Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez shares the eco-friendly home decor items that are beautiful and practical no matter what stage we are in our life
Related: https://mega-onemega.com/great-to-grand-transform-your-home-with-opulence-design-concept/
Over the pandemic, we all tried a few home trends that may not look quite as fresh now as they once did, or perhaps we’ve accumulated unnecessary interior décor items that are now cluttering up our space.
First, it was organizing the kitchen cupboards, then it was the bookshelves. Before we knew it, everything slowly turned into an obsession: decking out the home office with LED lights, several screens, and tech accessories, or filling the balcony with several overgrown plants and big pots. As we go through life, our home essentials are constantly changing. So if you’re looking around your space and start feeling like you are no longer satisfied or inspired by it, here are some expert tips by Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez, managing director of Philux, on how to do a home refresh.
ROOM TO GROW
There’s no denying that we have all recognized a new affinity with nature. Although it might have been there all along, the years of isolation deepened our gratitude for its grounding and calming allure. Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez believes that incorporating this kind of conscious luxury into our home doesn’t have to mean stressful and expensive upgrades.
“The design is in the details,” she says. “It may sound generic, but it is certainly true. Thus, one can simply start with the accessories since just a few small objects can easily freshen up a space. Find the things that simultaneously bring you joy; capture the heart and soul of the place you call home; and let local materials and local craft shine.” Think terrestrial hues, rough-hewn textures, and iridescent veneers that evoke a sense of sentiment and soul.
“An ideal home is warm, cozy, and inviting, and spaces are meant to be lived in and enjoyed. Thus, marrying form and function in the way a space is styled is the key to achieving that sense of comfort.”
The multi-hyphenate creative is also the managing director of Philux, a local luxury furniture company known for championing Filipino craftsmanship and building homes that embody the meaning of a sanctuary, which Gonzalez states is what matters most. Her curation process for sourcing and designing specifically for Filipino homes includes considering the factors that are specific to the region. The first factor would be the tropical climate, which can dictate the preferred aesthetics like colors, textures, materials, and silhouette. Equally important is marrying native materials, traditional techniques, and modern technology to create timeless, high-quality pieces that can be passed on from generation to generation. “For homes in the Philippines, consider mother of pearl tableware, wooden and woven decorative elements, local crafts in natural stone, or accessories made of upcycled materials,” she suggests.
Gonzalez also shares that a common request from their local clients include sprucing up their dining rooms and outdoor living spaces: “As we enter into the new normal, gatherings with our nearest and dearest are becoming a more common occurrence. For the dining room, I recommend the Alva Dining Chair, which has become one of the most popular pieces from our Mod Collection. It’s inspired by the mid-century modern design sensibility. It references the mid-century modern characteristics in its marrying of form and function, and its exploration of materiality. Its angular silhouette, classic solihiya detailing, and upholstered seat harmoniously come together to offer a comfortable seating solution that blends well with any home decor style.”
Since lounging al fresco is also today’s preferred mode when getting together, this informed her choice to create an outdoor collection that’s perfect for those who love to play host. “The Palma pieces from our Outdoor Collection have become some of my personal favorites: with an armchair, two-seater sofa, three-seater sofa, and coffee table that’s available in Oak and Teak.” For more home inspiration, the creative recently released her first coffee table design book titled, Embracing Natural Design: Inspired Living, that is internationally published by Rizzoli New York and showcases her expertise in embracing artisanal and sustainable craftsmanship while living in an urban setting.
Embracing Natural Design: Inspired Living is available on stephaniekienlegozalez.com and across all Philux showrooms
This feature on luxurious, eco-friendly home design is also seen in MEGA’s June 2022 issue now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio
