases? I think these will perfectly fit on any corner of your room.

This storage rack is perfect if you have small kids at home. I especially like the idea of having those separate baskets for the stuff that will be use each day. This will make things easier to keep and easier to take out when needed.

And if your girl's room is quite spacious, why not take this design? This is a one piece wall unit that will store all your girl's stuff in one accessible storage area which is not only functional but decorative. I find it so cute! :)


Take your pick!

My Next Wall Art

If you are frequenting this blog, then you might probably recall my newly painted wall murals on a bright orange wall at our dining area which is actually a part of our home make over.

Well....this time, I'm eyeing on other wall art and this is going to be my next design. Hmmmm...probably in the bedroom.

This wonderful wall art was featured at hgtv.

Don't you think it's lovely?

Repainting Works

We have the GROTTO and fence of our first house repainted with a "touch of green". How do you find the color combination? Our first house was quite neglected over the past few years since we have rented it out to my current tenant for more than 4 years now. That house needs a lot of repairs and renovations. However, I have chosen to do it step by step as the high cost of materials and labor is such a pain in the neck. Luckily, we have managed to have the exterior of the house repainted as well as the fence, the gate and the Grotto. At least, it doesn't look dull anymore. Additional plants were also planted all over the yard. I hope my tenant in that house would be pleased with our efforts to give the house a better look. However, I'm not yet totally done with the repairs. I'm just half way through it. I'm crossing my fingers that I could do most if not complete all the major repairs that need to be done on that house by next year. We are bit hard with he budget because we also had a "make over" on our second house where we currently reside.

Anyway, with God's grace, I am hoping that we will be able to finish all our projects by 2012.

Wish me luck! :)

My Home Blog's New Look!

I just wanted to make a quick post to show my appreciation to my blog pal Ronadelle who was responsible in giving this blog site a "new look". Ronadelle has been into digital scrap booking lately and finds great pleasure deigning her own blogs. She was also the one who designed the latest blog site of another blog pal Rovie.

I was quite ecstatic when Rona told me that she's willing to design my home blog after I mentioned to her my desire to give it a "new look". Rona was able to give justice to my requirements as regards to the choice of color and photos to appear on this site's header. She spent almost half day trying to give the final touches to my hearts content and I can't thank her enough for that! She's so patient and very willing and I just felt delighted with that kind gesture.

As one of my favorite blog pals, I am giving her my full support to this new endeavor. Oh, by the way, she just came up with her new site, I Create, I design, For fun. This is her new site showing her designs collection. Please feel free to visit her site to know more.

Thanks heaps Ronadelle!!

Before And After!

I'm happy with the result of our home make over a couple of months ago. I was able to change the color scheme of my living room and kitchen to the color I want which is bright orange, black and white. Changes we've made were the following:

Reupholstered the living room sofa set to black leather

cost : Php12,000 or $280

Reupholstered the throw pillows and bean bags to white leather

cost : Php2,000 or $46

Replaced the window panels from the original french windows with a combination
of steel and glass to tinted sliding glass windows with window grills.

cost : php37,000 or $860 (materials plus labor)

Replaced the divider (entertainment wall unit) which we just bought from a
furniture shop last time to a personalized wall unit made of textured wood and
clear glass with pin lights, electrical compartment, and special fluorescent
lamps with blue lights.This was painted with orange and white combination to
match the color motif.

cost : Php9,000 or $209 (materials plus labor)

Replaced two units of TV set in the living room and dining area from the
traditional box type to LCD flat screen TV.

Cost : Php36,500 or $849

Purchase of carpet and repainting of the center table and side table

Cost : Php3,000 or $70

Repainting of the entire living room, dining area and kitchen to the new color
motif of bright orange and white.

Cost : Php3,000 or $70

Wall Murals at the Dining Area

cost : Php1,000 or $23

Total Expenses incurred for the "make over"

Php100,500 or $2,337

Here's the final outcome:

My share for :

Dress Up Those Pillows For Christmas!

Since Christmas is already fast approaching, why not put some twist on your home decors the easy way? Dressing up your pillows with pillow cases having Christmas designs would be a good option. It's easy and fun! There are so many pillow cases on sale online and on your favorite malls and shops.

For a little twist, you could add up some ribbons or do some personal touches by buying some fabric paints and make a design of your own or simply add some names on the ready made pillow cases that you bought. Since these pillow cases will only be used during Christmas season, these will not be easily worn out and can be reuse for the next three years perhaps.

I use to do it at home when I was still working in the Philippines and I also buy some matching place mats and hand towels just to have a feel of the Christmas spirit at home.

Of course, this will be in addition to the traditional Christmas Tree which we can never do without.

Photo Credit : www.frontgate.com

Japanese Inspired Architecture

Photos By : http://www.eastwindinc.com/

Have you ever dreamed of living in a Japanese inspired house? I do! I only saw some Japanese inspired designs on TV and photos and I just get fascinated with how they could put up all the interior designs in one great work of art using woods in various forms. Walls are often thin and movable. I love their idea of having the rooms divided according to their needs using screens or movable paper walls.

Usually, their living rooms and dining rooms are adorned with lovely bonsais and specially crafted ikebana. Ikebana is a kind of Japanese floral arrangement which is more of a creative expression rather than a simple work of art where nature and humanity are put together. Having this around the house as part of the interior decorations made the entire house looks more pleasant and sophisticated conveying Japanese historical and cultural traditions.

Most Japanese inspired houses has given more emphasis on the flooring. Made of plain woods, floors are usually covered with tatami mats.

Japanese architecture is simply one of the most captivating, innovative and interesting designs that I've seen and their unique style never disappoints those who are seeking for modern, stylish and yet with a touch of traditional architecture.

Decorating With Candles

I love candles and I used to collect candles of various shapes, sizes and colors. But do you know that candles are great accents for any room in your homes?

Creativity is the key! Just take a look at the following designs:

Photo Credit : hgtv

I especially like the idea of collecting clear glasses and vases and I use these for various purposes. You can make these as candy jars, to hold some river rocks and stones and of course as candle holders. I don't know but I just find clear vases and glasses versatile and elegant. I love to decorate clear vases with shiny river stones and put some candles on top. This adds drama in your living room. Put in on your dining table and you are set on creating a romantic atmosphere for late dinners with your family and friends. There are various ways to design candle holders. Your only limit is your imagination!

I would love to try one this coming Christmas season. You can also make use of colored square dish if you want a variation. Candles are really a great way to decorate your homes on any occasion and the choice of color also have symbolic meanings. Of course, you will never go wrong with white candles because this symbolizes purity and innocence and is believed to be an effective way to cleanse both mind and spirit. Use scented candles and you're off to a relaxing mood.

These are only some of the so many reasons why I love to decorate with candles.

Eco Living - An Amazing Bamboo House

I just love the idea of this designer named Nick Oosterveen who came up with this amazing house made of no other materials but bamboo. The place looks simple but the design was done artistically making the entire house looks modern.

From far, you would hardly notice that this house is just made of bamboo. Everything inside including the kitchen cabinets are made of bamboo. Looking at it, the entire house looks refreshing but I'm just thinking if this kind of structure can withstand the changing weather in the Philippines.

There is no doubt that this kind of house is eco friendly. This bamboo house was built in a sustainable environment where everything is made available from energy, water and food.

The place looks cozy even when everything was just made by hands.

Maybe this bamboo house can be a cheaper alternative in building houses of the future generation when the time comes that our forests could no longer produce enough timber that could be used for building structures.

But for me, maybe I would choose this type of house for vacation purposes only. I think this is good for a rest house. I'm concerned more on the security and durability of my house. Although I would say that this house is perfect for a rest house, when you want to have some solitude moments or you simply want to relax with your family.