In the Philippine collectivist culture, the term individualistic is loaded with negative connotations like selfishness, self-centeredness, or self-absorption. However, this is not the complete meaning of individualistic or individualism. It can also mean unique and original in thinking and action.
Conforming or adapting to the point of losing your identity is something that will hinder your own personal growth based on what and how your mind, body, and heart want that growth to be. You may have silenced that voice dahil gusto mong makibagay, like going for a home painted in white when you crave colors. You may want local architectural features but build a modern home of glass, concrete, and steel instead because that’s what your friends have, or what the houses in your subdivision look like.
We regularly write about trends in interior design. But we’ve also emphasized regularly that making a home is a personal venture and adventure, and you should create one that fits your lifestyle, your needs, and your taste.
Here are some images of homes that express the individuality of their owners.
A Boho Bedroom
This is a bedroom that beats with a boho heart. For me, the photo wall of a dark, misty forest speaks of mystery and a sense of foreboding. Yet, the owner chose to install this on a bedroom wall, which may mean that this kind of landscape probably brings comfort. A macrame swing is brought in, resulting in this strange mix of cold and warm. These may be a bohemian’s souvenirs or memories of travels to the north and south of the equator.
This bedroom style tells a story of a person’s free-spirited aesthetic where conventionality does not enter the equation.
Industrial Style Loft
Factory or warehouse conversions often have this open plan with high ceilings, large windows, and exposed structural elements. The materials used are mainly concrete, glass, and metal. The wooden floorboards give a warmth to the space that would otherwise have felt too cold, especially if this home is located in a temperate country.
Not many Filipino homeowners would like a home like this. It’s too far from our aesthetic. Most of us want soft, cozy, colorful, even if the hues are neutrals. We want smooth surfaces. We want more privacy than what this apartment has to offer. I also don’t know of any Filipino who would like motorbikes to be parked inside the main living space.
But I’ve seen many homes like this abroad. The friends who own them, many of whom are artists, are definitely unconventional. With the many visits through the years, I’ve come to appreciate this style but I definitely wouldn’t want this for my home. An exception would be the bare cement finishes using the Konstrukt Lunar Series which I used on a couple of walls.
Individualistic Home Design
We’ve written a lot about #teamputi, where homes are painted white because this fits the Scandi aesthetic. Home stores sell furniture and accessories that fit the Scandi style.
The industrial style also started to trend here in the Philippines a decade ago. You probably see more of this style now in many coffee shops and restaurants.
When you are in the wonderful position of building a home in the near future, or having an existing home refurbished, or redesigning a small apartment, dig deep inside yourself to come up with your dream home. Take your time. If you need help visualizing your ideas, engage the services of an interior designer and/or architect.
It’s easy to just surf online sites and copy a design that looks good to you, or ask AI apps to do it for you. Think about it though. You may have heard of Oscar Wilde’s famous words: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” But this is actually not the full quote. This is what he said:
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.
Why settle for mediocrity when you have it in you to be original?
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