September 2012: The Countdown Begins

Oh how I long for September! It was just like yesterday when it was January, and come Valentine's Day, Christmas is really over. How I dream of my favorite season to be back again soon! Time flew by during the summer months. And when the rainy season starts, we all know it's just a matter of time. And here it is again. :) Christmas in the Philippines officially starts when the "ber" beckons our calendars again.

For the month of September, I am excited to feature the work of this interior designer turned kitchen specialist, Margarita Montiel-Encela. She will be sharing with us her expertise in designing a kitchen and get a chance to also see the projects of her kitchen company, MMKitchen Cabinetry.

Also, from this month on, I will be sharing rooms that I have pinned on Pinterest which I will call Pinned! And for this month, I will be showing the different bathroom designs that I have pinned so far. I'm also planning a feature on commercial interiors on the Local Scene and hopefully a review of a design/art/architecture book for the now monthly, On My Shelf.

It may be September already, but I still have to wait for November before I can officially see some decors around the metro. But what makes it feel so Christmas-y at this time is that warm feeling that I get knowing that it truly is just a few sleeps away. And the waiting for it, is always the best part. :)

August 2012: And We're Back!

I know, I know, it's been a year. It seems like the past year had me juggling a lot of activities, mostly for family. Plus, I was quite busy with exploring another business venture that I have always loved to do since I was a kid. Still, nonetheless, it's no excuse to be gone for too long. I should always find time to do the things that I love, like writing about the arts, design and architecture. So, here I am again and I'm excited to be back!


Since I've been gone, I had the chance to look into another side of the visual arts, specifically, illustrations. Pinterest was a visual feast for me, with so much great ideas for design and fashion. But I also discovered there the different creative illustrations and handwritten fonts. There's just so much inspiration out there for artists! So for the month of August, I will be doing features on different artists on the web and on the local scene as well.


For interior design, I'll also be squeezing in some beautiful kitchen designs that I discovered recently and hopefully get some tips from a Kitchen Specialist on how to make our kitchen design more efficient. 


The past year also gave me a chance to fly abroad. One of the beautiful places I revisited was Singapore. I have always loved Singapore because it's a multi-cultural country that boasts of a well-supported art community. The best thing about that is that people can visit several different museums that are easily accessible to tourists and locals alike. Join me as I tell you about my journey into the famous ArtScience Museum and a look into the Mint Museum of Toys that travel bloggers have been talking about.


It has been a year of absence from the Green Room, but it has been a year of being "present" to new ideas, new places and new designs. The past year had a lot of things going on for me, and even if I wasn't really writing here, I'm actually in the action, where everything is happening. I'm just glad to be back :)

May 2011: Still Going Green

April was just not enough to feature all of the go-green products and interiors that I had in mind (besides the fact that my hands we're so full the past month! :)), so for May, I will be continuing the Going Green theme, still in celebration of Earth Day. I have finally rounded up interior products and materials that support eco-living and sustainable design, which means the list is going to be out soon. Also, a look at Nuvali of Ayala Land and how they are already making initiatives in sustainable design not only for the homes but for the whole Nuvali community as well. For the interior design feature of the month, I will be featuring a southern home with a classic twist.

April may be Earth Day, but May is definitely the month for flowers, coincidentally (or not) also the month when we celebrate Mother's Day. Show your appreciation for your mom by giving her flowers on Mother's Day, or better yet, a flower for every day of May. Happy Mother's Day to you Mom!

April 2011:Going Green

I have always wanted to specialize in "green" design but somehow I am dismissed by my impression that going green can be limiting to the design or it could compromise the aesthetics of the design, besides the fact that it can be rather more expensive than taking the usual route. But all of these hesitations in my head are just theories, so for this month, I am challenging myself by learning more about green and sustainable design. I am sure that there are available materials that designers can use that doesn't mean having to compromise design. With that, I will be featuring some eco-friendly products that designers and homeowners can choose from, just so we can have options besides using the regular ones.

For our designer's spotlight, I will be featuring the music studio of a very talented electronic artist which he and his interior designer wife designed. A look at the first eco-friendly Starbucks in Taguig city shall be our interior design feature for the "going green" theme of April. As for sustainable design, I will be compiling some very practical tips on designing for a green environment.

I know it's a cliche, but we really have to do our part in taking care of our planet. Being aware of the possibilities that we can do as designers  in lessening our carbon footprint is already winning half the battle. To reach the ultimate goal, all we have to do is to make it happen.

March 2011: Colors and Patterns

In design, color is like air - a design just can't live without it. Can you imagine a colorless room? You might say a white room is a colorless room but in reality, there is a myriad of different white colors that a designer chooses from. Color gives life to anything. And what goes hand-in-hand with color is pattern. Pattern makes color work with other colors. It gives depth and texture to any object. It makes it interesting.

With the turn of spring/summer in just a few weeks, it would be very timely to talk about color and pattern when it is most appreciated the most. Spring is after all, a burst of color. Every color and pattern imaginable comes from nature, the original color and pattern creator.

For this month, an article on the latest fabric trends from the leading fabric companies is in the works. In our monthly interior design feature, I will be featuring a seaside inspired residence which makes use of nautical colors. In photography, lomography shall be making it's way in our pages soon! For furniture, a review on the annual furniture show, Manila Now PIFS 2011, shall be up and about. Of course, expect this month to be filled with articles about colors and patterns from all over.

Let's all embrace this season of color. Be daring and go for new and exciting color combinations. Try out different patterns that are so in-fashion right now. Don't be afraid to experiment with a new colored pattern on your wall. Make color and pattern the inspirations for your design and you just might be pleasantly surprised.

February 2011: Be Inspired!

Finally!!! After so much pondering on and brain-storming, it's here! I am so excited to welcome you all to the first article of the Green Room. The Green Room shall be the venue for all things, thoughts, photos or whatever thingamabobs that inspire us to design. You can be the stay-at-home mom who loves to make everyday things beautiful, or you can be the professional interior designer whose ideas are always full to the brim. As long as you love and appreciate design, the Green Room is for you.

For this February, which coincidentally is also the month of Valentine's day, I shall be focusing on Inspiration. What is the inspiration behind a successful design? Our inspirations can come from a myriad of things that we see, feel, taste, smell and touch. It can be an experience that we remember, a memento from a memorable vacation, a vivid picture that catches our eye, or music that brings us back to fond memories. With this, I will be sharing a collection of photos and things that inspire me as a designer. On the interior design front, watch out for an article on a renovated condominium unit with a contemporary style. A popular local fashion magazine which recently came up with a new look is also in line. And I'll be featuring more actual interior renovations and projects for the rest of the month.

It's very timely that it is the month of Valentine's Day where love is in the air. For it is truly that when we are in love, we are inspired the most. What inspires you?