Hardwood Timber Flooring vs Laminate Flooring

Prefinished Engineered Hardwood Floor Laminate Floor Visual Appearance excellent good Scratch Resistance good4 very good Stain Resistance fair1 excellent Fade Resistance fair2 excellent Impact Resistance good excellent Ease of Maintenance good very good Moisture Resistance fair good Ease of Repair good poor Can floor be refinished? yes (not acrylic impregnated) no Install over concrete slab if glue or float yes, floating Manufacturer's Warranty good good Installation Methods glue, staple, float some pre-glued glueless, floating Easy To Install (DIY) glueless floating - yes staple-down - maybe glue-down - messy Yes Life expectancy of floor (in years) 25+3 < 20

Design Pegs

I've searched tons of photos from all over since I started the building activities. I'm so happy that the house designs we've started a year are now finally coming to life. I just want to post my design inspirations for the different rooms in the house. 


*These are not my photos, I just got them from different websites.

Initial Ceiling Design

This is the proposed ceiling design for the living room. We have a high ceiling that's why it's quite crucial to have a stunning ceiling design.

Ceiling Designs

Due to budget constraints and climate behavior, the ceiling will be done first. The hot climate in the Philippines is very unforgiving and sleeping without a ceiling is unliveable. So, I am contemplating on various ceiling designs I see in the internet.


Our living room is a high ceiling area and I think it'll be worthwhile to put effort in designing this part. The rest of the house will probably have the normal plain ceiling because they are not exposed much unlike the living area.


I'm leaning towards the coved or dome type which will make the living room a more breathable and wide space. Do you sense that I'm addicted to wide and large spaces? hehe.


Here are some designs that I'm considering. I am consulting my newly licensed architect cousin for some design suggestions as well. End of August is my target date for accomplishment.

Next batch of construction

I am contemplating on going to the next stage of the construction. I think I'm ready, I better be. Otherwise, if the building stays this way for long, we wouldn't be able to appreciate it.


So, here's the next round of things to finish


1. Finishing of Ground floor toilet
2. Flooring of 3 ground floor bedrooms
3. Masonry work for back exterior wall
4. Flooring - balcony
5. Stairs wooden tread
6. A little fix here and there


I am doing a calculation if ceiling finishing fits the budget at this point and I'm also checking if I am talking the right person. Ceiling design is such as crucial part because it is the most visible part of the house. It is that thing that gives the wow factor when you enter your home. So, ceiling design is important.


I spoke to a contractor last weekend, after he's seen the house. He's the electrician that services our shop in Manila. He gave me a pricey quote, so I'm not sure if I will go with that. I would definitely negotiate because I know that this batch of work doesn't require much skills.

Cove, Dome or Drop?

I am now contemplating on the ceiling design, this next stage of my renovation project. I think this might be the reason why I can't have good sleep these past few days. I can't get rid of the ceiling designs in my mind and it's about time to start the next phase before I go nuts :)


The living area is definitely the highlight of the house because it has a high ceiling which is not a very common concept among Philippine homes. A high ceiling home is something that I have dreamed of, perhaps with some influence of the Australian home culture. It's also something that is unique in our home and something that will make difference in our home.


Having said that, it is therefore an accomplishment for me to make it special. Ceiling just captures that first impression when you enter any home. It can wow you or not. If the ceiling is well lit, then it can add more vibrance and life to your home.  I cannot forget that one hotel I went to the first time I went to Las Vegas. The Caesar's Palace has a very distinct design concept because of the way the ceilings were designed. When you're inside the hotel, you will feel light and as if you are walking under a pure blue sky. I literally said wow when I saw it. I want the same for my ceiling.


I'm now looking up different designs for cove, dome or drop ceiling. I'm leaning towards a dome ceiling, but I'm not sure if a dome will work because we have a long living area and a circle will probably make the place feel smaller...I don't know. I'll be busy for the next month because my target is June. Well, the rest of the rooms will probably have a normal ceiling, but this living area ceiling will take up a lot of design planning again.

Windows Grills are now in place

As I have shared in my previous post, after the long process of design and planning, the window grills have now been installed. I just want to share some photos of our new Japanese inspired windows.