[the LUXE & STYLE DESIGNER COLLECTION of AMERICAN STANDARD]

Designing spaces is what I love doing. For me, every room deserves to be showcased, even those areas other people consider too private, like the toilet & bathroom. It is important that t&b's are not only functional & efficient but eco-friendly & stylish, too. And this can only be achieved by choosing the right finishes & fixtures. I was then lucky to be re-acquainted with a brand that's a known leader in bathroom fixtures & fittings & trusted over the years - AMERICAN STANDARD.

Through an invite received from Lixil Corporation, I was among those who attended a blogger engagement in the Molito Lifestyle Building in Alabang last Saturday afternoon, July 19.

[SG part deux 2013 : CRATE & BARREL]

Among the lifestyle stores that are inside the ION Orchard mall is CRATE & BARREL. It has an exclusive collection of home furnishings & housewares (classic to contemporary).

There are two Crate & Barrel stores here.

The one on Level 3 was where I got a lot of the pictures, thanks to the guy sales clerk who was manning the store. He allowed us to click away, no second thoughts, no conditions. ;)

[made-to-order furniture]

For those who frequent Tagaytay, you have probably noticed the line of furniture shops along the highway.

[design peg series : CAVIAR LIGHTS]

I have always loved pendant-type lighting fixtures. For me, they accentuate the area or space where they are placed & eventually become conversation pieces. And as I go about looking for interior inspirations, I also sometimes chance upon the latest in home furnishings & fixtures, like this one.

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[DESIGN PEG series: HUMONGOUS PENDANT LAMPS]

Proportion is one element to be considered in design. But sometimes, to provide that statement, one can go overboard & it still turns out fine, even fantastic, like these interiors with humongous pendant lamps:

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[pendants]

A pendant light, sometimes called a drop or suspender, is a lone light fixture that hangs from the ceiling usually suspended by a cord, chain, or metal rod. Pendant lights are often used in multiples, hung in a straight line over kitchen countertops and dinette sets or sometimes in bathrooms. Pendants come in a huge variety of sizes and vary in materials from metal to glass and plastic. 

I go more for pendant lamps, not just ordinary luminaires. I use them as focal points to light up the space  (pun intended) where they are installed. We actually have them here at home.

living area

dining area

main stairs landing

family area 

I bought three of them custom-made (images 1, 3 & 4) from  A&F Lights, a specialty store for lighting fixtures found along  Granada St. Quezon City. The name of the shop from which I got the other one slips my mind at the moment. What I know is, it is also along the same street as A&F.


Look for statement pendant lamps so you can create spaces that are worth second looks, like these :

ENTRY/HALLWAYS

STAIR LANDINGS

LIVING AREAS

DINING AREAS

BEDROOMS

BATHROOMS

KITCHEN AREAS

modern kitchen design

Browse HOUZZ for other ideas to steal.

[DESIGN PEG series: VESSEL SINKS]

When we were building our first home, one of the many things on my wishlist was to have these vessel sinks.

PORCHER via  faucetdepot.com

KOHLER via faucetdepot.com

DECOLAV via faucetdepot.com

So, my hubby & I went to a lot of home depots to get them. Finally, after many stores, we found the ones we wanted at the HOMESTORE, MC home depot fort branch. They carry a good line of stylish bathroom fixtures & accessories at affordable prices. 

   

With careful selection, we came up with these in our home:

girls' t&b

master t&b

powder room

So if you're also looking for your own t&b fixtures, visit their website or their store branches at MC Home Depot Fort Bonifacio, Ortigas Home Depot, Alabang Westgate Home Depot, Balintawak Home Depot & Pampanga Home Depot.