Executive Lounge- BGC

Hi, friends! It's been a while since I've posted here, but I wanted to share with you a project I did in BGC (Philippines). 

This space was really meant to be an executive lounge - a space for meetings, and more like a gathering place for our family. We each have our own office and thought this was a good, central location to work together and meet clients once or twice a week.

The reception served as a holding place for deliveries so I kept it small. The entire (silver) shelving system is a privacy screen and was really meant to be full of potted plants. I opted to do that instead of a solid wall so the space doesn't seem too closed off. Right now it just has some decor so it’s low maintenance while nobody is using the space.

You are greeted with an open plan, with workstations for 11 people and 4 guests. We also have a daybed for lounging, which in my case served as my son's corner when I used to work out of this space. 

The entire floor area is in marble, so to help with the acoustics we used lots of wooden furniture, upholstered seats, and an area rug. Roller shades are also being installed this week. 

These glass tables and partitions help to make the space feel lighter. Office spaces tend to feel so cluttered because of all the stations and partitions, so I knew from the start that I didn’t want any solid walls. For storage, we have a credenza behind the 2 executive tables, the overhead cabinets and the shelving system in front. 

warm elegance in Roslyn, NY

Renovating!

FLOR area rug, Crate and Barrel Lounge II, Vito Selma Geo Table & coffee table, Herman Miller Bolster Club Chair, CB2 Silverado dining table, CB2 Rouka dining chair, Blox 50" bench

Here are some before and afters I did yesterday for the living room...

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!

Welcome to my home!

Two years after the completion of my condo, it's still a work in progress. I've recently replaced my desk and I thought it would be cool to take some photos of it so I could finally show you guys. Obviously I did the interiors and the construction was done by our company. We also did all the furniture except for the ones I'll be mentioning along the way. I had to work with a budget so this was what I could come up with...
[you can view my concept board/post here]

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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See Music, Hear Design (Obra Para Sa Musika by PSID's batch 2013)

Kundiman, opera, tribal, zarzuela, novelty, Pinoy pop – the Philippines has a rich musical history showcasing various genres and styles. This is the highlight of “OPM: Obra Para sa Musika” the graduation exhibit of the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID) Advanced Class of 2013.

Marking the 46th anniversary of PSID, and co-presented by Glorietta mall, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM), and the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP), this year’s exhibit aims to marry the interrelated fields of design and music by translating popular Filipino songs into aesthetically and functionally designed interior spaces.

The students were challenged to embody the tone and mood of their group’s assigned song and Filipino music in general and incorporate these into livable interior spaces. They researched not just on the basic design principles and ergonomics, but also on the background and story behind each song -- the characters, melodies, lyrics, composers and artists, and music genre.

Songs from different genres, traditional to modern, were used as inspiration for the different booths in the exhibit to showcase not just different design aesthetics but the richness and diversity of Filipino music. After visiting the exhibit, the audience is expected to have a renewed sense of appreciation for the beauty and exquisite musical heritage of our country as translated into the designs.

Slated on October 1-31, at the 3rd level of Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City, the exhibit showcases over 20 exquisitely designed spaces inspired by timeless Original Pilipino Music pieces.


MAMANG SORBETERO - Celeste Legaspi (ice cream shop)

This group had a dirty ice cream cart and gave away free ice cream during press day! So cool!

GROWING UP - Gary V. (teenager's room)


See the wall beside the bed? Those are actually stacks of magazines bound together and used as a soundproofing element for this space. Perfect for teens wanting to be in a band- they can rehearse with the band here. The grand piano study desk is also really cool! My sister would love this room.


KUMUKUTIKUTITAP - Ryan Cayabyab (candy store)


I felt like I was transported to Disneyland! This group took inspiration from a holiday store display in New York. Cute!

I miss the sun!

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.

Lady Luck

Cat-eye sunnies from Ray-Ban

convertible Chanel from the Trend Bureau 

I surprised my friends by wearing a bright color today! Combining it with a lot of gold felt a little too festive for me but I just went for it. Decided to leave the usual knuckle rings and bracelets at home to avoid looking like a Christmas tree...

This is what I wore to the Nixon FW2012 press launch at Big Bad Wolf a while ago... Thanks to Cheyser for taking my photos! 

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Pretty sure the way I feel right now can be likened to the feeling you get when you've just won the lottery. I passed the board exam for Interior Design, guys! I doubted myself so many times. I felt hopeless during the last week before exams. I was cramming and I felt like I wasted so much of my "review time" for going out. A lot of people couldn't even believe that I could still afford to party, do gigs, go to events, etc. I may have looked like I was confident but I honestly felt so scared. I just kept delaying studying since I really CAN'T (for the life of me) memorize and make reviewers like most diligent students. I have no idea how I managed to go through my entire life getting lucky with grades... This is why I am always so thankful because the Lord is always so good to me!!! I just kept praying. I think I pray 20 times each day and that doubled during the month of the exam. 

Y'all should've seen what a nervous wreck I was. I developed allergies and was mindlessly scratching my arms/neck/face while reading my notes (my sister and dad just kept laughing at me), I would cry for hours and then laugh, I was so anti-social... I was going mental. The only way I could let out all the anxiety was to pray. I only attended about 30% of the hours for our reviews. I  never finished any of our design plates. I knew that I was going to finish during the exam since I work really well under pressure-- but I wasn't supposed to let that be my excuse for being lazy! I even told my parents to just expect me to fail. Looking at other students made me feel stupid since I wasn't studying as much. A lot of them were so serious and dedicated. 

The exam had 3 parts- the first day for design (HELL), the second and third days for 5 different subjects. Apart from the written/multiple choice, we also had to draw for the last few items of each subject. The whole time I had NO IDEA what I was doing. I finished 5 out of 6 boards during the first day (design day) but my concept was rubbish! I wrote it down while lining up to pass my work, while the others devoted at least 500 words for theirs! My only goal during the first day was to finish each board. During college I spent an entire day just to finish one perspective, but for the exam we were forced to finish 6 in 9 hours! I really wanted to cry after the first day, but I was too exhausted to even do that. Plus I knew I had to study for the next ones since I didn't get to study at all when I was supposed to. And wow, I am extremely lucky- most of the info I read the night prior to the exams were included! I even got to sleep during the 3rd day. The written parts were pretty easy for me thanks to cramming. Others will tell you to stop studying 3 days or a week before the exam, but I went for the KILLER approach. Don't do what I did. Your brain will hate you. 

I can't believe I even considered quitting so I could take it next year. Fear does a lot of things to you. This was the most traumatic exam of my life, just because I let fear get to me. A lot of those "Of course you'll do well!" comments put so much pressure on me, too. But now I'm glad it's all over. 

Here's some advice for other interior design students wanting to take the board exam:

• Familiarize yourself with all the terms, because you CAN'T memorize them. Trust me, you just can't. Our reviewers were 8" thick (filled with WORDS), so good luck with that. 
• Know the parts of.... things. Yeah, everything's important. (foundations of buildings, framing of houses, columns, etc.) Actually, all the building construction notes were useful. 
• Practice speed drafting and speed rendering. Don't be a perfectionist or you will never finish. Save your best design ideas for your future clients. 
• Prepare all your materials and buy new ones if you must. You can't borrow or talk to anyone during the exam. Everyone's going to be in a crazy state anyways, so you can only rely on yourself.
• Bring food that's easy to eat. Crisps, sandwiches, cookies, fruits... 
• PRAY. Even the ones who finish all their plates can fail. The smartest students also fail. This exam is about luck and I am the perfect example for that! Okay, I'm smart but I was obviously not prepared for this exam. 

IDr. Raleene Cabrera... I am getting used to the title already! Thank you so much to all those who pushed me to take the exam, and to those who prayed for me. Congrats to the other 171 Interior Designers who passed.. We are finally PROFESSIONALS! ;) 

❤

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.