The designer for Acasa is inspired by her travels and zest for living a full life
Related: Maggie Wilson-Consunji designed her own home—and so should you
“I didn’t have much say in [the first house] because my husband surprised me with it, so when we decided to build a second house, he learned his lesson!” says Acasa Home founder Maggie Wilson-Consunji jokingly. Whether it’s wall art, rugs, pillows, or furniture, she purchases an item from each of her travels to incorporate at home.
Packed schedules allow for very little pamper time, so frequent travelers like Maggie often opt for long-lasting beauty treatments like Ayumi’s lash extensions, which lets them look picture-perfect all the time
Her love for interior design started young. She recalls, “As a child my dad was building scale models of his dream homes and, on weekends, if we weren’t at the beach we’d be at Home Depot!” She went back to school to help her decorate her house, and studied Interior Design at SoFA Design Institute for a year and a half.
The process birthed a business, Acasa Home, a furniture store- cum-interior design studio. It’s housed under the Acasa Group umbrella, a development firm with projects in both the Philippines and Bali in the pipeline.
Acasa Manila is filled with beautiful pieces that are sure to brighten up any space. From colorful abaca-and-silk rugs to gold-toned fixtures and distressed brass drums, Acasa’s products are the delightful details that inspire conversations and make a space unique. Style-wise, Acasa is very Maggie Wilson-Consunji, so everything looks like they belong in one’s dream vacation home. In a time when more people are spending even more time at home, this kind of permanent vacation aesthetic is something to aspire for. This something that Maggie probably understands well, which would explain why she’s a few hundred miles out of town at the time of this shoot.
Maggie is actually in Bali at the time of the interview and we conduct our Zoom call while she’s in transit, seat belt strapped on and all. She’s about to secure property for the luxury villas her company plans to develop in the area. When asked why she chose Bali, she answers, “Bali is very special to me. I got engaged to my husband in Bali in 2009 and then I won The Amazing Race in Bali.” Plus, the tropical vibe of Bali perfectly suits her design aesthetic, which she says is within the spectrum of tropical Deco (hailing from Art Deco sensibilities) and tropical Scandi.
Though Maggie is planting roots in Bali, she says that the Philippines will always be home. In fact, wherever the half-Filipino, half-British interior designer goes, she says she makes sure to represent the Philippines. “There’s so much talent and grit that comes out of the Philippines that we just don’t get enough recognition for. I’m always proud to say that I’m Filipino first. It’s something that’s really, really important for me.”
