When the country’s top interior design minds are given a blank canvas to unleash their creativity on, expect a zeitgeist of unusually creative proportions. That’s exactly what happened with the recent collaboration of leading developer Robinsons Residences and Summit Media’s Real Living magazine.
Six interior designers and three design teams, taking inspiration from the Art Deco era while meeting modern-day needs and matching the personalities of their envisioned clients, dressed up units at The Sapphire Bloc – Robinsons Residences’ condominium project in Ortigas Center.
The designers who were tapped included Wilmer Lopez, Mara Manalo, Erika Uichanco, Ar. Angelo Siochi, Carlo Mecate, Kristine Neri-Magturo, and design teams Carlos + Gomez Interior Design, Empire Designs, and Morfosis.
After a month, the designers brought their visions to reality.
Bringing their aesthetic to life
Many of the designers turned to color to bring their aesthetic to life. Neri-Magturo chose a deep midnight blue to add a subtle drama to her Bold and Luxe bedroom. With the addition of a velvet headboard in another striking color (emerald green), she managed to turn up the volume on the luxury while still keeping the space homey and comfortable.
A lot of the designers also chose to reinterpret Art Deco style for more contemporary living. Morfosis built on the geometric lines characteristic of Art Deco, and fused it with the preferences of their imaginary client which is an artistic Japanese dance instructor.
Combining two vastly different design philosophies has been a challenge, but the team pulled it off by sticking to an open layout accentuated by strategically-placed furniture and geometric patterns. “We wanted to go with a not-so-typical layout just to make it more interesting than putting furniture against the wall,” explained Morfosis’ Misty Floro.
Some designers used furniture to craft the type of ambiance that they want for their space. Siochi’s Nostalgic Vintage bedroom used a Harver Hill bed to anchor all the elements in, while adding unique pieces such as a ceramic stool and a geometric ottoman to maximize the space without making it too overwhelming.
From blank canvas to elegant home
For Siochi, the unit itself played a big part in the success of his mix-and-match design. “As an architect and interior designer, I was impressed with the living spaces at The Sapphire Bloc. I think the space is sophisticated, easy to dress up, and perfect for dynamic living,” he said.
Other designers chose to focus on the little details. For Manalo, she infused old-world charm to her home design and filled the room with cultural artefacts and artwork.
“I was very happy when I visited the unit because all the bare materials were good enough to work with. We didn’t have to change as much,” she said. “Actually what I did was just to change the paint, everything else was accessories and furniture. The unit space is well-delineated and everything feels exactly where they should be,” she added.
The collaboration created nine home models that residents can take inspiration from in dressing up their own spaces. As the participating designers have proven, all it takes is to add a splash of color, pieces of furniture, and accessories to turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece.
