Innholdsfortegnelse for Homes 39 i Tatler Homes Philippines

From a distance, hyperrealistic paintings are like photographs. But get up close and you’d realise the tedious process behind the art, and the precision and creativity required of the artist. Chris Patio, on the contrary, makes it seem easy. Besides the mastery in techniques, he utilises memory—both as an approach and a narrative. “Heritage isn’t just about what’s old but also what you value,” he says. Vetted, a creative space founded by renowned interior designer Jonathan Matti, recently kicked off 2025 with an exhibition presenting Patio, a Bay Area Filipino-American artist. His exhibition Heritage + Algorithm marks his first solo show in Manila. A distinguished alumnus of the Philippine Women’s University’s College of Fine Arts and Design, Patio earned second place at the Shell National Arts Competition in 1995. “I…

There are many hats that can be worn if you wander the world with an open mind. Mark Wilson embraces whatever comes his way; as such he has mastered quite a few things over time: an interior and lighting expert, art collector and jewellery designer. He also has an accomplished academic background, having spent three years working on his Master of Fine Arts Lighting from Parsons New York and, a few years before that, two years in his Master of Business Administration from IESE Barcelona. Despite these accomplishments, Wilson remains humble and warm. During this remote interview, he showed the sprawling landscape of where he was in Baguio and introduced his poodle companion, Lulou de la Falasie Tan Gan Wilson, a combination of the names of YSL’s muse and jewellery…

Some houses are meant to be admired from a distance: pristine, untouched and seemingly impervious to time. Others, like Julie Boschi’s coastal retreat, are designed to be lived in, to absorb the rhythm of the tides, the shifting light and the ever-changing needs of those who call it home. Perched by the sea, this home—lovingly named La Nuvola, Italian for “the cloud”—adapts, softens with use and deepens in meaning as years pass. “Having a home by the sea”, Boschi reflects, “gives the chance to be with family and friends in a more intimate setting.” It is a sentiment that runs through the very bones of the house, from its airy common spaces to the furniture that carries the weight of memories. Designed for gathering, the heart of the home is…

Often, it is the intangible qualities of a place that make it unforgettable; such is the case with this slice of a property located in coastal South Africa. “The early morning sun over the garden, with the awakening of an abundance of life and birdsong, make it a magical place to be,” say landscape designer Hannes Stander and floral artist Daniel “DP” Ferreira. They are absolutely correct, and what makes it all the more special is that it is their own skill and dedication that has made it so. Over the past 17 years, Stander and Ferreira have been hard at work at Highacre, their beautiful property on South Africa’s Garden Route, creating a harmonious haven that is their “home, retreat and playground”, and which now also hosts intimate gatherings…

CLASSICS ALONG THE COASTLINE Under summer skies, the Saint-Tropez Sofa is the perfect spot to unwind on. Embodying the effortless elegance of the French Riviera, its semicircular silhouette fosters intimate conversations over a mimosa or two. Meanwhile, its blend of natural wood and refined leather piping elevates its undeniable appeal. The plush cushions feature unique patterns in terracotta tones, adding to the luxurious lounging experience. A striking centrepiece for any patio or terrace, this piece seamlessly blends modern design with vintage charm, turning any poolside area into a haven for family and friends alike. frato.com RHYTHMIC FLOW The Water Illusion Vase adds dynamic energy to every table it is placed on, echoing the fluid motion of waves meeting the shore. Inspired by the passionate tempo of the Greek dance Sirtaki,…

Beyond clothes and accessories, Patis Tesoro has an imaginative spirit that “is not bound to one form. I like to try everything”. Over the past 40 years, she has transformed a small bahay kubo in the untamed wilderness of Laguna into a thriving community. Amid the ever-changing landscape of modern life, one luxury stands firm: time. Time is the secret to curating an existence that feels reflective of one’s personality. No one understands that better than this acclaimed fashion designer whose blend of local textiles with exquisite embroidery has cemented her as one of the pioneers of Philippine style. Originally a weekend getaway for her and her late husband Tito, Tesoro allowed the property to expand over the years. “I like to read about traditional Filipino design, which is not…

In Philippine mythology, Aman Sinaya is the revered goddess of the sea, wielding her power over the ocean and its inhabitants. This deity, therefore, serves as a fitting inspiration for the name of a sustainable beachfront home in Mati, a coastal haven in the island of Mindanao known for its rollicking waves and white-sand beaches. Like a goddess facing the Pacific Ocean, the house stands imperiously tall, yet it remains true to Philippine vernacular architecture with its bamboo construction and cogon grass roof. The story of the house is intertwined with the personal journeys of its owners, Alec van Dierendonck and Celina Le Neindre. Both born to European fathers and Filipina mothers, Van Dierendonck and Le Neindre spent their formative years in Europe and the Philippines and travelled extensively before…

Haussmannian architecture shapes much of Paris’ built environment, with around 60 per cent of its buildings reflecting this style. Developed during Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s urban renewal project, which took place between 1853 and 1870, its uniform facades, wroughtiron balconies and wide boulevards remain integral to the city’s identity. Over 150 years later, these buildings are still highly sought after for their solid construction, high ceilings, and elegant proportion. Just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides in the 7th arrondissement, a historical Haussmannian apartment that was once home to Françoise Giroud—a renowned journalist, politician and advocate for women’s rights—is today the residence and creative workspace of Paris-born interior designer Emma Donnersberg. A SENSE OF EASE Spanning almost 1,940 sq ft, the original layout was compartmentalised, restricting both…

Once, Pia Lichaytoo could not even scramble an egg; today, she’s one of the country’s best chocolatiers as the woman behind Pia’s Fine Chocolates. Throughout her life, not once did Pia experiment with cooking or embrace a lifestyle of meal prepping, despite being a food lover. She never dreamt of working in the F&B space and yet has happily found her place as a culinarian. Life often throws us curveballs; while more often than not they’re challenges we have to overcome, once in a while they turn out to be sweet blessings. For Pia, it all began when she married Alex Lichaytoo, a born and bred foodie and the man behind Bacchus Epicerie. Since their marriage, Pia decided she wanted to impress him and thus began toiling away in the…

Egypt is said to contain a third of all the world’s antiquities, including the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is a spectacular destination—astounding, colossal, epic. Since time immemorial, travellers have journeyed from all over the world to visit the glorious temples built by Egyptian kings. Today, they can still experience these ancient treasures alongside new wonders—from the recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum in the world, to restored vintage yachts that cruise the Nile and the incredible hotel properties such as Al Moudira in Luxor. The awe that one feels in the shadow of the Sphinx or when surrounded by the still vibrant colours in Nefertari’s Tomb must be experienced to be understood. There is simply no way to comprehend…

There’s this quote by an anonymous Zen master, ‘My cup is so full of emptiness, it’s spilling all over the room’. I like that,” muses Philippine-based artist, interior designer and furniture maker Yola Johnson as she eases into our conversation with characteristic charm. Her flat is strategically located at the heart of the busiest city in the metropolis. filled with pieces that celebrate nature from SouMak, her design studio. Her line is as much a framework as it is a practice, exhibiting her mastery of negative space. Consistency is as much an aspect of her work, as it is discipline and her interpretation of design seems to allow things to naturally be, without contrived force. “I like the word ‘room’, if you want to know how I start doing interiors,”…

From a technical clinical background planted in science, this pediatric dentist spread her roots into the world of horticulture to explore the bounds of her then-newly-found green thumb. “I think my interest in plants really began when I studied in New York. My aunt had a small outdoor space in her apartment and it was always filled with potted plants,” she noted. This craving for nature and attraction to plants bloomed, as she would frequent weekend markets in New York. As life went on, Roa never lost her connection to nature. In fact, her desire to be near greens only grew. Being around plants infused a sense of life, freshness and tranquillity which brought her a touch of happiness and moments of respite from her busy patient-filled days. “Seeing everything…

Teak is a durable timber commonly used in Southeast Asia. Whether for furniture or as a surface material, its golden hue boasts a certain warmth that is unique to the region. Lesser known is the beauty of the actual hardwood tree, which resonated with Indonesian architect Andra Matin when he visited a client’s teak plantation in Anyer, a coastal town located a two-and-a-half hour drive from Jakarta. Standing in neat rows, the teak trees in the plantation were 18 years old. They would be mature enough to harvest in seven years, but the client’s mother decided against it, and the family asked Matin to build a villa on the site instead. “I decided that my design must be humble, that it must not disturb the beauty of the teak forest,”…