Blue Carreon Home

 

There's an new home store that just opened in Manila. Take a look at the beautifully curated items. 

Blue Carreon Home is on the second floor of the new Century Mall on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati.

I first heard of Blue Carreon when my friend Alicia texted me about a trunk show he was having at his condo a couple of months back.  Unfortunately I couldn't make it that weekend, and hoped he was going to have another one.

Turns out he was preparing for the opening of this store but since it was delayed,  he opened his "shop" from his home. Too bad for me because it would've been a treat to see how he set up his condo.

He designs many of his items and sources the others. The result is a beautifully curated collection of furniture and table top accessories. 

I texted Alicia as soon as I came from the store and she texted back, "Blue is a really nice guy, and he has exqusite taste!"

I totally agree.  I'm a very deliberate shopper who likes to overthink my purchases but I was just so enamored by his store that I bought on impulse--and mind you, this is even if I had to leave my personal check and come back for what I bought! (Alicia, name-dropping you didn't work).

By now, they would have sorted out their credit card facilities.

Blue's style reminds me of that of Daniel Romualdez, the talented architect/designer who does all the stores of Tory Burch, among many other projects. Daniel also did her Manhattan apartment. Read about Daniel on Cote de Texas.

I'm looking forward to seeing the shop evolve.  When I walked in, they had only been open four days.

This above is mine. Have to pick it up! 

I love this too, but don't know where I can put it at home.

Here is Blue (in blue!), the very personable proprietor. Remember his name because I only see great things happening for this guy.

An Exceptional Tree

These are just the roots

There are two huge Banyan trees in front of the Honolulu Zoo. In fact, a number of them scattered in the city. I've often wondered why the trees  in Honolulu are very well maintained and it's only on this trip that I learned the local government has an "Exceptional Tree Program".

A whole bunch of trees around the city are part of  the program, and anyone can apply to have  a tree "exceptionalized"--whether it's in a public place or in their own property. To be considered an exceptional tree a criteria has to be met--it should be historic or ancient, aesthetically pleasing, etc etc, complete details can be found on the state's website. When the tree has been declared "exceptional", it will be cared for and protected by the state.

Being a highly touristic state, the city  government realized early on that trees contribute to the beauty of Honolulu, and were alarmed that rapid development would destroy heritage-type trees. They passed the "exceptional tree law" in 1995. You can say Honolulu was an early-mover in the green movement.

With this program in place, there is a general awareness of tree preservation.  Many ordinary trees will have a chance to grow into exceptional ones, specially since the local government has made trees one of its priorities. That's what I call smart and forward thinking.

The committee created to oversee the exceptional tree program has to include a certified arborist and a practicing landscape architect, and the rest are chosen based on their involvement and interest in community beautification. All these committee members are appointed by the mayor. No wonder Honolulu looks like one big manicured garden--they leave the research and recommendations to the experts.

Unfortunately in Manila, decisions involving the city's aesthetics are left with goverment officials, some of whom have absolutely no taste or inclination towards things beautiful. We are then subjected to horrific fuschia road signs and public urinals in Makati,  baby blue flyovers in Ortigas, and diamante-shaped lamposts on Roxas Boulevard.

It's my wish that the new president will appoint a beautification committee--okay, that sounds frivolous for a third world country--perhaps he can appoint an "urban aesthetics committee" composed of respected architects and designers who can make tasteful recommendations. Then we will really be on the road to recovery (from bad taste).