Another Log Cabin weekend.

My husband's family loves the cold, which made me realize that I, too am more of a mountain kind of lady than a sun and sand type of vacationer.  

For my in-laws' birthdays, we spent the weekend over at the Bellehouse 2. It was our second time there, having spent a friend's birthday in the same house 2 years ago. 

Anyway, because I love log cabins, thought I'd share with you this pretty house we got to enjoy. I think my in-laws are set to be back for their wedding anniversary. 

the living space outside the rooms of the 2/L

 

the other entertainment room

What's awesome about renting the Belle House 2 is that you aren't allowed to bring and cook your own food, but the restaurants in Highlands come inside and cater for you. 

On the night of our stay, we had the Highlands Steakhouse team come and serve us dinner. 

It was pretty much having your own private restaurant in the comfort of your own home. How awesome is that :)

This is where our catered meals were served. 

This dining room is awesome during the day but more charming in the evenings. P.S. That antler chandelier is not real, do not worry. :)

For breakfast the following morning, we called the golf club and had them bring in freshly prepared food-- tapa, tocino, eggs, garlic rice... :D 

Happiness! 

This place is the best place to sit and talk, sit and do nothing, sit and listen to music, sit and watch TV, sit and eat... then sleep. I wish the Philippines had more places like this. We have a lot of beautiful beaches, but a nice cold place would be a good respite from the tropical climate. :D

the grand piano-- i'd like to spend christmas eve here and hire someone to play holiday songs hahaha :p

The main living space is so comfortable-- morning newspapers or after-dinner coffee are best taken here.

That deer is huge and scary.

The biggest guest room on the 2/L, which has its own dining area, too. I wasn't able to take photos of the other guest room, they were occupied by my brother in law and his wife at the time. 

master bedroom

Master bath. We took this photo before leaving, so it was a royal mess hahahaha

beside this tub was a sauna, which my father in law loved so much.

the massive balcony / deck gives occupants of the house an awesome (and private) view of the taal. 

More of the deck, where we spend idle time thinking or chatting over a hot cup of coffee.

Beyond Yoga is like a pretty little home :)

Remember when I told you about Cara, who went from Asiany clean lines to French frou?

Well, she and partners Cathy, Chiqui, Rianna, Anna and Pat recently opened a Yoga and dance studio (plus cafe!) in Quezon City.  They named it Beyond Yoga, and as the name says, there's more you can do there than just a tree pose.

I never got in for opening as husband and I were still honeymooning in France. But anyway, I went as soon as I could, and was so happy to see the place!

 A peek into the lounge area 

The well-equipped  ladies' locker room is another place you'd want to linger and loiter in.

Those candles are gorgeous!!! They will be nice for MY house, too! hahahaha

No reason not to look fresh and pretty after a good practice

Cara can't let go of her modern lines. Mirrors add some modernity to this soft and homey studio

their retail section accented with interior brick walls

colorful towels to make each workout fun! 

Lounge Lizards: People love this studio for the classes and the ambiance.

You can look through their little library of books and kill time in between classes. This is definitely something I'd put in my house. candles, lanterns and plants! :)  

The pretty seats are as welcoming as the people behind the studio. 

One, the place could be a house. You can tell women were behind the decor. (Our friend Honey played head interior designer)

It's really a happy place. The energy is so light, people walk-in and feel right at home. Not to mention it smells pretty good!

My friends and I can spend lazy afternoons there. I don't like doing Yoga, but I think you just might see me there, hanging out and eating (they also have Beyond Cafe-- which serves 200-calorie meals).

Beyond Yoga offers yoga, zumba, pole, belly dancing and very soon, Anti-Gravity Yoga!! :)

Beyond Yoga
3/L Il Terrazzo
Tomas Morato cor. Scout Madriñan Sts
www.igobeyondyoga.com

Walk-in closets

traditional closet design by seattle architect knowles ps

What you see in this photo is going to be more or less the feel of our entire house... I'm talking about the off-whites, the moulding (Not too heavy, though. Something more "modern"), and the brightness all throughout.


Looked for a few organizing materials we can use...

contemporary baskets design by The Container Store

Won't it be awesome to have these ladders instead of having shoes lying around on the floor? Think temporary storage until you put them back in their shoe boxes after wearing.

eclectic clothes and shoes organizers design

Candles to set the mood.. I suuuuper love these ones by Ralph Lauren Home.

contemporary candles and candle holders design by ralphlauren.com

An ottoman for putting on and taking shoes off

traditional ottomans and cubes design by West Elm

Frames for some love

contemporary frames design by Crate&Barrel

So for our walk-in closet, we were hoping for something like the topmost photo, OR even something like the inside of a Banana Republic store. (Or a Massimo Dutti store...they kind of have the same wall and shelving treatment)

Stole photo from Andy Biggs, http://www.theglobalphotographer.com/

Stole photos from Andy Biggs, http://www.theglobalphotographer.com/

Stole photos from Andy Biggs, http://www.theglobalphotographer.com/

Stole photo from Scott Van Dyke  http://www.flickr.com/photos/30000789@N02/2806496269/in/photostream

Seating arrangement

I want this chair. And that door. And those walls. <3

traditional chairs design by Horchow

When it comes to picking chairs out, my husband and I both agree it boils down to comfort. Plush, Pouffy(ish)...something for the couch potatoes. Like us. :D

This one'll be great for the reading room. It's a less stiff version of the "Oxford-cigarette-room" chair which old grumpy men use to sit by the fireplace.

traditional chairs design by Horchow

Ugh. I'm dying. Look at how the wall color and window just makes the perfect backdrop to this clean chair and ottoman. You can also decorate a room like crazy and this piece will still stand out. This is the kind of chair we want in our bedroom.

traditional chairs design by Horchow

Not a fan of wooden seat backs, maybe it's the color that struck me. I remember though, I have an aunt and uncle who had dining chairs like these and they were gorgeous with the marble dining table (back when marble was the "in" thing hahaha).

traditional chairs design by Ethan Allen

One unexpected Ikat piece can add homey flair to any neutral colored space.  If you don't want to go too big on your ikat, try throw pillows! I would definitely have this in my living room!

eclectic chairs design by Urban Outfitters

Distressed wood. Again and again. What can I do. I love it too much hahaha. The silk screen print on this one adds so much character. 

traditional chairs design by Candelabra

This is like oatmeal fabric (i think). I can sit here and get my nails done. While asleep.. What do you think? Hahaha.

traditional chairs design by hudson-boston.com

Wow, I feel so lazy now. 

To print or not to print

modern rugs design by Garnet Hill

There are so many pretty prints to decorate a home, but my heart belongs to the mutes. 

When I say mutes I mean the subdued hues. Hahaha. Sorry for raping proper terminology.

This one can be a bathroom rug... Even a kitchen rug.

traditional rugs design by Home Decorators Collection

I love how the zigzag contrasts so well but blends amazingly with the distressed wooden floor... ORGASMIC! :) But I don't think white distressed wood floors are ideal for Philippine climate.

contemporary rugs design by Urban Outfitters

Another cute bathroom rug idea. If this were not a rug I would even hang it on the wall like a tapestry. Then put cute candles adjacent to it.

modern rugs design by Macy's

I actually bought something like this, and put it in our condo's kitchen. 

modern rugs design by Rugs Direct

Only because I AM NOT A FAN OF KITCHEN RUGS WITH ROOSTERS AND CHICKENS THAT LOOK LIKE THIS:

CLUCK CLUCK CLUCK!!! GROSS!

Lantern ideas for our house

So we're in the process of putting together the look of our house, and I thought I'd share with you guys a little detail Darwin and I are obsessing over. 

Lanterns.

We will have them, as porch lights and for our backyard deck.

Went online to search for ideas and where to buy, and this is what we've come up with:

Outdoor Candle Lanterns placed on the floor can make an area feel a little more homey

traditional outdoor lighting design by Pottery Barn

These are gorgeous when put on top of tables in the backyard.

outdoor lighting design by Pottery Barn

Get two of this and hang on either side of the front porch

traditional outdoor lighting design by Circa Lighting

And since we're on the topic of outdoor lighting, it'll be so cute to put these party globes in our backyard deck/entertainment area :D

traditional outdoor lighting design by Restoration Hardware