DORNBRACHT Celebrates Diamond Jubilee, Showcases ATELIER Line

DORNBRACHT is a German luxury bath and spa fittings brand founded in the 50's by Aloys Dornbracht and son Helmut. They are celebrating their 75th year and had a showcase of their best ware at their showrooms in Twenty Four Seven Building in BGC. They are supplied in the Philippines by Focus Global under their Bath brand together with other premium names in the market. 

At the event, they showcased DORNBRACHT's Atelier line to exhibit the various ways they can do fixtures. What we got from that is simple, they can do anything you can imagine. The faucet and knobs that have been exquisitely designed was added with layers of brass, gold, feather, egg shells, leather, mother of pearl and more. The finishes were stunning. reminiscent of bubble reflections, draped blue fowl feathers, and leather from the best craftsmen in Germany, Switzerland and other EU countries.

Here's a short tour of the showroom. If you fancy it, get in touch with them through their social channels to arrange an appointment, or just visit the Twenty Four Seven building on office hours.

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They also held a short program to commemorate DORNBRACHT's Diamond Jubilee. Stephen Sy of Focus Global says "This is a reflection of the 75 years of Dornbracht. It marks more than 12 years of partnership with Focus Global. Water is now part of design and wellness because of them. They always set new standards, and as partners we see that together with designers, architects, engineers and consumers. We are grateful for the trust and excited for the opportunities ahead in the years to come. Here's to many more with Dornbracht!"

Kevin the Regional Head or Dornbracht says "75 years is a long time, but we are the only brand to continue and focus on taps and showers. We are the luxury brand producing it from Germany to the region. We are focused on maintaining presence in this segment. Thank you for being here!"

They also shared how their pieces have been installed in several hotels in the country as part of their spa centers. If you have something in mind, a dream or two, they can do it. Tell them and they've got folks who can source everything, and make that possible. Their current collection speaks volume of what design, craftsmanship and passion can do. 

Congratulations to DORNBRACHT! Congratulations on 12 years in the Philippines, and 75 years around the world! 

PSID-Ahlen Institute Inc. Mounts PHUSION Exhibit

The Philippine School of Interior Design - Ahlen Institute Inc. just gave us a glimpse of this year's theme PHusion made by the class of 2023. In the past, they had a lot of these displayed at the Greenfield Tower's 5th Floor. Since it was the pandemic, they had a smaller number of spaces designed. Though there was certainly no shortage in talent, I loved what I saw during this batch. 

 PHusion is all about culture and how it influences design. With these spaces catering to Filipino and individuals from different countries, they were able to meld this together. Though just like the other times, it's in the "details" and the designer's interpretation of what they understand from the culture of the other country they are doing. I was assisted by Nicole and shown around the different displays this year.

FILIPINO x EGYPTIAN

 They call this space PER ANK which means Key of Life.

Their two countries were at opposite sides of the world, but they particularly thought of color as common ground to bring this together. The brown sand dune hues, the wood, the several pieces of furniture, the native baskets on the ceiling (as light treatments), the Malakas-Maganda figures etched on the cement wall, the pillars with Egyptian hieroglyphs (as accent wall) plus the Baybayin writings they customized was impressive to see. They knew one could overwhelm the other design and they were careful not to do that. This was certainly a good start.

FILIPINO x SOUTH AFRICA

They call this BAHAY UBUNTU. A term I'm quite familiar with because I'm a Computer Engineer, it's about compassion for others.

South Africa must be a little hard to put into design, but they've managed to concentrate on things that are common with the Philippines. The wood elements are present, they showed the glass table top that remained transparent to show the various wood underneath. What impressed me the most was the Nipa hut style on the ceiling, but it was made of a different material that can withstand years of abuse. It was efficient, virtually pleasing to the eyes, and the prints represented the South African flair.

 

FILIPINO x AMERICAN

 

This time, they used light to define two spaces. The couple they depicted here spend much time in the kitchen which is why the space had the large counter. This is also old 1930's themed which had more gold and geometric elements. The bar with the capiz window treatment and the iconic Kutsara Tinidor on the wall probably gives that Filipino touch. I get why they named it FILLENIUM.

 

FILIPINO x NICARAGUAN

One thing we have in common with Nicaragua is the tropics, which is why they used plants as part of the design in this space. It's a bath, vanity and closet, where you can take refuge and relax after a stressful day.

They didn't overwork the theme, they did it very simple. The natural elements like the weaving on the wall and ceiling plus a 70's style wall blocks has that Filipino stamp. It's very well executed, and didn't have to get too busy in the eyes to interpret their theme RELAJARSE.

FILIPINO x BRAZILIAN

This is called A DIVERSAO. Since the Philippines and Brazil enjoy tropical weather, that's where they have the theme combined. The wall on the shelves are from the Brazilian sunsets, also the curved lines which are common in Brazilian homes. They also had coconut on the face of the cabinets plus the solihiya weaving on the ceiling to make sure there's still Filipino in it. The design of the floor is also an interpretation of Brazilian black and white patterns.  They used it to separate the space between the play area and lounge.

 

 FILIPINO x FRENCH

This space was designed to mix the Filipino and French elements, but had more than what they bargained for. Think of it as a French space with a more worldly view because they also included the vibes of a well traveled individual who takes different pieces from different places and take them home.

I like the balcony, the wall treatments, and the carvings which are innately Filipino. They made it a tad lighter to see, not clunky and max which most Filipino spaces depict. They also had parts likened to "Bahay na Bato". The various things they placed on shelves were shabby chic, floral, to simply get the feel of the French homes with centuries worth of art. I like the artwork and chairs the most.

 

FILIPINO x SCANDINAVIAN

The designers of this space called LAGOM had one problem, it was to mix a more max design culture in the Philippines to the one minimalist style from Scandinavian countries. I loved that wall in the back that transitions into shelves on one side then disappears when you look at it from the other side. The light in the center also was a good choice, the shadows land on the different pieces of furniture and give it a more warm glow. They also had wood, employ a concentric design to have less corners from different views.

FILIPINO x BRITISH

One side of this had Chesterfield sofas which was apt for those who wouldn't want their suits get creases, a classic in every British space. I liked how they used wood mainly which was done to have that Filipino touch. The face of the cupboards and cabinets was also customized with a regional Lumban Barong Tagalog strip which made a statement, it is possible to mix the west and the East. I like how this was done, perfect for the Bachelor client they depicted who wanted this and all the natural elements he wanted from the Philippines.

FILIPINO x ITALIAN

This space reminds me of the bougie Gotti family (though not maximalist). There were gold elements on the recessed wall, fabulous light installation and also the curved arches on the lavatory with a twin waterfall faucets. It was fresh looking, light and airy despite having some big pieces on the wall and different spaces. The wall was a light pink, it didn't clash with the space despite it having a more ethnic design on the center. They did good.

FILIPINO x AUSTRALIAN

This was one impressive space. The work area with a Boomerang shaped table, the recessed wall shaped like the mountains in the outback, the beach dotted artwork (made by one of the members to depict the Great Barrier Reef), that's some of the items that are extremely OZ. The hammock, a place to take rest after a stressful day, with rhum in hand via the cart, it is like a vacation in the Philippines. I can see they used wood pretty much everywhere, which is something common with us too. The abaca fiber on top, plus how the spaces were separated was a good idea. It's a serious place for business, but comforting after that. 

FILIPINO x JAPANESE

This bedroom is a personal favorite. You can see why.

The capiz wall, the arches, the floor, they all depict the rising sun. It's an element both Japan and the Philippines share, which is why they wanted the 8 rays in the sun also included. They also mixed the home grown farmer hat salakot and bangasa which is mostly seen in Japanese festivals.  They also did night and day (sun and moon), as seen on the floors. The bamboo, the circular patterns, even the Kenneth Cobunpue chair in red just fit right in. With so many elements, it didn't look cluttered at all. Excellent work, they named it Pearl of the Orient Meets Prosperity.

FILIPINO x PERSIAN

Designed for a Filipino Iranian family, this wreaks blue royal homes in Iran with woodwork and intricate details from both countries. They have a space made for recreation, bonding on the floor because that's how they do it. They also have sliding doors for the television, as most want it kept. Look at the details on the green built-ins which they wanted to do because of extreme need for storage especially in Persian homes.  

If you want to see the exhibit, it's at the Greenfield Tower's 5th Floor. Thank you so much to the nice people we met from the 2023 Batch of PSID. Thank you also to the Batch Adviser IDr. Nicanor Jardenil whom we talked to later that morning. You guys did good this year!

FRANCIS LIBIRAN Outs Perfume Line "Dusk and Dawn"

 

I've been covering Francis Libiran shows as a fashion photographer and seeing his work on the runway has always been a treat. Recently, he also dressed up PPOP sensation BINI, and needless to say, he's already put Philippine fashion on the world map because of his countless work in fashion and design. This time, he's releasing a perfume line which he designed with artisan Oscar Mejia III. They call it "Dusk and Dawn" and is making it available this February.

This is a collection of aromatic products for home and a perfume line. They have Dusk to denote grace and romance while Dawn brings in the feeling of hope. They used scents like Bamboo, White Tea, Chamomile and Rose for the former while the other carries a more invigorating Pomelo, Olive, Sampaguita and Patchouli. These then will be used on perfume candles, reed diffusers and anti bacterial linen sprays. It's designed to change your mood, relax so you can improve what you feel while resting or staying at home. This will be available online at their official site francislibiran.com/shop/ or their physical stores and ateliers.

 

The CREST Loft Bed by Home Suite

It's been a while since I've featured something by Home Suite, but this one is actually a nice thing to show you especially if you're in a room with small square footage. If you're working or studying, chances are, you're going to spend hours on an office chair, an office table, but you're still figuring out how to do it when you've got no space. Well, you don't have to ask a magician to make one because there exists a "CREST Loft Bed". This is made by Home Suite which has all gotten their products in major malls nationwide.

It's a space saving solution for those who need to study, work and sleep in a small space without feeling cramped or unsafe. It's made of steel frames, pretty smooth and stable. They also got this powder coated so it doesn't corrode or chip when accidents happen. It can also be cleaned easy, has space for shelves so you can put your knick knacks or books on top and some lighting on the side. It also has side lining with pouches so you can store gadgets and other stuff when you need to.  It's also easy to assemble, doesn't take a genius, simple and sturdy.

Filipino craftsmanship done right, reasonably priced, I want this for myself no joke! If you want one, call +632 8-361-1127 / 8-546-0563 from 9AM to 5PM Mondays to Saturdays. Else, you can visit leading malls where they are also displayed.

Cop Your Havaianas this Shopee 6.6 - 7.7 Midyear Sale!

Now I'm sure a lot of you have your own precious Havaianas pair at home which you often use. I've always looked forward to MYOH (Make Your Own Havaianas) which happens every year but since the pandemic happened, I understood how hard that would be to do it. Although I've ruined a few, I still want my Havaianas and I am so glad it's available in Shopee. Shopee by the way is holding the annual 6.6 - 7.7 Mid Year Sale and if you're in the lookout for something that would "feet" your needs (see what I did there? Ha!), I'm here to tell you all about what I plan to buy from their official store. You see, Shopee will have tons of products be sold at 90% OFF, have free shipping vouchers and cash backs too. 

The Havaianas official store at shopee.ph/havaianas will get some of their items follow suit. The disccount I've seen recently already had some of their products less 30% off, and if my hunch is right, I could get more of these items for less on the actual day itself. Not to mention save on shipping costs because they also have that on the app. 

If you see the photos above, I plan to get the Havaianas AEROGRAPHIC which has those high tech looking graphic that we often see in aerodynamic test ranges. I also liked how dark it is so I don't have to worry making a mess if I go to places that are muddy or wet. I'd probably also get the other two which are the Havaianas Slim Logo Metallic Flip Flops and the Havaianas Slim Neon Island Ballet Rose for my Mom and Sister. They're pretty fit to have these designs as it kinda represents their personality. Let's just say Mom's into loud prints, while my sister is into girly stuff. It'll surely fit them right.

Now don't go splurging on it right now, maybe add it to your cart and when the clock strikes 12am, go ahead and check out when you see those prices go down. It's what I do when there's something I need to buy on a regular basis. 

Who knows, you could save a ton out of this June/July! Thank me later!

Golden Haven Memorial Parks Showcases Iconic Landmarks For Filipinos

Golden Haven Memorial Parks has been in the industry for over 40 years and as a deathcare industry leader, they have continued to build and develop quite a number of beautiful memorial parks in the Philippines.

They painstakingly pay attention to architectural designs and even liken them from some of the iconic places in the world. It mixes the natural flora, fauna, landscapes of the Philippines and these stunning places we've often read on books and learn from in history too. They also make sure all their properties become a serene and spiritual place for your loved ones, a fitting tribut to the special people in your life.

 

This remains true for the Golden Haven Memorial Park property in Las Piñas City which til now, evokes the Spanish colonial look in a very catholic setting. They even have Pope John Paul II's bust erected there so people can have something to marvel while they spend time with their dearly departed. They also have the Golden Haven property in Bulacan which they made to look like the rich Amazon rainforest wherein you get that wildlife feel no matter where you look in its 4 walls. There's also the Jardin Tropicale where plants abound, a pretty good looking vegetation as backdrop to your loved ones lots.

In the Visayas they also have different features in Cebu that mixes Chinese and Spanish design. Golden Haven in Iloilo on the other hand does have Gardens of America which mixes nature and old americana architecture. In Mindanao, Golden Haven’s parks are more into the Meditteranean and Italian design pitted with California views which is bougy, bulky, more euro inspired.

Further south, they also mix it up with designs patterned from Japanese Zen, Papal Garden, Tuscan Hills, Moroccan Tapestry, Victorian Secret, French Royale and a Spanish Courtyard, like going around the world in just a few minutes. This is why more and more people trust Golden Haven for their deathcare needs, to honor those who passed that they need not worry where and how their family would visit them when the time comes. Their property also increase 20% in value year on year, so it would be a wise investment too for OFW's who would want to secure properties or earn from it as well. For those who don't know, Golden Haven is a subsidiary of publicly listed Golden MV Holdings Inc. who's very well known in the real estate industry. They're the good guys who have 200 Billion in market capital. 

Pretty nifty sum, which makes them very stable.

The Launch of CAL the Brand

Stepping out of the shadows of proud mom Dimples Romana and dad Boyet Ahmee is daughter Callie as she now embarks on launching a new business venture called CAL THE BRAND.

She's only 17, and yes, she initially had challenges taking this idea off since she had to source materials for it. She built, learned the ropes and did this from the ground up. She burned the midnight oil learning about the business and started quite early with her fascination of Rattan bags. She ultimately wanted to support local artisans who mostly made these pieces by hand. She now wants these to reach a younger audience, who like her, would have love for aesthetic that is same as hers, which is all locally made and sourced.

As a person who has been working in fashion shows, photography stints who has probably seen lots of these, I could say what she's getting out in the market is SUPER nice. Sans her age, maturity, she sees things quite clearly curating each piece from local artisans. I am very impressed about how she was able to put this up in such a short time too.

Callie says "A few years from now, I hope to see more people with products from Cal. I want to see them wearing and using them proudly because they know how good it is, and how it is made proudly local. I hope Cal would make more individuals be inclined to support local artisans and promote them more here and abroad!"

She adds "Thank you for taking time out and joining me in supporting local brands, I hope this influences people and the communities that are being helped, from fashion items, furniture, to support our local artisans. Thank you!"

Here's our talk yesterday

There's a lot to see in her Instagram account where you can also order the items. She's planning a few things after this particular launch, like clothing, furniture, some things she's going to be proudly coming out real soon. Take a breather and look at how good the items are in her store here https://www.instagram.com/calthebrand as CAL The Brand starts their journey.

The Next Gen Accessory Store BASEUS

Where do you get your phone accessories these days? I'm like a hodge podge of different things so I get them from cheap online stores and I end up destroying them after a few days LOL which means I do spend a lot because I don't get the ones that are of premium quality. It's why I adore places like Digital Walker because I love everything that's there. Lo and behold, they've got BASEUS now, a worldwide known brand that will be in separate stores. This will still be under the Digital Walker group of CEO and head honcho Charlie Paw.

Baseus is a tech accessory brand from Shenzen and is available in 8 different countries including Korea, UAE, Australia and now the Philippines. This is officially their first flagship store. Their product designs are heavily awarded by IF Design Awards and is known for their car chargers, multifunction cables, car mounts, flash drives, wireless chargers, power banks, phone cases and a whole lot more.

They will also be giving huge discounts to their very own Baseus Backpack Power Bank Case (7300 mAh) and will give it for 990 pesos instead of 1,790 which is it's original price. Go visit the Baseus store in Trinoma today! It's now open! You may also get details about it at Facebook.com/OfficialBaseusPH so go!

KUMAGCOW

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