Milan photo diary [part 3 of 3] - Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2014

A mandatory photo of me at the venue just so this trip grants me points for my CPE booklet (we need it to maintain our Interior Design license, haha!) 

Milan photo diary [part 2 of 3] - Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2014

The Salone del Mobile was the main reason why I traveled to Milan a few months ago [view part 1 here]. I don't really travel out of the country unless it's business-related or if I know I can attend a convention in the city [Instagram is deceptive]. This was my first time to attend Salone and I think every designer should go at least once or twice!

BLIMS window display by Empire Designs

These are photos of the actual display we set up last Monday at BLIMS Greenbelt 2. All furniture pieces are from BLIMS, except for the antlers and stainless steel trees which are from Empire Home.

This was the original perspective I came up with using Sketchup and rendered with Kerkythea.

Taking a cue from the recurring use of wood and stainless steel in the latest collection of BLIMS, Empire Designs takes inspiration from these elements to create an INDUSTRIAL WILDERNESS vignette, mirroring the play between soft and hard materials often used in contemporary interiors. This creates a display of whimsy and modernity that is a favorite look in today’s trends. 

[Add us up on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Houzz] 

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sleep in style

Today, personal style, comfort and functionality come hand in hand in almost all aspects of daily life. It has become second nature to us to consider plating when it comes to eating good food; lighting and design when choosing a home; or comfort and movement when trying on that little black dress. We know how to choose quality without sacrificing style.

The same attitude should be applied when it comes to rest and relaxation, which has become a luxury amidst our busy lives. Magniflex, an Italian company dedicated to producing the best in quality, non-deformable, and highly breathable ergonomic mattresses, has made it easy for our discriminating tastes to choose the right tools to achieve the most restful sleep we most definitely deserve.

GABAY: Dibuhong Umaakay (1 of 2)

The PSID Graduating Batch of 2012 explore the healing properties of the home as they design livable spaces for the visually impaired, the hearing impaired, the orthopedically challenged and the elderly. They were given the challenge to design rooms that will assist these individuals in their habitats, assuring their safety whilst providing function, comfort and style.

GABAY: Dibuhong Ummakay centers on 23 different spaces divided in to four main areas:
TANAW (the visually impaired)
TINDIG (the orthopedically challenged)
DINIG (the hearing impaired)
GALAW (the elderly)

These spaces- living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, lanai and bathrooms- came to life in an ambiance of healing. While the special needs of these specific groups were taken into consideration and corresponding design solutions were applied, the focus of the exhibit is on how interior design can be palliative, therapeutic and restorative solution to make their life and lifestyle one of ease, comfort, style and beauty.

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DINIG
for the hearing impaired


Booth 1: VISU CENTRIC LIVING ROOM

Lovin' that web of wood and mirror extending to the ceiling

Shelves light up when someone's at the door or when the phone's ringing.


Booth 2: MEMOIRS OF AUDREY (dining room)

Booth 3: REMNANTS 

Don't you just love the oversized booth seating?

Different lights turn on for when the timer's up for the different appliances  (oven, toaster, etc.)

GABAY: Dibuhong Umaakay (2 of 2)

(continued from HERE)

TANAW 
for the visually impaired


Booth 13: BEYOND SIGHT

Floor markings serve as guides

Nicely-done quote on the walls taken from the Little Prince done in braille- "What is essential is invisible to the eye." The color scheme is also inspired by the book!

Booth 14: BEYOND THE NAKED EYE 

Booth 15: PHOSPHORESCENCE 

The angles on the sides of the counters mark the center and act as guides for the visually-impaired user

LOVE the lines of light. The path markings made by the smooth and rough textured flooring look great, too.

Viewed the exhibit on press day with Aivan, who wore his print-on-print outfit really well. Oh, and see that induction stove? It's actually just glass marked with silver pens. Great DIY feature since the sponsor only allowed pull-outs for gas stoves.

BoConcept 60th Anniversary Launch

Last September 18 I was invited to the 60th anniversary celebration of international retailer BoConcept at their flagship store located in High Street. Their new collection had a playful and vintage feel that showcased fabrics designed in the 50's by renowned Danish textile designer and weaver, Vibeke Klint. I really enjoyed the tour and I'm glad that they allowed me to take photos so I could show the beautiful pieces with all of you! 

Danish hors d'oeuvres designed by Chef Marcus Gfeller

MOs Design

[read about the BoConcept anniversary here]

I actually visit this store quite often, but I wanted to snap photos of the other displays on the 2nd and 3rd floor (Vitra + Natuzzi)  for you guys...




I want one of these in the not-so-distant future... Imagine a huge white room with floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides revealing the greenery, and this piece in the middle + possibly black Parrot Zikmu speakers beside it. Perfect for meditating (or writing) on Sunday mornings. I am quite the minimalist when it comes to my me time... This room has to be empty and expansive enough for me to hear the echoes of someone's clothes brushing against each other when walking towards the middle (no carpets and paddings on the walls).

inspiration board + perspectives of my new flat

When I first started designing my new place I knew I had to base the overall design on some things. Firstly, I was going to be living alone so everything had to be easy to clean & simple. I also had the added challenge of fitting everything into a tiny, one-bedroom unit. I had to include a small dining area, lounge, and a work station (desk + drafting table). For the bedroom, I needed a vanity and a closet with enough space for all my shoes.

Mandaue Foam ( + blog giveaway)

A few weeks ago I was invited by Mandaue Foam to take a tour around their Quezon Avenue branch. I'm glad I was chosen as one of the bloggers to write about them since I haven't done anything related to interior design or interior decor in a while. I also needed tons of things for my new flat, and aside from the decor they said mentioned that anyone could send in their designs for them to upholster/manufacture! 

I've always known about Mandaue Foam because I would always see the big branches in Cebu on my way to school. It was built in 1971 by Mrs. Rosita T. Uy as a foam manufacturer in Mandaue City (Cebu). Since then, they've grown to be a big manufacturer of foam, furniture, furnishings & decor. Their showrooms are full of those plus small home items that makes it a one-stop shop for new homeowners! 

MF was also kind enough to sponsor a giveaway for my readers! More about that at the end of this post...

Lighting's got to be one of my favorite aspects in interior design. This piece caught my eye since it was the perfect simplistic/modern touch to add above my small dining table. I was in search of something more industrial like those exposed bulbs (this one's even better because it uses LEDs)

They have a lot of these modern chairs 

Champagne, champagne!

Delilah

Vito's done it again! It's amazing how he reinvents the rocking chair into something that's modern yet still Filipino by using rattan. I really want this piece for our house in Baguio... I only have one VS piece for now (geo table) and it never fails to attract the attention of visitors.


The Delilah will be available at KISH soon. The Philippine launching is going to be in Manila F.A.M.E. International from March 18-21, and he will also be showcasing in Design Days Dubai from March 18-21. This is just one of the 8 new pieces he's designed for VS, so drop by! I'll be attending Manila F.A.M.E. on those dates. 


Watch this dreamy video he made....

Like the ebb and flow of the tides, the act of coming and going reverberates in our most basal instincts as human beings. We go forth, only to go back- to a favorite song, a frayed shirt, a well-loved meal. Back and forth, back and forth.

A rocking chair, a silent testimony to countless babies being nursed to sleep, coming and going between wakefulness and slumber. A rocking chair, tucked into a corner, unused, all but forgotten. A rocking chair, refashioned. Back and forth, back and forth, we go.

- Vito Selma

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with the girls

With the bday girl Holly. It's been a month since she's arrived from San Fo but I only got to see her yesterday!

Jak En Poy: a sneak peek of our exhibit!- EXTENDED TIL NOV. 6!

photo from Raiza Poquiz

I'm so happy about all the positive feedback our exhibit's been getting from the first few who've seen the booths during the alumni association party and press day. 

As much as I want it to remain a surprise, my batch mates have been bugging me to blog about it already. Keep in mind that these photos do not do justice to the beauty of each booth! You really have to visit our exhibit. I'm not putting detail shots from each room so you all have something to look forward to when you decide to visit next month.  :) 

(see the rest of this post after the jump)

HEIMA store Makati branch opening + gig

Heima opened its second branch at the LRI Design Plaza in Makati last May 8, 2010 and we were one of the bands who performed during their launch...

It was so great to be able to perform alongside great local artists- Kate Torralba, Outerhope, Kwisatz Haderach, Shoulder State and Musical O! Heima's definitely one of the best interior decor and furniture stores in the city!

HEIMA Makati

LRI Design Plaza
210 N Garcia St. (formerly Reposo)
Bel Air II, Makati City