Feature: Real Living May 2013

for Real Living Ph's May 2013 issue, i helped styled & contribute for the Decor Ideas section - Become a Mix Master. It's all about mixing store-bought pieces with thrift items, something that I loved doing for a while in my own space :) and thankfully, I was able to find furniture pieces that can match some items that i have been collecting for a while, and yes, its a breather to style something rustic & old for a change :)

 

 

 

(i didn't know we would be doing a 5-page feature and that i would be included in the set-up so sorry nalang for my #hulas outfit, hair and makeup! lol)

Photog's Booth turned Industrial

so last weekend my styling team and I designed, styled and fabricated a wedding photographer's booth (Kenneth Uy) for the Themes & Motifs Wedding Expo at SMX.

Our peg was this:

 

We wanted to create a Rugged Pop Art concept, since we're trying to veer away from Shabby Chic (which personally, would be soo much fun and easy to make!) since the photographer we're styling is a guy. The idea was crazy! Pop art printed Louis chair, ombre painted walls, bulb chandelier, and floor-lighted brick wall. BUT we also had to make revisions at the last minute since we're trying to make the cost as LOW as possible, and I started doubting whether the pop-art printed Louis chair would still match the corrugated, metal shell (which would be cheaper than the brick, ombre painted wall) and vintage chests I sourced from a friend.

So with limited time (and energy, I just came back from a long hiatus somewhere :) the output turned out to be...

THIS

which I'm still happy with and thinks the effort paid off :)

 

 and YES.

I'm overly obsessed with exposed bulbs, reclaimed wood, random frames, rustic finishes, letters, and wire meshes! and I would keep using them in my projects til I have exhausted them in any way that I imagined them to be! haha OA.  

anyway, here's like the only photo I had with one of my team member and makeup artist friend Elaine Ching, with wedding photographer Kenneth Uy.

xoxo

Toribox Cafe

In a nutshell, here's some photos of one of my recent project - TORIBOX CAFE - which is located at 403 F. Calderon Cor. J Abad Santos San Juan City (beside Piandre).

TORIBOX CAFE, SAN JUAN. 

{Ground Floor}

{Second Floor} 

It's an Asian-inspired coffee shop which is famous around Taft area (beside DLSU) for their Karaage pops and Katsu's :)

Other Post

TORIBOX CAFE: SAN JUAN

hi! :) remember about this space i wrote about before? well thankfully, after going through a lot of mishaps - from working permits, to contractors, and un-forseen events - it's finally almost DONE! and expect it to be OPEN anytime soon! *psyched* 

here's the lighting fixture (exposed bulbs)
that i had been obsessing about forever! lol

 

though most people think that designing spaces is a no-sweat job, REALITY proves otherwise. we were really disappointed with the contractor we hired for this project... but since i'm feeling optimistic right now, i guess i have to say - we have take it from experience! and i'm still thankful for the blessing of being able to finish it - not precisely what i imagined it to be 100% - but as our mentors had always taught & reminded us: we should learn to adapt with the circumstances & adjust our expectations, then i guess its okay.

and since i'm really awful with the updates & gathering photos... i'll just have to share with you photos i had from my instagram : @cpamz for now :)

 the brick wall corner :) and bottom picture of me doing it.

 

and some teaser of the stairs and niche wall from the ground floor.

i don't know, but i'm still excited about everything! :)

TORIBOX has its first branch at: 2/F One Archer's Place, Taft Ave Ermita, Manila beside DLSU. Its best known for their really good Japanese Karaage pops! :)

TORIBOX CAFE, SAN JUAN. 

Beside Piandre, 403 F. Calderon Cor. J Abad Santos San Juan City

  

hunger games themed party

so last weekend we decided to turn my sister's simple dinner party into a Hunger Games themed birthday :) no, we're not die-hard fans of the said book series, its just that the whole theme is so inspiring to set up :) 

the supposedly poison berries as one of our desserts

 some print outs i found online :)

 another rustic, dessert creation by my dear pastry-chef friend made for the event - flourless chocolate cake with fresh strawberries :)

table setting and loot bags

  

picked flowers peg

 loot bag section again

other details 

 decorated the daybed to act as the "the lover's cave"... along with the sponsor's parachute.

the deer katniss was hunting at the forest // arrowheads for the caramelized dessert apples

 

:):):)

Projects Progress. the RestoBar

so i have been working on this project for quite some time now, and construction will start as soon as the holiday has finished :)

Reality is, you can squeeze your brain out every time you have to design for something but you also have to consider the (1) Budget (2) Market (3) Period of Lease (4) Maximum Capacity (5) Kitchen Space (6) Food/Drinks that will be served etc. etc. so restraining one's self should be observed.

Initially, we had to go Modern + Minimalist since the idea was to mix Asian + Western (Burgers +Milk Tea + Beer at night) so I had this in mind...

 

Moodboard: White Brick walls, Cement finish, Oak Wood, Tom Dixon inspired drop lights, and suspended bulbs...

And another option with the flooring and walls...

  

And here was the Layout...

I was already excited with the execution of the design, but after some thoughts the partners decided to skip with the "Milk Tea" and go straight with "Burgers + Bar + Beer". So I have to revise everything again (STRESS- was already done with the elevations, rcp, and shop drawings, but ohwell :)

and this is what we have agreed upon to :)

 

Some items were retained, but the furniture went from Modern to Masculine. Also the ambiance got a little rustic and old-feel. While the suspended light accents MUST stay :)

 

Then Option 2 without the divider between the bar and booth seat :)

I'm already excited with the outcome of this project :)  But after meeting with the contractors and clients again, we have to expect some changes... cost-wise. But anyway, I hope its nothing major, and I hope it would still look great with the revisions of materials and some layouts they were suggesting. But as always, whatever the client says, stays.

but for now, i have to enjoy the Holiday and will keep you posted :)

Happy New Year Everyone :)

Places: Ocean Bliss Spa

so i mentioned about the Mediterranean-Chic SPA my cousin & sister - which she designed herself too - put up mid this year, named Ocean Bliss Spa. It's located in our hometown, Santiago City, Isabela... (too bad I don't get to enjoy it here in Manila!  i only get my pampering whenever I go home to visit :)

 

the Lobby. 

yeah, that's my niece, we're inseparable every time i'm home :)

 

the Massage Hallway.

inspired by Santorini, notice the wood-slatted ceiling, arched doors, and rustic wall finishes.

 

seashells by the seashore.

DIY corkboard for announcements, etc.

 

Foot Spa area.

with our reupholstered French loveseat :)

 

Massage Area

Places: Subspace

so i found the perfect place to work & study in this cool, little coffee shop i've been reading in my friend's blog for some time now, somewhere in Ortigas, called Subspace :)

cos i thought i needed an actual Industrial feel to get myself immersed with the project... which i'm crossing my fingers (so tightly), i don't know, if it doesn't, then it'll be an added learning for myself.

from what i've heard, the designer of this place is also an interior designer slash store owner :) and i really love the furniture pieces he have... especially the ceiling treatment :)

and if you're a kpop fan, you'd actually love this place :) cos aside from the visual yummy-ness of kpop artists in posters/magazines, they're actually playing kpop songs! (yay, for me :)

cute, quirky accessories :)

and i actually forced my friends to go see me (even if its out of the way) cos i somewhat feel like i've been a loner for the past few hours (as always) lol

xoxo