Beach House 7: La Boyita

La Boyita Residence is located in Punta del Este, Uruguay and was designed by Martin Gomes Arquitectos.   Using concrete, iron, glass & wood, it's the near-perfect material combination for seaside residences (well, I would throw in some bamboo in there if it's to be in a local location like...La Union).

Imagine if this structure was divided into 6 studio units with another similar structure nearby, connected by a common kitchen, dining, and living.  A guest house that will encourage interaction & yet give you privacy when you need it.

see all (proposed) "units" above with view of pool

From the architects:  "The project consists of 5 blocks and a main block with a living and dining area with the best views to the sea and towards the swimming pool, completely protected from the wind, as it is placed in the center of the project.  The other blocks contain a service area and other guest room blocks.  This independence was crucial to make his guests get the feeling of being alone in a hotel.  The galleries that surround these concrete blocks end up creating the idea of outdoor living rooms and lead to a fluid transition between the interior and exterior, with fantastic panoramic views."

Like I said, imagine if this space was further divided into 6 equal studio units:

with impossibly high ceilings 

(and since I'm thinking local, maybe use clerestory windows instead of fixed glass)

loving this whole thing going on here-- the bleached wood, odd window, 

Tulip chairs, shell droplight... 

the rattan/ wicker kitchen lights against all that stainless steel & marble!

omygoodness.  Nautical luxury if you could call it that. 

Beach houses come in different styles.  It's not always rustic bamboo & wood, nor Miami-style concrete & glass.  Whatever material you use or however empty it is of furniture or amenities, I've learned it is best enjoyed when shared with friends & family.  Or more specifically, when in front of your favorite surf break.  

Remember the Beach Apartment?  That's totally THE inspiration.  

And of course, the best room at La Boyita for me. 

The one with the chandelier by the sea.

Lust List February: Levi's Sit Puppy & Linje Espresso Maker

To love (& lust for) in this month of love:  

Louis Vuitton Architecture & Interiors Book

Linje Espresso Maker

Levi's "Sit" Puppy

Stainless Steel Nest by Brenda Houston

I don't remember from where. It's just pretty & I want one for the rainy days!

Beach House 6: Casa Almare

On the South side of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, sits an exceptionally crafted 5-bedroom residence overlooking the ocean.  Natural daylight, sturdy, practical materials, and cleverly arranged rooms fill this place up.  I cannot stop imagining this on the slopes of La Union and how this could be one of the best-looking guest houses (or personal residences? hee hee) in the region. 

Prepare to be swept away by this modern masterpiece by Architect Elias Rizo. 

The interiors do not disappoint as well. 

And as they say, "God is in the details".  AMEN.

See the site elevation below.  

Archt. Rizo, THANK YOU for carving this out of the earth.

This shall be in mind for future sea-side projects!

Weekend Hangover

Weekend is over, it's back to work tomorrow.  Looking back on the past 2 days, I am thankful for the simple rest & recreation.  Slept for an hour under a tree on the beach, plus a full 8 hours Saturday night, plus catnaps in the car and everywhere else (ooooooh yeah the true luxuries of life). 

Surfed for a little bit to get my adrenaline fix,  went to a lovely violin concert at night, toured Anvaya Cove and marveled at how entire, well-planned communities are carved out of mountain and rocks.  Plus watched Melali Sessions in bed with some buddies while sipping milk tea.  

I missed my best surf buds but felt warm with the thought they were somewhere happily gliding on the ocean, surfing their hearts out :-) 

I shall savour the last of the weekend vibes and then I am ready to work.  

How I'd love to look out into a yard like this...

(residence of Olatz Schnabel)

and be munching on this...

(photo by Jennifer Causey)

and just feel like this all over again next weekend.  :-)

Hope your weekend was as chill as mine. 

Goodnight! 

Casa San Miguel

How perfect is this place--- a music school run by Coke Bolipata, set amidst a mango orchard in a town nestled between the mountains and the sea?  Let me count the ways...

"The orchard was established in 1921 by Ramon L. Corpus and served as his family retreat-by-the-sea. It was the frequent site of many family picnics and musical gatherings. In 1993, his grandson, Coke Bolipata, designed an Art Center to replace the old house that burned.

Casa San Miguel was built on the belief that art, in its various forms, can extend beyond its boundaries to create a more aware and fuller human being for an enriched humanity. It further believes in an internal transformation to bring about communal, national, and global change with culture as the means to this end. The center is committed to the continued development and support of the Filipino artist, and to the development of new artists and audiences for the next generation."

- from angelfire.com

(Casa San Miguel is located in Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. All photos by Nina M. Santamaria & Ivy Crisostomo)

The Backstage Cafe, the conducive practice halls, the ceiling panels from the original 1920's structure, the library holding books & literature from the 1930's.....with the sound of violins in the air and everywhere you look it's majestic mango trees peeking at every window.  Now don't you think that's ABSOLUTELY ENCHANTING?!?

On my 1st visit, I thought I was in some sort of music heaven.  As soon as we approached the school we could hear the students practicing.  They were either in the halls...

or walking around the garden churning out Vivaldis and Cansecos...

students from the local community rehearsing

(above: the free choral concert we watched last Feb. 4)

All 5 photos above by my friend Ivy Crisostomo.

From the kitchen with big open windows the smell of freshly baked bread & pizza wafted through the air.  I felt immediately seduced by the place (no kidding...good food + good music is a deadly combination and you know it)!   

hello?!?  Casa San Miguel is in a mango orchard.
 i can't begin to tell you how good the mango shake was. a must-try.

For me, the place was truly special.  The best part was knowing that it quietly but effectively "serviced" and benefitted the local community and enriched the lives of the people of San Antonio / San Miguel, without the owners having to "blast" their cause out and show it off to the public.  The family that runs this school seems to find sincere fulfillment and joy in what they are doing without having to be patted on the back all the time by anyone.  Truly inspiring.  

I hope that this institution will get the support & appreciation it so deserves so that it may continue to nurture its gifted students and their families. 

And so I end this post with my favorite images & details from this magical place:

a metallic peacock detail on one of the columns

aqua blue Batibot chairs

ceiling detail from the 1920's

a coral by the window basking in the afternoon sun

well...lots of stuff were basking in afternoon sun...

...including our vehicle with the red & white surfboard.
We came straight from surf when we first visited this place--- maybe that's why it felt extra perfect. :-)

I was with wonderful company, too.

JJ & Charlie

Ivy & James

Jay Bird

*no photo of Corey Wills but I sat next to him at the concert & he is the best seat mate ever.  He keeps quiet, doesn't squirm in his seat, doesn't cough, claps politely, and shares his program of songs with you. He doesn't even tease you when you cry over an a capella song!  :-) 

For more info about Casa San Miguel, try clicking on:

http://tourism.zambalesnow.com/attractions/casa-san-miguel.html
or you can check their Facebook page

a work of art:
a (metal) mango chandelier by the sea!

Enjoy your enchanting weekends, everyone. :-)