It’s the reward waiting for you at the end of a long, demanding day. It’s the goal after a hard day’s work. It’s no wonder we need eight hours of it, and crave even more. When we finally sink into our beds, and lay our weary heads and shoulders on our pillows, we yearn for nothing more than to drift into a restful slumber – one that will recharge us physically and mentally so that we wake up refreshed and full of energy. No wonder they say sleep is a luxury.

            In our quest for a good night’s sleep, the myths, tips, and tricks have most likely outnumbered the actual hours of zzz’s that we’ve clocked in. Finding the right temperature, setting up just the right amount of light (less blue light, please!), and even playing soothing sounds or spraying calming scents are efforts in itself. But the secret to the best sleep ever is as close to you as second skin.

Sustainable fabric for a good night’s sleep

            Think fabric. Linen & Homes has developed sustainable bedding woven from 100% cooling bamboo viscose. The result: lightweight sheets that are 3x softer than cotton sheets. And while you slide into your buttery sheets, here are more benefits from bamboo:

They’re naturally cooling. Bamboo fibers actually regulate the temperature of your body, and even the temperature around you. They do not retain heat, so you stay cool. Its moisture-wicking properties means it is breathable which reduces hot flashes and night sweats.

They’re sustainable. Bamboo is an eco-friendly alternative fiber source – it grows faster and can still reproduce even after a harvest, and it requires less water.

They’re hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Both great features when you have sensitive skin! Its free from allergens, dust mites and bacteria. The anti-microbial properties also mean the bamboo plant does not need pesticides so that’s zero chemicals for you to worry about.

The Linen & Homes Dream Suite

If you haven’t already, it’s time to make the switch and sleep in sustainable fabric. At the Linen & Homes Dream Suite, their new showroom along Perea Street in Legaspi Village, Makati City, you can go ahead and see and feel the attainable luxury and quality of the sustainable fabric that goes into each of their products. Run your hands across the smooth sheets and pillowcases, feel the buttery soft blankets between your fingers, and even get to try on a weighted blanket to see if it’s for you. The beds are inviting, set up completely in their range of products – from the covers all the way down to the mattress toppers and protectors.

In another corner, you’ll also find sleepwear – pajamas, loungewear and robes made to feel soft yet durable and with the perfect amount of stretch for the luxuriously comfortable sleep that you deserve. 

And even towels are also made from 100% eco-friendly bamboo terry, loomed to 700 grams per square meter so it’s a perfect combination of softness, durability and absorbency. All this as if to say even the art of getting ready for bed – a nice bath, comfy clothes – is the perfect lead up to falling into soft sheets and fast asleep.

The venue was created as a haven for all things sleep – conducive enough to try the fabric, you can sit on a corner of the bed and find yourself inching your way up to the pillows. You can mix and match the colors and prints, decide on softness, smoothness and weight, and choose sleepwear to complete the experience. At the Linen & Homes Dream Suite, you can design your own good night’s sleep – a feat you thought only possible in dreams.

Linen & Homes sleep fabric is available on www.linenandhomes.com and at the new showroom located at 107 Perea Street, The Palisades Unit GFA, Legaspi Village, Makati City .

After recuperating from the pandemic-induced economic challenges, the luxury property market is seen to sustain its recovery this 2023. Experts predict that momentum for the market will be maintained as demand will likely remain robust for the sector, with investors presented with opportunities for stable returns.

“Now is the time to explore more real estate investment options, especially seeing the overall positive outlook on the luxury property market in the near future,” said Ortigas Land AVP and Residential Business Unit Head, Jenna J. Belardo. “As the economy continues its recovery to pre-pandemic levels, individuals looking for a stream of stable, passive income can maximize the growth potential of luxury developments.” 

Real estate recovery is slow but sure

Real estate experts at Colliers Philippines share optimistic growth projections for the Philippine residential market following substantial recovery rates in 2022. Findings indicate that in the previous year, about 20,000 condominium units were sold in the pre-selling sector alone. This led to a 17.6% drop in vacancies which is also expected to improve until 2025 steadily. The numbers shared prove that increased latency and sustained market growth are evident throughout the different property segments in the country. Although the Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts a slightly slower pace in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) upturn, from 6.5% last year to 6.3% in 2023, experts expect a bull run in the overall property market after its recovery in 2023 — spelling positive forecasts in the coming years. 

Good news for Luxury Residentials and Office Spaces

Findings from Colliers state that the luxury residential segment made up 28% of total take-up in September 2022, up from −1.6% during the same period in 2021. This suggests growing investor confidence in luxury real estate in the past year. “This market will remain resilient amid the rising interest and mortgage rates,” said Colliers in its Philippine Property Outlook report for 2023. Based on the numbers, Colliers projects that the demand for luxury developments will likely remain due to investors anchoring on these properties for capital appreciation.

Zeroing in on the office segment, Colliers projects further recovery in 2023. This will be buoyed by take-up from IT-BPM firms and traditional corporate occupiers in the legal, engineering, construction, and government fields. 

Investing in a prime address

One of Ortigas Land’s luxury offerings is The Galleon, a two-tower, mixed-use project anchored at the heart of the Ortigas Central Business District. The Galleon is of a modern and sophisticated design inspired by a ship, highlighting elegance from every angle.

Its two towers consist of Offices at The Galleon, a 38-level premier office tower that is able to cater to various organizations, from start-up companies to large-scale corporations. The development also offers residential spaces at Residences at The Galleon, which boasts 51 floors of high-end interiors and amenities.

The Galleon is the prime location for various target markets, such as C-level employees working within the Ortigas CBD or families looking to embrace an urban lifestyle, because of the convenience and accessibility it brings. Moreover, The Galleon maximizes the luxury of space with its upscale amenities for residential, office, and retail spaces, as well as modern living with eco-conscious features, built-in smart home systems, and high-speed fiber connectivity.

Ortigas Land sees The Galleon as a viable investment, “The Galleon has a strong location in the heart of the Ortigas Central Business District,” said Belardo.

“The Galleon also has numerous surrounding infrastructure projects underway such as the BGC-Ortigas Center Link Road Project, Metro Manila Subway Project, and MRT-4 that will push the value appreciation of the property even more. These factors working together show that in the coming years, with The Galleon, you can expect a good return on investment,” she added.

The development’s strategic location connects its tenants to major metropolitan locations and ongoing infrastructure projects that cement The Galleon’s growing appreciation and returns in the coming years. Investors are treated with endless opportunities supporting a live, work, play balanced lifestyle, as the property can also be an income-generating investment. With this, Ortigas Land has been able to integrate its tenants into its commitment to maintaining well-built developments and master-planned communities. 

The expected turnover of Offices at The Galleon is by the fourth quarter of 2026, while Residences at The Galleon will be turned over by the fourth quarter of 2028. 

For more information, check out the Ortigas Land website at www.ortigas.com.ph. 

If you’re like most people, health is an important aspect of your resolutions when each new year rolls around. While factors like diet and exercise are keys to healthy living, so are the ways you care for your home and belongings.

Your home living environment plays a major role in your health and comfort, so incorporating some new habits like these from the cleaning experts at Swash Laundry Detergent can help you establish a healthier lifestyle.

1. Control Air Quality

Especially during the winter months when your home tends to be closed tight, air can grow stale. Do your best to keep air quality strong by opening windows on mild days to circulate fresh air, using an air purifier to remove irritants and pollutants, frequently vacuuming and sweeping to keep floor dust and debris under control and regularly cleaning textiles that can trap allergens and other particles.

2. Scale Back Detergent Use

Using too much laundry detergent isn’t just risking buildup and unnecessary wear on your washer and dryer; it can also increase the residue and buildup in your clothes, which can lead to skin irritation and damage fabric faster. Using only what you need helps protect your belongings and your skin. An option like Swash Laundry Detergent, which features a Precision Pour Cap, dispenses the detergent for you, so you only pour what you need to effectively clean each load and fight stains. A single bottle of the ultra-concentrated formula – available in Simply Sunrise, Free & Clear and Pure Linen scents – washes up to 83 loads while taking up less space than traditional, bulky detergent bottles.

3. Make Use of Natural Light

When winter brings day after day of dark, dreary weather, it can take a toll on your mood. Brightening your living space with natural light can positively influence your emotional state while helping with your electric bill. If you’re concerned about privacy, utilize window treatments at night, but let the sunlight bring good cheer to your living spaces during the day.

4. Switch Bedding on Schedule

While you sleep, your body sheds oils, cells and elements you carry into your home like pollen. Sheets should be washed once a week on the hottest water setting your fabric will tolerate (check tags for laundering directions on your sheets before washing). If your schedule makes weekly washing, drying and remaking the bed unrealistic, consider having a couple sets you can rotate so you always have fresh, clean sheets waiting to remake your bed on laundry day.

5. Work Up (and Wash Out) a Sweat

The materials that keep you feeling cool and fresh by wicking away sweat can quickly get stinky, but over-washing can make them lose their shape and fade. Even so, washing after every use is a must. Washing workout clothes inside out exposes the surfaces that have absorbed sweat and body oil to detergent and agitation. Be sure to close zippers, buttons, clasps and other fasteners to prevent snags. Pre-soaking with equal parts vinegar and cold water can also help eliminate odors, and washing in a gentle, cold-water cycle and drying on low heat can help protect the fabric’s elasticity and wicking properties.

Start your year off right with more advice for healthy habits around the home at Swash.com.