Domestic Flair

BLISFFUL SIMPLICITY

Each time she steps inside her, Angel Jacob glances at a cross above her door and says a prayer of thanks. It is a place that is truly her own, and she is thrilled about it. She’s easily taken on to being hands on with household chores, washing the dishes and sweeping the floor, but with marked panache—she admits to like setting the mood: candles are lit and music plays on the stereo.

In the details that we get a better glimpse of this media darling’s style. She points out the kitchen cabinet with handles fashioned after spoons and forks. Angel acknowledges a leaning towards Japanese and Balinese style, with her own touch of vintage Filipino feel. There’s a 1920s missalette table that she scored from a “junk shop” she’d discovered. Stones under her bathroom sink give the sense of an improvised indoor Zen-like garden. She’s in love with the Japanese plates she bought during frequent trips to Divisoria. She doesn’t travel far for her finishing touches: at Rustan’s she obtains curtains, clock, soap dispenser, thermos and towels. The yellow walls are the canvass for her tranquil setup where there is neither a landline or cable TV connected, and she prefers it that way. Whether she’s entertaining friends or enjoying her solitude, Angel is happily content.

SOOTHING SANCTUARY

It is a sublime serenity that envelops you. Yes, H’s Salon’s Henry Calayag surprises us with his abode: a tranquil, peaceful residence. This private side is a new start, a new book so to speak, where he’s moved on from a house already filled with items he’s accumulated throughout the years.

In planning his intimate sanctuary, he wanted it to be “light and mild to the eyes, where the palette of the sky blends inside. A vanilla sky.” The place is bathed in white. Touches of silver and neutral browns here and there, completing Henry’s creation of quiet calm.

Next to his bedroom where he heads to after a busy day is a dressing room, a testament to Henry’s love for clothes, bags and accessories, which will soon function also as a music room. Henry tells us that he can possibly change everything at a whim. The important thing is that his home reflects his personality and remains aesthetically gratifying. In the meantime, he continues to enjoy his domain where, he declares, everything has a story. Little need be said then as we take in his environment: from murals by Doltz Pilar down to the vases, lamp, rug and duvet from Rustan’s. They had all spoken to Henry and enhanced his serene haven.

PERSONALIZED EXUBERANCE

Her bed lies against a spectacular fabric-paneled wall in leopard print. Unabashedly, Chat Fores professes to love animal prints.

Is it because Chat is an interior designer (she even teaches at Philippine School of Interior Design) that she can pull off such a bold approach? It could also be simply because Chat gives little effort to differentiate her work from her hobby. Traveling to different places and shopping for bargain deals are a treat.

She takes her time in assessing style and practicality, although most of her pieces don’t necessarily have to belong to one setting. She has knows she can easily match classic European and Orientalia pieces with retro or modern furniture, or dive into a minimalist look. She utilizes every item to make it all work. She explains, for example, how the gold sheets from Rustan’s are a perfect foil to the fabric paneled wall, and how the antiquated mirror adds the warmth to her room’s simple and clean lines.

And even if she redecorates with moving a piece of furniture elsewhere, adding a painting here and removing a coromandel there, we know that the result will always be essentially Chat and that she had a total ball putting it all together. And that at home, the animal prints remain.

TASTEFUL SOLITUDE

That he has over 5,000 CDs and records in his music room actually comes as only a small surprise. Anton Ramos, after all, is the man behind Tower Records and Music One. What comes as a pleasant discovery is what Anton has done to his very private two-bedroom unit. There is something distinctly Japanese in the décor, from the design of the doors, to the garden on the balcony. The design scheme, Anton relates, was inspired from two big Rachy Cuna paintings. The Japanese-inspired art coupled with the subtlety of Japanese interiors clinched it for Anton.

His furniture pieces are elegant yet unimposing, and appear to be purposely selected. In fact, there is a space in the living room reserved for his dream piece: an antique Japanese armor. But Anton’s furnishings mostly come from local shops, and Rustan’s comes in handy as stylish home accessories.

Everything totals to a reverently solemn space, an escape from the city’s hustle, a home base to reconnect with one’s self. He confides that he’s been fittingly complimented that “it’s so me.”He elucidates, “More than anything, it’s just that it’s my taste. Nothing else to it. Like my dad always says, de gustibus non disputandum est—with taste there is no question.”

COMFORT DELUXE

It is presumptive to think that as a makeup artists and stylist, Chechel Joson must be someone preoccupied with the beauty. It is not a disappointing assumption. Stepping into her apartment, one understands what it means to be enfolded in classy luxury. Her couches are upholstered in cool neutrals and surround an ottoman. Her home reveals little touches of country charm, such as her reproduced old-fashioned phone, wooden side tables and dining set, which gives a startling twist to a decidedly urban living space.

Clean and simple lines permeate throughout the apartment, and understated accessories emphasize the contemporary, cozy feel. Chechel’s beautifying effort has certainly paid off, her hunt for the pieces to complete her home has found her picking up items from places abroad to nooks in Baguio and Divisoria. Her beautifully simple vases come from Rustan’s, and the store’s lamps help tie in the look.

Candles, massive artwork and an expansive mirror give speaks much of Chechel’s taste for color and warmth. The neutral palette really plays up the charmingly jovial ways she has, as she entertains guests with her cocktail concoctions or endless supply of food.

Obviously a woman who knows what pampering is about, Chechel has once again created beautiful magic bringing about an impressive visual and substantial treat that she certainly, succulently enjoys.

FRESH STYLE

It’s host and sportscaster TJ Manotoc’s fourth home and things are finally starting to fall into place. He’s starting to find out that he has a certain disposition for dark-colored chocolaty wood, as epitomized by his current favorite furniture piece: a large square coffee table.

While he waits for his new stuff to come in to complete his new bachelor pad, we focus on his bedroom. A metal divider handed down from his sister complements the palette he has chosen for his furniture, and emphasizes an art piece from Rustan’s by the side of the bed. The grey sheets from Rustan’s sticks close to the dark neutral tones but gives the room a modicum of grown-up vibe.

TJ states that he’s gunning for the minimalist look. “Very simple and cozy, no fuss, no fancy stuff. Nice soothing dark tones blending with the light walls. Like a smooth chill out song come to life.” That’s a great shift from his previous disorderly living manner. Acknowledgement goes to his girlfriend Rio and comments from his family convincing him to invest in pieces of substance.

Still, TJ won’t give a last word on the final product. He’s content to discover more of what catches his fancy and see how things will fit. “I have yet to see that style to unfold myself.”
Rustan’s Supplement for People Asia, July 2004