I love the Philippines. I married into a Filipino family, and some of my favorite trips are visiting their family and friends back home. I won't lie; Manila isn't the top of my list for prettiest cities in the world; in fact it's far from it. As a gateway to the rest of the country, however, it arguably takes you to the most beautiful places you'll ever go in your lifetime.
I dream about the many islands, along with eating fresh fruit, snorkeling in clear blue water, and lazily sitting on the beach. Inside, I think of natural materials like rattan, lots of capiz (pressed shell), and light gauzy fabrics. It's all about using what's local, and keeping cool.
1. White gauze fabric from Fabric Direct
2. Capiz pendant light from Shop Furbish
3. Dagmay cloth via United Blogs of Benetton
4. Pineapple via Shutterstock
5. Framed Butterflies from Bouf
6. Lanao Rug from Crate & Barrel
7. Rice Mortar from 1stdibs
8. Photo Installation by Alfredo Aquilizan via Nile Guide
9. Rattan Bed by Kenneth Cobonpue
(Images: as credited above)
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yup. manila might not be one of the prettiest cities in the world....it's a third world country. the very positive thing though is that people there are just grateful. we r so stinkin-rotten spoiled here in america. the "poorest of the poorest" here in USA are still the richest compared to people in third world countries.
I'm back in Manila after being away for almost a decade. Totally agree that Manila in general isn't easy on the eyes. But there are a lot of awesome things to experience once you venture out of the city. I read apartment therapy religiously and I'm thrilled that you featured Philippine Design. Traditional Philippine design looks extra amazing combined with modern pieces. Lately many local designers have been churning out a lot of gorgeous and ultra sophisticated stuff.
The Philippines although a developing country has so much style to share with the world.
Pls don't encourage ppl to buy butterflies and insects as art unless they know the source. Although some are raised just to be "preserved" as dead art on a wall, a lot of endangered ones are still captured wild and sold to traders who ship them to rich countries.
I love the Phils too!
I grew up in the Philippines, and the mixed influences of tropical-Asian and Spanish definitely influenced my style aesthetic. I have a real soft spot for capiz-shell decorations, and all of the natural fibers and materials used. There is so much beautiful design coming from the Philippines now, and the internet has been so great, in terms of sharing Filipino creativity, and helping with bringing these designs to other parts of the world.
thanks for featuring Filipino products here in Apartment Therapy. I am a proud Filipino and it really makes me very delighted when you appreciate our products.
remember our catch phrase...it is indeed more fun in the Philippines :)
Capiz-shell windows are by far my favorite piece of Filipino design. My second favorite is the narra dining room set my mom has. Narra is my favorite hard wood since it is naturally termite resistant. How cool is that?