Elena's refuge
Elena Golez (left), Marichel Magalona of The News
Today and Emma Nava
Purr thinks that Mediterranean houses are simple but they are the most attractive of all abodes. It must be the numerous huge windows and several doors that allow the breeze to come in. Such houses are normally situated near the sea, thus the cool breeze coming in makes every nook in the house a relaxing treat.
There is one hideaway in Barangay San Miguel, Buenavista, Guimaras that is a perfect example of such a house.
A long line of steps lead to a blue wooden door that in turn leads to the white-colored Mediterranean-inspired house.
Owned by Elena Golez, the living area of the house has two levels, plus one balcony on top that offers a perfect view of the vast Guimaras sea.
Then, each level of the house has huge wooden doors that lead to a vast balcony. And each balcony offers a view of the sea, the clear, blue sky, some islets and the famous Roca Encantada, a beautiful mansion that stands magnificently on one islet. This is owned by the Lopezes, Elena's family.
Purr dressed in a Muslim-inspired dress inside
Elena's budoir
Elena is a traveler with good taste. This can be seen through the vast collection of decors she has acquired from her travels in Europe and Asia. The bedroom, for example, is so clean, white and filled with Muslim-inspired bed, mirrors, tables and decors. There are Muslim costumes tucked in our host's closet, too.
The house is already four years old and sits on a property that has been the family's land for three decades.
This little paradise is where Elena hides away whenever she is in Guimaras. Such little paradise was also ours for a few hours when we visited it. As we sat on the comfortable sofas and browsed through the travel, interior designing and other lifestyle magazines, we were almost brought to dreamland. That short visit was enough to rejuvenate us before we traveled back to Iloilo. That visit was last year but the memory of such a beautiful abode is so vivid. Elena's refuge is a paradise we'll always cherish.