Thursday Inspiration

Just random things I found outside my home which made me inspired the whole day...

A prototype of driftwood candle holder, scored from an import/export shop.  (Thanks to my dear friend, Doris, who brought me there.)  I like the natural shape, form and color, these wood has taken over time.

Mini "Quiapo" plants in the fountain.  Love the play of shapes and the reflection it creates on the water.

Jade plant that I'm trying to grow for Bianca's bathroom.  That explains why I planted it in a Winnie the Pooh tin can (from a Disneyland trip!)...Pooh is like Bianca's favorite character since forever!  Hope she never tires of Pooh!

Morning glory vine by the balcony of Raphael's bedroom.   Never thought I can grow this beautiful vine.  It's been producing flowers non stop.  Sometimes I want to think I do have a green thumb...but maybe not! ;-)  What things inspired you today?  Almost weekend!  Yay!  

I would love to hear your thoughts!

1/11/11

I am finally back!  Yes! Things are going back to its normal routine at the Casa Insigne.  Actually it's been a week since kids and hubby were back to school and work.  But for me, it's not back to normal until all the Xmas decors are put away, house is cleaned and a bit of re-arranging tied up everything to its normal routine.

As decors were kept away, I felt the house slowly sigh with relief.  Like me, she too,  would miss the festive and colorful decors she cheerfully staged for the holidays.  But now, she would need a more relaxed breathing space.  So I went about cleaning, fixing and re-arranging some pieces in my house to usher in a serene, clean and simple interiors for the new year!

Knick knacks and all other small decors were put away, bigger and few pieces now adorn the living room.   The space is now more relaxed and feels very clean.   How about you? Have you cleaned and started a new look for your new home?

(Photo taken from a New Year party with some girlfriends, clever table styling, isn't it?)

I hope it's not too late to greet you a Happy New Year!  May you realize all your goals and dreams this 2011!  Be inspired with all the everyday blessings God has showered you.

I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thursday Inspiration

Photo credit here.

I am swooning over this photos!  I thought I'm done with the white, pristine, feminine interiors but when I saw this, I can't stop staring and had to read more about the owner.  This beautiful dresser and desk belongs to the grand daughter of Grace Kelly's clothier (I like that word!), Katie Ermilio who is a designer herself.  Check out Rue magazine for more photos of her home and be inspired! It's almost weekend!  Yay!!


I would love to hear your thoughts.

Up Close and Personal

Exactly a month ago I shared with you here, the house of my dear friend Aura.  I was just being bold and ambitious to create a once a month post on beautiful, REAL homes.  But to tell you honestly, I didn't know if I can come up with a second one.  Now it can be told, I was a bit scared if I can really pull this through.  But I guess luck is on my side or should I say I got friends on my side?  Because today, I am excited to show you another friend's house.  Yup...I charmed my way to have her house posted here in 40andbeyond.  And of course, she cannot resist as I implore with French pastries in my bag.  So, for this month of November, let me share with you the second...

Up Close and Personal

My very good friend Doris, has the most charming "Shabby Chic" - inspired home right smack in the middle of the City.  The moment you enter her home (shared with her hubby and beautiful daughter), you instantly feel like you're in a country home and you just want to find a corner (amongst the many cozy nooks that she has!), lounge and bask in a good book.  Or just like what I would do when I visit her, I'd just be idle and feast my eyes with all her pretty vignettes!  Take a visual tour with me and feel some French, country charm...

As you enter the main door, you will be greeted by the family's oval-framed silhouettes.  I am not very fond of frames but this set is just perfect to welcome the guests!

The warm and inviting living room.  The color palette of green and white, accessorized with silver makes it very relaxing.  It really feels you're in a bed and breakfast  cottage.

(1) Collection of antique, silver candle holders  (2)  A snuggly corner of the living room (3) Simple cushions dot the all-white cozy couch (4)  Shabby and distressed candelabras on the coffee table

The dining area is right next to the living area. I love the way Doris make use of old pieces, (some were hand me down from her family) and gives them a new life by making it functional again. Can you see the old sewing machine behind the chair?  She refurbished it and made it into a console.  Now it's perfect to hold her antique, silver tea set. 

The study is accessorized with inherited and vintage stuff.  This nook is screaming I-N-S-P-I-R-A-T-I-O-N!  Can you hear it??

(1-2) Medicine cabinet of Doris' grandfather, now houses her collection of thimbles and vintage children's books (3) A bread box cum chopping board is now used to keep clutter away (4)  My favorite!!!  Super cute, vintage, mini Golden books (remember those story books with very simple illustrations?) (5) A DIY mirror/candle holder.  How clever is that? Doris has her own handyman whom she trained to make her distressed furniture (6) A collection of mini bird cages

Located at the attic, is Doris' guestroom. Very "Rachel 

Ashwell-y"! I would not be surprised if guests would want to stay there forever!  It's very cozy and it's like a big eye candy for people who like vintage and shabby chic interiors!

The white, wrought iron bed is draped with a quilt hand made by Doris' grandmother.  Can you see the pretty Doris by the canvass panel?  Sorry Dors,   I know I said you were not in the picture. :-)

(1) Study nook at the guestroom with an antique swivel chair (2)  Bookshelves that hold Doris' collection of Classics (3)  Hard bound Charles Dickens collection.  I envy this! (4)  Bedside table is home to vintage Pooh collection (5)  An antique Dutch table lamp with a pretty vintage photo frame, shaped like a purse.  Very pretty! (6)  Complete view of the bed with the side tables 

And here is the master's bedroom...simple, white and still true to the house's look - very Chic!  Doris made sure she is surrounded with all her favorite, pretty, vintage things.  Most of them were found and bought in the antique and thrift stores during her US trips.   

(1) Doris' closet is defined with a pink, fabric curtain.  Just pull the curtain to the side, and voila!  You see all your clothes in a single hand sway.  How easy is that?  (2) Desk that holds her thrift store finds, like the African American ragdolls.  Truly a rare find!  That's my other favorite!  (3-4) Her pretty, pretty, (did I say pretty?) dresser.  I love the mini, dainty luggage boxes used to hold her perfume, brushes, etc.  I thought it's a mini boudoir in it's own right!

Now, let me take you to Gaby's room.  As I have known Doris way back our working days in the same company, I kinda witnessed and watched Gaby grow from that little cute girl, and now a beautiful woman.  Yup!  I feel so old last time I saw her.  She's all grown up and working!  Where did time go??  And this lady is not just physically gifted; she is also very smart and writes very well!  Visit her blog here and be the judge.  If only I can have a fraction of her writing competency.

Hand painted checkers in baby blue and white for the wall.  How sweet is that?  Her quilt (again another handmade piece by the great grandmother) matches her wall and complements her white, shabby, wooden bed.

(1) Study bureau with shelves on top that houses her books and collectible toys (2&4)  Some of Gaby's vintage dresses and camisole.  Sorry Gabs, your mom and I raided your closet! (3)  The classic Pooh collection which my daughter Bianca adores! (5)  Hat and bag rack by the side table keeps her collection organized.

More pretty things that can't be missed!  

So, there you have it.  The "Ignacio cottage" brought me so much inspiration that I started pulling out my Rachel Ashwell books just so I can continue to enjoy Shabby Chic interiors when I got home.  I should start looking for another home to feature here...before I start painting my house white!  I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed working on it.  Thank you so much Dors, for opening your home to 40andbeyond!  Hopefully I can produce the third post  of 

Up Close and Personal  

by December!  Calling all my dear friends!!!


I would love to hear your thoughts.

Online design magazines

Click here to browse the latest issue.  They're on their 3rd issue now!

Click here to browse the debut issue.

If you are  a magazine junkie like me, you will like these two online design magazines I recently discovered.  Covet Garden and Ivy & Piper.  Every page will bring an inspiration to your home and will quickly arouse your creative side.  You would remember my other two favorite online mags which I posted here and here few weeks back.  I always end up browsing through them and each time I discover new ideas worth replicating.  Check it out and enjoy!

I would love to hear your thoughts!

Up Close and Personal

If you like decorating houses like me, you probably have an innate desire to constantly look at other people's houses.  Don't you just love to pry on other people's home?  I think it is human nature to get curious and pick on someone's life, fashion and their houses.  What do you think?  Or is it just me? :-) Today I am attempting to start a once a month post that will feature houses of people I personally know.  People who have kindly allowed me to share with you... up close, their personal space.  

Without further ado, let me present to you the very first

Up Close and Personal

The very welcoming living room, simple and tastefully accessorized!

An all-Filipino vignette by the staircase.  

The modern kitchen, with the bamboo bowls and ladder lending warmth to an otherwise bare kitchen.

Square dining table that was positioned at an angle.  Aura's clever way of making the space more interesting.

Round Dedon chair by the side patio.  A very cozy area for a mid-day refuge for a busy mom.  Or a chill-out place for the girls.  Perfect also for the man of the house to unwind after a busy day at work.   I always sat here when I visited them last time. :-)

Wall Art.  No school project or artwork is thrown away.  Each of the girl's work is proudly stuck on the wall of the study or by the stair landing.  Who needs wall paper and paint, when you have your own in-house artists?  The bird and vine decal looks perfect, side-by-side by their book shelf (not in photo though.).

It's all in the details.  Who would have thought that cut pine wood will look good (and smell good too!) as a decor?  I told you, Aura is good.  She has the "eye!"  These antique Cambodian lamps complete the look of their Dedon chair by the side patio.  Proudly Filipino...sungka and Ostrich eggs (from an Ostrich farm here in the Philippines).  

More Filipino pieces...rainsticks, baskets, Ostrich lamp from Firma, Wooden, mini rice Gods from Baguio and a lovely wooden, studded box on the coffee table. 

This very first post on Up Close and Personal  is the house of a very dear, dear  friend, Aura Antonio.  Her family lives in a semi-detached house in Singapore.  Aura and Joey are blessed with three beautiful girls.  During their stay in Singapore, they have lived and moved to four houses and this one is their latest one.  (Mind you, all other three houses were meticulously decorated too, even if they knew that they will not stay there for long!) 


I definitely admire Aura's decorating skills, as she is able to transform all their houses into such beautiful, homey nests for her family.  Her houses are the kind of homes that you would not mind hanging around, because it's like a big eye candy, and yet very warm and comfy.   One thing I love with her style is the presence of Filipino pieces and accessories.  She has bits and pieces around her house that are proudly Philippine made.  Also, in my opinion, she is the best decorator for children's bedrooms!  Each room complements the personality of each of her daughter.   Take a look and be the judge! 

This is the eldest (Bianca, yes, our first born have the same name!) daughter's room.  Aura and Bianca did the stripe painting by themselves and Bianca painted that cute lamp post by her photo board.  Can you see that little cute baby dress, hanging by the bookshelf?  And how organize can you get with that Ikea scarf holder used for Bianca's sunglasses collection?  Yes, Bianca is a collector, an organized collector!   

This is Margi's room.  The middle daughter who is gifted with a golden voice.  She loves to sing, and she sings really well!  You will have goosebumps listening to her!  And her wall decal and cork board are so in sync with her personality and talent.  I love also the swing at the corner which houses her stuff toys.  A pretty room for an even prettier girl!

And this is Nina's room.  The youngest among the three.  This little gymnast is still very playful and has a huge collection of toys which are neatly displayed in her room.  Pretty, fanciful and whimsical, that's how her room is!  I'm sure all little girls will gravitate towards this room because she has all the pretty stuff every little girl can dream of!  

So what do you think?  Very lovely home right?  And the family is even lovelier!  Thank you Aurs for sharing your home with 40andbeyondbyirene.  I'm very sure you inspired a lot of the readers.  I have a reason to go back to Singapore to take photos of your master's bedroom and bath.  I missed that last time! :-)

To my dear friends, don't be surprised if you see me knocking on your doors soon...your home might just be the next one on Up Close and Personal !


I would love to hear your thoughts.

Countdown to 40!

Oh my!  I just realized the Big 40 is coming sooner than I thought...14 days to be exact!  Can I please have balloons like these for my party?  Ferdie, I hope you're reading this post! ;-)

Photo credit

 I know some people who keeps a "Must Do List Before I Turn 30 or 40.."  Now it gets me thinking, am I suppose to have one also?  Because honestly, I don't have one.  Well, I took a mental note of some things, do they count?  I thought it would be nice ...

(1)  To start a blog before I turn 40, so that's a check.  That's why my blog is called 40andbeyond...

(2)  To be healthier and slimmer, actually this one is in my to do list ever since the world began.  So maybe that does not count? Right? :-)

(3)  To design and build my house.  that's a check!

(4)  To go to Egypt.  No rush really, I'll be happy just the same, even after my 40th.  So doesn't count again!

(4) To get involved with UNICEF.  For some reason, I've always wanted to work for UNICEF since I was in HS.

So, that's five things already.  You see I'm really simple and shallow.  I live by the day, I'm not really a big planner.  And for me, what really matters is what I am able to do EVERYDAY not what I must do or achieve before I turn 40. Everyday is special and these are the daily things that really matter to me ...

(1)  Setting up a lovely home for my family .  

(2)  Preparing healthy, good meals for the family.  

(3)  Playing badminton and walking after dinner with hubby.

(4)  Helping my kids with their homework.

(5)  Listening to my kids anytime they need to talk about their good (or bad!) day at school.  

(6)  Reminding my kids to pray before going to bed.

(7)  Reminding my kids to love the Philippines, no matter what other people say.

(8)  Reminding my kids to love Mother Nature in their own little way.

(9)  Giving lots of kisses and hugs to hubby and kids.

(10)  Praising and thanking God for all his everyday blessings, big and small. 

You must be thinking, Such cliche!  I do think the same way too.  But then I remember my dear Tita Beth who told me once that women's vocation is either to be a nun or to be a wife and mother (that includes working moms!).  And don't get me wrong, I admire women who choose to be single and are very self sufficient.  I am just privileged to be a wife and mother.  I might as well be good on being one right?  I'm smiling right now, because I'm just plain happy and content.  (Told you I'm  shallow!)  So there...no big checklist, just a daily dose of love for people who really matter to me.  The reasons why I need to celebrate  and continue to remain healthy and happy, as I reach 40 and beyond.  Now can I please have this cake?

Photo credit

 Life is too short.  Let's keep it simple and not worry about so many things.  Believe me, you only need your two hands to count the things that really matter to you!  Happy weekend my dear readers and don't forget to count your blessings!


I would love to hear your thoughts!

I ADORE

You will surely love the newest Australian online Home Magazine...ADORE!  This is the perfect company for the weekend.  A wonderful magazine that is packed with fresh ideas, amazing colors, and a peek on the inspirational homes of some of the famous designers and bloggers.  Click here to view the very first issue.  Go ahead, find the perfect spot in your home and start flipping clicking the pages!  Happy weekend everyone!


I would love to hear your thoughts!

A Flowery Tuesday

Allow me to shower your Tuesday with carnations, roses and lots of leaves and fillers! I hope you love flowers as much as I do.   Come with me as I go around my house and let's spot some of the arrangements I've made.  

I SPY...

a tall vase of Iris leaves with some aster on the table by the lanai... 

two slim vases on the dining table, side by side with my egg shell spathe...

a coffee table holding a short vase of roses and carnations...

a vase of tall roses with a spray of greens sitting on the Tibetan cabinet...

carnations by the kitchen window sill...

more carnations on the powder room counter...

and did I say i love carnations?  perfect for my daughter's study desk...

my table got to have flowers too...not just one but two vases!

and my most favorite...

a gift from Raphael which he handcrafted using cup cake liner and a pipe cleaner.  

The sweetest boy!  

And if you're wondering where I got all these flowers.  Well...I am lucky to have a loving husband who did not mind to take a trip with me to Dangwa flower market.  It's  where most of the florists source their flowers.  It's the best place to go to get a good deal, they sell local and imported flowers at a wholesale price. 


And just when I was wrapping up this post, I got a surprise gift from my sister Nikola.  Look what she sent me.. a lovely piece of bangle!  It's made of resin with a vintage floral fabric inside.  Yay...more flowers!  Loving it!!   

I wish you can also have a flowery Tuesday like me!