Paris Montmartre in 1925 (via Wikipedia)

Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, September 2009.

By Geolette Esguerra

Having reached the tail end of a wondrous journey across Paris, I found myself at the foot of Montmartre, and looked up to enjoy the view of the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, knowing that once I made my way up, I could start taking photos of the city in its entirety. It was during the slow ascent that I came to decide on a few things, namely, I that must return to the city soon and, in the event that it should happen, it would be sacrilege to stay for a period of time shorter than a month.

However, how does one stay in Paris, and for weeks at that, in a city where a bottle of water is a Euro down the drain (or the throat, for that matter)? One would naturally be doing all of the requisite touristy activities, including a walking tour of the Latin Quarter and shopping in the Saint Ouen Flea Market and Rue Etienne Marcel; most of which would require you to spend at least on nourishment. In my reverie, it dawned upon me that I might as well hunt and gather for a living.

It was only when I reached the open-air studio of the Artists Square when the answer dawned on me, perhaps I could try my hand at painting here? The five-minute sketch costs around 10
euro, a few pastels and colored pencils start at 20 euro. A fine enterprise, if one is willing, but I shrugged off the idea when I realized how my works pale in comparison with the Montmartre
artists.

WHERE MARTYRS FOR ART TREAD

Montmartre means mount of mars, signifying ‘mountain of the martyr’ in reference to Saint Denis who was decapitated on the hill. This artists’ and bohemians’ quarter is situated in the 18th arrondissement (district) of Paris. The open square is lovingly called Place du Tertre, which is a few streets away from the Basilica. Artists started populating this square in the 1800s, easily becoming an artistic center of Paris. Popular artists who have lived and worked in this area include Pablo Picasso and Amedeo
Modigliani, two among the many creatives who lived in Le Bateau-Lavoir.

The square has seen its share of Impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Surrealism and modern painting. A Post-Impressionist, avant-garde collective called Les Nabis and a highly irrational and iconoclastic art movement called Incoherents were formed in this area, members of which frequent the square. Artists including Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Toulouse- Lautrec, and even the jazz poet Langston Hughes, have found inspiration in the place. Now the square is home to 298 painters, portraitists and caricaturists, all whom share the square under the Montmartre Artists Association.

DELIGHTFUL SQUARE

Montmartre achieved worldwide popularity of late because of the film “The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain, which, even though the film showed an idealized version of modern Parisian life, still managed to highlight the details that make Montmartre a romantic place. It is in this note that I let go of my dreams of working alongside the French contemporary painters. Instead, I sit back, and reach in my bag for ten Euros as I ask the man (in French of course) for a discounted charcoal portrait.

Booth design mood board as inspiration for a green wedding

(For the Beauty of the Earth. An Introduction to Green Weddings. Text by Geolette Esguerra. Wedding Essentials Volume 5 Issue 1 January 2009-June 2009)

You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children: that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the son of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves. –Native American Wisdom

I was reading an article about the “Philosophy of Green” – an advocacy that is environmentally sensitive that can be also applied in weddings. To have a verdant or green wedding then, doesn’t mean a green motif or a green key color for a wedding. Green Wedding holds importance in details and in diverse ways. It is all about reducing the carbon footprint during the celebration, protecting or conserving energy, and somehow educating your guests about protection and saving the Mother Earth.

 Here are some tips in having a green wedding.

• Expose the beauty of nature and exhibit things that showcase protection and saving the environment through prenuptial photography. Pose for environment.(eg.tree planting, nature appreciation, picking up garbage, and other pro-environment activities)
• For an intimate wedding of 100 guests, try having it in a small capacity venue or venue such as lush garden or beach to reduce energy consumption due to air-conditioning and complex lighting.
• Indoor venues with state-of-the art natural lighting and ventilation for a large number of guests.
• Pick a unique local spot such as gallery that holds environmental exhibits, farm, organic restaurants, green hotel or university garden, or places with natural wonders wherein your guests will appreciate the beauty of nature.
• For the church ceremony, you can support UNESCO supported churches (eg.San Agustin Church, Manila & Sto.Tomas Church,Miag-ao,Ilo-ilo City) to expose your guest to the beauty of these historical churches and also give financial support for its maintenance.
• Have the ceremony venue closer to the reception venue, or have them in the same area if possible.
• Use a low-carbon mover such as calesa and rickshaw.
• Plan out a carpool to reduce the fuel costs for the transportation
• Recycle wedding gown. Have the wedding gown of your mother or grandmother reworked. Vintage is the in-thing nowadays.
• Make sure the gowns of your entourage can be used again for other functions.
• Use sustainable materials such as hemp, bamboo, organic cotton, and pina cloth.
• Expose your guest to the sounds and music of environment advocates (eg.Rey Ayala & Grace Nono)
• Use natural and locally grown flowers.
• Use baskets and decors out of dried weeds and sub-materials of local produce.
• Use decors that are available without purchase. Have reworked decors.
• Try endemic products for the food. Consider vegetarian dishes or cruelty-free viands and fat-free foods.
• Introduce an educative AVP’s (eg.growing-up slideshows,3D Montage) that gives clear understanding about environmental issues- its protection and preservation. Having it animated will further entice the guests especially children.
• Make invitations, menu and thank you cards, thank tags, guest seat card a D-I-Y job for the couple or use recycled papers for your stationery (eg.home-made fossilized paper,or papers out of processed durian shell).Be creative in making gewgaws using recycled materials like dried leaves with names on it as guest seat card.
• Seedlings or ornamental plants or flowers in recycled containers as centerpieces for the tables. It also serves as souvenir.(eg.potted orchids)
• Seedlings of fruit-bearing trees wherein they can plant it, or fruit seeds in special packaging.
• Processed seasonal produce as souvenir.(eg.pickles,atchara,guava jelly)
• Reading materials that talk about environmental issues as giveaways and souvenir for your guests. Environmental story book for the children that advocates ecology and sustainability.
• Show environmental documentary during dinner.
• Include environmental issues to the program script and thank-you message of couple and other presentations.
• Have fun-games that has environmental approach (eg.quiz bee about environmental issues)
• Do away with firework displays.
• Ask donations for different charities in lieu of tangible gifts like appliances. Donations that supports green projects like tree planting, seedling production, fingerling dispersal and rehabilitation of a river or a creek.

What you reap is what you sow. Going green in your own little way and contributing to the survival of the earth will make your future married life much brighter.

TRIVIA : PHILOSOPHY OF GREEN. The concept has been around since 1980s, as the translation of the German Grun, coined by die Gruenen, which was the successful green organization. The movement was never exactly born, but rather, a product of several movements that advocate ecology and sustainability. In general, sustainability pertains to meeting the needs of the present, while keeping in mind the emerging needs of the future generation. We all need water, but we must harvest it in such a way that our children’s children will also be able to access water in the years to come. While it would not be difficult to embrace the movement, the greater challenge lies in proper implementation.

Right now the movement for green is gaining momentum, with the increased interest in global warming, and talks about carbon footprint, which measures the environmental impact of human activities in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced. Companies now claim to have-carbon reduced products, a far cry from the “100% recycled” and “organic” come-ons a decade ago. With people a more comprehensive concept of green, the movement not rest only in the fields such as design transportation, manufacturing, and even fashion.

(via alvhemmakleri)

About Weddings, Manila Bulletin, 2007.

Wedding Essentials, Sesame Seed Creatives, 2007.

By Geolette Esguerra

Each couple, at some point in their relationship, conjures an image of the ideal house in their mind.

To some these are modern masterpieces of white slabs and geometric shapes, others dream of idyllic Mediterranean villas with courtyards, many ponder on the allure of a low maintenance condominium unit, while a select few prefer the serenity of a two-storey dwelling in a vibrant community.

Though each dream home is different, you would probably agree that attaining the house of your dreams is often a struggle in cooperation, and definitely a great financial hurdle. Because of these difficulties, it takes a couple a few years into their marriage before they start working towards a home they could really call their own, preferring to live either in their ancestral house or in a rented condo unit or townhouse.

What if there is a financial program that would give you the flexibility and freedom to choose your payment terms? One where you can choose from a 0%-20% down payment and amortization payable from 5 years to 25 years with fixed interest rates throughout the entire stretch? Well, dream no more because Community Innovations, the subsidiary of Ayala Land that focuses on urban achievers with fast-paced and modern lifestyles, has come up with a financing program that can put a roof over your heads without breaking the bank. Community Innovations offers cutting-edge and pioneering concepts in urban and community living in its developments such as The Columns Legazpi Village that is set house the largest gym ever in a condominium development, Two Serendra in Bonifacio Global City with its laid-back 65 percent greenery and open spaces, and the best selling Verdana Homes in Bacoor and Mamplasan which are ideal communities for young families.

This very exciting program is called Homestarter, a financing series that gives you the option of choosing between three payment schemes to suit your lifestyle. What’s interesting about the series is that it offers a complete package of financing options, unprecedented payment terms, the convenience of dealing with just one financing institution, and long-term peace of mind from a fixed amortization rate for the entire duration of the term. For the couple who is ready and able, there’s the Homestarter Swift which features quick and standard paying terms, the Homestarter Flex for couples who need customized terms, and Homestarter Stretch for couples who require long term payment schemes up to 25 years. Homestarter stretch offers a reduced down payment of 10% (and within a limited period, until 0%) down payment, with very low monthly amortization rates that are fixed throughout the term. Buyers are guaranteed that the payments agreed upon will stay the same no matter what happens to the economy, eliminating the need for the balloon payment that homebuyers often pay within five years of application.

However, Mr. Mendoza also stresses that the financial aspect is by no means the only factor in the purchase. Perhaps the more important consideration is the sense of responsibility that a couple should possess in their choice of home. They must not only have the mindset of living independently, away from the comforts of their ancestral home, but must also be ready to share part of the load – whether it is taking out the garbage or sacrificing the weekly badminton sessions to save for the monthly amortization.

If you think you’re finally ready to commit, having discussed the matter carefully as a couple, and having consulted your financial advisor and pretty much everyone else on the matter – the next best thing to do is to call your nearest Community Innovations property specialist. The specialist will help you reserve a unit and apply for financing, and will help you find the financing scheme that will most suit your needs and lifestyle. It’s really that easy.

In the end, making the decision on where you will live is perhaps one of the most important decisions for soon-to-wed or a married couple. As part of this is the big question on whether or not you should invest immediately in a big-ticket item such as a lot or a condominium unit. It is not unattainable, and is readily possible for the couple that chases after their dream of having a house you can call your own.

Special thanks to Mr. Rex A. Mendoza of Ayala Land Inc., Ms. Amor Maclang and Sara Masakayan of GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc.

Sentosia in Manila

Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp., 2007

By Geolette Esguerra

These days, one thinks of real estate beyond its primary purpose of shelter, but more as an investment that provides a roof over their heads.

For many couples, searching for the perfect home now involves how the property will grow in the next few years. While other properties have proven to increase their net worth over time, much to the satisfaction of the landowners, couples now face a confusing array of real estate ventures that all promise to make their development something one could pass on as a legacy to their children.

Because promises are made to be broken, a new player in the industry challenges couples to pick a card guaranteed to win, no matter what. Legacy Ventures takes off from real estate promises to a bank guarantee. The company has partnered with Philtrust Bank as insurance, to present Sentosia, the prime waterfront residential development that will redefine urban living in Manila Bay. Legacy Ventures puts their money where the mouth is by assuring Sentosia homeowners of profitable returns from their real estate investment. If a resident’s home at Sentosia does not appreciate in a year from the time of turn-over, Legacy Ventures guarantees to buy it back.

Sentosia also has none of the risks inherent in developers that pre-sell but lack the capital to finish their own projects. To prove this, homeowners at Sentosia are guaranteed turn over within six months or Legacy Ventures will pay for the interest until completion.

Room to Grow

More than the guarantee, the best feature of Sentosia is the kind of lifestyle that it offers. With the horizontal condominium concept, wherein each resident will be among the 127 unit owners co-owning the 1.7 hectares of the development, one can have a little patch of land to call one’s own. This is also perhaps the best opportunity for couples who plan on starting a family but feel that the vertical condominium has limited space for children to grow in.

In Sentosia, each unit has a two-car garage, three levels of indoor space and an optional provision for an attic. The smallest unit, Sea Wind, has a total floor area of 161 square meters with three bedrooms, a walk-in-closet and three bathrooms. This will be more than enough room to raise children, and even engage in personal endeavors like a mini-studio or a home-office. Plus, it feels more like home because one has immediate access to the car, ready to explore the amenities within the community like the clubhouse and pool, or the other areas around such as Mall of Asia, Blue Wave, CCP, Baclaran Church or the soon-to-rise commercial and entertainment district called Bay City.

Living by the Bay

With the unique Asian-inspired condominium townhouses that make use of textures such as Japanese clay tiles, stone finishes, glass and even Narra for the main door and stairs; Sentosia offers a stylish but sensible home that has responded to the limitations of living in condos.

It is also reinforced by the new concept of bay-lifestyle, which is characterized by the duality of a leisurely yet vibrant spirit, and suburban yet cosmopolitan nature, as shown by famous seaside communities like San Francisco, Singapore and Venice. Using this, Legacy Ventures aims to act as a catalyst for urban renewal and redevelopment in the area, hoping that some day Manila Bay will be known not only for its beautiful sunsets but also for its iconic waterfront culture.

The Good Life

In the end, Sentosia offers a unique living experience to couples by making use of the best seaside living has to offer. Wake up to the gentle breeze from the sea, dine al fresco in the myriads of restaurants offering international and local cuisine and watch the sunset together while drinking wine by the clubhouse.

And as the sea turn tumultuous from the tide, couples can find solace in the protection offered by a visionary developer to help them achieve the good life and turn their wildest dream into reality.

For more information, visit Legacy Ventures at www.legacyventures.com.ph.

M/S Vianelle photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/pages/MS-Vianelle/110236085655252

MB Travel, Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp., 2008

By Geolette Esguerra

A sudden gust of wind knocks the tulip Chardonnay glass off the ledge, while an assortment of skirts flutter in homage to Marilyn Monroe, cleverly exposing a spring-summer peep-toe that started a commotion among the ladies.

The yacht is vibrant, packed with groups animatedly conversing about tales they dare not mention in dry land. A haven for a few hours to artistes, dilettantes, sophisticates, and their requisite admirers– the yacht is stage to this coterie of strangers all wanting to be away from the waves of reality waiting patiently by the shore.

As the Vianelle moves, the world stands still.

With a gentle swish, the champagne cork flies off into the sunset, to the booming laughter of the groomsman offering the toast. In vivid colors the entourage forms a pattern against the blue, a spectacle visible only to the captain, who flies around with a ‘Just Married’ banner up the sky. There is laughter, praise, and poetry against the cacophony of strings spreading floating melodies across the ocean. Old friends, uncles and long lost cousins from afar, all partake in this joyous occasion.

As the Vianelle sails, the world stands still.

In the yacht, there is joie de vivre — fire dancers moving to Brazilian percussions, while gentle kneading and quiet shouting of beats accentuated by the unconscious feet tapping of the party crowd. The Moet & Chandon overflows, while hors d’oeuvres and maki are served from one party to another, the perfect gastronomic companion to a yacht made specifically for expanding social circles and musical horizons.

As the Vianelle sings, the world stands still.

Words by Geolette Esguerra

“We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have a theory in which I believe all wedding fantasies have a common thread– we all wish to be radiant, fresh, and luminous brides. We aspire to be goddesses as we come out of our carriage, possibly an apparition worthy of gasps and “wows” as we walk down the aisle. It’s not rocket science but I’m certain that we all want to be beautiful. Mind you, not just pretty, but gorgeous, enchanting all our guests and ultimately, our husband-to-be.

Now being beauty is not something you can achieve overnight. Sure, you can slather on moisturizer the night before and pile on make-up on the big day to cover all your secrets, but then, you run the risk of not having your relatives recognize you with all your face paint. The process of being beautiful takes time and effort. The process of transforming into a radiant, blushing bride requires ample planning and discipline.

Needless to say, being effortlessly beautiful is, in truth, a lot of work. And all this work must start long before you book the florist and even before you receive the first RSVP. This step involves the body’s largest organ, your shield from the outside world and ultimately the most abused part of our body – your skin.

Skin talk

Some are luckier than others. We always know of people who have clear, pore-less, porcelain skin; those who tell us that they use only soap and have never tried using moisturizers. Those brides have it good, because they can spend their pre-wedding time stressing over other things. For the less-fortunate goddesses, we troop to the dermatologist. Though some may prefer the services of a cosmetologist, or some may prefer to just use over-the-counter skincare products, consulting your dermatologist about specific issues such as adult acne, rosacea, blemishes, freckles and other discolorations would ensure your safety if treatments will be required.

But no matter what your skin type, be it normal, combination, oily or sensitive, nothing beats a diligent cleansing ritual for perfect skin. This cleanse-tone-moisturize-protect procedure should suit your skin type and may occasionally include exfoliants, scrubs and other specific treatments if needed.

Caring for your skin in preparation for the big day need not always be topical. In fact, a more effective way to purify your skin is through eliminating free radicals from your body. Smoking, drinking, excessive sunlight, pollution, all these things contribute to the deterioration of the skin so the more effort you take to stay away from them, the more radiant your skin will be. Do try to get adequate sleep, and try to get some shut eye from 11pm to 3am as this is when the body regenerates.

Hair Beware

Part of the dream package usually includes long silky tresses with colors from midnight black to chocolate brown. Cliches aside, your mane is instrumental in creating a look that is uniquely yours for your wedding. But before you start deciding if you want curls or pin-straight hair, take a good look at your strands up close and see if your locks need extra pampering. More often than not, you will rarely have had your hair treated, thinking that shampoo and conditioner is enough to take care of your hair. What you may not realize is that your hair is also exposed to pollutants, and is subject to dryness resulting from changes in weather.

With that in place, you can now plan your hairstyle, including the possible treatments or procedures required. Darling, your options are endless. You can have your hair dyed (to any imaginable color), add hair extensions, have it thermal reconditioned, or you could opt for thermal curls. Of course, you also have the choice of just ironing or curling your hair on the big day itself, but many brides now prefer to have these procedures permanent, perhaps as a personal marker as you go beyond the single life.

For a hair-free, smooth skin, it is best to have all the hair removed 3-6 weeks before the big day to make sure that your skin would have healed by then, and the stubs won’t appear prematurely. Don’t forget to work on your brows, as they can work wonders for your face. Some actually underestimate the power of well-shaped brows, thinking that the make-up artist can just fix it the next day. Have a brow expert assess your face and features for them to suggest the best brow shape for you. And finally, for that goddess pucker, bleach, wax or use any depilatory product on your upper lip hair to eliminate the whisker.

Hot Bath

For the final touches, give yourself a long hot bath as you get ready for your grand entrance. Light your bath with vanilla or lavender aromatherapy candles and prepare for a long soak in the tub covered in petals and bath salts. Breathe, relax, and meditate on what will transpire in the next few hours. Cleanse your aura and think only of serene thoughts as you get ready.

After your bath, cover your body in moisturizer, bath oils and perfume to reinforce your scent. This should, of course, complement the flowers you chose to decorate the area for the wedding ceremony and the reception.

The Blushing Bride

And now, it’s all about you, the blushing bride. All eyes are on you as you walk down the path of rose petals to the aisle. Aren’t you glad you made sure your skin is glowing, that your hair is so healthy that it has bounce and real shine, that your aura radiates a certain peace that people just stare at you in awe?

Well done beautiful!

Goddess make-up tips:

1. If you suddenly get a zit, don’t pop! Instead ask your makeup artist to use a spot concealer and don’t forget to put loose powder on top of it to seal it.

2. For dark undereye spots caused by pre-wedding jitters, use an area concealer and blend this with your foundation. Look up while this is being applied to ensure that the concealer won’t settle in the fine lines in your eyes.

3. Use a lipliner to keep your lipstick from feathering and bleeding.

4. Carry a mini-makeup case that has the basics: blotting powder for retouch, a small version of your lipstick and a small vial of your perfume.

5. Instead of using tissue, carry blotting paper to take away the shine.

6. Spritz on rose water, deepsea water or Evian to keep your face fresh throughout the reception.

Artist: Sunflower Day Camp
Director: Zig Marasigan
Assistant Director: Nicolo Reyes
Director of Photography: Pong Ignacio
Production Designer: Cris Silva
Editor: Maui Mauricio
Production Manager: Anna Go
Makeup Artist/Stylist: Geolette Esguerra

Wedding Essentials {WE}
Jan-Jun 2007 issue – volume 3 number 1

Wedding Essentials {WE} is back and better than ever with its fifth issue now available in stores nationwide! This year, the creative minds behind WE Magazine are brining readers its thickest issue with 280-plus pages (30-plus more than the last one) filled with articles on real brides, stunning reception locations, breathtaking wedding gowns and dozens of new features.

Plus, it’s a veritable cornucopia for the eyes as {WE} explores the wonderful world of COLOR, the central theme for the fifth issue. Are you a passionate red? Or a classic white? How about a vibrant orange? Or a sophisticated lavender? Discover your true colors in {WE}’s “Finding Your Color Personality.” Then check out {WE}’s reception set-ups in this issues “Dream Theme Weddings.” From the cool climes of Baguio’s Camp John Hay Manor to the opulent splendor of EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, and the Spanish-Mediterranean ambience of Spendido Taal, {WE}’ve got beautiful reception arrangements created by some of the most talented event stylists and suppliers in the Philippines.

And that’s not all. {WE} gives you an exclusive Monique Lhuillier special featuring a staggering 32 wedding gowns from the designer’s own bridal and evening gown collection. The internationally-renowned Filipina recently held a Gala Benefit Dinner and Fashion Show at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel for the benefit of Asia Society and Bantay Bata’s 163 Foundation-and if that’s not enough to satisfy your fashion cravings, {WE} also offers two new fashion editorials shot on location in Baguio City and The Greenery in Bulacan, two of the country’s rapidly emerging destination wedding venues.

But wait, there’s more. In addition to old favorites, {WE} also introduces a new feature this year with “Merge,” a home and lifestyle article covering the efforts of one real-life, soon-to-wed couple who try to ‘merge’ their different quirks and responsibilities as they prepare to move into a new home. Helping the couple along is Arch. Geolette Esguerra of the prestigious firm Periquet and Galica, who ably takes on the task of designing a master bedroom fit for his and her lifestyle.

Looking for beauty tips and new ideas? Don’t panic with {WE}’s “Fast Fixes,” fashion and beauty tips straight from the experts. Read on as {WE} give you real bride makeovers, an article on plus-size brides and many more exciting features.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the choices out there? {WE}’ll give you a couple of good reasons “Why You Need A Wedding Planner.” Finding it difficult to be part of the family? Take our advice in “How Not To Be An Outlaw to Your In-Laws.” Are women always in charge of the wedding? Not anymore in “Leave It To Your Groom” which follows the experience of three resourceful grooms as they take the reins on the wedding plans and proves to everyone’s it’s not just a woman’s job anymore.

All these and more await readers in Wedding Essentials Issue 5! Available now in leading bookstores and newsstands nationwide. Hurry and grab a copy today!

Wedding Essentials magazine is available at all bookstores, the Wedding Library (SM Megamall, North EDSA, Mall of Asia), and magazine stands.

By Geolette Esguerra

We need objects to remind us of the commitments we’ve made. That carpet from Morocco reminds us of the impulsive, freedom-loving side of ourselves we’re in danger of losing touch with. Beautiful furniture gives us something to live up to. All designed objects are propaganda for a way of life. -Alain de Botton

Much of marriage exists on the intangible – love, fidelity, loyalty, devotion; the entire sacrament rests on promises of eternity, supplemented only by technicalities in paper. For marriage to bear greater weight, we rely on symbols which represent virtues deemed requisite for a blissful union. Coins, veils, cords, and candles are taken not only in the hope that they will bring luck, but in faith that these symbols can strengthen the bonds of matrimony.

For many, the true testament to a relationship is the home. As married life is subject to hurdles and bumps along the way, what holds together a couple who have long forgotten their vows is the sanctuary they call home. In a house filled with objects, we unconsciously create nooks and crannies of memory, those we retreat to when the need arises. In choosing the objects that shape our space, we ponder: do we want our furniture to be fashionable, stylish, and popular? Or, like marriage, do we seek stability, integrity and fidelity?

As young couples seek pieces symbolic of their life together, they turn to tangible pieces they can pass on to future generations. Furniture, akin to marriage, should be built on sound structure and firm foundations. In the furniture design studio Casa Periquet, furniture is perceived as a lifelong companion, one whose value grows over the years. The studio specializes in custom-made pieces, rather than mass-produced items, with each piece tailored to fit the specific needs of a client. Tina Periquet, the notable principal of the leading design firm Periquet Galicia Inc., is also the designer behind Casa Periquet. A product of Pratt Institute and Assumption College, Ms. Periquet seeks to mold and sculpt space instead of adding mere ornamentation, and is greatly sensitive to the inherent properties of the materials she uses in designing furniture that is faithful to the true nature of the material.

Casa Periquet is not only a design atelier; it is also a laboratory where innovation in design is cultivated by the constant exploration and testing of new ideas. The firm is built on a foundation of old-fashioned values such as integrity, structure of design, expressive detailing, harmony of proportion, and pride in one’s work. The firm deems itself a respectful heir and custodian of the tradition of furniture craft and, in turn, employs the highest standards of excellence, passion, and professionalism in the designing, purchasing, inspection, and delivery of furniture.

Designer Furniture

Each furniture piece is designed in a holistic manner, one in which all aspects of the piece is studied. Ms. Periquet designs from a perspective in which each furniture piece is a building in miniature – crafting a chair in the same manner in which an architect designs a house. Great importance is given to the quality of furniture, as the pieces are designed with structure, materials, and finishing in mind. Casa Periquet makes use of traditional joinery such as the dovetail, mortise-and-tendon, and tongue-and-groove joints, rather using hardware like nails and screws. High quality furniture-grade reclaimed wood is almost exclusively used for furniture pieces, exposing the wood’s natural beauty through the application of transparent sealers and hand-rubbed oil-based finish. Instead of the widely practiced method of encasing pieces in varnish to hide the imperfections, this celebration of the material allows the inherent beauty of wood to express itself.

The Isabella lattice chair was designed for a client in the United States who required a flexible, unadorned dining chair. After going through seven prototypes, the chair achieved its final form, demonstrating ingenuity in the removable backrest that allows for ease of transport, as well as the ability to change the lattice panel design whenever desired. Like the ventanilla, the lattice backrest allows light and air through while creating an interesting pattern of light. Its beauty lies in the flexibility of the design and the simplicity of the lines of the lattice back, accommodating a play of light and shadow.

A piece reminiscent of our childhood, the Gallenera is a contemporary take on the traditional receiving bench used to keep fighting cocks and poultry gathered, in place of cash, for the landlord. The Casa Periquet version of the gallenera makes use of modern lines, evoking quiet strength in its simplicity.

Quality over quantity

To couples starting out, the acquisition of furniture comes slowly, enhanced by apprehension due to the cost. In reality however, you get what you pay for. Mass-produced items produced by the hundreds may not be able to withstand the wear and tear that furniture is frequently subject to. Couples should not only consider the price tag, but should also think of furniture pieces as long term investments. What little you save in purchasing a bed will reflect in your future finances when you need to have it replaced.

In the end, a house should be filled with meaningful objects, those whose characteristics reflect the personalities of the inhabitants. A home filled with loving individuals creates exquisite nuances and memories, and a home with furniture built to last speaks highly of the beautiful relationships within.

Casa Periquet is located at 308 Third Floor Narra Building, 2276 Chino Roces Avenue (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati City, 1200. For inquiries or appointments, the studio may be reached at: (632)8102315 (landline) or (63992) 8736787 (mobile) or (63917)8736787, or at email@casaperiquet.com.

http://www.casaperiquet.com/