A zen escape at Rosewood Pointe

MANILA, Philippines - It takes the right place, time, mood and concentration to achieve a state of zen or a feeling of focus, peace of mind, openness, lightness of spirit and freedom. For 37-year-old TV advertising creative director Howie Palomares, stepping into his two-bedroom flat at Rosewood Pointe transports him to such a dimension. His signature modern-outdoor interior design for his unit brings out the core Asian values of gentleness and calmness that inspired the neo-Asian family condominium development of DMCI Homes in Acacia Estates,Taguig City.

A combination of modern furniture and organic accents with post-autumn and outdoor reminders make the home evoke a feeling of nostalgia and peace, something that gives Howie rest after brainstorming, shooting and editing sessions at the workplace.

 “It’s very relaxing in this unit and generally all around Rosewood Pointe. I always feel I’m recharged every day, and that’s important especially in my line of work,” says Howie.

Howie combines Mid-Century modern design-style, furniture maker Wilmer Lopez’s craftsmanship, and love for the outdoors to turn his 9th floor unit in Ivory Tower, one of the two residential high-rises in Rosewood Pointe, into sort of time machine.

Rosewood Pointe the neo-Asian inspired condominium development of DMCI Homes in Acacia Estates, Taguig City.

“Whenever I’m home, I am entranced. I am taken to a different environment,” he says. “That’s the thing I need, I want to disengage and get myself off the grid every time I’m around here.”

 Producing this effect are a water hyacinth area rug, dried twigs, wall clock of metal latticework and a Florence-inspired sofa, designed by Howie, in the living room. The dried twigs remind of autumn and the clock of the trellis. Blending with the couch are modern accent chairs, a coffee table, and a vintage-inspired TV table, all designed and made by Lopez. The dining table is a customized bamboo laminate-finish, mixed and matched with Eames replica chairs. A giant mirror facing the dining table creates an illusion of window and space.

It was summer of 2010 when Howie was lured by the resort lifestyle offered by Rosewood Pointe. The minute he entered the gates of the DMCI Homes enclave, he knew and felt that the place was for him.

“Three things attracted me to Rosewood. One, the zen architecture; Two, the physical layout; it’s an enclave, a community of your own. And three, the very laid-back atmosphere,” Howie recalls. “For me it was love at first sight.”

 Only a year after acquiring the unit on pre-sell, the property was turned over to him and he started enjoying the amenities.

The 9th floor unit of Howie Palomares in Ivory Tower, one of the two residential high-rises in Rosewood Pointe, is like his time machine.

“Rosewood is generally peaceful. I like the fact that I can take a nice walk in the morning without fear of getting run down. I like that the wind goes my way in the afternoon, the best time to read a book and lounge at my balcony or the clubhouse. Here, one can actually read on the grass or under a tree. In the evening, it gets cold even on a summer, so it’s nice to take a run,” he says. “The pool is my therapy every weekend or even after a hard day’s work. I swim. It’s really relaxing.”

The gym offers good equipment at a lifetime membership fee. A restaurant in the penthouse serves or delivers dinner whenever he is tired to prepare one. The security guards are friendly and helpful, even calling for car wash boys to clean his car. Garbage is being collected by PMO regularly and the PMO addresses homeowners’ concerns promptly.

 “I may be missing the easy access to malls, restaurants and groceries, which I used to get a lot of in my old place in Ortigas. But then again, I wouldn’t trade the lush greens, the pool, the peace at Rosewood for anything else,” Howie says. “I’ve been a Rosewood homeowner for two years now, but it still feels like I’ve just moved in. I love it here.”

DMCI Homes is the country’s premier triple A builder-developer that brings serviced, themed communities within reach of young urban families who once had limited residential options, but still aspire to achieve a comfortable, enriching quality of life proximate to their place of interest.

 For information, call 324-8888 or visit www.dmcihomes.com. or www.dmcicommunities.com.