Surfer girl Jasmine Curtis-Smith showcases her passion for the beach and the outdoors in her 43-square-meter condo.
This is evident in the rattan weave light fixture and the solihiya chairs in her studio apartment, while the two beige ottomans near the foot of her bed complement the herringbone pattern of the flooring.
Jasmine says about her cozy enclave, "I wanted it to have a beach-slash-city type of unit that could be a potential halfway-home kung sakaling mag-permanently base na ako sa La Union or somewhere else."
Out of all the furniture in her apartment, Jasmine considers the tan-colored sofa to be her biggest investment as it cost her "five figures."
She says, "This couch is my favorite, hindi lang dahil siya ang pinakamahal na piece of furniture ko dito sa condo, but also because it's soft enough to sleep in.
"I've always dreamt of having a couch like this. This couch is worth the buy because it can age with you. I can use this for life.
"I can bring it to all my future places. For me, it's where you have your guests, sit down with you.
"Yun yung gusto kong maramdaman nila: to feel comfortable. Kahit maliit lang yung space, meron silang kumportableng upuan."
One unique feature of her home is the blue cabinet for storage that conceals her refrigerator.
"This blue accent here is actually a refrigerator. Pina-install ko na siya as part of the cabinet para maging seamless yung design ng kitchen, at para hindi ma-break yung flow ng kulay at mga pattern," explains Jasmine.
And in her bathroom, aha, a Japanese tub!
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Jasmine says she had it designed as she wanted it, "The bathroom fits a Japanese tub that I specifically requested for.
"Yun talaga ang hinanap namin ng designer ko. The accents of the bathroom are white and gold para maaliwalas."
This condo exudes a peaceful vibe that brings to mind relaxing summer days on a beach.
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Jasmine shares she and her interior decorator worked throughout the pandemic to achieve exactly how she envisioned the space to be.
"I hired an interior decorator. Initially, gusto ko ako yung mag-design at mag-conceptualize ng bawat sulok at kukuha na lang ako ng contractor to execute my ideas.
"But then, naisip ko, at least pulido na, so I hired Martina Bautista and trinabaho namin ito throughout the pandemic."
She added, "Itong studio unit na ito took over a year since may restrictions at that time, like permits, at ilang tao yung puwede pag ECQ [Enhanced Community Quarantine].
"Martina did all the hard work and research binigyan na lang niya ako ng options.
"Binago namin yung layout, kung nasaan yung kusina, kung saan yung mga cabinets kasi gusto ko fresh yung aura ng lugar."
JASMINE CURTIS SMITH: real estate investor
The 28-year-old actress actress bought this condo unit in Taguig in 2014, a decision that motivated her to work even harder in the entertainment world, an industry she has been part of since 2011.
Jasmine relates, "I purchased this property right after I fully paid my initial one in Pasig, which is the one I really lived in for four years.
"Ito, I got it as a follow-up para may inspiration na magtrabaho at hindi mawala yung drive, 'May bayarin tayo, kailangan kumayod nang kumayod.'"
Along the way, she began thinking about earning extra income from the property.
"Binili ko yung studio type dahil naisip ko kung sakali man ma-furnish ko na siya, I'll probably rent it out for extra income or I'll use it for my family or friends who will come on over na galing abroad or out of town.
"At the time, nasa around PHP4 or PHP5 million yung unit. It's been profitable.
"And I've seen that there are people with units like my apartment, and when they put it in the market, they've doubled the price at the very least.
"In a way, I'm looking at it not just a place for me or my family, but also for me to make a business out of it and be wise with my funds."
Jasmine also reveals she has just bought a lot in the municipality of San Juan in La Union, popularly known as the Surfing Capital of the Northern Philippines.
It seems Jasmine's practical side has taken hold of her as she is now deliberating whether she should open her own wellness spa or boutique hotel on the property.
She says, "Actually sa La Union, kakabili ko lang ng lote sa San Juan... Plano ko magpatayo ng...
"Hindi pa ako sure kung gagawin ko siyang sarili kong bahay doon. Eventually, gusto ko rin bumukod sa Manila.
"Marami na ring turista sa La Union na naghahanap ng iba't ibang activities sa La Union, lalo na yung mga hindi marunong mag-surfing or hindi interesado sa surfing.
"Gusto ko sana mabigyan sila ng ibang activities or avenue like a wellness spa.
"I was thinking of another lodging place like a boutique hotel. Hindi pa ako totally nakapag-decide.
"I'm still celebrating the fact na na-purchase ko na yung lote."
UPCOMING PROJECTS
In the meantime, Jasmine is busy with her showbiz commitments.
She enumerates, "I have several films that have not been released yet. One was shot in 2020. This is titled Real Life Fiction with Piolo Pascual and directed by Paul Soriano.
"There's also Moneyslapper with John Lloyd Cruz, directed by Bor Ocampo.
"I have a film in production called Three Days and Two Nights in Poblacion which is directed by RC Delos Reyes. I'm cast in this movie with Barbie Imperial."
"Last year, we competed and premiered In My Mother's Skin in Sundance. This is with Beauty Gonzalez and it was directed by Kenneth Dagatan.
"Ire-release siya on Amazon Prime Video towards the end of the year."
The horror film In My Mother's Skin was the lone non-English language entry selected for Sundance Film Festival's Midnight section.
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
SHOOT PRODUCER: Karen Pagsolingan and Rommel Llanes
ASSISTED by Nikko Tuazon
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Igi Talao
PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER: Kurt Alvarez
ASSISTED by Edmond Grava and Jerick Mariano
Special thanks to Nellie Rusiana of Crown Artist Management
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