MONEY NEVER SLEEPS

Working at home, i.e. doing your bills, taxes, grocery list, among others, can sometimes be done in the dining area, living room, and even in your bedroom. But are you one of those people who have always wanted to have a separate working space at your own home?

These home office ideas are perfect for all types of workers!

The Creative

An extra bedroom may be used as your home office. Include everything that you know will give you inspiration for your creative juices to start flowing! If you're a photographer, you may also use the extra space for your own mini studio. If you don't have the space, a simple nook can work. Add a corkboard to pin your work! 

The Reader

In order to get ideas and relax your mind, invest in a comfortable chair and a reading lamp at a corner of your house for your reading/working nook. A few of your favorite quotes may be framed for more motivation to work. Perhaps a hanging shelf in which you can put your books. Make sure to also choose the quieter part of your house for more concentration.

The Free-Spirit

Incorporate indoor plants into your home office (or just around the house, really) so the room would still feel brighter and improve the air quality. These will be more perfect if your chosen working space has a window in which natural light could enter. Avoid glaring sunlight as it can distract you. Choose a place with soft natural light. Consult with a professional for a better working environment at home.

The Cozy One

You may still prefer to do your work in bed (not really advisable!) or near your bed, so setting up a desk in your bedroom is also recommended, as well as a working chair. Just make sure to not fall asleep while working!

DESIGNER TIPS

A few final words of advice. Have an area where you can place and charge you gadgets. Think about nearby outlets for this. You can even have a customized desk for your charging station. Use an ergonomic chair. Try the ones with an adjustable seat height. Seating for hours in a chair means comfort should be of utmost importance

Last, but most important of all, consider your storage requirements. You can have a desk with drawers or even those mobile drawers. If you have space, add a bookshelf. If not, look to your walls and add hanging shelves.

In order to achieve your desired working station at home, ask a professional as well on how you should do it. Not only do you get an accurate work-from-home setup, but also guaranteed productivity for you as everything can be customized and space can be maximized as well.

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EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING

Now that you have a new home, invite some guests over and discover exciting ways to host brunch or even dinner parties!

Where do you usually hold your party? Aside from the dining area, you may want to prepare at your backyard or patio for something more casual. This encourages your guests to relax and enjoy each other's company. 

One of the things to consider when having people over is the lighting. Warm lights are recommended as they will make your guests feel welcome so that they can enjoy their stay in your abode even if it's only for a short time. Make sure that you let all that gorgeous  natural light in. It makes for better lighting and Instagrammable photos. You can use fairy lights too and place in bottles. These lights come with batteries that come in handy. I've seen options at True Value.

Do stay away from scented candles as the scent can detract and clash with the aroma of your food. Use regular candles to make your setting look even better!

Printed table napkins

Decoration-wise, keep it simple but classy. Use other party decor that can double up as your usual accessories at home, say, throws in bold colors with fun patterns, and perhaps some hand crocheted coasters too.

If you're feeling fancy and adventurous, deviate from the usual table linen by using printed paper napkins. Lots of choices over at H&M home or Landmark. And don't forget to add fresh flowers! There are plenty of cheap grocery store flowers to be had for a small price. Add them as your centerpiece and you can instantly make your table look better.

Use fresh herbs or fruit slices and add to your drinks. It looks more appetizing and certainly is a refreshing way to serve.

In case you have some plants at home or maybe even if you don't, try buying easy indoor plants such as succulents, as a fresh alternative to floral arrangements. A simple leaf on a bottle or vase works wonders. Layer them over a book for a professional touch!

This is but a glimpse on how you should be preparing for your brunch parties at your home.

If you need some professional advice in styling your room, check out my service below!

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STARTING A FAMILY HOME THAT WORKS!

Finding a home for your new and upcoming family can be overwhelming, but so is designing it. There are a lot of things to consider, especially if you and your partner are expecting a new addition to the family. Decorating the nursery is one thing, but baby-proofing your entire home is another.

GENERAL TIPS

Toys and baby supplies will surely be everywhere so organizers are recommended especially in the area where you and your little one will spend most of your time. Remember to use organizers that won't topple over your child and always think of safety first before buying. Here are some recommended organizers for you! I wish I saw more colors for girls, though! I know wicker/abaca baskets are the in-thing now but please don't use them as you wouldn't want your child's milk/lotion or what have you to spill on them. For easiest cleanup, the best ones would be plastic. But for more professionally looking organizers, try the ones below. DISCLAIMER: Neither SM nor Daiso paid me to do this! I wish! hahaha!

1. SM My Things oval bins - What I love about these, aside from the price, is that they're very safe for children. No small openings too where those little fingers can get stuck!

via SM Home

2. SM Rectangular bins- These are perfect for those disposable or cloth diapers! Aren't they lovely?! I love those handles as well, perfect for carrying!

via SM Home

3. SM Home boxes - These adorable boxes can contain your child's mementos-- like her baptismal dress, or even her first shoes.

4. Daiso stacking box - These are perfect for your child's toiletries like nappy cream and baby lotion.

via Daiso

PLAYTIME & MORE TIPS

Create a baby corner or a safe space at your home where your child can play freely while you watch and do other things. I remember that time when my son started to crawl (and yes, he got into everything), my lifesaver was the playpen. And time for parents? For the mother most especially? Consider it very precious!

As I mentioned in the previous article, keep all small objects away from those curious hands! Especially when they get to the age where they place everything in their mouth! If you have a treadmill, do keep it in another room. The same goes with your other gym equipment.

ON DINING AREAS

A high chair at the kitchen and/or dining area is a necessity for when you eat together as a family. It gives you a chance to put your baby safely and helps keep both of your hands free. I know this might seem like a no-brainer, but in case you're having second thoughts, a high chair is a good thing! 

Another point to consider in your dining area is a table with no sharp edges or corners, one which isn't prone to break, where baby food spills are acceptable, as well as scratches for when they start playing with hard toys and play-doh. The best shapes for a table are round or oval. You can get away with a rectangular table as long as its edges are rounded off.

ON CRAFT SPACES

Aside from the usual safety tips, as parents, how do we make the most out of our home? And how do we make time for ourselves? Now that my child is all grown up, I had those moments when I was just so terribly exhausted that there were a lot of times I tried putting my son to sleep but I was the first one to do so!!! Learn to forgive yourself and give yourself some slack.

IKEA RASKOG trolley via Lazada

At times when I'm not asleep, I made some scrapbooks to document all those precious moments. Speaking of scrapbooks, I know there are a lot of moms out there who love to do arts and crafts! Now, having the time to do it is one thing but relegating a space for that is another. Remember that your child will grow up fast so even though he/she may not be able to crawl yet, you want to keep all those small and sharp craft materials away from them.

Designate your craft space. It can be a small corner in your room or if you don't have that much space, have a craft cart with wheels you can move in different areas of your home so you can watch your children while they are asleep and you can do your crafts.  Check the IKEA trolley from Lazada. Another option is those carts below. I saw some of them previously at True Value. Do check it out.

via Sam's Club

ON CHILDREN'S ROOMS

When it comes to designing their room, I know you may be tempted to do a full scale makeover and make it a theme room! If you know you're going to have this redone when they're teenagers, then go for it! But if you're like me and you feel the waste(!), you can use wall decals and a fresh coat of paint in light pastel colors. If you're feeling adventurous, you can still make it look gorgeous by painting stripes or using a stencil if you even find the time to DIY. Paint is the easiest and cheapest way to do it. Use non-toxic paint!

ON BUYING BEDS

Use a convertible bed. One that is a crib and converts into a children's bed. That is the most cost efficient way to do it. Before buying, remember to check your crib/bed for sharp edges!

ON LIGHTING

When your child graduates from using a portable potty trainer, keep a small nightlight for those trips to the bathroom. Get a low 1 watt light or even lower if you get disturbed by the brightness. Check out the night light from Lazada below for some cuteness overload! 

via Lazada

As a parent and a homeowner, you only want what’s best for your kids and the environment they will grow up in. It starts at home. Considering a professional to remove all that headache? I can design your child's room and childproof it. Or if you're considering advice for a good color palette that suits your design style, check out my color palette services below.

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COLOR ME, BABY!

Minimalism. One of the popular ways of decluttering and organizing your home is the Japanese Marie Kondo method. In terms of minimalism, the Japanese have that perfected! Indeed, why does it seem so popular nowadays? I believe it is because as time passes us by, we tend to accumulate things whether it be clothes, house décor or our travel mementos. Why do we have this need for simplicity? Why is it important? With our world being subjected to so much information at the tip of our hands, we need stillness in order to focus on the important matters in our lives. One of the best ways of doing this is by practicing minimalism at home. There is a variety of ways to achieve minimalism in your home without making it bland.

via Pantone

We tend to go for the classic black-and-white palette or stick with the neutrals. Don’t get me wrong as there's no harm in that. However, a minimalist home does not necessarily mean a neutral color scheme. You can add some colors and still achieve minimalistic interiors with your favorite hues.

A good way to start is to consider using Pantone's color of the year. This is perfect if you’re one of those who love to switch things at home once in a while. This year, it is Pantone Greenery – a fresh yellow-green that reminds us of spring and new beginnings. Aside from the fact that Pantone gives you color pairings, it is also the professional's standard guide for color! You may want to pair this color with a cool-toned blue or a pastel yellow. Simple yet warm and cheerful colors. 

via Artveana

Bolder choices of colors like a ruby red or a daffodil yellow can bring a modern urban taste. Wanting to go further? Try incorporating an entire wall or all of your accent pieces in these strong and bold colors!

Daffodil yellow sofa

Once you choose an accent color, add this to your home by using it on either the furniture, and/or the accessories or an accent wall. Keep the rest of your interiors in neutral colors, whether it be a porcelain white, a mocha latte, or a dove gray.

via Ustagiremez

Still unsure? Why not consult with a pro? Click the image below for my Color Palette Service!

COLLECT, COLLECT, THEN SELECT!

via Stacey Brandford

Some of us collect things our whole lives. Maybe it reminds us of memories like that recent trip to Spain I had and I simply had to buy the cutest mug. Or perhaps we love vintage collections like that antique silver passed down from generations. Whatever the reason might be, collections make us happy. However, there are times when we aren't sure where to put them or how to keep them. These collections can range from the tiniest of things to the largest ones, and it’s difficult to keep them in place without seeming like an absolute mess. Worry not as we have a few tips for you on how to keep your collectibles not only in place but also displayed with the attention they deserve.

via Brico Bistro

If you’re a collector of small trinkets, such a collection would be perfect in a glass jar or a glass cloche. You need to be very careful though because these are fragile. And speaking of bottles, if you’re also into wines and liquor, reuse the emptied bottles for a vase with flowers or plants, or you can use the corks too for display.

Love photography? Designate a wall in your house and create a mini gallery. If you're into food photography, display them in your dining area or kitchen filling the whole wall with photographs to form a collage. It will also entice your guests more to dine with you!

Same advice goes with collecting art, group them together to form a gallery wall or maybe use unexpected spaces like underneath a staircase. Check out what I have done below!

Arrange items by color. They may be your finest china, crystal collection, a grouping of vases. Collections arranged by color look more professional, don't you think? That advice goes with many things. Wonder why your display seems somewhat out-of-sync? Check the colors and group them accordingly.

via A Beautiful Mess

via My Luscious Life

Another way to use color as an element of your display is to show them off with a neutral background. Or be brave and use a direct complementary color so that your collection will stand out. Direct complementary colors are colors opposite the color wheel. So that will be blue-orange, red-green, yellow-violet, and so on. See how that ocean of blue pops out from that fiery orange? On that note, don't you wonder why Christmas has a traditional red and green theme? Tomorrow is September already and you know what that means in the Philippines! Time to look for Christmas decors!

It's a long, lovely weekend and before we even start decorating for Christmas, October is just around the corner and Halloween is becoming a bigger event every year. Would you want me to feature Halloween décors? 

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LIGHT IT UP!

There is no doubt that natural light is the best light, but what about at night? We have different artificial light sources, but the most common ones are the LED lights that have replaced the ubiquitous incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. But in order to take your lighting up a notch, we have different lights that would be perfect for all of your bedrooms!

As a lighting rule, we have three types of light based on function-- general lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. General lighting gives an overall even illumination. Task lighting is reserved for tasks like reading, cooking, office work and should be free from glare or the lowest acceptable glare. Accent lighting highlights collections, an accent wall, a painting, landscaping and anything else you want to place a spot on. 

Moving on, let us talk about lighting for the bedroom. Aside from a main light source like a pendant, chandelier or downlights, a pair of bedside table lamps are recommended if you and your partner like to read or finish up some work before bed.

https://imgur.com/0exPsoX

For your kids’ bedrooms where they usually do their studies as well, a desk lamp or a reading lamp would be necessary.

If you have a guest room and would like to show off a little bit, dramatic pendant lights or a crystal chandelier would be perfect!

Sconce lights by the bedside tables are perfect for small spaces.

via Homedit

If you want to take your lighting a step higher, consider placing cove lights behind your headboard and even under your night table for a very modern look.

via Mcalister Mansion

Another way to create more drama is to add side lighting to your headboard!

via Acura

As what has been noted in the previous posts, it still depends on your preferences and the design style of your room. If you are feeling a little confused and overwhelmed with the amount of choices you have, consult with a professional who can give you the type of lighting that suits you best.

What are you waiting for? Go shop for lights now! All these and more when you subscribe to our mailing list!!