my other dapitan finds

Aside from the clock I didn't know what else I could get in Dapitan. I have seen a number of photos, cute stuff but nothing I need nor want at the moment. I get overwhelmed with large bazaars or flea markets so I was relieved that Dapitan Arcade is just a relatively small rectangular covered space which house no more than 80 stalls. The stores sell mostly home items from ceramics to tiffany chairs. Yes, tiffany chairs! When I was planning my wedding 4 years ago, tiffany chairs were part of my non-negotiables, silly and may be considered wasteful but a ah, no cloth covered monoblocs for me. I would like to think my husband and I were level headed about the wedding, nothing extravagant, practical, yet still tasteful so spending extra for the tiffany chairs was justified.

Okay, enough of the trip back to wedding memory lane and let's go back to Dapitan. I was thrilled to see the tiffany chairs but I didn't ask how much. My mind was set on finding the clock so before I found it I didn't stop to ask about the others. Like a horse with blinders, my sight was set on the clock. After I got the clock, it's like my blinders lifted and my eyes opened to the other marvels of Dapitan.

The stall, right beside the store where I bought the first clock, sells clay jars. You can buy them individually or in sets of three. I got the smallest jar of the black-grey-green with leaf design set.

Just by our main door we have umbrellas hanging on the kitchen counter or leaning on the wall of the kitchen cabinet. An umbrella holder that would fit in this small corner was in my mental to get list even before Dapitan. I saw actual umbrella holders made of wrought iron or resins. But the clay jars caught my eye and had an idea that it could be repurposed as an umbrella holder. Also I wasn't too thrilled with the gold leaf designs on the iron ones. Plus they look more for the outdoors. But the jar, I like it. It would look like an unassuming house decor without the umbrellas to fill that empty corner but it actually serves a significant function.

(If you noticed, I removed the braided dried grass on the rim of the jar.)

In a limited living space choosing the right pieces make a lot of difference. Getting items that are multifunctional has been our philosophy in furnishing our home. Like benches that double as bookshelves,

a treasure chest for a coffee table that also provides additional storage space,

a men's dresser which provides more storage but also provides an area for study.

We try to avoid items, even if they are beautiful, that take up space and are useless. Function without sacrificing form. The jar adhered to that maxim. And at 200 pesos the jar was a fantastic find.

So what else is in Dapitan? Another post is coming up on my other finds which are perfect for my on going home project.

I started this post while waiting for friends last night at Lusso and finished it while waiting for my turn to vote. Waiting for 1 hour 20 minutes and still counting in a cramped public school classroom with 37 degree ambient temperature. Whoa!