The beauty of this condo, whose owner requested anonymity, is in the details. Each time we point to an object, he would say it’s his favorite. In fact, he wouldn’t put anything for use or on display if it wasn’t a favorite.
Although the condo was decorated by instinct, the owner worked like a professional. He started by understanding the space and its capacity, how to keep the corners alive and how they’re going to be used.
The original décor was a color scheme of black and white. But the high-contrast color scheme seemed cold, and the similarity of lines and textures of the furniture made the place seem sterile. Many of the objects in storage were waiting to be used.
The new color scheme is a soothing silver gray with pops of bold color. The eclectic décor style draws attention to the compositions of furniture, furnishing, fabrics, materials, and colors that produce unique looks that are totally different from one another, yet appropriate for the spaces they occupy.
The underpinning of the décor is the juxtaposition of textures, shapes, and objects in an unpredictable manner.
Dutch designer Marcel Wanders’ Big Shadow lamp, designed for Italian brand Cappellini, dominates the living room of Philippine-made products. Kenneth Cobonpue’s low woven coffee table is a contrast to the hefty proportions of the lamp. The sheen of the shell nesting tables from Cebu plays against the nubby canvas-upholstered sofas by Sorsogon-based designer Milo Naval.
A bit of zing comes from the metallic mirror frame and Murano crystal busts.
The walls and shelves are spruced up with the owner’s art collection. An early work with Popo San Pascual’s signature theme of faces highlights a corner. The home office is like a mini gallery of artworks of torsos.
Since he loves to entertain, he created a conversation area with cushy furniture that invites guests to relax. It is also his favorite corner because of the strong shapes of the pieces and the color. The flaming red-orange square ottoman, the mustard armchair, and blue leather sofa pack a visual punch. Sculptor Niccolo Jose’s curvaceous, sculpted wooden chair is a warm contrast to the streamlined silhouette of the modern furniture.
To maintain the privacy of the master bedroom, the original bar of the condo was converted into the guests’ powder room. Frosted glass sliding doors open to a space with an infinity sink. Underneath it, pebbles, plants, and Oriental ceramic garden stools lend the feel of a Zen garden.
We learned from the owner that decorating need not be expensive, despite the fact that many of the key pieces are designer brands. The owner waits for sales to get value for his money.
Ultimately, it’s the combination of disparate materials and shapes that add up to the visual success of the home.
Photographs by Paul San Juan
This article originally appeared on Asian Dragon’s December 2019-January 2020 issue, available for order on Facebook and Lazada or downloadable from Magzter.
