If you are in Bangkok during these dates, you might want to check out these trade shows. If you do, please do take pictures and send them to us. Thanks in advance!

Cathedral of Cologne

Kölner Dom– This photo was taken right before boarding the train to Amsterdam. It was undergoing some preservation works, it being really old and being named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1996. For more information on this magnificent piece of architecture, click here.

So what brought us to Cologne? It was the venue of SPOGA  2009 (and SPOGA Horse, that was staged simultaneously). Trends? In this show, there were still a lot of wicker furniture.

So it was not surprising to see Viro as an exhibitor. For colors, earth colors like beige and cappuccino abound. Lilac, green and orange provide just the right kind of bright pops of colors. In fact, it was a surprise to see the Sunbrella booth all done in lilac and gray. We also found two exhibitors from the Philippines. One of them was Agile Stone, a manufacturer based in Cebu using stonecasting for furniture and accessories. Check out their website for more information on their products.

Color Trends: Orange and Feiry Pink

The color purple? As seen at the Exhibition grounds. "Nomadic chic"-- this is how the trend is described.

It was Sept 5. The weather was “perfect” as the Europeans described it. It was sunny and cool at the same time. Paris Nord Villepinte was packed. After a few international trade shows this year, this was a pleasant surprise. The exhibition was huge and vibrant, with brands like Gloster, Kettal,  and (surprise!) Fendi. A lot of whites traditionally used for the indoors but in this show, on many outdoor furniture and accessories. The theme was bringing the indoors–the comfort and style—to the outdoors!

Later, went to Lamorlaye, a darn pretty village in northern France. It was a short drive from Radisson SAS (near the Charles de Gaulle) about 30 minutes. The drive was leisurely, with tall, slender trees far and near. Really lovely!

Modern apartments of Lamorlaye at daybreak

P.S. This is totally unrelated to Paris but Pauline just gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, 7.11 lb bundle of joy. Congratulations to Serge and Pauline.

Imagine this: Guggenheim and Google SketchUp invited designers, pro and amateurs to submit a 3-D shelter for any location in the world using Google SketchUp and Google Earth. About 600 contestants from 68 different countries submitted designs and current Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture students have selected ten finalists for the People’s Prize award. Now you get a chance to be part of it by voting.

One of them is this A Bamboo Shelter in a Garbage Dump City by Gonzalo Raymundo of Quezon City, Philippines.

Check out the complete list of the finalists here. Do not forget to pick your choice based on the requirements. Choose carefully as only one vote per person will be permitted

Amsterdam is such a charming city. While the apartments have the same number of floors, every facade is unique. We learned that taxes were based on the facades length (so they go as deep as possible which is good) and that the reason why apartments had really small staircases because cranes can easily take up the goods into these structures.

A longer story soon!

We have to say it, Martha Stewart’s site is must-visit for all crafty, foodie, and creative person out there. Overflowing with ideas, we just love the easy to follow articles like this home-office desk from the Fabulous and Fast Furniture. Not to mention the many downloadable templates.

Once in a while, we all need some design inspiration.  A favorite will beYoshihiro Moritake’s website where you can download some of beautiful desktop wallpapers of his paintings. Check them out here. We love the paintings posted above.

After visiting Kozui, a green tea cafe owned by our friend, this tutorial on paper folding came to mind. Called kusudama, this video is easy to follow and looks like a fun way of reusing paper *not to mention the first flower is colored yellow, the color of the democracy fighter Cory Aquino who recently passed away) A variation would be the tamatebako, a cube and a gift box. Check it out here.

The UP Circle of Landscape Architecture Students (UPCLAS)  with the Philippine Associatiaon of Landscape Architects (PALA) put together New Blood Landscape Innovations, an expo which will run from August 20 to 21, 2009 at the College of Architecture Complex, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Learn what’s new in the field of landscape architecture as the two-day event features Landscape Architectural and Architectural Products and Services  as well as a Plant Sale and Talks.

It’s been raining most of the time these days. Going out doesn’t appeal that much but sure, we all do need a break. Or perhaps, try your hands at something new.

These free papertoys from Marshall Alexander, a Dutch paper engineer will keep you busy.

Image from www.marshallalexander.net

You can even make your own paperboy (comes with a cute pet). Check it out here.