My dad was into old stuff during his lifetime. And I’m not talking about the Kap kind of old -those are downright junk, lol. We’re talking about VINTAGE. The classy, antique stuff that brings klazz to a whole new level.

I used to not like antiques. Hated them when I was little, in fact. I found them eerie. It’s like those beady eyes are following you just about everywhere. And someone very very dead is about to pop out from the dresser mirrors. But then, I grew up. And I learned about their value. And my, it’s value with a CAPITAL V. And so, I started liking the stuff. Partly because of the legacy & story behind each piece, but mostly because they came with hefty price tags hehe! 😛

Being the only girl in a female-dominated, single-parent household -and the eldest, I’ve always had the task of packing & making a home. I was 18 when my family & I uprooted from chinatown in Manila to a whole new community down south. My mom was a very busy woman, and so I was tasked to supervise the whole move. I grew up quickly, and I learned quickly too. At 18, I was building our nest, picking out wallpapers, furnitures, fixtures. Talking to contractors & making big decisions. Adulting, for short.

Now, several decades later, I’m once again moving out my mom’s furnitures & belongings -most of which used to be my dad’s, left behind, as she transitions to make the big move with me. One nice thing about packing for someone else is you get cast-off good stuff. 😛 Because she doesn’t require much, she finds it in her benevolent heart to bestow some of her valuable things to me.

One of the nicer things I recently inherited is this pair of chinese statue that she got a while back from my dad upon his demise.

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He was a collector of fine & beautiful objects. As I was carefully wrapping these in towels, I asked her where she wanted them displayed when she makes the move. And she just outright gave them to moi. Happy is me! <3 She had no use, she said, and asked if I wanted them. Of course I did. And I knew exactly what to make of them..

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Keystone Lamps & Shades

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I chanced upon this lamp shop when Kap took us to Home Depot for tile & fixture shopping. It was purely accidental as I was searching far & wide for lamp makers. Voila, heaven (or is it my dad) directed me to the perfect place! They make custom lamps & shades. Yay! \m/ And special thank you goes to my Bae for always taking care of me & my needs. <3 She is such a guid P.A.

It’s like a build-a-bear store & I was super excited to go inside and play! You get to choose the base, the color, the body, the lamp, and the lighting you want. All to your own specification. How cool is that?

Because she’s the expert, I asked for her advice. And I was quite happy with what she offered.

Not so much with the price though. I was hoping for muuuuch less. But then again, kailangan bumagay. Beauty for beauty, and so I agreed. 7,200/lamp huhu.

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This is what it looks like now, and will be displayed in my mom’s bedroom in our new home. The set will serve as her reading lamps enveloping her bed, and also to guide her around when she wakes up in the middle of the night & has to get around or gets disoriented. Simply gorgeous, don’t you agree?

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Kap & I are making her a nice little balcony overlooking our peaceful street just outside her door window so she & MIL can sit there, chat, have their tea, and people-watch in the afternoon. There is a gentle but generous breeze blowing in that particular area, can’t wait to show you guys how it turns out. I hope she’ll be happy in her new place with us.

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And whad’ya know? I also found a little something for myself! <3 I’m more into european pieces when it comes to decor, if you have noticed my taste in furnitures. I’m not normally attracted to chinese objects, but I think I am slowly evolving. Hindi ako maka-get over this piece that I actually had to buy it for my bedside table to keep my day-to-day jewelries & other buntings. Hay naku, parang chopsuey na talaga ang bahay namin hahaha! 😛 #Eurasian

And a big something too from the store next door hehe. 😉 This is why Kap doesn’t want me window-shopping! Hong gondoh dibooooh? <3

Golden hues, golden years. I wanna glow old with you Kap my Kap! <3