Amber Folkman: This Mom Uses Pinoy Experiences As Inspo For Her Home

“I use my home as my canvas,” says Amber Smith-Folkman, a DIYer and blogger of amommabroad.com.  And what a home it is—living areas filled with Filipino textiles and décor, walls decorated with her children’s artwork, and relaxed spaces that come alive with her own crafts. The mother-of-three shares that the main goal of her blog is to “chronicle our adventures, cultural lessons and other perks of the Philippines to spread positivity.”

READ:  We’re Loving This Mom’s Budget-Friendly Decorating Ideas

Amber, who is a California native who relocated to the Manila in 2009 with her husband, is not like other expats who prefer a sheltered lifestyle. Instead, she fully immerses herself in Philippine culture; bringing her entire family on off-the-beaten-track trips (from Mount Makiling to Escolta) eating local food (the neighborhood panaderia is a favorite), and applying traditional Filipino customs in their daily lives.

“I do like to call myself a ‘Foreignay,’ I feel like somehow, maybe, in a past life, or in my next life, there’s some type of Filipino blood in me,” she admits.

You’ll be seeing Amber’s DIY projects, home tips, and fun weekend adventures more often as one of Real Living’s Style Spotters, our group of design and home experts.

Get to know more about Amber in the video below: 

Makeup by Emer Buenaventura using MAC Cosmetics and Raymond Galang. Hair by Nhot Bituin and Calai Flores.

 Styling and Art Direction by Dagny Madamba | Produced by Sunshine Selga-Funa and Cielo Anne Calzado