The Simple Charm of Filipino Homes

I am starting the New Year by featuring a few houses in the Philippines. Some are contemporary, some casual and some a fusion of both-- but all are charming. And you may even feel a similarity between their decor style and that of Indian sensibilities. 

The first house here showcases simple but carefully created country charm in the vacation house of a Manila designer. The quirky curios, natural weaves, dashes of colour and natural elements reflect the owner's childhood association with various things.

An Earthy Palette

Themed Decor: Framed Fish

An Attractive Outdoor Space

Cool Clock

A Giraffe Keeping An Eye On The Room

Hat Collection In Children's Room

A Framed Ganesha Sharing Space With Quirky Curios

Via

Some more Filipino houses...

A Modern Look

An Attractive Kitchen Counter: Plastic Chairs, Glass-top Tables

Mirrored Console

Oriental Look

An Inviting Living Room

Elegant In Black n White

 Via

My End Table

This week I will unveil a corner of my living room. I have acquired a new coffee table, so my earlier coffee table now serves as my end table where I keep our phone and other knick-knacks... Have a look and feel free to leave your comments -- I would love to hear from you!!!

  

Beaded pen holder

 

Semi-precious stone carving

A glass sea horse in front of the plate

Framed silk painting done by me

 

Miniature wooden shoes from Russia on the wall

Wall -to-Wall

What do people put up on their walls? I often observe this when I visit someone's place. The wall decor always adds a dimension to the interiors. Besides, it reveals the tastes of the hosts or tells stories about the owners' travels to different parts of the world. 

       In India, for centuries, women used to paint the walls with colours and motifs, borrowing forms and symbols from nature-- like flowers, birds, crops, leaves, shells, fish etc-- popularly known as  Warli art, Alpona, Rangoli etc.--in different names in different Indian states. Similar forms were also popular in the western world.

While this is still being practiced in villages, we modern city-dwellers decorate our walls with paintings, embroidered pieces, graphic art, puppets, wall paper, mirror..... what else?...

Have a look....

Chinese wallpaper

Framed Butterflies

Painting framed by a mirror

Vibrant wallpaper

Serene

Masculine

Images via: Elle Decor, Apartment Therapy, Lonny Magazine,  Style at Home, Living Etc

Home Office

       When I was doing a regular job, my homemaker cousin often used to say that it is fun to dress up and go out everyday. Yes, to some extent it is true. But now that I work from home and at my own pace and pleasure, I am enjoying the benefits of  a freelancer. Though working from home also needs a tremendous amount of self-discipline, it is also great to watch the world rush by at office time when I do not have to worry about the traffic on the road,the train timings or the weather!  And yeah, a modest Home Office adds to the charm!

    First identify a place where to set up your office. If possible, avoid your living room or media room as you will get easily distracted or disturbed.

A study in crimson

             

  

Black and grey

      If one is lucky enough to have a spare room for office, there are lots of advantages! But many have small offices in their bedrooms, dining rooms or study. If you expect clients at home, you may consider setting up the meeting area somewhere in the living room as it would not entail taking them inside your bedroom. 

    Since I find space management a very exciting concept, I marvel at attractive small home offices that retain their individuality as well as blend with the decor of that room.

     
     Have a look!

An interior designer's office

An interesting desk

Aesthetic look

Modern look

Soft Look

A French style office

Floral Design

   

  Therefore, an office need not look boring and all serious! When you are designing a home office, experiment with colours, textures, prints and decor styles. A cheerful office will drive away the Monday blues.

          
  Images via Elle Decor, Style at Home, Ideal Home, Living Etc, House to Home.
 

Mixing Prints and Patterns

While doing up our personal spaces, we mostly think of co-ordinating colours and prints of the furnishings and wall papers. But often we come across interiors where several patterns have been mixed, making an overall colourful collage.

Experts say that bigger prints should be balanced with smaller prints. Colours need not match perfectly. Different shades of the same colour will also do the trick as long as the blending is perfect.

Also while mixing multiple prints, do add some accents like a white pillow, or plain poster, or a white wall, where the eyes can take rest and break the monotony of the print overload.

Balance florals  and prints with stripes and checks. Each pattern should be repeated at least once in the room.

If the room is small, choose smaller prints in muted shades and coordinate them with small and medium polka dots. In a bigger room also, smaller prints make a soothing effect.

But some of these pictures would show you as to how you can break free of the rules and yet portray a harmonious and stylish look with all bold prints co-habiting peacefully.

So what are you waiting for? Have fun with prints, dots, stripes, checks...!!! You may send me some pictures of your rooms!

Pics courtesy: Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Country Living.
You may also see Room Splendour for ideas on mixing.