Surfboard Decor

This is our beach apartment in La Union.  I share this space with 6 other surfers...but come long weekends and holidays there are usually more than 6 who stay with us, turning the place into a massive (and sometimes, frenzied) storage place for surfboards, board bags, leashes, and fins.  

if only my car could talk. sigh. 

Marco, Nikki, & Joncy getting ready to wax on, wax off

 Jericho unloading our "toys"

typical holiday weekend in La Union

Surfboards crawling up the stairs

*all images from my Instagram account. Follow me at @nina_santamaria

But in spite of all those boards that are piled on top of one another, we don't mind that they take up so much space or that they are always in our way because at the end of the day (literally), they have given us so much joy.  They are our links to the ocean, varying lumps of epoxy, fiberglass, and wood that allow us to play with the sea.  

Some time ago, I wondered what would become of old, broken, damaged or outgrown surfboards.  Well, you could either donate them to the local surf community or to your favorite groms (short for grommets or beginner-surfers), or maybe use them around the house as.....interior decor! See images I googled up below:

Hang it or prop it up, fits right into any style of room, right? 

This is one of my faves because of the juxtaposition of classical and rugged elements

and this one too...Pollock-style surfboard art at home in a mod-retro setting

this is typical of homes along the coast of the US

water your plants & wash your surfboard at the same time, anyone?

I forgot what soap this was from. Cool board in the corner, though. 

Surfboards go corporate! This last photo was taken at my office/ design studio Grupo Santamaria, where Coast Thru Life had a 1-day pop up store. 

So before you throw away that old, warping, dent-ridden surfboard, or if you see one in surplus shops (usually costs 1,000 pesos in Japan surplus stores) just go back to this post and be inspired.

Happy Weekend!

Go SurPH in La Union

I just came from the 1st National Go SurPH weekend in La Union.  I'd say it was a pretty fun event full of surfing lessons for beginners, a cool concert and jamming session on Saturday night, good weather, good company, plenty of sunshine and quality time with my friends.  Congratulations, Surfing Philippines!  (Check their website out here. Above pics from Stoked, Inc's Facebook page. )

As for me, after a 2-month absence from the local surf scene I was excited to be back to get some sun and sea.  To hang out with my best friends and see another La Union sunset. To play with dogs and babies, and to swim in the ocean.    

 

Now that I'm back in Manila, I could only think and say,
THANK YOU, it was good to be back.

White Shoes

A few months ago I was gifted with this pair of white pumps by our friend Karen, who used to work with us at Grupo Santamaria as an interior designer.  Now based in Singapore (and still as fashionable as ever), she would send me stuff for Christmas or "pasalubong" whenever she is randomly visiting Manila.  

It was a cute pair, but I've never had white shoes before, and knowing that skin-toned shoes will make your legs look longer while white was too stark a color thus making your legs look stubby (never mind, it's complicated), I wasn't sure if I could pull it off.  

Imagine my delight when I saw the exact same style of shoes featured in Garance Dore's Weekend Inspiration section.  White with clear sides too, but with higher heels.  And she shared another white pair sighting this month (see below):

Gianvito Rossi

Manolo Blahnik

So I guess it's officially the shoe to have this summer. Something I wouldn't mind having since it's a classic shape and color and can be used whatever the occasion, season, or trend.  I finally wore mine to my cousin Charlie Gomez' photo exhibit, paired with camouflage pants from Zara & a casual black shirt (exhibit's still on by the way, you can still catch it til April 10).  I loved it! (the shoes and the exhibit...)

Here goofing around with the crazybeautiful (and also white-heeled) Kim Jones.

And last night, at Surfing Philippines GoSurPH Kickoff Party at Craft Bar, I spotted gorgeous Nikki dela Paz's classic white pumps which went perfectly well with her all-black outfit and red lips. OK Jeff, you look great too. :-)

To Karen, thanks for my white shoe fashion fix!

Black Interiors

I don't think I have ever done a black (residential) interior in my 10 years as an interior designer.  Mostly due to the fact that most Filipinos think it is a "bad", unlucky color and unthinkable to use in a room, and that it would "make the room look small".  I say, it depends on how you use it and what other colors & furniture you throw in along with it.  

I would one day hope to be able to use black in a home, like that of one of my fave style icons, Jenna Lyons, creative director & head honcho at J.Crew. See a complete view of her home here . 

Meanwhile, since coincidentally it is Black Saturday, I will be sharing photos of some darkly-done homes with you, to change your mind about black interiors.

 WHITE

Best complement to black is still...white. 

COLOR

Adding a touch of neon is a more updated version of toning down, or enhancing black. 

Depends on how you look at it.  

METAL

Metal finishes like brass & pewter "brighten up" black walls.  

PATTERN

Bold, graphic prints also take out the gloom in black and lend visual excitement. 

In the photos above, they used zebra prints, scroll patterns, and a Chinese nautical theme. 

 DINING

Contrary to popular belief, black can look good in the dining room...

KITCHEN

...and also in the kitchen.  

Don't cross out black the next time you're faced with a kitchen this narrow. 

BATHROOM

 Color & pattern for black tiles, black walls

BEDROOM

 This is Jenna Lyons' bedroom.  (I think this is the most blogged-about home ever) That Serge Mouille ceiling light is to die for.  

check out the constant use of bold graphic shapes & prints to offset a strong color such as black

DETAILS

from here

Black ain't so bad right? I'll leave you with some photos from the city-cool studio of my good friend, graphic designer Isabel Gatuslao.  These photos were taken by another friend, Daphne Osena-Paez, while we were hanging out there a few months ago.  See her full story (and more photos)  here.

Terrariums by RAAB. Photos by Daphne Osena-Paez. 

Forgive me for the lengthy post.  I woke up early on a Black Saturday and there was nothing much to do around the house.  I. just. can't. get. out. of. bed!!! Oh, dear.  

Looking forward to Easter Sunday tomorrow...have a good weekend, everyone!