OpenFX - Open Source 3D Modelling, Animation And Rendering Suite

openfx

OpenFX is an Open-Source 3D modeling, animation and rendering suite created by Dr. Stuart Ferguson. He made the decision to release the source code to the public in the middle of 1999, and the product formerly named SoftF/X was renamed to OpenFX. It has now been released under the terms of the GNU General Public Licence.

This software provides the necessary tools to model and animate 3D objects with a great quality and detail.

This program offers many features to create excellent 3D object designs. You can curve your lines, or give special shapes with the tools and menus for building your 3D objects; moreover you can do some actions like rotate, mirror, extrude and many others that will improve your design; also you can add some attributes adding new materials or setting their coordinates to it.

open fx 3d design and animation

In the animator utility section you can animate your 3D designs by providing some movements to show all the aspects of your 3D object. It allows to record the movements and play them like a movie. It includes the necessary features to provide rotation, zoom in, zoom out, etc. It also allows you to record frames and these frames can be inserted, added or deleted to provide a set of frames and build your complete movie showing the movements on a single and complete timeline, which can also be modified. Moreover it offers all the actions related to the control frames and improve a better performance on your animation. {via}

The program is not easy for an average user, and you need to read the manual first if you don’t have any background on design or animation. Its installation process is easy to perform and no additional libraries or programs are needed. Its documentation is very complete and is included with the program. Open FX works in Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP platforms.

A powerful feature-set includes a full renderer and raytrace engine, NURBS support, kinematics-based animation, morphing, and an extensive plugin API.

Plugin capabilities include image post processor effects such as lens flare, fog and depth of field. Animation effects such as explosions, waves and dissolves add enormously to the flexibility of the program. Check out the full list of the various effect types and let your imagination run wild!

Get the 3D suite here, and the software tutorial here. A sample make here, a shampoo bottle.

Dusit Thani Manila Hotel Emerges As The Best Manila Luxury Manila Hotel With Its 538 Newly Renovated Luxury Rooms

Dusit Thani Manila Hotel emerges as one of the top luxury hotels in Manila with its 538 newly renovated luxury rooms and luxury suites. What makes Dusit Thani Manila so popular?

First of all its strategic location makes it easily accessible. It is just 30 minutes away from the international airport. It is located in the heart of Makati’s Central Business District. Guests can easily access shopping, entertainment and commercial centers.

Secondly, Dusit Thani Manila features a wide variety of room categories namely the Deluxe, Club Corner, Grand rooms, Ambassador and Presidential Suites. So guests will find a luxury room or suite that meet their needs and budget.

Dusit Thani Manila is known for its friendly environment that is well maintained with highly trained and friendly staff. Guests can experience true royal Thai hospitality leaving no room for complaints.
Top-class amenities and facilities in the luxury rooms and suites include coffee and tea making facilities, in-room safe, remote controlled LCD flat screen television with on-demand video facilities, bed side switch control, IDD/NDD telephone, internet connection, mini-bar, working desk, hair dryer and complete bathroom amenities.

Dusit Thani Manila also features world-class cuisines. They provide wide variety of culinary experience to the guests. Guests can enjoy internationally renowned Tosca Italian restaurant at an affordable price. For those who want to explore Japanese cuisine, UMU will be the best place. UMU features live cooking stations, private rooms and an al fresco dining area, not to forget the Koi pond and manicured garden. Benjarong restaurant gives guests an authentic Thai experience both in terms of the interiors and in terms of original Thai dishes. Basix will give guests an optimum dining experience with a wide range of local as well as international dishes.

Added to these specialty restaurants featured at Dusit Thani Manila, Dusit Gourmet in the hotel lobby allows guests to enjoy freshly baked cookies, cakes, homemade chocolates, sandwiches and ice cream.
Dusit Thani Manila’s Fiesta San Miguel is a very popular hangout place in Manila for people that like to unwind, relax and have fun where guests can enjoy freshly brewed beer.

"RELOJ-RAYO" Clock's Black Elegance

<<<more limited edition clocks

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The 2-colored sun rays clock, reloj-rayo, is now available in rich elegant all-black makes. Improved with bigger and matching silver colored clock hands. Price is only P1350.

Furniture Designer Ann Pamintuan Believe In The Value Of Product Innovation

Internationally renowned furniture designer Ann Pamintuan encourages local designers to strive for innovation in their products in order to sell to a bigger international market.

“There are a lot of furniture makers so mahirap magkompetensiya. You have to come up with something different – use new technology, new materials to create new design and sell it at the right price. I think we will make it,” Pamintuan says in an interview.

The Davao-based designer was featured in the recent Design Talks lecture held at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.

Pamintuan is the first Asian woman designer to be included in the prestigious International Design Yearbook (in 2002) and has received international recognition for her “cocoon chair,” a fretwork of wire meshed together to form an elegant yet functional cocoon-like furniture.

Full read here.

Good Bananas!

good bananas

Question:

What is a banana republic?

Answer:

A Banana republic is a country that is politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture, and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy, and corrupt clique.  The original concept was a very direct reference to a “servile dictatorship” which abetted (or directly supported in return for kickbacks) the exploitation of large-scale plantation agriculture (especially banana cultivation). {via}

The Philippines has been called a Banana Republic not only in the foreign circles but by local columnists as well. When can we ever get away from that tag? We hope soon.

Today President Noynoy Aquino assumes office. May he be the good banana we’re waiting for in a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggg,  looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggg, looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggg, looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggg,
time.

Architech Peach Buencamino, Back In The Philippines

Some of the most stylish homes in the American state of Florida were designed by a Filipina, the architect Peach Buencamino. The houses she built have graced the pages of many design magazines published in Orlando – she’s appeared on the cover of Orlando magazine and has been featured in the prestigious Florida Design magazine. She’s also won numerous awards and she’s designed the homes of some of the most famous movers and shakers in Orlando.

Unfortunately for the people of this city, their favorite architect will no longer be around to design their homes.  Peach has decided to return to the Philippines, where her career in architecture began more than 20 years ago. She’s bid goodbye to a successful career in a place that has acknowledged and celebrated her talent. And now that she’s back, friends and family are wondering why she’d do such a thing.

Full read here.

"EHIPTO" Four - Poster Solid Tapered Post Console Table With Glass Top (Two Layers)

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We have a new console table. This is thicked-wood console table with 4 posts. Something similar to this. Four tapered posts the hold the 12 inches by 48 inches bronze glass top (3/8 inch thick). Please get a rare unique console table for your home. This is not production console table model  and we will not reproduce this design.  Limited makes. P4950 only for a heavy duty furniture.

Raw: 14 Cylinder On The Road

14 wooden cylinders

Free Two (2) Chairs Bundled on "AXATRISM" Dining Set

take it take it

These two occasional chairs are bundled free when you get the AXATRISM dining table set.

Random Rattan

random rattan

In a month or two, we may have something new to offer. We’re currently RnD-ing rattan equipped furniture and home accessories.

Picture Picture

A work-song during products shoots.

A song by Tanya Markova.

The melody. The play of words. The quirkiness. And it doesn’t hurt that they got creative-fun-cool video for the song.

Listening to the recorded track is way better than hearing this Picture Picture sung live by TM. If live, don’t expect this same cool harmonious sound, it gets a little rough. The second voice or falsetto is a little over the lead vocals when live. He/she (sya si Iwa Motors) can’t control the pitch or loudness or whatever music term they use. The studio technicians can.

When tired doing photoshoot, just listen to this line from the song…

“Si Mang Roger ako’y kinalabit, Ang sabi’y “Halika na, balot muna bago ka mag-Konika”

Leoque Featured On Philippine Star, Property Section

Please grab a copy of Philippine Star today (June 25, 2010) and see the feature about House of Leoque. Quick page pics via cellphone below:

tropic wonder!

page 2

We’d like to thank feature editor Chonx Tibajia for leoque-ing, err, looking and featuring H.O.L.

Do check it. I have to run now. I’ll buy 24 copies!

Cagayan De Oro Handmade Paper Crafts, A Hobby Turned Business

DO what you love… the money will follow,” is a title of one business book, and Lolita Cabanlet epitomizes that book title. She practically pursues what she loves and enjoys doing, and in the process, paved the way for the birth of Cagayan de Oro Handmade Paper Crafts (CDO-HMPC).

More than 15 years ago, she and husband-lawyer, Virgilio, went on a pleasure trip to Southeast Asian countries. During those trips, she has found herself having a keen interest on handmade paper products from Japan, Thailand and India. She has noted that Japan uses the bark of a shrub, Thailand uses mulberry wastes while India uses cotton to make handmade paper.

Having that latent talent in handicrafts making herself, she started to do research on handmade paper. She went to trade fairs to know about the business, and even visited some handmade paper plants in Bicol and Manila, including the Salay Handmade Paper Products Industries, Inc. (SHAPII). At that time, she was more interested in product design only.

Using the plain handmade sheets she bought from other papermaking outlets, she started making her own products. She was so inspired by orders which kept coming in. She then decided that she should go into handmade paper production herself. Armed with her basic knowledge on handmade paper making, she started her own home-based papers, using the kitchen blenders. The initial products were encouraging that even her husband became very supportive of her infant business venture and gave her additional financial assistance.

After three broken blenders, her business flourished, and orders kept pouring in. She decided that it was time for her to hire additional hands.

Through the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Provincial Science and Technology Center in Misamis Oriental, a basic training on handmade papermaking was conducted for her workers.

Business continued to prosper that she could not keep up with the orders anymore. She sought the assistance of DOST in region 10 based in Cagayan de Oro City. The financial aid was used to buy an oven, hot plate dryers and motorized beaters. The assistance made a big difference in her business, and in fact, increased her production output several folds. It also was able to solve her major problem on paper molds, which has been the main reason why some of her past purchase orders has been shelved.

Five years later, and inspired by the continuous orders from both local and international market, she again sought the assistance of DOST-10. The P1M loan extended by the DOST-10 through its Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) was used for the installation of additional beaters, kiln dyer, mechanical screw press, fiber cooker, fiber squeezer, univats, dying tubs and a roller presser. The new equipment made a significant impact to the business as they made handmade papermaking highly-efficient and cost-effective.

Indeed, the “hobby,” which started in the kitchen, has gone a long way. The business is now housed in a two-storey plant located in a 1000-sq.m. area in Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental. It employs more than 300 people during peak production (in-house and contractual) about a hundred are home-based backyard workers. Seven regular staff man the business, which include the general manager, two production managers (one each for paper production and crafts), quality control officer, administrative officer, bookkeeper, and in-house designer.

Aside from the local market, the CDO-HMPC boasted of having penetrated the world market, which includes the USA, Japan, Fiji Islands, Qatar, Kuwait, Hongkong, Japan, Singapore, Australia, countries in Europe like Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Germany and Sweden.

Their product lines include wedding albums, photo albums, stationeries, paper boxes, greeting cards, gift bags, picture frames and other novelty items.

All the family members are involved in the business. Eldest daughter Zara, a lawyer, takes charge of drawing up the Memo Agreement with the buyers and in reviewing the contracts. JV, the second child, serves as the manager. Nicole, the third child, who is an interior designer, does the in-house designing, along with Luchi. Husband, Virgilio, serves as consultant.

As the business continues to flourish, awards and recognitions also came in. Recent achievements include being the only two companies from the Philippines that made it through a rigorous and extensive European Market Entry Strategy Seminars held in Netherlands. As a result, CDO HMPC qualifies to display and have its own booth at the Paperworld in Frankfurt Germany for three consecutive years. It also qualified for European Export Coaching from the Center for Promotion of Import (CBI).

CDO HMPC also received a 13M grant from the Australian Government’s Enterprise Challenge Fund (ECF), the first grant awardee from the Philippines. Funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid), the ECF provides businesses with grants ranging from Php 3.8 million (A$100,000) to 57M (A$1.5M) to support sound business ideas that can also have a positive impact on poverty alleviation. The grant is the highest so far approved by ECF among participating countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The success of CDO-HMPC is attributed to the following: its readiness to attain the level of productivity as required by the importing markets, actual market research, introducing designs with European trends and style, competitive quality and craftsmanship of products and its being socially responsible.

Of course, CDO-HMPC business is not always a bed of roses. It has also experienced many problems, but always, it has found ways to cope. Some lessons learned are the resilience to market problems especially during global economic crisis and institutionalizing its accounting systems focusing on fair economic trade, environmental protection and democratization of workers.

“Were it not for DOST’s assistance, we could have lost our foreign buyers… could have closed shop many years ago,” says JV, the general manager. {via}

Enhanced "KRIZY" Candle Holder with Smart Storage

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This is the improved candle rack. The base now has clever storage solution. Rather than using a solid wooden base, it now has a bin that creates a convenient place to keep those keys, CDs, stones & pebbles, candle sticks & tea lights and other knickknacks.

Het a hold of the holder here.

Photo Play: The "Lamboo" Table Lamp Inside The Kulambo

lamboo in kulamboo

lamboo table lamps

Please click here to see the lamp outside the kulambo.

BTW, for our foreign friends, kulambo is mosquito net.

Ethan Allen 'Lends a Hand' to Iowa's Homeless Youth

Ethan Allen proudly supports NBC ‘Today’ show weather anchor Al Roker, whose ninth annual charitable trek across America to visit five charities, in five states, in five days–will once again serve to “Lend a Hand” to people in need.

Ethan Allen will contribute more than $75,000 in furniture and accessories to the Iowa Homeless Youth Center (IHYC) and its outreach centers. Ethan Allen Design Consultant Ashley Rothschild joined Mr. Roker today for a surprise visit to the IHYC’s Buchanan Transitional Living Center in Des Moines, where the announcement was made.

The tables, chairs, upholstered seating, beds and bedding, outdoor furniture, artwork, and other decorative touches Ethan Allen included in their donation will help to make the IHYC more comfortable and inviting for both visitors and staff.

The IHYC offers a variety of programs and facilities that teach homeless youth to live independently and become self-sufficient. The youth they serve are non-system involved, meaning that they are not placed or directly supported by a governmental payment agency. IHYC is often a last resort for older runaways and homeless youth who find themselves without community resources or the help of family or friends.

“Ethan Allen is all about making people feel at home, and we want everyone to feel that home is their haven,” said Nora Murphy, Ethan Allen’s Executive Vice President of Style. “We’re grateful that our relationship with Mr. Roker and ‘Lend a Hand’ has given us the chance to assist the IHYC, and we applaud their commitment to providing children and families in Polk County with the keys to a promising future,” added Mrs. Murphy.

Do You Have an Idea of Next - Gen Airplane Business Class Seat? Win $7500 If You Have!

The potential client is looking for elements of an innovative plane seat design that will increase comfort of plane travel significantly. Looking for creative and original solutions. Non-professional innovative solutions are welcome. 3D plans as well as simple concept drawings are accepted if well explained.

Calling all industrial designers in the Philippines, this could be worth the look. Deadline is October 31, 2010. It is posted at Hypios, a social marketplace for solutions. If you think you can solve this problem, sign in to Hypios, review the details of the problem and submit your solution before the deadline. If your solution is chosen by the solution-seeking company, you’ll be awarded $7,500.

Is it bamboo themed?

Guitar Souvenir from Cebu, The Philippines!

Given to us last month. Miniature guitar home display from Cebu.

I used to have a full-sized guitar also from Cebu. Given by a priest. It is when I learned to play guitar mediocre-ly. Highlighted by playing D-A-G-A chord pattern – “Line To Heaven” and my own song “Living a life” bearing the same DAGA chords.

Neither the guitar nor my music career lasted long. That guitar retired  in 2 to 3 years. And so, a decade or so ago, we eventually commuted all the way to San Anton Pampanga (we rode a mini-bus, the one with lawanit window) to score a langka acoustic guitar. I still have this langka guitar and it has cameo roles in some of the product shots we post in here. Not to be outdone, this Cebu small guitar already popped out on a product shoot, here.

On a separate note, an age-old question is still un-answered. Say, a friend went to Cebu for business trip. On his return, he gave you a box.

What would you like to see in that box?

• Danggit
• Dried Mangoes
• Guitar / Ukelele / Banjo
• Otap

Raw: Braided or Twisted Seagrass Rope

twisted or braided seagrass

The braided seagrass rope. Used mainly to wrap some joints, or for trimmings for some home decor, a substitute for ababca rope when strength is not that needed, and for indoor use. In the future, we’d like to have more items made mainly of seagrass ropes like this natural materials vase. In the mean time, it is what it is now, a raw material just chillin out, waiting to be used extensively.

seagrass rope

Some of the native home decor like this birdie and this fruit home accents we posted are made of this same material, the seagrass.

"ZAMBOA" Dining Table

zamboa table

After posting the design here. Another 2 lightyears later, we posted the stool and host dining chairs. And now comes the table. If this slow pace won’t change, we have this dining set ready for sale first week of July 2010.  We will get the fitting dining glass top for this. This top glass will be placed on stainless or aluminum circular glass holders.

Stand by please. Meanwhile, please check other dining table sets here.

Yesterday's Wedding Gift, The Unboxed Box

Yesterday we attended a wedding. We forgot to buy a gift during weekdays, fortunately, we have something on stock. Multi-purpose unit that is perfect for them as they will move in into their own condominium unit soon. We picked the storage-stool-box. And because it was a last minute wedding gift, we gave it un-boxed and un-wrapped. The couple, er, husband and wife, I am sure are cool enough not to care about our gift in its “bubble wrapping” glory.

the wedding gift

Here are two wedding photos taken with a 250mm lens. And I did not bring any other lens, coz I am… ahm… lazy.

the church or a part thereof. i cant shoot in whole coz im carrying a long lens

dad giving away his daughter

CSB School of Design and Arts, Industrial Design Marketing Campaign

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This video is part of College of St.Benilde, School of Design and Arts Marketing Campaign, Industrial Design thesis project of Jeff Saez, Erin Canoy, Oli Fiedler, Lou Gokian, and Val Uy.

Doctor J, Birthday

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Rizal Monument

June 19th today, birthday of our long-time can-do-it-all idol, the doctor, Jose Rizal.

In this day and age, like Rizal, we can say that we can do other stuff as well and multi-task. Like be a doctor and a journalist. Or be an engineer and be into arts. Or a historian and photographer. Be a farmer and an educator.

But here lies the difference between Doc J and ordinary mortals like us, doctor Rizal was uber-special, he did not engage in two to three professions or skills. He did tons of stuff, he was all things packed into one magnificent Filipino.

He was an ophthalmologist, sculptor, painter, educator, farmer, historian, playwright and journalist. Besides poetry and creative writing, he dabbled, with varying degrees of expertise, in architecture, cartography, economics, ethnology, anthropology, sociology, dramatics, martial arts, freemason, fencing and pistol shooting.

And not only he had the skill and knowledge of things but he was prolific in most of what he did. Amazing renaissance man.

Just a tribute post for our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

(Photos shot in July 2009… with notes… earlier this am, we jogged at Rizal Park – Quirino Grandstand area. Had the chance to see mah-main-man, the doctor J… Jose Rizal, the Rizal Monument. It’s like 2 decades ago when I saw the Rizal Monument this close and never been back. Until today.)

Photo Contest: Picture This- We can End Poverty

aaa

The photo contest will be the second annual of the UNDP-branded Picture This photo contest. The 2009, Africa-centred Picture This: Caring for the Earth competition resulted in an international traveling exhibit (New York, Tokyo, Osaka, Johannesburg, St Louis (Senegal) and Geneva) and extensive media coverage for the contest itself, its winners and participants, and the issue of climate change and environmental degradation in Africa.

Through the photo contest this year, UNDP hopes to bring much needed attention to the quickly approaching deadline for achieving the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) in order to motivate people and governments in developed and developing countries to redouble their efforts in the fight against extreme poverty. At a time when the world’s attention will be focused on these issues, the winning photos will put a human face on the MDGs.

Contestants must enter either as professionals or amateurs, not both.

The 2010 contest will include a People’s Choice Award where the public will vote for their favourite photo online through this website. Click here to vote.

The winning photos will be exhibited during the UN MDG Summit and UN General Assembly in September, 2010 in New York, when world leaders will meet to recommit and redouble their efforts in the fight against extreme poverty.

Click here to read rules and disclaimers.

Online Interor Design Course From BSU

online interior design course via b.s.u.

Breyer State University offers Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design. For those who are interested in an online interior design course, please check the 120 semester hours interior design program – the tuition fee, course outline and more importantly, if the graduate can use the interior design “degree” professionally here in the Philippines. And most importantly, if the grad can qualify to take the Philippine interior design board exam. To learn more, the site here.  The perquisites for this program are: a high school diploma or an earned GED.

Our online distance education program offers students the opportunity to study a comprehensive curriculum in interior design degree program. The designing field goes far beyond decorating. Interior designers have a profound impact on people’s lives by creating the surroundings in which they live, work, and relax. The environment that is created must fit the owner’s personality. A good designer has the ability to see this and decorate accordingly.

Through this program students will learn the skills needed to succeed in this field. All of the courses are focused on the major. This allows students to maximize their learning in the core courses and succeed in their educational and career goals.

Students begin with the study of interior design history and basic principles and applications. Specific courses focus on space planning, the use of color and lighting, floor plan drafting, blue print reading, and the application of design materials, fabrics and accessories in interior design. In the higher division courses students enter symposium and project courses where they are able to select more focused study in one area of interior design, and complete a comprehensive project and interior design practicum. These specialty courses in interior design allow students maximum opportunities to experience the real world of this specialty.

Several career fields this degree will prepare you for are:

• Interior Designer
• Floor Plan Drafting
• Fabric Designer
• Lighting Consultant
• Retail Store Designer

The online interior design course is divided in 12 courses totaling 120 “semester hours”. For info about the term “semester-hours”, click here. The students are permitted to complete each course in 10 weeks. For the “symposium” (course 11) and “practicum” (course 12), 6 months are allotted.

Ref-Made Litter Dirty Ice Figure (NSFY- Not Suited for the Young)

dirty ice

Somebody left the dyeing gloves in the bath and one bored fella filled the gloves with H20, put in the freezer overnight and produced this cool icy-hand. Unfortunately, the fingers were brittle and 2-of-5 fingers snapped while removing the guantes. To have something out of this noble project, we removed fingers, all but one.

And we took a photo. Walah, not exactly a photo post that will MOMP (make our momma proud). But excuse me po, the next time Mike Enriquez tackles dirty ice on his Imbistigador show, he can use this photo as his segment still shot… the DIRTY ICE.

To the one who filled the gloves with water, happy birthday to you! May your life be filled with joy & happiness.

Book: In The Asian Style, A Design Sourcebook - By Fiona Dunlop

A book that’s been with us for a while now but have not been able to go through the pages. Thus, I’ll post product review/description and down below, some page-caps.

A timely work in tune with today’s resurgence in oriental taste and interest, “In the Asian Style: A Design Sourcebook” discusses and displays the myriad of styles emanating from the East. Accompanied by the stunning photographs of Kim Sayer, Fiona Dunlop takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of the Orient: China, India, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and neighboring countries, highlighting the indigenous arts, the Buddhist influences and craftsmen’s skill. With a colonial feel throughout, the settings are at once glamorous and entirely natural: bamboo screens, teak furniture, lustrous china, glowing textiles, all intermingled to provide a comforting yet spacious whole. With the jewel-like colors of Eastern red and emerald greens set against the neutral backgrounds, there is almost an opulence to be found, even in a fisherman’s stilt house. The richness and beauty of the countryside and seascape are reflected back into the homes through verandas, fretwork and trellis, highlighting the Eastern philosophy of oneness with nature. A superb study for designers and general homeowners alike, full of inspirational ideas backed by solid design experience. – Lucy Watson

East meets West is a strong trend in modern-day interiors, as homeowners seek to create relaxed, harmonious retreats for their families. Asia Style takes the best examples of Oriental design from around the world to show how it can be applied and adapted absolutely anywhere. Full-color images by photographer Kim Sayer capture the different facets of this sensual, yet often distinctly minimalist approach to living. An authoritative, readable text looks at the history of Oriental decorative styles and examines the structure and function of particular spaces in the Asian home. Five in-depth chapters focus on such key materials as bamboo, lacquer and basketware. Inspiring and informative, Asia Style is an ideal reference for anyone interested in design and style. Fiona Dunlop is an interior design, food and travel writer of many years’ experience. Her work has been featured in international design bibles including Elle Decoration, Vogue Decoration and Architektur & Wohnen, and she is a regular contributor to the New York Times, Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph. Born in Sydney, Fiona now lives in London.

Here are some page captures…

Buy here…  In the Asian Style: A Design Sourcebook. Or, check our Amazon bookstore with select related books.

Old Lennon Sketch

rough rock

Made this a long long time ago. I saw inside an old folder earlier today. Perhaps made during class, maybe Materials is the subject or Statistics 003! A quick pic then a quick post. Ayun. Definitely, this Beatle Set is better.

(I can’t forget my materials class where every student did the reporting for the whole sem. There’s this guy who reported about “plastic” and he mentioned “polymer” and “monomer” like 2 million times in half an hour. “Carbon” was the element/material assigned to me. After my research, I found out that carbon was hard – it’s allotropic form of diamond. Both the topic research and the material itself, it’s hard. Fun stuff.)

Eurocucina Showcases the Very Latest Innovations in Kitchen Design

Eurocucina showcases the very latest innovations in Kitchen Design

Eurocucina in Milan is Europe’s largest kitchen design and furniture exhibition and is the epicentre of kitchen design in 2010. Exhibition venues the size of airports were stuffed with the most technologically advanced kitchens and appliances money can buy as well as some of the newest and most original designs. Eurocucina attracts hundreds of companies as well as architects, designers and other visitors who come together to view the latest developments and innovations in kitchen and other interior design.

Panorama Kitchens are a premier partner of the Electrolux Group and Thomas Johansson, Electrolux’s Design Director, identified some of the most striking developments at Eurocucina 2010.

“Sustainability and green issues were a hot topic with a number of manufacturers taking a greener approach by addressing issues like sustainable materials, energy saving, carbon footprint and manufacturing practices.

A number of kitchens were based on concealment, with generous worktops alongside spacious tall units. Sliding fronts revealed kitchen appliances, shelving and well-planned storage options.

These kitchens had a sleek and subtle design allowing homeowners to reduce, or even eliminate, hanging wall units and handles, transforming the kitchen in to a refined extension of the living room. There was also a shift from a completely minimalistic design to softer aesthetics.

The revival of authentic wood is still evident, and is cleverly combined with stainless steel, glass quartz, marble, corian and laminate. The wood provides a premium feeling, being veined and either dark or very light. There were also a lot of rough structured surfaces providing authentic beauty.”

As ever Electrolux was at the forefront of new ideas and their concept, The Kitchen as the Heart of the Home was a major theme in Milan The concept that a modern kitchen design is a place for socializing, interacting, entertaining and cooking and plays a truly important role in modern homes.

For more information about Panorama Kitchens, or to browse their online portfolio of kitchens and fittings, visit the Panorama Kitchens website at http://www.panoramakitchens.co.uk/.

Boklok Concept Housing by Ikea

look, boklok

Fun sounding name is Boklok. Pronounced, Boo Clook.

A concept housing from Ikea and some other partners. It’s an affordable housing system. Well at least, affordable to the people where it is currently marketed like Germany, UK and other well-off Euro countries.

The concept is based on customers’ real needs and wishes, a safe environment, roominess and access to green space. The state-of-the-art, Scandinavian-style timber framed properties will be primarily aimed at households earning between £15,000 and £35,000 a year and will be sold on an outright sale or shared ownership basis.

The BoKlok products are straightforward and designed to attract many people. They are full of cost efficient and smart solutions. All products have a wooden construction. Wood is the only renewable construction material. Smart design together with modern and sustainable productions methods guarantee low energy consumption.

The idea is for well-produced modern homes be available for ordinary people. Therefore, to spread the concept Boklok does franchising of the concept. But don’t expect that Boklok will be in the Philippines soon. If an Ikea furniture store franchise in the Philippines is hard to get, a housing franchise (the technology transfer, the logistics, consistency of materials sourced from the Philippines vs the Europe-quality they have there, etc.) is many times harder to get.

But other biggie developers and contractors here in the Philippines can learn from the concept. So that, more Filipinos will have the chance to own non-boxed type housing, cramped spaces, poorly-designed mass-housing in the suburbs.

More houses, er, info in here.

Shareware: Decoshow, A Decoration Simulation Application

decoshow application

We’re all familiar with the difficulty of deciding which new decor scheme to choose.

It’s very hard to imagine how a given selection will look in your own home: “Did I choose the right products? How can I make sure the paint shades go well together? How will my furniture and floor tiles look once I’ve redecorated?” and so on.

DECOSHOW is a UNIQUE simulation application which gives your imagination free rein to try out your decoration dreams in your own rooms complete with your own furniture.

You can try out colours and finishes for floor coverings (tiling, carpets, parquet flooring…), walls and ceilings with unparalleled realism.

DECOSHOW will make sure you get it just right!

The link.

Or check this link for a newer release.

KLC Homes & Gardens Certificate in Interior Decoration, Home-Based Study

design your own home course

KLC School of Design has Homes & Gardens Certificate in Interior Decoration. The average completion of the course is 12 months, allowing 8-10 hours a week – although there is no time limit on the course. Exercises, tests and research, which creates 2 submissions of project work. Cost is 395 pounds (around 27,000) full payment but can be on installment scheme, 95 pounds (UK) initially plus 11 monthly payments of 30 pounds. For international students, like those based in the Philippines, postage fee will be added.