Liberty's abode
Lady of the house,
Liberty Valderrama
Ten years ago, Liberty Valderrama's house in Granja, La Paz had no paint outside and it had no garden. Now, a long and wide pebbled pathway greets the guests as they enter the compound. Alongside are gardens, Bermuda grass and trees that provide shade to whoever walks the pathway.
The house is painted white and its iron grills, which are 50 years old, are colored bronze.
The interior carries the color white and different tones of blue, with sky blue as the most dominant. Being hung in the living rooms, dining area and staircase are paintings by Filipino artists like Grospe, Thomasites, Malang, Sanson, Baldemor, Manalili, PG Zoluaga, Levi Salmon, Fred Orig and Cabarles. A sculpture by Alan Cabalfin stands at the living area.
The house facade
Tiles of different prints and colors were used in the staircase. She got this idea from Casa La Granja, a hotel located in La Paz, with rooms that sport different European themes.
The living room leads to a lanai which is decorated with antique furnitures. The lanai then leads to a garden.
The whole package of the house speaks of elegance and class, but Valderrama said that the materials and decorations found there are not expensive.
A receiving area
Valderrama shares the following ideas to those who plan to make renovations in their house.
YOUR TASTE. A home should reflect your personality, that is why, everything in it should be according to your taste. Do not leave it to the architect or the interior designer. This way, you will control your spending.
BUDGET. Valderrama's house is a product of patience. "I did not do this in one spending. Budget first and work on a certain area of the house. Also, if there's a sale, buy." Valderrama bought the pillow cushions at less than P100.
Another receiving area
BOOKS. It's always good to learn from the experts, thus one should consult home design books.
MIXTURE. "Do not be scared to interpret your own style," she said. "Why not mix modern materials with your old things?" Her iron grills, lamps and wood are decades old and were derived from her family's old house.
UNIQUE. "Buy items that are unique," she said. She bought several colored ashtrays and let them stand on the area above the living room for decorative purposes.
The living room
PLANTS. She advised, "Put plants." They create liveliness in he house. She suggested the use of "palmas" because one need to expose them to sunlight ever two weeks only.
Valderrama's next project? The family room and bedrooms at the second floor will be transformed into something that the whole family will enjoy.