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.