LOOK: Julia Barretto's tropical Japanese-inspired house is a true embodient of safe haven
Julia Barretto is proud to be an old soul, and the 25-year-old's tropical Japanese-inspired house can attest to that.
In Karen Davila's YouTube vlog on Sept. 15, the actress gave her fans and the broadcaster's followers a tour of her modern three-story house infused with a mix of classy vintage and contemporary pieces.
At the ripe age of 19, Julia started planning her own home with the guidance of her mother Marjorie and her manager at that time. Adorned with glass, pristine white walls, and wood accents, this is how Julia envisioned her home that came from her own "blood, sweat—and literally tears" throughout her showbiz career, which started when she was only nine years old.
"We started building this home when I was 19, finished when I was 22," Julia told Davila. "When I was younger, I didn't know what to do with the money I was earning at first. Pero with guidance of my manager at that time and my mom, they were really encouraging me to invest."
"At first I didn't know what I was doing when I was a teenager and then my mom said, 'Julia, you might want to get a lot.' And then at first, I was so nervous," she continued. "And then years later, I started living here." She added that she had "mandatory savings" to build it from the ground up.
The actress collaborated with her interior designer and architect to design her home. "So we started at 19, and it was important for me to be surrounded with the right people. And also, tita, the older you get, iba-iba 'yung season mo sa life and your taste changes as well," she told Davila.
Through and through, the actress made sure that everything she puts into her home has good quality. "So una palang, I really invested in good quality furniture," she continued. "But everything was budgeted pero also I don't want to be selfish. Ayoko ma-compromise 'yung life ko dito sa first house."
A big wooden textured door and a Wabi Sabi-inspired living room will welcome guests into her cozy abode. She added a touch of color to the cream-based spot with an abstract painting by Filipino artist Carlo Saavedra hanging right above her sofa.
For her center table, Julia opted for a Japanese-inspired masterpiece by local designer Nix Alarcon. Adding to the zen vibe are wooden ornaments that came all the way from Baguio.
She continues to prove her love for homegrown brands with an eight-seater wooden dining table paired with rattan chairs, which were all crafted in Baguio. Serving as the centerpiece is a jar from the City of Pines containing twigs, which were given to her by her mom.
"Kasi I'm an old soul so gusto ko modern tapos may old touch lang," Julia said about her dining room.
A golden money tree is placed in a corner of the dining area, and the actress said that it was really meant to be there as she had been looking for it while building her dream home. "Naghahanap talaga ako ng art piece noong bini-build 'yung house and [the artist] said para itong abundance and blessings. Kasi money siya, tita, e," Julia told Davila.
Right beside her dining area is an open, neutral-toned kitchen. The area features gray cabinets and appliances, with a balance of white countertops. One of the room's highlights is its contemporary exhaust fan at the center, which doubles as a unique lamp.
Next to Julia's kitchen is a patio that features water-resistant chairs mostly made out of rattan and an abaca rug to achieve the tropical Japanese vibe. Adding to the fresh and natural energy brought about by the place are the tall bamboo stalks Julia and Marjorie used to decorate her white wall.
Not only do the bamboo stalks serve as a nice decor in her lanai, Julia said it also makes the house "mahangin," She added, "At saka privacy 'di ba, kasi puro glass my house."
Asked if she has plans of moving into a bigger house in the future, Julia admitted that she wanted a big family. "Pero this one, like, gusto ko lang masabi na I was able to build a house for myself at some point. 'Tas yung family house, kami na ng asawa ko ‘yun." she said.
It can be recalled that the actress revealed in the April 21 YouTube vlog of her boyfriend Gerald Anderson that she's willing to leave showbiz "anytime" to start a family.
Julia said she is happy with what she has achieved in her career as an actress but is dreaming of a "simple quiet life" with her own family in the future. Gerald confirmed his relationship with Julia in a tell-all interview with Boy Abunda on March 5, 2021.