#willow.task01

 ★   ˖   ⊹    HOW   DO   YOU   INCORPATE   YOUR   PERSONALITY   INTO   YOUR   HOME   ?

 i   basically   took   everything   people   told   me   not   to   do   and   did   it   anyway.   maximalism   ,   color   ,   stained   glass   ,   paper   lanterns   ,   animal   motifs   ,   weird   art   ,   giant   candles.   every   design   rule   got   thrown   out   the   window.   if   my   apartment   could   talk   it   would   interrupt   people.

 …   the   biggest   influence   behind   the   design   came   from   an   unlikely   source:   michael   jackson's   you   rock   my   world   music   video.   bonnie   became   obsessed   with   its   blend   of   glamour   ,   nightlife   ,   and   early-2000s   asian-inspired   aesthetics.   folding   privacy   screens   divide   portions   of   the   open   floor   plan.   paper   lanterns   glow   warmly   from   corners.   carved   wooden   panels   ,   lacquered   finishes   ,   and   decorative   motifs   featuring   tigers   ,   cranes   ,   rabbits   ,   and   koi   fish   appear   throughout   the   apartment.   the   result   feels   nostalgic   and   contemporary   all   at   once.   equal   parts   luxury   penthouse   and   y2k   fever   dream.

 ★   ˖   ⊹    WHAT   IS   YOUR   FAVORITE   TYPE   OF   HOUSE   GUEST   ?

 the   kind   that   opens   my   fridge   without   asking   and   makes   themselves   comfortable.   if   you're   still   acting   polite   after   your   third   visit   ,   we're   not   close   enough.

 …   despite   the   obvious   expense   of   the   space   ,   the   apartment   never   feels   untouchable.   bonnie   operates   under   a   strict   open-door   policy   ,   whether   she   admits   it   or   not.   friends   wander   in   without   knocking.   spare   chargers   can   be   found   in   every   room.   guest   toiletries   are   stocked   better   than   most   hotels.   the   kitchen   is   perpetually   filled   with   snacks   ,   drinks   ,   and   enough   food   to   feed   a   small   army.   more   often   than   not   her   apartment   serves   as   the   designated   meeting   place   before   nights   out   ,   post-breakup   recovery   center   ,   emergency   crash   pad   ,   or   an   impromptu   therapy   office.

 ★   ˖   ⊹    DOES   YOUR   HOME   HAVE   ANY   CUSTOM   MADE   PIECES   ?

 almost   everything.   the   stained   glass   windows   were   custom.   my   dining   table   was   custom.   i   had   a   local   artist   paint   a   giant   crane   mural   for   one   of   the   walls.   at   some   point   i   stopped   asking   "   is   this   practical   ?   "   and   started   asking   "   is   this   fabulous   ?   "

 …   when   bonnie   moved   in   ,   one   unit   simply   wasn't   enough.   she   purchased   two   adjacent   penthouses   and   spent   months   overseeing   an   extensive   renovation   project.   every   trace   of   sterile   modern   luxury   was   stripped   away   in   favor   of   something   far   more   personal.   standard   doorways   were   replaced   with   sweeping   arches.   custom   stained   glass   windows   cast   pools   of   colored   light   across   hardwood   floors   throughout   the   day.   hidden   reading   nooks   ,   curved   built-ins   ,   and   whimsical   architectural   details   make   the   space   feel   more   like   something   from   a   dream   than   a   luxury   apartment.

 ★   ˖   ⊹    WHAT'S   IN   YOUR   FRIDGE   RIGHT   NOW   ?

 sparkling   water.   matcha.   strawberries.   too   many   energy   drinks.   fancy   cheese.   leftovers   nobody   is   going   to   eat.   hot   honey.   mcdonalds   dipping   cups.   and   approximately   twelve   cans   of   diet   doctor   pepper. 

 …   for   all   of   its   designer   finishes   and   carefully   curated   details   ,   the   apartment   is   ultimately   lived   in.   heels   are   abandoned   near   the   staircase.   candles   burn   at   all   hours.   music   drifts   between   floors.   xiaoyu   (   her   holland   lop   rabbit   )   rules   the   space   with   quiet   authority.   the   penthouse   may   belong   to   bonnie   on   paper   but   ,   everyone   close   to   her   treats   it   like   home.

 what  neighborhood  /  complex  do  you  live  in  and  what  made  you  choose  it  ?  what  made  you  stay  ?

"My daughter and I live in Willow Heights. I had some trouble deciding which neighbourhood to choose at first, then learned about Willow Heights' history. There were many wonderful homes to choose from, but the moment I laid eyes on my home, it was love at first sight. It reminded me so much of Classical architecture that it felt like it was personally made for me. I can't imagine living anywhere else in town now."

how  did  you  incorporate  your  personality  into  your  home  ?

"I was lucky that it already had much of my personality in it. The powder room on the first floor, however, I did have renovated so that the walls had hieroglyphs that looked much like an Egyptian temple. I do plan to add more ancient Mediterranean aesthetics to my home in the future."

if  your  home  had  a  soundtrack,  what  would  it  be  and  why  ?

"Absolutely the soundtracks for Assassin's Creed Origins and its two DLCs. It's my favourite video game and the music makes me feel like I've taken a step back in time."

which  room  has  the  best  lighting  for  selfies  ?

"Possibly my filming room, my atrium, or my powder room."

when  was  the  last  time  you  used  your  pool  ?

"Last night. My daughter and I had a small pool party with some fellow parents and their kids are friends with Nur."

what’s  your  favorite  spot  to  relax  in  your  home  ?

"I would say my office. Not only is it connected to the atrium, but I have a good view of the backyard. Though, that's also another favourite of mine. I love getting to play with my daughter out there or setting up a projector for movie nights in the yard."

do  you  prefer  painted  walls  or  wallpaper  ?

"I love both! My walls are a mixture of being painted, being covered in wallpaper, mosaics and tiles, or engravings, like the hieroglyphs. I love having different textures and I've been able to do so in a cohesive way that makes everything work without being too busy."

what  neighborhood  /  complex  do  you  live  in  and  what  made  you  choose  it  ?  what  made  you  stay  ?

“  we  live  in  willow  park  –  it’s  seriously  so  nice. it  was  the  most  affordable  with  more  than  one  bedroom,  but  what  kept  me  around  is  the  people.  ”  a  pause.  “  …  and  the  commute  from  sol’s  school  and  work  isn’t  so  bad,  either.  ”

how  do  you  organize  your  closet  ?  do  you  have  a  separate  space  for  shoes  and  accessories  ?

“  call  me  a  control  freak,  but  i  need  to  have  my  clothes  color  coordinated,  sorted  by  things  like  pants,  shorts,  big  shirts,  pajamas  …  everything’s  got  their  own  designated  place.  ”  a  motion  of  a  jewelry  box  with  her  hands.  “  i  keep  all  my  necklaces  and  rings  on  a  stand.  and  dirt  on  my  carpet  ?  leave  the  shoes  at  the  door,  please.  ”

do  you  have  any  home  improvement  projects  lined  up  ?  what  are  they  ?

“  sol  is  going  to  be  four  this  year  and  i  have  a  feeling  he’s  going  to  want  to  ‘big-boy-ify’  his  room.  ”  a  softened  laugh  while  scratching  at  the  nape  of  her  neck.  “  other  than  that,  figuring out  if  someone  can  reinstall  the  swing  on  the  tree  outside.  i  tried  and …  well,  clearly  it’s  not  fixed.  ”

what’s  your  favorite  spot  to  relax  in  your  home  ?

“  this  little  spot  near  the  window.  god,  i  love  getting  snuggled  up  into  all  of  the  pillows  with  a  book  or  my  headphones  and  people-watching  or  watching  the  rain.  reminds  me  a  little  bit  of  home.  ”

what  is  your  most  prized  possession  in  your  home  ?

questions  :

 what  neighborhood  /  complex  do  you  live  in  and  what  made  you  choose  it  ?  what  made  you  stay  ?

how  did  you  incorporate  your  personality  into  your  home  ?

what  is  your  favorite  kind  of  house  guest  ?

what  is  your  most  prized  possession  in  your  home  ?

what  are  you  neighbors  like ?  do  you  have  a  positive  or  negative  relationship  with  them  ?

do  you  have  any  home  improvement  projects  lined  up  ?  what  are  they  ?

does  your  home  have  any  custom - made  pieces ?  if  so,  what  are  they  ?

if  your  home  had  a  soundtrack,  what  would  it  be  and  why  ?

which  room  has  the  best  lighting  for  selfies  ?

when  was  the  last  time  you  used  your  pool  ?

what’s  your  favorite  spot  to  relax  in  your  home  ?

do  you  prefer  painted  walls  or  wallpaper  ?

what’s  in  your  fridge  right  now  ?

what  is  the  best  feature  of  your  bedroom  ?

how did you incorporate your personality into your home?

ooh, this is a fun question ! well... i live in willow commons with my housemate, miles. but i like adding a touch of me into it ⸺ hints of pink, cute jars and mugs, plates ... ooh ! and i like to keep it cozy too. i love collecting trinkets and figurines ⸺ especially sonny angels, calico critters ... y'name it ! you'd definitely see at least a couple peeking out the shelves, on the tv, anywhere it fits, it sticks !

what is your most prized possession in your home?

....... my blindboxes. ⸺ i'd say they're preeeetty valuable to me and i think it's a perfect investment !! i have a few unopened ones, and if i ever need the extra cash i could def'nitely sell them. d'you know how much people would pay for popmart items ?? the labubus ?? like ⸺ it's crazy ! but i'm also crazy too for wanting to buy them ... but that's not the point. heh. but yes. i'd say my figurines and blindboxes !

does your home have any custom-made pieces? if so, what are they?

oh my goshhh, i have a custom-made bookshelf to hold my albums and calicos, but other than that i also have ... i'd say dishes that i've made in pottery class. i like unique and goofy shaped things, so those are my favourite too !

what’s your favorite spot to relax in your home?

i have a reading nook tucked away at the corner of the living room and that's a really nice place to just chill at the end of my shift ⸺ i do a lot of standing, so ... it's nice to just throw myself on the huge ass cushion and read a book or somethin' !

how do you organize your closet? do you have a separate space for shoes and accessories?

1. what neighborhood / complex do you live in and what made you choose it ? what made you stay ?

“ i live in the grand home on the estate that’s belonged to my family for generations, located in redbud manor. it’s where i was born, where i grew up, and where i will stay for the rest of my life. as much as i love other places in the world, nowhere else has really felt like my true home. ”

2. how did you incorporate your personality into your home ?

“ i have posters of my favourite films framed on the walls, little pieces of memorabilia on the shelves around my home, silly little trinkets scattered around that myself or my friends and family have brought. i also like to use my favourite colours- navy blue, gold, burgundy red, and emerald green- in small doses around the house to give it some character. ”

3. what is your favorite kind of house guest ?

“ i love any kind as long as they as respectful. i don’t mind if they want to sit in the garden or the library all day or whether they want to talk over drinks for hours. i do love those who don’t mind a bit of both: socialising first and then winding down later. ”

4. what is your most prized possession in your home ?

“ this might be cheesy, but the photographs of me and my family and friends. almost everything else in the house can replaced, no matter the cost, but those photographs are priceless to me. i’d be devastated if any of them were ruined, thrown out, or burned. the memories mean more to me than any other object. ”

5. what are you neighbors like ? do you have a positive or negative relationship with them ?

“ i have good relationships with all of my neighbours. we’re respectful of each other and of each other’s properties. we bake and cook food for one another, we watch other’s houses when we go on vacation, we stop for a chat when we have the time, we help out with diy projects or keeping an eye on the children for a short while, and pick things up from the store just because we know the other likes something in particular. i’m very lucky. ”

6. do you have any home improvement projects lined up ? what are they ?

“ i’d like to add more colourful flowers and plants to the garden, especially now that summer is practically here, to brighten things up. i’d also like to redo my entrance hall since it’s been neglected for longer than i would have liked: the tiles are a little worse for wear and the walls need a refresh. ”

7. does your home have any custom - made pieces ? if so, what are they ?

“ the two wingback chairs by the fireplace are custom pieces and i adore them. the same goes for the granite countertop on the kitchen island and bathroom sinks, the outdoor sofa and cushions, … and most of the paintings are custom-made too, which i commissioned from local artists. custom furniture and decor allows my home to feel unique and more like an expression of myself. ”

8. if your home had a soundtrack, what would it be and why ?

“ something mellow and easy-listening. maybe some light jazz or classical. definitely music that incorporates a piano: one of the loves of my life. probably something like a piece by the great ludovico einaudi. ”

9. which room has the best lighting for selfies ?

“ although i’ve never taken selfies without other people in the picture, people tell me that the bathroom lighting is great and so is the living room, both of which face south, so the natural lighting in always there. ”

10. when was the last time you used your pool ?

“ i use it almost every day and certainly every day in the summer when the heat is unbearable during the day or when i want to cool off in the evening. I couldn’t do without it. people also like to use it when i host parties and as long as it’s kept clean i’m more than happy to let them. ”

11. what’s your favorite spot to relax in your home ?

“ either my library or garden during the daytime and then my bedroom in the evenings. to be honest, i can relax just about everywhere other than my study- that room is reserved for the more stressful moments. ”

12. do you prefer painted walls or wallpaper ?

“ it depends on the room. for my bedroom there is an accented wall, but the living room is plain so i can hang art or photos and it doesn’t look too crowded. i usually like anything that’s two-toned or has an art deco pattern. ”

13. what’s in your fridge right now ?

“ not very much because i need to go to the store, but there’s always fruit juice and cooled sparkling water, always some kind of fruit and vegetables, eggs, milk, the occasional bar of chocolate and a tub of cookies and cream ice-cream in the freezer. ”

14. what is the best feature of your bedroom ?

“ i love the walk-in wardrobe. it doesn’t look much different to when all my father’s clothes were there as he, like myself, was a fan of darker coloured suits. but my absolute favourite is probably the little balcony that overlooks the garden; it gets the sun all day and is perfect for relaxing with a book and a glass of cold lemonade or a coffee in the morning. ”

15. how do you organize your closet ? do you have a separate space for shoes and accessories ?

" what complex do you live in and what made you choose it ? what made you stay ? "

" i live in willow commons, of course. " she leads up the townhome's stairs to the first floor. " uh, if i'm being honest, i chose it because there was immediate availability. i sort of moved here on a whim, so i had to go with whatever was available on sort notice. " she pauses and rests on the couch, a white modular sectional. " i stayed because my neighbors are really nice. everyone welcomed me with open arms which i was really appreciative of. "

" what is your most prized possession in your home ? "

jina thinks for a moment before motioning to her shelf, holding a display of books. " my bookshelf ! some of these books are from home and some of them are ones i recently purchased from old fox books. i like a lot of classic literature and some of them are about ballet, too. " she motions toward a lower shelf. " this shelf has some i found out about tiktok. we won't talk about what's on it. "

" what's your favorite spot to relax in your home ? "

" oh, on the deck. " ballerina opens the sliding back door, revealing a decorated back deck. there's a chaise lounge and small table, clearly still in development. " i'm not done yet, " jina confirms. " for the most part, i just sit out here and read with mandu, but she doesn't like being outside for long. plus, texas is sooooo hot ! i don't come out here past noon. "

" do you prefer painted walls or wallpaper ? "

" i can't paint my walls since i'm renting, but i do like the look of wallpaper. it gives such a chic look to a room, i think. if i ever have my own home i might make use of wallpaper instead of paint. i'd have to hire someone, though. i'm the least crafty person ever. "

" what is the best feature of your bedroom ? "

what neighborhood/complex do you live in and what made you choose it ? what made you stay?

i’m currently living in a five bedroom home in the oaks with my son ace ! i wanted to start a family of my own, and the first step would’ve been to add a little space, you know ?? i love my family but i wanted to do something of my own. it took a lot of planning ⸺ a bedroom of my own, ace’s bedroom, a guest bedroom, a little home office or a space where i can paint and ace’s playroom. i opted for sort of … a modern rustic cabin vibe ?? if that’s even the right choice of words haha but something cozy, warm, and homey ⸺ kind of where you could just come home and relax.

how did you incorporate your personality into your home?

being at work can be really exhausting ⸺ i wanted a warm, chill vibe when i chose the design of the house, and i wanted it big and spacious so that ace could run ‘round and be a kid. big enough for my pets too, so that’s important. i’m all about lovin’ too so when the time comes i can have the home be romantic with the lightning and whatnot !

what are you neighbors like? do you have a positive or negative relationship with them?

my neighbours are great ! they’re amazing, really. sometimes we host dinners or brunches together and it’s real sweet. i’m usually in charge of the sweet and savoury treats, so i’ll either do breakfast or dessert. it’s fun !

if your home had a soundtrack, what would it be and why?

oof, good question ⸺ i’d go with either you’ve got a friend in me, or you’ll be in my heart. there would be the occasional bluey theme song, but if i could mesh the three together, that’ll be the soundtrack ! i want ace to grow up in a home where he knows that he’s loved and that i’ll always have his back, and how important it is to be kind. raising a kid is tough work ⸺ but i’m doing this for him.

what is the best feature of your bedroom?