shops to inspire: home bazaar

photo credit:  home bazaar
link: http://www.homebazaar.fi/

smooth concrete floor for the guest room

this space used to be our tv room, which then became a dumping ground for our online merchandise, unused home accessories, and some more clutter.  i decided to turn it into a guest room on a minimal budget by removing old mismatched floor materials and exposing the rough concrete floor underneath.  it was very unconventional but it worked for the "local meets industrial" look that i was going for.

now, with the kindness of my mom, i was able to fund this little makeover.  i am super happy that i finally got a smooth yet unpolished concrete floor that i had been wanting for such a long time. unpolished concrete floor is not for everyone though as it will show lots of wear and tear over time. personally, i adore this low-cost flooring material.

even though it's a big design no-no, i had no other choice but to push the daybed against the wall because there wasn't much clearance to the space.  i then grounded the furnishings with our existing animal print carpet in cream and black.

the antique wooden table and chairs are practical addition to the room for eating, reading, or working.  i then placed a large ethnic bowl centerpiece to serve as a temporary receptacle for small items.

the ladder from my bedroom found a new spot in the guest room.  it will function much better here as a makeshift storage rack for the guest's personal belongings.

you could also see our hallway from this view.  i love the blue-violet woven mat from country favorites.  it provides a nice background for our dress form, too.

no room makeover is complete without plants.  they add softness, color, and texture to any space.

finally, the before shot.

shops to inspire: vintage&chic

link: http://vintageandchic.net/es/espejos/793-espejo-metal-dorado.html

link: http://vintageandchic.net/es/espejos/775-espejo-metal-dorado.html

link: http://vintageandchic.net/es/espejos/722-antiguo-espejo-madera-flores.html

link: http://vintageandchic.net/es/espejos/795-espejo-sol-metal-dorado.html

link: http://vintageandchic.net/es/espejos/796-espejo-metal-dorado.html

photo credit: vintage&chic

blog: http://www.vintageandchicblog.com/

shop: http://vintageandchic.net/es/

bedroom 4 months post-konmari

i am super glad to report that konmari is 100% effective! it's been four months now since i weeded out my closet using this method of decluttering and no rebound so far.  truth be told,  i haven't had so much luck with my clutter before, especially since i love shopping for second-hand clothes.

this is my closet before.

after konmari.

now, four months post-konmari.

this is the first thing that you will see when you enter my small walk-in closet turned bedroom. the antique chair serves as a catch-all and as a home for my current reads.

you will then see this vignette at the left side consisting of vintage frames and glass mosaic mirror by ikea.

the bed is extremely plain and simple.  i adore the faux shibori pattern on the sheet set which i purchased for only 350 pesos on sale at sm department store.  i decided to forgo the bed frame, headboard, and nightstands.

adjacent to the bed is my open closet and blog spot.  i am really happy that i was able to dispose more than half of my bags and made profit by doing so.  i held onto them for such a long time due to the price i paid and the memories they had on me.  it was very nonsensical and laughable just thinking about it now.

my little blog spot still looks the same as you might have noticed.  i love the vintage ceramic hand forms that i scooped up for 50 pesos a piece at japan surplus.  they complement the decoupaged windows and study table.

the bare wall is still bare.  i like to keep it this way because negative space makes sense in this konmari inspired room.  the empty wall shelf must go though since i won't be using it anymore.  (good bye, dear shelf.  you've served me very well.)

i highly recommend marie kondo's book, the life-changing magic of tidying up if you want to achieve complete freedom from clutter.  ganbatte kudasai.

when white walls don't work

it's a common misconception that white (as well as cream and beige) is the best choice to brighten up a small space.  yes, it is somewhat true if you have huge windows with plenty of natural light.  in fact, it can double up the brightening factor and will make your space appear larger.  however, if you are stuck in a small space with zero to minimal natural light, white walls will only look dingy.  no amount of mirrors, reflective surfaces, or play on lighting will work.

solution?  pick a rich color that will absorb all shadows such as navy, jewel inspired colors, warm oranges and reds - or if you're brave enough, why not black?  don't be afraid to experiment with paint.  it's just paint anyway, and you can always change it anytime.

ikea hyllis as pillow rack

hello, blog friends!

if you're looking for affordable pillow rack for your endless collection of pillows (ehem), ikea hyllis is the b-e-s-t by far.  you can easily purchase one through lazada philippines for no more than 2000 pesos.  it is lightweight and pretty much easy to assemble.  the galvanized steel finish doesn't hurt either as it blends seamlessly well with all design styles.

i also purchased the beautiful, beautiful pillows by mestiza interiors through lazada philippines.  i'm digging the boho chic vibe.  it's like pattern, color, and texture for days!

sunburst mirror

nothing says eclectic than sunburst mirror.  i have seen this decor staple interpreted in many ways making it fresh and current once again.  personally, i would like my sunburst mirror to be extremely rare, antique, handmade, and authentic.  i guess that is far from reality since i'm not really willing to spend an arm and a leg on a piece of wall decor.  thankfully, i found a cheaper version at all home, molino branch.  i bought it for a super sweet price of only 2250 pesos.  what's so nice about sunburst is it instantly adds wow factor to any home.  just hang it up, and say good bye to boring wall.

i love the added dose of metallic color meshing well with silver tolix chairs.  who says you can't mix brass with silver?

why paint your door in the same color as your walls

sure, a different colored main door looks welcoming and exciting, but in a small space it will only create visual partition.  painting your door in the same color as your walls will result to clean lines and less visual clutter.

before.  the eyes have nowhere to rest because everything is craving for attention.  in addition to this, the lobster red color absorbs too much light making this small space looks a bit darker.

after.  i loved the clean lines and monochromatic look.  it really brightened up the space.  as you can see, i also painted the wooden panels and baseboard in the same color.

i also decided to shake the layout a little bit.  i placed the dining table in our living space because we entertain more with food.  also, the dining table could double as a work space.  these are the reasons why we don't normally do tablescapes.

there you go friends!  change your door color, change your layout, change your mood!