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THAILAND
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Philippines |
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Home and horizon
on the beach -1 |
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Source: Inquirer |
Author: Alex Y. Vergara |
Date: 2000-06-30 |
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HAVING been exposed to literally thousands of
ideas from books, magazines and actual places
here and abroad, the mistress of the house could
have opted for a weekend home inspired by a
French chateau, a Swiss chalet or even an English
manor. Instead she has built an abode in Nasugbu,
Batangas brimming with Filipino and Asian
influences.
The beachfront
property owned by a
prominent
pediatrician from
Makati Medical
Center and his
gracious wife easily
stands out from the
rest for its ability to
blend style and
function so ideal in
this tropical
paradise. Both have
requested that their
identities remain
secret.
Grassy walkways dotted with various plants such
as bougainvillea, champaca, bamboo and coconut
trees lead to the refreshing swimming pool. The
recent rains have washed away bougainvillea
blooms, says the woman, but come summer entire
stretches of green are speckled with white and
fuchsia.
Beyond the concealed perimeter wall is where
powdery beige sand and tranquil blue sea meet.
Tali Beach is best viewed from the sprawling
second floor verandah. Talk about a charmed life.
Since the sea is less than a five-minute walk
away, family and friends can choose between the
pool and the beach, fresh and salt water.
The house also reflects the woman's penchant for
antiques, found objects and cheap but stylish
accent pieces from various parts of the region.
That she has been able to make sense of all this
without an architect or interior designer attests to
her innate talent and exposure to life's finer things.
Her idea
''I love Asia,'' the part-time artist gushes. ''Deep in
my heart I know I've always been an Asian
woman.''
Since this woman has a clear idea of what she
wants, she saw no need to hire other people aside
from a contractor. With so much ideas swimming in
her head, perhaps it was for the better.
''I somehow visualized it already,'' she says. ''All I
needed was a contractor to turn my vision into
reality. Imagine if I hired an architect and interior
designer. Our ideas would have clashed even
before construction started.''
Instead of going against nature, she tried to blend
with it by coming up with an airy, two-story house
made chiefly of hardwood taken from old houses,
and recast to suit certain areas and needs of the
new home's occupants.
Both floors virtually spill into the garden thanks to
a series of sliding doors downstairs and folded
bamboo panels upstairs. Balusters fashioned from
old wood allow the air to flow freely on the second
floor.
''I hate the idea of living in a French chateau with
a coconut tree right outside my window,'' she
adds. ''It's so contrived. Sadly, Filipinos love to
imitate the West. Why do we have to be
somebody we're not?''
Asian touches
Filipino as well as Asian touches are thus reflected
in the roof, walls and ceiling, down to the furniture
and accent pieces. Perhaps the only item that
reeks of the West is a rocking chair best left in a
sunny porch somewhere in Louisiana.
''It's a gift to us,'' she explains. ''Besides, I love the
rocking chair even though it may look out of place
in this house. The rest of the pieces, however,
were all sourced from Asia.''
The roof, for instance, resembles a giant salakot
from a distance. She would have wanted to
replace the roof's GI sheets with nipa, but
practicality won out in the end. Still, for a more
rustic look, she had generous sections of the
ceiling and second-floor walls covered with sawali
and banig. Concrete walls, or what's left of it, are
painted in off-white mixed with yellow ochre.
Shiny Vigan tiles that make up the entire first floor
contrast with the distressed wooden flooring
upstairs. In place of fuzzy area rugs are
stitched-up bamboo slats placed near the main
entrance, living room and three bedrooms.
Items that grabbed our attention include a round,
flat wall accent from the Visayas featuring fish
spread in banana leaves. Wooden statues from
Abra flank the wall accent made of jade, coral and
mother of pearl. We also found a mirror edged with
various seashells from Samar interesting.
But this didn't limit her from showcasing pieces
from Bali, Thailand, Mexico and ancient China. Blue
and white Chinese plates, for instance, hang on a
section of the wall, between the two rooms,
upstairs. A pair of wooden sea urchins and floral
pattern taken from an old bed crown the
collection.
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