See Inside a Japandi-Inspired Home in Quezon City That's Stylish Yet Functional

When Danjo Pabiloña would travel to Japan for business trips, he instantly fell in love with its designs.

Danjo admired the look so much that he used it as inspiration for the interiors of his 50 square meter condo unit, which he purchased in 2018. As he dove into planning and research mode, he discovered that the designs he was going for were also Scandinavian.

"Nalaman ko din yung term na 'Japandi'," he tells the OG team. "So, as you can see dito sa palette, it's more on hashtag team kahoy, team puti. Kaya puro browns, puro whites."

Danjo's condo unit is so Japandi-inspired, it's as if you stepped into an actual typical Japanese home. Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a makeshift "genkan," or an area where people living in the house as well as visitors leave their outside shoes and wear indoor slippers.

A striking element throughout the home are the walls with wooden wall cladding, married with fresh white panels. The living room—which Danjo calls the area the "bugen" living room—features mirrors on both sides to emulate a sense of continuity. 

"It creates an illusion of infinity," he explains. "In Japanese, ang ibig sabihin ng bugen ay infinity."

Perhaps the most interesting area in the condo unit is the dining area, which Danjo calls "Eclipse", inspired by the Japanese traditional table, the horigutatsu. Using marine plywood and the similar wall cladding design, Danjo and his architect transformed the area into an enclosed space.

Scattered throughout the condo unit are cleverly concealed storage spaces, from walls and the staircase, helping maximize the space while minimizing clutter. In fact, Danjo has a pantry hidden within a wall, which he calls the "Portal", his portal to happiness.

"Dati siya na lagayan ng washing machine, may provision siya ng water and electricity," Danjo shares. 

During his free time, Danjo likes playing the guitar and keyboard, as well as video games. When stressed, he enjoys spending quiet time at his balcony, which gives a fantastic view of the Skyway. 

"My favorite time here is when it's sunset," he says. "Makikita niyo yung different colors from orange, pink, going to violet while you're sipping your favorite warm drink and reading your favorite book."

Although Danjo's condo unit is finally his own, he went through a difficult time while paying for it on its third year, at the height of the pandemic. Cysts had to be surgically removed from his body, his grandparents got sick, and his grandfather passed away. 

Nevertheless, it was also a fortunate year, as Danjo discovered a new passion for digital art. Netizens loved his work so much that they actually commissioned him to do artwork, something which greatly funded his condo payments.

"Parang 'di ko ma-imagine na sa art nanggaling lahat 'to. And then eventually nakakatuwa kasi I was able to design my own home."

"Through my faith in God and talagang with the support of my family and my friends, kinaya," he adds.

Danjo believes that living a simple, contented life is the key to happiness, a belief that his close ties to family nurtured.

"As long as meron kang emergency funds, meron kang savings, at the same time, you keep yourself healthy, I think that's enough."

Watch the video below.

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