Ear and Eye Candy

A marriage of talents for two artists - one in audio and the other one in visual. This studio gives us a taste of both worlds. 

View of the Recording area

MADE 2011: In Search for Green Designers and Architects

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc., together with Federal Land, Inc., United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), BluPrint, and LifestyleAsia, is currently in search of licensed architects and interior designers, to join the 2011 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) National Competition.

Starbucks: More Than Just Coffee

Famous for it's coffee experience, Starbucks Philippines takes a step ahead to give us more than just coffee.

The Starbucks Coffee Company has been known for it's coffee, the coffee experience, and the initiatives they make in giving back to their community. The company is known for valuing their global and social responsibility evident in their concern not only on the end-product, but to the whole process itself such as the ethical sourcing of their coffee, tea and cocoa products by ensuring that the farming of their coffee beans are grown responsibly and sustainably. Another important initiative is their environmental awareness which they incorporate in the design of their stores, with the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program as their guide. 

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.

Lomo Loco

So, you've downloaded an Instagram free app on your smartphone ever since you saw your friend's photos on Facebook looking so cool in a square format with that vintage look. You can't seem to get enough so you try the Hipstamatic app where it feels almost like taking a picture from a vintage film camera, only digital. Technology has indeed made our lives so much better. Being able to capture images digitally like the way they do it in film has indeed made life easier. But to lomography enthusiasts, nothing is more cooler than taking those shots the old-fashioned way. 

photo courtesy of Zarah Gomez

Worldbex 2011

The 16th World Building and Construction Expo (Worldbex) is slated to open on March 16 and close on March 20, 2011 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Worldbex has been an annual international venue for exhibitors in the field of construction, architecture, engineering and other related fields to showcase product innovations, services and updates in the industry of building construction. Simultaneous to this event are seminars with topics that include Green Architecture and Urban Planning from distinguished architects from the local scene and abroad. Incidentally, the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) will have an exhibit at the nearby PTTC showcasing eight design booths with the theme "Design of the Times". You may contact Worldbex Services International for more details. 

Paper Funk

Funky (adj. - Slang)
a. Characterized by originality and modishness; unconventional.
b. Outlandishly vulgar or eccentric in a humorous or tongue-in-cheek manner; campy.(from www.flavorleague.com)


Look what I found! The funkiest and quirkiest wallpaper patterns that I've seen. Flavor Paper brings to us unique vintage modern and customizable wall paper that, as they say, will bring serious character to your space.

photo courtesy Flavor Paper

Coastal Christmas

In the southern suburbs, interior designer Doris Dy-Rivero captures the essence of the coastal theme whilst incorporating the holiday spirit as inspired by nautical motifs and an unexpected color accent.

The double-height living room repainted in light blue with white trim and mouldings. 

Furniture in dark walnut stain, with upholstery to match the walls. 

A touch of red completed the room, as seen on the accent pillows and accessories.

Top Trends at Manila Now 2011

The recently concluded Manila Now 2011 furniture show just proved once again, that the Philippines still has the competitive edge in furniture design. The furniture design trend for this year, I must say, is all about the natural look. Wood for this year, has been given quite a recognition and is left at it's most natural state. Sanded finish wood, combined with rattan or concrete, worked well with the contemporary lines and construction of the furniture pieces. One cannot help but be excited with such beautiful craftsmanship and design. As I am catching my breath from a heart-pounding visual array, let me give you my top picks at the show.

Fabric Design Competition: Project Selvage

Spoonflower and Michael Miller Fabrics have joined together to look for next fabric designer of Michael Miller Fabrics entitled PROJECT SELVAGE. The competition is open to all, all over the world. The design calls for a fabric design with a baby boy print. To find out more, go to http://www.projectselvage.com/. All entries must be submitted by March 24, 2011 at spoonflower.com

Colour Lovers

I came across this site, colourlovers.com while I was googling colors and patterns. I found it very interesting and helpful for designers like me. The site is an online sharing community, where designers in all fields - home, fashion, crafts, graphic design and print - can share their ideas and inspirations on colors, patterns and trends on both. I found some beautiful color combinations that are fresh and current, which has really inspired me for a current ID project. Here are some of my favorites:

This pink, light blue and mocha palette is given life by the citrus yellow as accent. It's interesting how the citrus yellow blended well with another strong color like pink. I'm inspired to use this as a color scheme for a girl's bedroom.

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.

Manila Now: PIFS 2011

The Philippine International Furniture Show (PIFS) is a must-see event that showcases local furniture and decor design to the world market. This is held annually in Manila which targets mainly the foreign trade buyers and importers. The Philippines had a strong market two decades ago when the demand for furniture was strong in the United States and Europe. In the past years though, due to the global economic crises and with the entry of China in the furniture industry (known for it's cheap and abundant labor), the export market has been experiencing a slow down. This year, the furniture industry is renewed with the positive economic growth rate brought on by the present administration. The furniture exhibitors are also going "green" this year to align with the worldwide awareness on environmental protection. I am quite excited at the new designs that will be showcased in this show, especially now that our homegrown local designers are really competitive with their designs.

The Philippine International Furniture Show 2011, Manila Now is organized by the Chamber of Furniture Industries of The Philippines (CFIP). It will be held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Manila on March 3 to 6, 2011. You can visit their website at  http://www.pifshow.com/ for more information.

Light and Shadow

While doing this article, I just recently found out that photography was derived from the Greek words photos, meaning light, and graphy, which means draw. Which makes sense really, because one cannot achieve a picture without any source of light, more so, a photographer cannot produce a perfect and interesting subject without the interplay of light and shadow.

Due to the advancement in technology of the camera, specifically the digital camera, a lot of people have become interested in this form of art. It is a hobby to most and to those who have undergone training, a profession. Designers and architects are rather expected to be a part of that population, having the advantage of an artistic eye.

Shirley Aguilar is no exception. But her portfolio tells us that she is someone to watch out for. Not your typical subjects for photography, her photos are events from the mundane, that she magically transforms into something of interest. There is a story to every photo, a fact. It transports you into that moment that she captured and you muse about this particular event and how it might be like to be there.

Strokes of Art

In this age of high-tech and digital technology, something done by hand rather than by machine seems to be a novelty nowadays. Computer generated renderings in 3D are widely used by architects and designers for their presentations, sometimes with a walk-through feature that create a vivid impression of how a project will look upon completion. Personally though, especially with interior renderings, they seem to lack the depth and texture that can be seen on manual renderings. That's why it's refreshing to see these beautiful renderings by Dario Marcelino.

Parkview Holiday Inn Singapore

photo courtesy of thecoloredroom.com

Dario Marcelino is an architecture graduate from Mapua Institute of Technology. He was previously based here in Manila, wherein he worked as a rendering artist and junior designer for Atelier Almario under Ms. Ivy Almario herself. He has handled projects for interior renderings locally and internationally. He left in 2003 and pursued his career in Canada, where he is currently based. Dario specializes in the dry medium such as pen, ink and markers and sometimes dabbles in the mixed use of digital coloring and manual drawings. The following are samples of his works.

Filipino Genius

Who hasn't heard of Kenneth Cobonpue? After numerous design accolades from the international design community, Kenneth is a "household" name to designers and architects in the Philippines. Not only is he known for his furniture design ingenuity, but also for promoting Filipino craftsmanship through the materials he utilizes in his designs. And now, he leaves us in awe again with his new collection for 2011. Here are a few favorites:

Wooden Pedestals

photo courtesy of elledecor.com

I first came across these wooden pedestals around six years ago, at a magazine featuring one of Kelly Hoppen's interior design projects. Fast forward to today, these wooden pedestals are still hot. They look great as accents to a very polished modern interior. They give the room character and depth and makes for an interesting conversation piece. The ones in the picture, which are in the showroom of Ralph Pucci, are by furniture designer Chris Lehrecke from New York.

Color Inspired

photo courtesy of dwellstudio.com

I am so inspired by the color scheme on this set of beddings from Dwell Studio. It's an unexpected color combination of citrus yellow with the turquoise and dark brown. It's very fresh but still a classic.

Urban Retreat

Originally intended as a half-way home in the city, this soho apartment turned out to be more than just that.

For two years already, this family of four has been traveling daily from the southern suburbs to the city, which meant five hours each day spent on traffic. This constant routine has been taking a toll on their two children's health. So the couple decided to acquire a one-bedroom apartment in the city, near the children's schools and the couple's offices. Their next move was to hire an interior designer who could make their one-bedroom apartment space efficient for the four of them. Interior designer Kristine Javier-Datuin was recommended by a relative of the couple. She transformed the bare unit to this beautifully designed and livable apartment.

Preview's New Sexy Look

I have always been a fan of Preview, not only because of the content, but because of the lay-out and design of the magazine. Their cover designs are at par with the international fashion magazines and they always strive to make the best out of every issue.

I recently bought Preview magazine's January-February issue for 2011 featuring Liz Uy on the cover. Surprisingly, they redesigned their magazine under the creative talent of Vince Uy (Creative Director, Preview).

The usual geometric and angular lines that spread on the pages before were now replaced by curves that seem to suggest the silhouette of the female body. These black curves seem to pop out of the contrasting white background which actually look like cut-outs. I'm also loving the large red font that they used to accent the page.

Of course, the contents are as usual, very impressive. The feature on Liz Uy is very interesting. Plus all the other beauty and fashion updates for 2011 are a must-see. You just have to get a copy and see for yourself!