House of Onika | Interior Design Blog

Paseo Rizal Mayagay: Tagaytay of the East

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 13:13:00 +0000

If you grew up spending part of your childhood summers in Baguio or Tagaytay, Paseo Rizal Mayagay in Tanay, Rizal would give you the feel of nostalgia. Backdropped against Sierra Madre and with the view of the windmills of Pililla, Rizal, there is more than meets the eye with this feel good restaurant tucked in the East - artworks strewn across the entire dining hall and mezzanine, interactive installations in the yard, a viewing deck to satiate your need for a visual calming breather definitely makes it worth your while whether you're in it for the gram, blog or vlog; or not.

These photos were taken last 2015 so there may have been major changes in the restaurant both in the interiors and menu. Again, I would like to forego a food review since this blog is intended solely for interior and aesthetics. But to give you a conclusive take on their dishes, Filipino food is always a good idea.

Paseo Rizal Mayagay is located along the Marikina-Infanta Road, Mayagay, Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal.

WEBSITE: https://www.paseorizal.ph/paseo-rizal-mayagay

CONTACT:

Mobile: 0917 576 6711

Landline: (02) 8280 1044

Disclaimer: This was/is not sponsored.

Christmas Wreath

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 07:22:00 +0000

Taking Gifting to the Next Level

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:21:00 +0000

Invaluable and priceless are two attributes of a great gift. The love and creativity that has been put to it should be the defining factors or measurements of a great gift. However mostly true, a gift's value also does not depend on the effort of making one. It can be really simple but still heartwarming because of the thoughtfulness and the inspiration behind it.

The best gifts are often those that have the personal touch thus reflects the character of the giver. Planning should be put first into gift making. A Christmas list always come in handy. The gift can entirely depend on the recipient - his/her personality.

Let us celebrate the spirit of Christmas this year with our loved ones by surprising them with a gift that is unique and personal at the same time. SM puts us into the holiday spirit by answering these questions (answers after the jump):

What is your Christmas wish list for yourself?
What are your Christmas gift ideas for your loved ones this year?
How do you plan to give back to others this Christmas?

I believe that we are the reflection of each other so I am going to answer the questions above in one go. Here it is:

My grown-up Christmas wish would be the eradication of poverty in the Philippines.

I wish that every Filipino would be educated and skilled to be employed, much better be an employer to employ more Filipinos.
Para wala na 'kong nakikitang matandang nagbebenta ng sigarilyo habang napakataas ng init ng araw o kaya humahagupit ang bagyo.
Para wala nang namamalimos sa kalsada habang akay-akay ang kanilang walang malay na anak o mga bulag na 'di alintana ang mga rumaratsadang mga sasakyan.
Para wala nang nagbebenta ng laman para ipambili ng gatas ng anak nila.
Para wala nang musmos na namumulot ng pagkain sa basurahan o ng mga nabubulok na gulay sa palengke para lang may makain sa araw-araw.
Para hindi na maglipana ang mga masasamang elemento sa kalsada - mga nagnanakaw, nanghohold-up, nangca-carjack, nangngi-ngidnap, pumapatay bilang sagot sa kahirapan ng buhay.
Para wala nang nagbabahay bahay nanghihingi ng pambili ng gamot para sa mga mahal nila sa buhay.
Para wala nang estudyanteng naglalakad ng nakayapak papunta sa mga eskwelahan nila o naghihiraman ng libro kasi isa lang ang meron sa bawat limang estudyante.
At higit sa lahat, para wala nang lag-lag bala, I mean, inggitera. Sana yumaman lahat ng uri nila (I just hope they find contentment).

On a more tangible note, give gifts that make a difference. Below is an enumeration of how you can help UNICEF with their gift-giving effort this holiday season and be champions for children.

LEARN (category)

Learning materials for a year (Php 800 monthly): Help send 12 children back to school with bags, school supplies, a water jug, t-shirt and slippers.
Early Learning Kit (Php 2,400 monthly): Help make learning fun with musical instruments, art materials and educational toys.

BE HEALTHY (category)

School Hygiene Kit (Php 2,000): Provide toothpaste, toothbrush and deworming to 80 children for 1 year.
Peanut paste for a malnourished child (Php 2,400): Help malnourished children with this original and life-saving therapeutic food in a pack.
Vitamin sprinkles for children (Php 5,000): Micronutrient supplements provide much-needed vitamins and minerals to 28 children ages 5 and below.

BE SAFE (category)

Emergency Water and Hygiene Kit (Php 1,400): Give soap, toothrbush and toothpaste, water buckets and a month's supply of safe drinking water to a family of 6.
Child-Friend Space Package (Php 33,000): Educational toys, art materials, musical instruments and recreational sports equipment good for 40 children.
Tent for a temporary school or health care (Php 45,000): A UNICEF tent that can be used as a school or health centre afrer an emergency.

On another note...

“For more updates about this year’s “Merry SM Christmas” campaign, visit SM’s official Christmas microsite (https://www.smsupermalls.com/merrysmchristmas2015) and follow its official social media accounts at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls), Twitter (https://twitter.com/smsupermalls), and Instagram (https://instagram.com/smsupermalls/); and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through Viber (http://chats.viber.com/SMsupermalls). Shoppers can actively share their holiday merriments inside the SM Supermalls by posting their photos on social media and adding the hashtag #MerrySMChristmas2015.”

#ARTLOTTO

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 05:12:00 +0000

How To Avoid Clogging The Sink

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 10:35:00 +0000

In the five years that this unit has been lived in, we had just recently experienced a clogging of the kitchen sink. To circumvent this, a pail was used underneath the kitchen sink as a catch basin. There would be times that it would be off their minds and water would overflow then seep through the cabinets and onto the floor. This went on for two months. And in a gritting attempt, the clogged pipe was addressed. We will tell you how after the jump.

Pipe is still clogged after first attempt

While thinking of the tenants' concern which has been on-going for two months and placing myself on their shoes, I went through a light bulb idea (which turned out a good idea by the way) and messaged none other than the First Vice President for Commercial Division of Megaworld Corporation, Mr. Kevin Tan on Instagram. I never thought I would get a reply from THE Kevin Tan, but alas, I did. He nicely directed me to the Client Relations Head Group at Megaworld Corporation, Ms. Michelle Lazatin.

Our email correspondence went:

Hi Mr. Lazatin,

I was endorsed to you by Mr. Kevin Tan. This is regarding a clogged pipe that is preventing the water from the sink from continuously flowing. This is in 15S Stamford Executive Residences Tower 1. This has been going on for more than two months already.
Two of you maintenance staff already went to my unit and said that the clogged pipe stems down to 14S which is the unit below mine.
I currently have tenants who just gave birth. To circumvent this they have to place a pail inside the sink which makes it cumbersome. I don't want this to be the reason for cutting their lease short. I hope you understand.
I am attaching Mr. Kevin Tan's endorsement.
Thank you very much and hoping for your prompt action.

Regards,

I was sorry for mistaking her as a he. By this time, I am not still sure if this will only fall on deaf ears. But the following day, Ms. Lazatin replied much to my delight.

Dear ...,

I am sharing with you the response of our property management with regard the leak.
In summary, they need to fix Unit 14S to address the concern however, they are still asking for the access to the unit owner.

I am copying Mr. Lloyd Lontoc, the area head from First Oceanic so that he can provide us update the soonest.
Thank you.

Yours truly,
Michelle Lazatin

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Clogged Pipe
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2015 16:08:23 +0800
From: lloyd lontoc
To: 'Michelle B. Lazatin'

Dear Michelle,

Further to our discussion a while ago following are our findings:
1. P-trap at 15S is clogged.
2. The latest de-clogging done using auger machine was last August 22, 2015.
3. It was not successful because of the presence of too much grease.
4. Admin temporarily removed the p-trap to give way for the auger machine but to no avail.
Action plan:
To do the de-clogging at 14S, considering the shortest distance of pipes going to the main sewer line.
We need to access at unit 14S to do the de-clogging.
Admin in close coordination with the tenant and as soon as we get in touch with them, repair will be scheduled tomorrow.
We are also calling the attention of the unit owner as well as the broker to contact the tenant.
As soon as we get a schedule, we will do the repair as soon as possible.

We are doing everything to reach the tenant at 14 S.

Regards,
Lloyd Lontoc

I was ecstatic at her response and have a gut feeling that the issue will be finally addressed.

Hi Ms. Lazatin and Mr. Lontoc,

Thank you for the constant update and urgent attention on this matter. Really appreciate it.
Will be informing them of your scheduled repair tomorrow.
Again, thank you very much.

Regards,

Again, a prompt response:

Dear ...,

Kindly see below update from Mr. Lontoc.
We trust that the leak will be addressed once and for all.
Thank you.

Yours truly,
Michelle
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: RE: Clogged Pipe
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2015 17:46:59 +0800
From: lloyd lontoc
To: 'Michelle B. Lazatin'
CC: , "Stamford Residences"

Dear Michelle,

Please be informed that Ana Baluyot our Property Head at Stamford was able to talk with the sister in-law of unit owner at 14S, ..., who is currently occupying the unit. ...confirmed her presence tomorrow for our maintenance to be able to access and repair clogged pipe at 14S.

On the other hand, ..., who is a tenant of was already informed about the repair to be done tomorrow morning. We hope to solve the problem the soonest.

Regards,

True enough, the following day, two determined maintenance engineers came to our rescue. We were told that suction tube or the surgical drains went as far as 20 feet before they were able to get rid of the culprit. It turned out to be lard or oil that got stuck in the drainage pipes.

Maintenance engineers checking the sink

20 feet of surgical drain went in to the pipe to address the problem

Grime, grease and lard that prevented the flow of water causing the clog

Getting tips from Drano to prevent a clogged sink:

Q: At the moment, I don’t have any clogs . . . and I’d like to keep it that way. What can I do to prevent clogs from happening?
A: The only thing better than having a quick, sound solution to a clogged sink or bathtub is not having to deal with the clog in the first place. Here are a few quick and easy tips to help keep things running smoothly.
Tips for the Kitchen Sink

Avoid letting food scraps go down the drain. Use a drain strainer in your sink to help keep the food out.
Don’t pour grease or oil down your drain. Instead, pour grease into a sealable container and then throw the sealed container in the trash. Otherwise, grease can stick to the inside of your pipes and lead to a clogged sink.
Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain once a week to melt away any fat or grease that may have collected inside your pipes. Be sure to pour the water slowly to avoid any splashing. Also, don’t turn on the garbage disposal immediately afterwards, as splash-back of hot water could occur.

*THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTORIAL

Lakeside Appeal

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 06:32:00 +0000

Tucked in a genteel neighborhood in Minnesota is a lush enclave that features homes designed seamlessly. It is a house that exudes craftsmanship albeit most are DIY as they own a business in carpentry. The Green's lakehouse massive use of wood make it more inviting to whoever plans to experience natural surroundings at its best. This has been their son's go-to place during work-from-home days and his wife's shared sanctuary as she herself has contributed to the building of this home. More after the jump.

At the Itasca Park which is just a few minutes drive from their lakeside home

Enjoying a beer or two

Who can pass up an opportunity for a good ice cream at the town's center

#IDoItTwiceAWeek

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:05:00 +0000

Maintaining a spic and span room is no easy feat especially if you don't have enough storage. The cleanliness of a room really affects one's well-being. With that being said, it is inevitable that the question, "What do you do 2x a week to keep you feeling clean and sexy?" pops up into one's mind. Clean? Yes. Sexy? How come? While these two attributes are on the polar opposites, we believe otherwise as a clean room exude a sexiness not only of the space but also of the owner's personality. We will tell you of the other ways to feel clean and sexy as shared by none other than one of the most important persons in our lives.

Join the #SexyCleanRevolution #IDoItTwiceAWeek #BETADINEFeminineWash

If you think that maintaining a household is a piece of cake, wait until you hear from our mothers, who, as Kat Graham said, "There was a time when men thought it was sexy to have a housewife waiting for him to come home from work in her slippers, but in modern society, I think an independent woman is even more sexy." They don't only need to look after the well-being of the husband, kids and the family as a whole but they also need to feel clean and sexy themselves.

This is where hygiene comes into play. And according to her she uses Betadine® Feminine Wash at least twice a week (or everyday during red days) to feel clean and sexy. She firmly agrees that “Clean is the New Sexy” and thus encourages everyone to “Join the #SexyCleanRevolution #IDoItTwiceAWeek #BETADINEFeminineWash”.

How To Decorate A Living Room Wall

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 13:56:00 +0000

In decorating a living room wall there are several things to consider - design philosophy, size, color, ceiling height and budget. You can simply go for an accent wall with a color of your choice (or wallpaper) different from the rest of the color of the walls of your house - but still within your design theme or color palette. Or you can have an accent piece right in the smack of your living room like what our friend went for. In choosing the right accent piece, she went to different furniture stores and after a lengthy discernment went for a sunburst accent piece in silver and fiber resin. Why is there a gold trimming you ask? What are the challenges in hanging it on the wall? Find out after the jump.

As you can see it is silver in all its entirety. Our friend wanted a two-tone color so, as she did with some of her DIY projects, she thought of painting the inner circle using a gold spray paint.

She didn't spray it directly on the sunburst accent piece. What she did was use a paint brush to paint on the inner circle. She sprayed the paint onto the cap and with the paint brushes she bought meticulously painted it.

Look at the details here as the areas are being painted gold.

Half of the accent piece have already been painted gold. What you would like to do is "drown" the areas so you can ensure that every crevice is painted gold.

Et voila! FInished product!

Now for the hanging of the piece. We drilled a hole using the standard sized drill bit. You would want to drill it on an angle so t is sturdier. It's like a 45 degree angle pointing downwards. The dilemma we had was how high are we going to mount it. We agreed that it has to serve a dual purpose - decor and mirror to fix yourself. Another was what to follow in choosing it horizontal center. In solving the two we went for the average height of a person for the former and the length of the sofa for the latter. It came out perfect just the way she wanted it to look.

Tidbit: "Marnie thought of Versace in choosing the accent piece for her living room".

You cannot avoid leaving a little mess so it is imperative that you clean after you have mounted the accent piece. And there you have it.

The Lake House in Minnesota

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 06:34:00 +0000

A lot would say that the main point to consider when buying a property is "location, location, location," and this is what the owner of this house took to heart in the charming lakeside town somewhere in Minnesota. It has spanning lake - the house enjoys magnificent views while keeping the privacy as houses are situated not too close to each other (a typical American suburban planning). We were fortunate to have invited by the owner. More after the jump.

Pizza and Nachos are always a good idea

Going Japanese With OpenSnap

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 04:57:00 +0000

Japanese restaurants have mushroomed all over the metro. Thanks to OpenSnap, an app designed by a hungry team, these oishi dining places are easier to spot by utilizing the full OpenRice content from one million restaurants across Asia via "district, landmark and cuisine". It also claims that it's "Click as you go" which makes it "the app to find food the fastest way without typing".

In photo: Candy and Marnie whose houses I featured in this blog.

Yabu's comfort room is peppered with statements which make every nook interesting

Take for example a japanese restaurant named Yabu: The House of Katsu. By indicating location,"Quezon City" and type of cuisine, "Lutong Japanese/Hapon", OpenSnap came up witha list of Japanese restaurants; et voila, our favorite Japanese food chain also happens to have a branch in one of the Quezon City malls.

There you have it. OpenSnap can be really handy for planned or spur of the moments meet up that will earmark your experience with this amazing app.

For more restaurants and food finds, download OpenSnap app from App Store or Google Play.

Condo Rental For New Parents

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Mon, 11 May 2015 07:28:00 +0000

New Parents Ace and Mae with their bundle of joy, Megan

We've heard of the horror stories involving in-laws getting in the way of rearing your own child. Being know-it-alls, while natural, understandbly get into your nerves where the next best option is to move out. Well don't fret, as more of you procreate, more developers are bringing the freedom to new parents who are still building their finances a chance to be their own version of fathers and mothers. While this is not the case of our featured parents in this post, theirs is an issue of proximity from home to work as pregnancy and child rearing can be extremely delicate and crucial respectively among new parents. These have been addressed by Mckinley Hill's holistic approach of LIVE-WORK-PLAY-LEARN and SHOP.

After a year and a half of condo living, we ask first-time parents, Ace and Mae, about their experience as they turn a new leaf of finally moving into their own home in a different city.

Megan on her colorful playmat

What prompted you to rent out a condo unit? How has this added value to your life as a mother/father/parents?
The unit is just one cross away from the office. and the rate is very fair for a fully furnished unit. It includes internet connection, association dues, gym, pool and no need to commute.

What did you like most about living in a condo? And how did this directly affect your caring for your newborn?
Living in the condo made it easier for us to access the grocery stores, the pharmacy, the restaurants, hospital, church. It is a well located area, and can quickly visit my baby during office hours.

What did you like the least?
The tv reception wasn't good if only using the indoor antenna, but when cable was connected, clear reception was experienced.

Stamford Executive Residences celebrates Father's Day which coincides with Ace's birthday

Did you feel you are more empowered as new parents with the accessibility and proximity of your basic parental needs? Can you give us a personal anecdote when they came in handy?
Indeed the nearer your house to the office was so conducive that I can run right away to any urgent situation needed at home specially for baby's essentials.

What was your most memorable experience while you were staying in the condo?
Every week we go to malls to do the groceries, stroll, have the baby play at Kidzville and attend mass during Sunday.

Did you have a chance to engage/attend in events at the Piazza mall? What was your favorite?
Mini concerts were thrilling. And for the baby, the best was the 2015 McDonald's Easter playland.

Can you recommend the same for newlywed couples/new parents?
We highly recommend the same experience we had especially for starting parents. It will be very beneficial for them in all aspects of life. Two thumbs up.

It's a 30.5 square meter unit in Stamford Executive Residences (across One World Square, Two World Square and Chinese International School), Florence Way, Mckinley Hill, Lawton Avenue, Taguig City which is inclusive of:

Wi-Fi Internet connection
Monthly association dues
Use of amenities

On a side note for people who might be wondering if they can invest in a condo unit as a long-time investment, here's what philpropertyexpert.com has to say:

Just like any investment, your condominium property can last, can be profitable and can be passed on to your heir(s).

Nail Salon: Nail Lounge Manila

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:20:00 +0000

When it comes to spa, beauty and personal care, The Nail Lounge Manila nails a cohesive self-pampering feel. Located at the Makati Golf Club, partners Francis Chiu and Ralph Copiaco understands that a great interior design is part and parcel of a forward service-oriented business.

Francis talks about its design aesthetics:

We opted for interiors that were aspirational. Getting inspiration from clubs and lounges in New York Singapore and Paris. We focused on blacks silvers mirrors glass. Some whites and leather. We mixed geometric and baroque themes.

The Nail Lounge Manila's website reads:

The Nail Lounge Manila is the one-stop solution for all your nail pampering needs. It was conceptualised with you, the cosmopolitan and trendy individual, in mind simply because you deserve nothing but the best. With its sophisticated interiors, well-trained technicians, top-of-the-line nail care products and services, The Nail Lounge Manila aims to provide you a sanctuary for relaxation and wellness. It offers a wide range of services which includes manicure and pedicure, paraffin treatments, nail art enhancements, gel polish, waxing, threading and even hair and make-up services.

If you need a break from stress at home or in the workplace, The Nail Lounge Manila is located just a few minutes away from Makati’s Central Business District, with FREE PARKING. For those who simply must stay connected, it also offers FREE WI-FI Internet access to its clients.

Partners Ralph Copiaco (left) and Francis Chiu (right)

The Nail Lounge Manila is for you – the WOMAN who knows that she deserves the finest in nail care services and yes, also you – the MAN who used think that nail salons are just for women and don't know what he's missing -- Finally, a place where you can all enjoy the utmost pampering experience you earned.

Open during weekdays from 11am to 10pm and weekends from 10am to 9pm.

You may contact them at: Mobile: 0915 805 3696 or Landline: (02) 869 8521

Located at 3/F Makati Golf Club, Malugay St., Bel-Air, Makati City

They organize spa parties and holds an event company which can be found here.

Custom-Made Furniture: Stick Designs

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 07:20:00 +0000

Stick Designs is a leading furniture company in Rizal which produces furniture and home accessories for the trade in the last ten years. Aligning themselves with customers who are mostly interior designers and architects as partners, Stick Designs assists them in their design goals and objectives. Stick Designs has developed a reputation as a premier manufacturer of custom-made furniture.

Stick Designs

144 Magnolia St.

Gregoria Heights, San Isidro

Taytay, Rizal

Phone: +63 2 669-1560

Email: mgt@sticks.ph

Web: http://www.sticks.ph/home.php

Blog: http://stickdesigns.tumblr.com

How to Decorate a 38 sqm Condo Unit

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:38:00 +0000

A 38-square meter space gets a two-bedroom unit treatment. Among the areas, the kitchen piqued our interest. The downlighting (or recessed light) in the kitchen counter, while it adds a soft overall glow, is also very functional. The white lacquer finish of the cabinets gives the kitchen a very streamlined and clean look. The succeeding photos will give you an idea on how to maximize a space to accommodate two sleeping nooks.

Dining area is situated against a wall mirror and between the bedrooms

Chic workspace in the corner

Except for the chair, everything in this corner is custom made

Both bedrooms have built-in closets and lcd tvs

Wall art in the bedroom

Living room

Cottage Interior Design Inspired Condo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Cottage or resort interior design style defines this laid back, relaxing and sophisticated space by one of Airbnb's premier clients. An identity of a cottage inspired interior design is a nondescript look accented by furniture with slipcovers and throw pillows. While cottage design may also mean semi-finished paint, his design approach borders that of Scandinavia bringing craftsmanship and function to the fore.

However one may put it, Neil's space exudes peace and serenity; a recluse from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Click 'Read More' for the rest of the photos.

As his flat's description reads:

Experience laid back luxury right at the heart of Manila. My well appointed, chic modern apartment is at Sycamore Tower Dansalan Gardens, Mandaluyong City , a short metro or taxi ride away from the bustling city centers of Makati and Ortigas.

My apartment is tastefully furnished with simple comfortable furniture and decorated with a beautiful mix of modern, vintage and natural accents I acquired both locally and from my trips overseas. The place is clean, spacious and filled with light. The room I have made available for airbnb is the master’s bedroom; air-conditioned, with a private en suite. The apartment has a total of two bedrooms, a small kitchen, a living room and a balcony offering a view of the rooftops of the area’s houses, the skylines of Ortigas, Pasig, Taguig and Makati.

Renting out Neil's flat includes:

a simple modern queen size bed from Tvilum-Sscanbirk of Denmark
Fresh towels changed daily
Organic soap and shampoo
a lovingly prepared complimentary daily American or Continental breakfast
Housekeeping Services
Complimentary wi-fi access
Cable television
Free 1 (one) local mobile SIM
A friendly, honest, knowledgeable host who enjoys meeting people from all over the world for an exchange of culture and global ideas

photo credits: David Garmsen and Airbnb

Learning the Ropes of Carpentry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:39:00 +0000

Enrico or Rico as he is fondly called by his colleagues has developed a knack for creating furniture. Having been sent to one of the Nordic countries inspired this I.T. professional to kick-off his (growing) woodwork projects.

1. What made you decide to pursue such hobby?

I recently moved in into a new apartment that has no built-in cabinets. I tried to negotiate with a carpenter to build them for me but he was busy. After a while, I remembered what my experiences from another country told me, the homeowners would usually build things on their own like paint their own houses, make their own patios, create their own furniture, and many more things that will not require special license to accomplish. I can build furniture too that will exactly fit the little space that I have. I also thought it will be fun. So I decided to just do it on my own.

Next project: 230x160cm cabinet.
Clamps fixing two boards
to saw at the same time.

2. How did you start?
I tried to think how feasible could it be. There's a nearby hardware shop so it's easy to get the materials. Then I started measuring and imagined how will it look. Do I also have good space to work on? Then I started investing on power tools. My first was a jigsaw.

3. What was your first creation?

A book shelf. Wrong measurements, misusage of tools and non-alignment are mistakes to be learned. But the book shelf is functional.

4. What are your inspirations for your creations?

I'm always looking forward to get the "sense of accomplishment" feeling, which is very satisfying.
5. How long did it take to finish your very first creation?

A couple of weeks. I can only work on weekends and my first was really a trial.

6. Where did you get your materials?

There is a nearby hardware shop where I can conveniently get the resources I needed.

7. Out of your busy schedule how do you find time to make your furniture?

I only do it on weekends, there are times when I even continue late at night when I just want to keep on working.

8. Do you plan to pursue it professinaly? or make it as a business someday?

As of the moment no. It's really difficult to balance the schedule because I also have a job and could probably frustrate a client when one piece will take me a very long while to finish.

230x160cm cabinet: now look at the interior,
"I feel good with the results. some angles
are slightly incorrect but dismissible."

9. What other furniture do you have in mind that you plan to make?

I'm thinking of bed. But I still don't have an idea of how I want it to look like.

10. If let say you have something that you already have in mind that you want to create how do you usually start?

I usually draw how it should appear on paper, I draw the different angles of my imagined furniture then I take the measurements. I think of ways to maximize my materials, example all the possible cuts I could maximize a 4feet by 4feet board. And when I start, it's really hard to stop because the fun comes with it too. Until I feel really tired or it's late night or if I have to sleep early because I need to go to work the following day.

This bookshelf is my first creation. Lots of mistakes made, but lessons were learned. i'm happy that it's functional.

11.What part do you think you still need to improve in terms of the furnitures you've already made?

I really wish I could use the jigsaw with no guide and cut a very straight line. I also want to learn the tricks in using paint because I always use lamination which has its own disadvantages, that way I will know different combinations on how to end my work with the best polish.

* as reported by Kristian Hurtado
** photo credit: Enrico Agodilla

DIY Custom Dresser

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:38:00 +0000

One of my ultimate dreams in life is to own a furniture shop and sell original pieces at affordable prices. But since I still lack the resources and hours to go at it full time, I decided to start small. Back in the '80s, space planning and storage solutions weren't given that much thought when building homes. Our house is no exception. My room is a square area, probably 9 x 9 ft., and on one side is where my floor-to-ceiling closet is located. I have no side tables or drawers to store the clutter that I have accumulated over the years, so I decided to build one. I hired a carpenter to build the dresser and then finished it myself. It took the carpenter two days to do his work and took me three days to complete the finishing.

I wanted something that would liven up my room so I searched the Internet for a pattern that will match the color of my walls and then decided that I wanted a distressed finish for the sides and the top.

Here's how it turned out:

All in all, the dresser only cost me around half the price of what it would cost if I bought it outside.

The RONAC Art Center

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:44:00 +0000

The RONAC Art Center opened its doors to the public late last year. Right along busy Ortigas Avenue, you can find this one-of-a-kind structure standing out amongst its neighbors. If you take a look, the windows may seem small and insufficient for natural light to permeate, which is actually not the case once you see it from the inside. And here's a bit of trivia for you--the window design actually is morse code for the lyrics of Kanye West's Stronger. Amazing.

Secret Fresh and Gallery sells vinyl toys by Kathy Olivas, Ron English, Kozik, and Kaws, to name a few.

They also sell prints by famous artist JP Cuison for P1,500 each.

A view of the third and fourth floor from the spiral staircase. We just love the wood flooring!

The RONAC Art Center uses a uniform font for all their signages--even the signages for the shops at the Deck and the ground floor.

Terminal MNL sells clothes and accessories from Japan and shoes from Puma and Adidas.

A huge LCD wall adorns the facade of one of the stores at the Deck, where weekend chill sessions take place.

The Playground features a regulation-size basketball court with locker rooms for players. The court can be rented for P1,800 an hour without air-conditioning.

The second floor houses the Uratex mattress showroom, which we have yet to visit. The third floor is where you can find the Playground, where the coolest basketball court in Manila can be seen. Stores like Terminal MNL, We Legendary, Progress, Unschooled, and Secret Service can be found on the fourth floor or the Deck.

Finally, the basement/parking lot is where Bunker and the OBEY flagship store is located. The original art featured above is by Shepard Fairey. If you do not know who he is, he is the artist who created the Obama Hope poster.
The Ronac Art Center is located at Ortigas Ave., Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila.

The House From The Heavens

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:06:00 +0000

Last December we were invited by one of our dear friends to share one of her lifelong dreams - a beautiful home they can now call their very own which makes it really special. Shades of blue clearly dominates the house's facade and very interestingly integrated in its interiors. One website claims that the color blue can be strong and steadfast or light and friendly. We think it's spot on and our friend would concur.

She shares, "I had the chance to see the house in October for the first time. I was so thrilled I didn't know which part of the house I should take pictures of. It was bare then but I was raring to live in it especially when I saw my room."

The use of bricks to line her windows was brilliant. It provided a respite from the cerulean vibe.

Inside, the color cream and a cornice was used to separate the lower part of the wall.

Her kitchen speaks of abundance and happiness. Adding windows was a smart move as it allows more light in negating the use of unnecessary energy.

The receding ceiling gives an impression of more vertical space.

Clockwise: Family nook at the second floor; owner's bedroom accented with side tables; (we love her) staircase

She adds, "Believe it or not, it's my first time to have my very own room. When I came for vacation last December, it was already furnished. It was on Christmas when it finally sunk in that this is finally our own. With the presence of Christmas trimmings, fare, gifts and family, it was just the perfect timing."

As its dominant color suggests, her house is definitely a gift from the sky.

Contest: Starbucks 2011 Planner

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:58:00 +0000

It's a month late but we'd like to throw this one in for you. Just tweet OR share this entry on Facebook and leave a comment here with your name. Please make sure you leave a comment. We'll randomly pick a winner and ship it anywhere in the Philippines! Contest ends on February 5, 2011; 12 midnight. Here's to an exciting 2011!

Christmas Time Is Here

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 03:13:00 +0000

Hello, ladies and gents! Mr. Onika is off in an island somewhere, sunning his perfectly chiseled pecs, so I will be taking over for the meantime.

I know this post should’ve been up weeks ago since you’ve all probably finished your Christmas decorating. But for those of you who like to do things at the last minute, here are some ideas for you.

We’ve searched the wonderful world of etsy.com and found some items that we love, love, love!

Vintage Style Floral Christmas Lavender Sachet Pillows Set of 3 $12.00

We love these pillows because it's Christmasy, but you can still use it all year round!

Christmas Pine Cone Wreath, $35.00

Wreaths are a must-have for Christmas. Although green wreaths are okay, we suggest using unique wreaths made of other materials and colors.

Holiday Berry Wreath with Burgundy Bow, $45.00

Christmas tree embroidered ball, $19.00 each

These Christmas balls are so pretty, but they are also pricey. I suggest looking for something similar in design. A lot of stores sell glass ornaments nowadays, which looks really magical once you light up your trees.

Whimsical Ornaments Cups and Saucers for Four, $38.00

After a heavy Christmas lunch, serve your coffee in these cute cups and saucers!

Parisian Chalkboard Blackboard, $10.50

Serve your Christmas dinner or lunch in style by writing the menu on these pretty little tray/chalkboard. It's also magnetic.

Christmas Toile Stone Coasters, $20.00

Who doesn't love Toile de Jouy prints? Like the pillows above, this is also perfect year round!

Turquoise Distressed Pedestal Cloche, $36.00

If there's one thing I love about Christmas, it's the freshly baked goodies on the table on Christmas morning!

Clothespin Clips, $3.50

Use these lovely clothespin clips to hang your Christmas cards on the wall or on top of your fireplace if you have one!

What's Up North?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:22:00 +0000

Now where might this be? Keep posted.

PEARL FARM IN SAMAL DAVAO

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 01:50:00 +0000

Last weekend, we went to one of the finest islands in Davao where a resort sits alluringly atop of it named Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

It was a blissful morning. The July sky was calm. It was back-dropped against the peaceful sea. This is a scene that tourists like us immediately notice while we draw near this enchanting island.

Before we share with you photos of the actual Pearl Farm resort, allow us to give you a glimpse of Marina port. The jump off point going to Pearl Farm is called the Marina Wharf which is around 15 to 30 minutes away from the airport.

An interesting accordion door made of wood and metal.

This is the Marina Wharf's lobby. The port has wi-fi and staff is very efficient.

Interestingly, the port has a pool which leads us to conclude Marina Wharf also offers overnight accommodation.

On the ground floor of this structure is a cafeteria. You may notice how they surrounded it with greens which props up its yellow edifice.

The lobby makes use of a lot of rattan furniture.

Marina Wharf can be a resort in itself but nothing compares to what awaits you at the Pearl Farm. Boat schedules are as follows: 8:00am, 1:30pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm

The Samal group of Islands consists of nine islands measuring 28,000 hectares. Brimming with marine life, coconut trees, mangroves and exotic animals (while they maintain an aviary), it is a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the metro. Its coastline boasts of pristine sand beaches and blessed with a landscape that of a world-class tourist destination.

Pearl Farm Beach Resort is a approximately 45-minute boat ride from the wharf. Its namesake was derived from its previous function. We have been told that a good number of oysters were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls. Today, maintaining its charm, Pearl Farm promises a retreat like no other.

These are the Samal houses where we stayed whose ethnic influences are very evident. Other accommodations include the Hilltop Rooms, Mandaya House and Samal Suites.

Their website reads:

Deluxe Accommodation with 73 guestrooms, suites, cottages on stilts perched above the sea and exclusive villas are designed from Maranao and Samal ethnic influences in both materials and form. Inside, decorative details and multihued patterns reflect the islands vibrant culture as inspired by the region's rich tribal ancestry.

Those, on the other hand, are the Samal Suites. The Samal Suites is right beside Pearl Farm's beachfront.

Here's one of Samal house's interiors. Mine was painted blue and its bed framed by two suspended lamps and paddles.

At the break of dawn, my room opened up to this fantastic view of Malipano Island. It's a secluded island located a few hundred meters off Samal Island where seven (7) exclusive villas of the resort are nestled. It offers three holes of golf and at the west side, the island faces a pristine white sand beach.

This is one section of the Parola Bar where you can have some ice cold beer or cocktail while enjoying the company of loved ones.

Further down are the Mandaya Houses. There are several on-going construction in the area most of which are additional accommodations.

It has its own private pool and beachfront too so you wouldn't have to go to the opposite end of the resort where the Samal suites are.

We don't have a very decent shot of the Maranao Restaurant. The Maranao restaurant serves Filipino and International Cuisine with fresh seafood specialties. Since this is an interior design blog we will leave the food review to Mr. Anton Diaz of OAP if ever he gets to visit the place.

While we didn't really enjoy their food, Pearl Farm Davao is definitely a place we'd like to go back to.

Real Home Ideas 5: Small Space Solutions Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:16:00 +0000

Two copies of Real Home Ideas 5 - Small Space Solutions by Real Living

A little less than a month ago we were ecstatic to have received a copy of Real Home Ideas 5: Small Space Solutions. We poured over days in reading every page and we took note of small space tips and tricks. It felt really engaging to flip through its pages - we were vicariously living in each incredible spaces. In that moment we thought we should share this experience to as many of our readers. So today, we are happy to announce the winners of our Small Space Solutions by Real Living Contest.

From @amandafabie - My LP corner. Makes me appreciate things of the past

From @Levy1008 - After a stresssful day at work and doing household chores, our roof deck is the best place to unwind.

From Joanne - From this small space comes big and delicious dishes made by my Mama.

From @jameelamalicdem My favorite space at my Auntie's house: very cozy and homey. Under the stairs is a wide wood sofabed.

From @cablay28 - The Photo was taken on Casa San Pablo I love this space because of the ambiance and serenity.

First, we would like to thank Ms. AA Abjelina of Summit Publishing and Real Living for making this contest possible. Thank you for sharing with us the joy of "living the big dream in a space-challenged home."

Saying Real Home Ideas 5: Small Space Solutions is a great interior design guide is an understatement. Proof of which is one of our dear friends purchased his own copy after reading our entry and loved it. And that we're giving more than two copies. We are giving away 5 which means each contestant will get a copy!

To @amandafabie, @Levy1008, @cablay, Joanne and @jameelamalicdem, please expect an email from us on how to claim your copy of Real Home Ideas 5: Small Space Solutions.

Congratulations! Until the next contest!

P.S. We'd also like to thank the following bloggers who took time to blog about our contest particularly; topazhorizon, manila-life, noguarantee, laptop-in-a-prada, crushwiththeeyeliner, and bluearden.

Siren (Wang-Wang) Free Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (House of Onika) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 08:14:00 +0000

Unlike the last presidential candidate who built an overlapping highway to favor his real estate development projects (and fortunately lost), architect Jaime Lerner conceived and implemented an innovative and cost-effective master plan to alleviate Curitiba's automobile traffic; and fortunately served three terms as a mayor of Curitiba in Brazil and two terms as governor of the state of Parana, Brazil. Since he took office in 1971, Curitiba has seen a development that favored both its people and the environment.

With a population of 2.2 million, 75% of Curitibanos use, perhaps one of the best transit systems known to man, the Bus Rapid Transit or the "Speedybus." It was developed after Lerner discovered that a bus system costs a fraction against subways and light railway systems. Ratio of cost per kilometer was estimated to be $100M: $20M: $2M for subway or metro, light railway and bus respectively.

How It Works
This is not your run of the mill, road-raged driven buses you see in Metro Manila. In fact, it almost looks like a train and travels just as fast with designated platforms. Its clear-tube platforms allows for pre-boarding payment which makes stops no longer than 20 seconds. It is also equipped with very wide doors, wheelchair lifts and ramps that extend well enough to shelter passengers as they step into the platforms. Not too far from these platforms or terminals are convenience stores and post offices.

The Speedybus will take an exclusive x-shaped route primarily to serve two corridors from north to south and east to west. These linear boulevards which the BRT traverses is zoned for taller buildings to ensure a short walking distance to and from their offices or homes and the BRT.

Sustainability
The increasing price of oil has nudged a number of people to use the BRT and some of them attest to having had spent a tenth of what they used to spend on gas and traveling time cut to more than half.

10 private bus companies are commissioned to run the BRT and are paid by the distance traveled to reduce bottlenecks. After a decade, the city will use these buses to more viable ventures like mobile schools.

With a deployment of 1,100 buses per day, the BRT serves 1,300,000 passengers a day or approximately 36,000 passengers per hour. A single fare costs $40 cents.

The city of Sao Paolo has tried to implement a BRT three times but failed because in coming up with this idea, three main factors were considered essential - land zoning, roads systems, and mass transportation.

Consistency
In one of Jaime Lerner's interview published online, he says:

Many times I was asked, "What is a process of changing?" After those 32 years, I can say to make change, a real change, in a city -- or in a state, or anywhere -- you have to have political will, solidaristic view and an equation of co-responsibility. And when you have an equation of co-responsibility, when people understand the ideas, everyone, they know how to share it.

He also shares on CNN that "Every city can improve its quality of life in less than three years. No matter the scale of the city, no matter the financial conditions."

And that is, fellow countrymen, the long term solution to a siren (wang-wang) free streets in the Philippines.