Posts Tagged ‘architecture’
What I did over the long weekend
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009I don’t know about you guys, but I absolutely love long weekends! It just gives me the opportunity to do things that I have been meaning to do or do absolutely nothing and not feel guilty. Although I am the type of person who tries to fill my day with activities, this weekend I had some busy time and some down time.
The first thing I did was take my 90 year old Lola to watch Repertory Philippines Sweeney Todd. I promised my cousin Franco who plays the romantic lead Anthony that I would take our Lola Betty to the play. I was so thrilled to take her and we all had a super fantastic time.

Franco and our Lola Betty after the show!

Another shot with me in it! Isn't our Lola Beautiful?
Viceroy
Thursday, November 12th, 2009One of my favorite interior designers is Ms. Kelly Wearstler. I discovered her in one of my book shopping haunts a couple of years ago and I was hooked. I really love her style and her fearlessness. I actually have all her books. I knew that she designed a small boutique hotel in Palm Springs so I wanted to take a look at it. The hotel is called the VICEROY, a really quaint resort hotel that has a lot of style power.
The hotel is actually 4 or 5 years old, but you can really feel the regency style that Ms. Kelly Wearstler pioneered and champions . I loved the strong colors and bold gestures. We asked if we could take a look a the rooms and the suites and thankfully, they had some rooms for viewing. I was surprised when I inquired about the prices, as the rooms start at $150 US. That’s like a room in Boracay! I just want to share with you my visit to VICEROY; it’s really an inspiring place to get ideas for future projects.

The VICEROY is located at 415 South Belardo Road, Palm Springs Ca. www.viceroypalmsprings.com

The entrance - bold yellow as you enter! I think it's the hotels signature color.
The Parker
Thursday, November 12th, 2009While I was in Palm Springs, I just had to visit THE PARKER. This gem of a resort hotel is the brain child of super chic decorator Jonathan Adler. Nix and I are huge fans of Adler’s quirky style. I personally adore the way he just puts things together; you can really feel the joy.

The entrance of the hotel.

I love the entrance of the hotel! I want to do this for my dream beach house!
When I entered the hotel, I immediately felt like I was in my Lolo Doy‘s place in Matabungkay Beach in the late ’70s or early ’80s, for the furniture and the objects that were there reminded me of that house. We then took a tour of the grounds and just had a blast looking around. I wish I had the chance to stay there and just enjoy the hotel. I can imagine myself already with a cocktail in hand and some bright colored clothes just sloshing about! LOL!
The Meat Packing District!
Monday, November 2nd, 2009One of my favorite places in NYC has got to be the meat packing district! I just love the scene, the shopping, the energy! It’s one of the places that I visit each time I come to the city. Nix and I spent a few hours with the daughter of my friend Kitty. Thea Jacinto has really grown up to be a lovely young lady. I am so very proud of her as she will be graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design this summer! We walked around the area and just had a blast being tacky tourists!

I love the fall because I can finally wear my jackets! I am a jacket fiend! I tend to buy so much of them, but I hardly wear them because I get hot quickly, so this fall temp is perfect! Nix and I in our fall looks! LOL!

Night scene in the meat packing area!
Jujiin in Japan!
Monday, May 18th, 2009I was so excited to meet up with Jujiin Samonte. He is one of the most talented individuals I know. We worked together in my last gala, where he shot most of the visuals that accompanied my collections. You all should check out Jujiin’s blog called The Boy who Cried Chos – just type Jujiin.com. It is filled with images of his visits to Japan, which he does annually, and fun anecdotes of his experiences here.
Nix and Jujiin also went to grade school together, so they have been good friends since they were like 7! LOL! We decided to meet up in Harajuku. We were there ahead, and when Jujiin arrived, he was a showstopper!!! Even the jaded Japanese style folk were turning their heads on this young man’s style vibe!
We decided to work the Omotesando and Aoyama area. These two places are where some of the most upscale fashion establishments are located. I cannot begin to tell you all how merchandising here is like a science! It is really breathtaking! We had a really amazing day where we just kept on laughing and taking everything in. If you want to be inspired, come to Tokyo! You really end up creatively shaken!

This is 10 Corso Como Comme des Garcons. I first visited this original concept store in Milan and even met the creator Ms. Sozzani.
HUGS!
RAJO!
The SKY Suites!
Friday, March 27th, 2009I have been amiss with my blogging! I make it a habit to do an entry at least once a day. Lately though, I have not been able to do so. The truth of the matter is that nothing is happening to my life that is worth blogging about! LOL! It’s true. This past week has been quite lackluster. I needed something exciting!
Good thing Nix invited me to see his latest design project! My partner Nix is an interior decorator and he was tasked to create the model units of the soon to be launched GA Sky Suites! This is the latest project of Divine Lee. I fondly call her the BUSINESS BOMBSHELL! LOL!
I was so excited to see Nix’s work. He is really very talented and I am SOOOOO proud of him as the model units looked really awesome! He designed 3 variations of the same space! BRAVO NIX! My heart almost jumped out of my chest with joy! I think I got my groove back as now I feel that I have something worth to blog about!
Check it out!

HIs attention to detail is bordering on obsessive-compulsive! LOL! This lamp in the bachelor pad is to die for!

This unit was designed for the family! It's under 50 square meters, but the space was really intelligently designed that I am left in awe as how large the space really feels and looks.
HUGS!
RAJO!
Misibis Bay!
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009The main reason for my trip to Legaspi is I did an ocular visit to the MISIBIS BAY resort. I was tasked to design the uniforms of the staff, so they flew me in so that I may get a feel of the place! When I drove up, I was filled with anticipation because I have seen the drawings of the resort and from the drawings alone, I could feel that this was something that appealed to my aesthetic.
The resort is located along the Misibis Bay on a sprawling island that has really majestic views! When I visited the place, it was 80% complete. Even at that point, I could already feel that this is going to be a must- see destination in the Philippines! The resort will be managed by Rain Tree group, the same group that has been receiving massive raves from other resorts like Discovery Shores in Boracay, Camp John Hay in Baguio, and the Discovery in Tagaytay.
The Resort opens on May 1 and they have a promo already listed in their website at www.misibisbay.com For all of you adventure buffs, this is the place to go! I encourage you to come and be the first to visit this beautiful property! I guarantee that you won’t regret it!

Since the main entrance was still in its finishing stages, we entered from the side. This was the kids pool area.

I was really inspired when I visited the rooms, as I am in the works to do my dream beach home and this was the kind of look that I was aiming at! Don't you just love the large glass sliding doors and mirrors?

This is how the room looks like! I am loving the clean lines and soothing colors! Mind you, this is not yet done and they still have to add some finishing touches.

The villas are linked by a large pool lagoon. I love the fact that each room leads to a swimming area just a few steps away. The pool was so inviting!

I really cannot wait to visit Misibis again and stay in this villa! Imagine waking up to the sunrise on this balcony? HAAAAY!

The have a small beach in front of the resort and I found this curious looking tree! I thought it was beautiful and scary at the same time!

You can rent out their chopper if you want and have a quick zip around the area. This is a super cool way of visiting the Mayon volcano, for you can really see the crater up close.

Ferdi Salvador is the "Director of Style" for the Raintree resort group ( Don't you just love his job title?) Thanks for the lovely weekend, Ferdi!
HUGS!
RAJO!
Shangri-la’s Boracay!
Monday, March 2nd, 2009While I was in Boracay, I wanted to check out the progress of the newest and most exciting project, the Shangri- la’s newest baby: the Boracay Resort& Spa!
I had the privilege of having a sneak peek, as I am entrusted to design their uniforms. The whole resort is now undergoing what they call a simulation, a test run of sorts. I think that they will have a soft opening in a few weeks and I am so excited and happy that it’s looking FABULOUS! I am sure that this gem of a place will really solidify Boracay as one of the MUST visit places in the world! Please enjoy a tiny glimpse of true tropical luxury!

This is the view of the resort as you drive down from the island. However, I think guests are going to be taken to the resort through the water in a super chic boat! IT WILL BE SOOOOO SHUSYAL!

An inner courtyard. I know that they were really conscious of "green" architecture while building the resort.

The seating area of the villa. What I love about the place is that it's so understated it spells old rich! LOL!

Leica and Bob came with me to do the tour. This is the passageway to the private cove/beach that some villas have.

We were invited to have dinner in their seafood restaurant called Sirena. It was such a treat! I cannot wait to come back when the whole resort is in full swing!
HUGS!
RAJO!
The Straightforward House
Thursday, December 18th, 2008Amidst all the merry making and partying that has been happening all around, I could not pass up the opportunity to accept the cocktail invitation of Felix and Reggie Barrientos. They are one of my favorite couples, I did their wedding a few years ago and we have become really good friends. Reggie has been talking about her house for quite some time now and I was really excited to see it.

Here he is, asking what we wanted to drink. When he offered champagne I knew it was going to be a fun night!
The style of the house is very modern! I loved the clean lines and the fact that the house was warmed up by wood panels. The heights of the ceilings were to die for, I have always loved super high ceilings as you can really feel the space. With champagne in hand I urged Reggie to give me a tour. I christened their home the “Straightforward” house as it was simple and honest and not pretentious. Their house was really so well-planned and the space management was just flawless. Her “Bodega” was just amazing and something to really consider when building.

Loving the drama of the staircase which for me is the real drama of this home! Love the use of these huge slabs of wood!
I kept on joking on how I could notice her OC ( obsessive compulsive) side. She said Felix was actually more OC. She opened his closet and lo and behold! The most perfect man’s closet! I wanted to faint! Everything was in perfect order! Reggie’s closet was a dream, you could actually live in there! LOL!
After the tour we headed back down to their terrace and joked that we could see their entire house from our apartment! We live parallel to them and since their house had these gigantic glass windows we could really see everything! LOL! Nix and I left their house with a smile as we have friends that were truly happy and blessed with their new home!

I really love this idea of having a slim garden as it's something that I will perhaps borrow when I start to build.
Congratulations guys! WELL DONE!
HUGS!
RAJO!






























































































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