Dina Bonnevie, fondly called Ms D, is a famous movie and TV actress in my country, the Philippines. She was my former business partner in exports.
These wonderful retro pictures were taken in my former design studio atelier and house in Makati City, Manila. That house, whose owners lived in the USA, I reconstructed from its run-down and un-taken-care-of state into a work of style in contemporary look through re-imaging, finishings and detailing.
I had the most amazing hand-finish patina walls handpainted by my team of 20 junior designers! Even the glossy antique wood floor was handpainted with sea-waves. The railings and stairway steps were in spanking black piano finish! It was like...huh, this guy is crazy! The house had a melding Filipino Asian look ( I will post the photos here soon). It was a repository of my antique and crafts collection from Africa, South America, India and Asia. I transformed the house into a charming abode and even made more charming with Ms D coming to work with me in that place. You know, like cocooning in an assuring bird's nest!
I recall, the former ever-famous Filipino lady senator Ms. Nikki Coseteng, whom I dress up, also did a photo shoot in the same house ( photos coming up) as well as other shoots by Filipino and foreign TV and press. I remember as well, my first equally beautiful design studio house also hosted a shoot for the first Ms. Model of the World winner from the Philippines, Ms Gemith Gemparo, styled by now popular Filipino stylist Luis Espiritu.
Now, I just go on wild retrospective about that charming house of mine in perfect tandem with the ever- charming Ms D whom I miss so much these days. I reckon, my life is styled by memories and fondness for things as charming as this one.
The afternoon sun from my windows. It mesmerizes her eyes.
Teal dusted with time. Yet fresh for those who will recall.
