It goes without saying that peace starts at your home, and this can be achieved through constant communication, as well as respect and love among family members. But there are also other external factors that can enhance and help keep the peace and harmony in your home. Subtle things such as the positioning of mirrors in your bedroom or the direction a window is facing in your kitchen may affect your family relationships and even your spiritual and emotional wellness.

The ancient Chinese art and science of Feng Shui teaches us how to create harmony and balance in our environment to promote positive energy and peace. Rooted in the beliefs of Taoism, Feng Shui is used all over the world to achieve perfect balance and harmony between man and his environment (Even Bill Gates home himself uses Feng Shui in his home).

With this in mind, Mandara Waterfront Residences, the first oceanfront property in Manila, incorporates good Feng Shui in its peaceful, serene community. Located in Asia World City, Parañaque, the 1.4-hectare property auspiciously combines the four key Feng Shui elements of fire, air, earth and water to provide a perfect place to start your own home and to foster harmonious family relationships.

“We give residents the best of both worlds,” says Celedonio Pile Jr., president of Landmark Communities, the developer of Mandara. “We give residents holistic wellness, by offering the luxuries of urban living as well as the comforts of a resort-like atmosphere through the perfect balance and flow of good energy. Mandara Waterfront Residences is the best place to go home to after a hard day’s work.”

The natural, relaxing flow of energy that gives a sense of peace and calm is key in the design ideal of Mandara, and is incorporated in all areas of the development. You, too, can create this balance of energy in your environment. Follow these simple tips for a better flow of positive energy (or chi) in your home and among your family.

Fire. Light is the most powerful form and manifestation of energy, and it can greatly enhance your home and your relationships. Good, natural light allows a strong flow of chi in your home, and this is in abundance in Mandara Waterfront Residences’ condo units and houses. Large windows and glass sliding doors provide natural light to flow into homes, while balconies and roof decks are the perfect areas to sit back and relax to a spectacular view of the world-famous Manila Bay sunset.

Air. The flow of natural air is as important as good lighting. Make sure fresh, clean air flows freely through your home, especially in your bedroom. It’s good to open windows now and then to allow natural air in (be mindful, though, if you live in an area that is near major roads, since pollution from vehicles will be a problem). You can also use indoor plants to help purify the air in your home. The cool, fresh breeze of Manila Bay a few steps away from Mandara’s front yard, brings peace and good chi to residents, while the wide open spaces between structures ensure excellent air circulation in the area.

Source: www.philstar.com-REAL ESTATE

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Sports legends are some of the most well known people in the world, both for their sporting achievements and the lifestyles they lead. Basketball players, football players and boxers — the sporting world is filled with stories of multi-million mansions, expensive cars and unbelievable gifts.

Manny Pacquaio, however, has his feet firmly planted on the ground. He’s a sound businessman and a great boxer.

So when it was time to pick a home in California, Manny and wife Jinkee Pacquiao chose a place that’s only a short drive away from the homes of celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Sharon Stone and Lacey Ford Williams, heiress to the famous Ford Modeling Agency, whose husband, John H. Williams, produced the Shrek movies.

In spite of the many luminaries surrounding them, Manny and Jinkee have remained grounded and chosen a house that is understated in its elegance. No gilded and gaudy mansion for this couple, which confirms what people say about Pacquiao’s humility and lack of pretentiousness in spite of his wealth.

Friends of the couple said the house was bought early this year when Manny was training for his fight against Ricky “Hitman” Hatton. In late March, Jinkee flew to LA to choose the pieces of furniture for the house. She decided to hire a professional interior designer to guide her in furnishing the interiors but in the end, Jinkee still had the final say. After visiting the top furniture stores in the area, she meticulously chose the pieces that she thought would go with their lifestyle. Friends say that she went through the process of comparing prices and mixed some medium-priced pieces with high-end ones.

The house has a modern, quasi-Spanish façade with arches, a wooden door in the middle, floor-to-ceiling glass picture windows on the left side and a garage with glass windows on the right. For security measures, they tinted the glass windows of the garage in deep bronze hues and lined the picture windows with horizontal louvers from Hunter Douglas.

The house is elevated a few steps from the street level and the path leading to the entrance and garage is a mix of concrete and greens. A hedge of yellow flowers on the left side of the steps and pink blooms on the right give the house a lot of charm and warmth.

The spacious ground floor has a living room, dining area, state-of-the-art kitchen and a small sitting room with a powder room on the left side of the foyer.

There is an electric fireplace at the end of the dining area and a mantelpiece. On top of the mantel is a portrait of Audrey Hepburn, which looks like a Warhol. On the left wall is an octagonal modern mirror. A Baccarat crystal chandelier is the bling element in this otherwise modern dining room. Jinkee chose a 10-seater rectangular table with a glass top and high-backed chairs upholstered in a printed black velour-like fabric.

At the back of the house is an ample-sized swimming pool with a gazebo on one side and mini waterfalls on the other. The pool area is surrounded by tall Japanese bamboo, which adds to the Zen-like modern effect the Pacquaios wanted to achieve in their backyard.

The second floor has four bedrooms: the master’s bedroom, daughters Princess and Queenie’s bedroom, sons Jimuel and Michael’s bedroom, and the fourth bedroom is a guest room. Jinkee decided to make the bedrooms very colorful but all in good taste.

This house of Manny Pacquiao in a posh area of Beverly Hills is not all about the wealth that he has acquired as the world’s welterweight champion. It is a symbol of a young boy’s struggles and the way he rose above his very humble beginnings. A young boy who followed his dreams, worked very hard and prayed hard to achieve it.

“With God on your side, everything is possible,” Manny says. The honor and glory that he brought to our country is inspirational to every Filipino, young and old. In the end, there is only one Manny Pacquiao.

Article source: www.philstar.com:Modern Living by Mayenne Carmona

Are you one of those who are fond of taking a walk to the ocean shore? Then you are probably one of those who are frustrated if it rains hard and you badly wanted to go  out and have your scenic walk to the ocean shore. Well, why be frustrated if you can bring the oceanic views into your own house? Sounds impossible? Actually, there is a way to do this.

Nautical theme of parts of the houses will surely be a hit for people who are nature lover especially for those who loves the ocean scenery. How is nautical theme for houses done? One of the things that should be taken into consideration in this particular theme of a house is the color. For nautical theme, we can use colors such as pale blue of sea foam green. Having wall decorations such as fine arts works that resembles ocean creatures will add intensity to the nautical-themed house. For your tabletop accessories, you can make personalized decorations using materials which are indigenously found at the seashore. Doing this will help you save money. But if you don’t have access to these materials, craft stores will be the best place to go to avail them. Putting a boat replica on the tabletop will also add up to the intensity of the theme. All of these are just simple tips to make you fulfill your craving for oceanic views without moving an inch out of your abode.