My Product Must Haves At hOMe

As an Earth-loving parent I choose using only natural and organic products both for my family's whole physical well-being and the whole household! In our own little way, beginning at our home, this is how we lessen our carbon footprint in the environment and feel in the pink of health safely at the same time!

My yummy must haves that I stock up on! My My eco-friendly household must haves! What are your "green" must haves? :)

A PEEK INTO OUR NEW "hOMe oF Soul"

Our patience has paid off. The construction of our simple hOMe, is finally done.
Our hOMe-- A progressive and mildly "Vastu" inspired space that brings out our simple "selves" is finally resided in.

Progressive in a sense that we maximized all spaces and designs. All the wooden materials used are earth- friendly. It's called engineered wood (which means, no trees were cut down in the making of our shelves and cabinetry). To make it even friendlier, we made use of the "still good" existing wood already found in the place and improvised on them. :)
"Vastu" influenced meaning we did the best we could to try and bring the elements of nature into our home. We made sure of proper ventilation so air may come in out and is it pleases. And, we found ways to bring in natural lighting into the place to help conserve energy. Soon to follow are indoor plants. Their presence is not only soothing and uplifting but it keeps us in touch with the Earth. :)


The Partition (I love how the natural light hits this)


From the bottom up-- a glimpse of the loft and kitchen


The staircase that came with-- but now improvised with shoe drawers! :)


The dividing shelf that provides privacy from the outside world :)


Our simple and organic kitchen


A peek at Mama's bathroom-- Earth


Papa's bathroom-- Air


Baby's bathroom-- Water


Hubby's own space..


..is the Earthy loft (also my yoga space..)


..lastly, the "bodega" Angel's golf storage :)

This humble and very simple abode of ours is our sanctuary of self expression, contentment, healing, peace, comfort, harmony and fulfillment. I simply adore our new hOMe!

I am thankful to 3Arkitektura crew for helping us design and build the hOMe of our Souls... :)

..and very grateful to my baby bro-- Leo for the beautiful shots.. :)

Project: Santosha- Our Humble Abode (Part I)

Demolition phase-- A fresh new start. Unearthing what was in the past. Digging into the present. Discovering what can be recycled for the future.


Living room and dining


Kitchen


The Loft


Stairs leading to the loft (the wood is still very good and strong)


Looking up at the loft


Looking down from the loft


Baby's room


Baby's T&B


Masters Bedroom
(If you notice, the flooring of the living room, baby and master's room, are 80's designed Parkay and made from original Narra. They will definitely be saved, and sanded to brighten up the place).


Master's T&B (this will be made bigger than how it looks)


Here is Angelo in discussion with our Architects Luigi and Christina. Just above our bedroom and baby's, where the trusses are, is how the roof and ceiling look like. This will be turned into an attic or storage area. All 78 sqm of it!
Can't imagine it? Yes it can be done. :) Cemented flooring will be reinforced so its even possible to walk on.

Building our very own nest is an exciting part of our lives. Keep you posted!
Here's to new beginnings!

Where We Love Is Home

Angelo and I just recently purchased our very first home. This is how it looks in the front. I am so happy, and excited to share this piece of news. It's not a house mind you, but instead, a spacious 3- bedroom old-fashioned condo. The third room is a spacious loft.

During the 80's, the cut of the units were much, much bigger compared to the modern units being sold now. Hence, this is where we feel lucky. Instead of feeling all boxed up in a tiny room, we have amples of space. Also, no elevator rides for us (which is great), just a friendly flight of stairs that lead to the top most floor which is the 3rd floor.


Both pictures on top is all I could show you for now. The front and top most part is where our future sacred space is located, and it extends all the way until the 4th window that you see. Also, that's the parking garage just below it with the dilapidated sides which we will fix just as well. The length, width and height of the place is very ideal for us. Truth be told, we were never really comfortable living in a high rise building of 30 or 40 stories!

The pics already give you an idea of how ruined it is, and how the crumbling of the walls and roof come with age and lack of maintenance. What we saw on the inside was just the same-- a major wreck! A run down, beaten up, and uncared for waste of space. Some people may not even give this place any chance at all after seeing it. Well, not for us. Aside from the major wreckage, Angel and I saw huge potential. We saw a hidden possibility lurking somewhere in there waiting to be let out. What we saw has given us the inspiration to build a simple home that will be eco-conscious, cost-efficient and low-maintenance. All this without compromising on our preferred style which is "minimalist, loft-living inspired."

With our independent lifestyles, Angel and I are all "fired-up" with aesthetic yet practical ideas to create one "GREEN" home.
This will be the biggest renovation of our young lives! :)

Another major reason that contributed to our choice of living here, is the area in which it is situated in. It doesn't feel like living in urban jungle Manila. To access our neighborhood, you have to go through a wide road which is about 1 km long. Being this far away from the hustle and bustle of the main expressway, a sort of peace and solace start to find you the moment you enter. Plants and trees lead you inside. And in the mornings, birds chirping greet you as you wake. Having been born and raised in the provincial part of Philippines, this is as close to home as I will ever feel. Someday though, Angel and I hold that promise of moving back to where I grew up and live a quiet, natural life. But that is in the distant future and an entirely different blog to be told.

With this comfortable and homey place that we have found, a community that is not so big and family-oriented come with it. This is ideal for us since we definitely plan on starting a small and unspoiled family in the near future.

If this is living in the big bad city, this is where we choose to be. This is a place we can call home.

I am smiling big as I write this blog. One day I'll post pics of our new and humble abode. Meanwhile, stay tuned for more on my blog! :)

Love and Peace to all!!