PSID Celebrates GOLD at Uptown Mall BGC

Having a very successful exhibit last year means they've got to do even bigger this year as they also are celebrating PSID's 50th year. A golden year of interior design showing glamour, opulence, luxury and design elements that portray the expertise and craftsmanship of Filipino interior designers under the tutelage of Victor Ruel Pambid Jr. Under him are the graduating students of PSID and a couple of alumni from the same institution that felt showcasing their work would be the perfect way to celebrate it.

True enough, students of PSID whipped out their interpretations and different use of color, texture and elements of the precious metal. It has to be felt, it has to be seen, from contemporary, modern, moorish, egyptian, popart and rethro, gold elements were indeed a welcome sight.

The MODERN FRENCH RENAISSANCE living room had a lot of gold wall treatments. It made the room wreak expensive, spacious but not overly decorated. I could imagine this to be a royal study where a prince would be forced to learn piano at a young age, but that's just me.

This one is POP ART, a little difficult to execute because of the limitations of shades that would complement gold. They used metal sheets, purple velvet fabric on chairs and sticked with the gold elements even for the artwork. It was okay but I'd like to see several colors and gold executed in this space, they didn't gamble.

This is the BALINESE kitchen. They had a foreigner in mind as a client in this area. I like the long black marble bar/granite counter which has got a prep area so you can still entertain guests while cooking or preparing drinks. The native ceiling, the Balinese flower details on the cabinets felt a little too native, though if it's needed to interpret their room, I would use different materials. Design shouldn't be so literal. 

I was impressed with this one. Aimed to please a client who's an up and coming fashion designer, they patterned their space with the elements seen with the recent work he's done in recent shows. It's nice to see gold metal, very structural and architectural in nature and used to reflect the rest of the space, it didn't feel cheap, Miranda Priestly would be proud to move here. This is MODERN DECONSTRUCTIVISM.

This MOROCCAN OASIS is more on the moorish side. The bulb shapes, the nice headboard, the brass fixtures, is reminiscent of a palace in the middle east. I like the seating on the elevated platform, a place you can hangout with your friends or family. Why didn't I think of that? 

The space for the CONTEMPORARY EGYPTIAN was laid out quite nicely. It's got ample storage, symmetrical elements and I love the gold trimmings. It's good but what bothered me most was the supposed Egyptian posts, and the water closet. The posts felt a lot staged, almost cartoon-ish, like a sore thumb sticking out from the rest of the things that were there. The water closet, albeit in an open layout should have still been made with a situational private section. It felt too open for comfort, I wouldn't want people be seen taking a dump. It's a his and hers sink, so if they'd do that might as well have something to at least cover or mask it. Or maybe it's just me who's bothered, but there.

In this living room, a CULTURAL AZTEC theme was in play. I like the details on the wall. The sectional would probably be uncomfortable and might need a little getting used to. Let's just say it's not as cohesive as we wished it to be.

Fit to appease a chic successful business woman, this CONTEMPORARY NEOCLASSIC dining room are built with different elements. You've got very detailed chairs, custom made to fit the black white and gold theme, plus an accent chaise lounge chair in the dining table fit to feed around 4 people. I like the things they did with the artwork, mixing around some greek busts with british knick knacks, much to have felt like a London apartment. Pretty good, I like the gold plates on the ceiling too.

This is the INDUSTRIAL LUXE. I know it is pretty hard to actually produce a luxurious industrial spot and I think this didn't quite live up to it. This was rough and I personally don't like how they didn't commit much on the color palette. If you would put wood, it should be cohesive. Yes the bright color might have put focus on the large pantry but it failed on the finish. It didn't look smooth, to get to that luxury they were calling for. If they paid attention to at least have it the same like much of the wood counter and chairs they had in the island and followed the same, then I'd believe their theme even more. Martha would be sad.

This entertainment area is inspired by MODERN ART DECO. If you've been to Manila, a lot of buildings actually follow this look. This treatment felt like a bachelors pad, where the sectional turns into a huge bed (bigger than a California King) and it's got a wet bar plus tons of storage and cabinetry on the sides. They enthusiastically said it's for food so you don't have to see it all the time because of the sliding doors. They also thought well about the acoustics as those flower ceiling is intended to bounce off what's coming out of the huge Samsung TV. I like the color theme, it's gold trims are not too overbearing. It's just enough.

This is ECLECTIC ELEGANCE. It's with a hodge podge of personalized items set to fit together like a glove. I specifically like the work area and the colorful headboard which draws you in. They also showed the large screen that you can change artworks in, like a different one everyday. Wouldn't that be a dream? Albeit busy to the eye, this is like organized chaos, with a place for everything you need in a room and small office. There's also a place to entertain, quite nice.

This was the Mindanao inspired bathroom they had for the NEO ARCHIPELAGO style. The wood patterns are from fabric from the region, all of which I think is a better executed bathroom. The water closet is hidden behind those waterfall his and hers sinks. It didn't feel clunky at all. These students really have talent.

They also had alumni, professors actually join in too.

A Michael Pizarro Bedroom. I could say this is the closest to my taste, but I'd probably have to touch that bare ceiling and put artwork on it.

A Vianca Anunuevo and Mark Perez Living Room. It's very miminalist. Clean lines, full of technology, a bit far from the actual mock up on paper.

This is a Mary Ann Venturina Bulanadi Den or Study Room. I talked to one of the nice lady curators of the Nakpil-Bautista Mansion which was erected in the 20th century. She personally invited me over but I was already planning to do that even before she mentioned it. This space was designed with one of the rooms of that museum in mind which was originally a Jewelry Room (they were that affluent to have space for that?). It was modest, but each piece had a story behind it. Those murals on the wall were made by 5 different artists, plus the fruit basket and metal chandelier too. They also had several pieces on the table and unbelievable decades old chairs all made by artisans which we wouldn't know because we're probably not even born yet. I'd like to find out more when I get to visit that place. It's in A Bautista in Quiapo right beside the Pasig River. Identified with a 1914 Viennese Secession style heritage home managed by the Nakpil Bautista Foundation. They also have a museum that tells a lot about the Philippine revolution. I'll feature them separately soon.

This is an Office/Study Room by Stephanie Yan. It's got wall to ceiling gold treatments but still have very Asian elements. Very modern.

This space was designed by Karen Abrera and Aedefy Company. This was based on the art of Japanese Kintsugi where they usually pour liquid gold in between, as a form of art of broken pieces. I like the section with shiplap salvaged from old houses and the marble bar sectioned off by broken gold lines in random sequences. This was a bit deep.

This is a Lalyn Nivera Bedroom. It's a warm industrial luxe styled space, which is very masculine.

This is designed by Pam Laguar and Ezra Halili. It's a living room with a huge red couch, perfect for a large family, very picture perfect. I could imagine several portraits being shot here.

This one is a Jigs Adefuin Ante Room. This also doubles as a study room but mostly to receive guest before a bigger entertainment area. It's very warm and opulent, with repetitive patterns in different textures. I could see Goldfinger or any mob boss enjoying himself here.

This is a space designed by Mike Suqui and Kat Obcemea. It's a bit futuristic, thinking of a time when people are already cultivating vegetation on their walls just to produce food. This is still a living room, concentrating on plays with material.

This one is a brutalist luxe den by Gelo Del Mundo. A place where it'll be very occupied by texture, people will feel and see it once they step inside. This is just one of the things you should see in the exhibit.

The Philippine School for Interior Design (PSID) will be doing this exhibit the whole month of October. Dubbed as GOLD: Glamorous, Opulent, and Luxurious Designs, this is their graduation exhibit set to showcase Filipino design and enginuity. Make sure you visit them at the Uptown Bonifacio Mall in Bonifacio Global City. It's right across the H&M store so you wouldn't miss it. It'll be something cool to see if you're around the area, if you're on a date or just interested in interior design. You can also get referrals to their builders, they can share their stories too. You shouldn't miss this chance because it only happens once a year.

They have a lot to show.

PSID Showcases Past, Present and Future on 2016 Show

I've seen some of their work in the past and I know some people who have been here. Just a couple days ago, we got to witness the graduation exhibit of the Philippine School of Interior Design Advanced Class of 2016. Their show will run from September 29 to October 31 2016 at the Square Building in Greenfield District. It's right across Shangrila Mall in Shaw Boulevard. They've entitled it EVOLUTION based on designs from the Past, Present and Future. You could see inspiration from some of the great interior and furniture designers of this time. Execution wise, I think they did a pretty good job doing that especially those of which were done by some of my favorites. I'll let you know who they are in a bit.

Let's start this short time travel for the sections they dedicated to the PAST:

The PAST gallery is comprised of 8 groups.

The Arne Jacobsen Living Room - A room dedicated to the works of Arne Jacobsen who was architect, designer and man that was educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He designed that iconic chair (see the yellow one) of which has been a staple in the late 60's and 70's.

The Finn Juhl Den - Finn Juhl was a Danish architect, interior and industrial designer that was most known for his furniture design. This concept was drawn by that 45 chair (the green one on the photo above) which was loved during the same period.

The Alvar Aalto Lanai/Patio - This lanai was inspired by the man called Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto. He was a Finnish architect and designer. He was also a great sculptor and painter. He's one of the great men behind architecture, furniture, textiles and glassware during the 60's and with good reason. He designed the chair on the top photo (the white one) and they've interpreted this quite well. This was one of my favorites.

 

Warren Platner Dining Room - This dining room is inspired from the work of American architect and interior designer Warren Platner. He produced a furniture collection that has proved to be a continuing icon of 1960s modernism (which includes those orange ones in the center, but that thing is a working pinball machine table. The crew here was accommodating, thanks for letting us use your design for our personal photos. It was really nice to see colors even back then.

Eero Saarinen Kitchen - Eero was a 20th century Finnish American architect and industrial designer noted for his neofuturistic style. In this room, they used the Tulip Chair as reference and made a minimalist but functional layout. I didn't see much of that function though but I like the modern try. Wish there were some things they could do so people could see it aside from the faux walls which took more of the room.

Charles Eames Study/Library - This room was nice and I like the elements they did with regards to putting up a small office and separate study. Eames designed the chair o the bottom right, so this room was more on the masculine side and I like the murals which made the eyes a bit busy and not heavy at all. Charles Ormond Eames, Jr and Bernice Alexandra "Ray" Eames were husband and wife American designers and they've made a lot of waves during the late 60's and early 70's. He also was a really good painter. Although this room was good, the people manning it didn't really explain much about it. I like the details on the ceiling but they didn't even bother to tell me about it. Try to do a little research when you go the exhibit, it'll be better.

The Hans Wegner Master Bedroom - It wasn't really finished when we were there. So I couldn't really say much.

Eero Aarnio Toilet and Bath - This one was nice, although I'm not a fan of open toilets they had laid it out well. This modern looking room is reminiscent of those I've seen in the 60's probably sparked by the man on the moon generation where Eero Aarnio's work was mostly seen. He is a Finnish interior designer noted for his innovative furniture designs. If you see in the photos, the one in the center is much like the plastic and fibreglass chairs he made in that era. He finished school from the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki and you can see his charm in all his work.

Then we headed off to the section for the PRESENT designs:

Modern Mediterranean Living Room - It had the feel, mostly was made of cement, blue and turquoise elements and tons of curved seating and living area. It was nice, but not too keen on full hard surfaces.

Modern Chinese Den - I like how this all felt like a Tycoon's office. They used mirrored doors, a great water feature that goes from the table to the base of that platform. This was designed quite well. I seem to have noted they are putting in the elements of wood, fire, water, air in this space and I guess they've achieved it.

Modern Moorish Lanai/Patio - Moorish is more of a Muslim kind of feel. The style kind of flourished in some countries which were inhabited by them in the mid century. This present take on it was done right. I like the water feature that turns into a projector, perfect for meetings at home. Aside from that, I like the dark sky they wanted to do on the ceiling, plus the patterns they did to it. It looks expensive too.

 

Modern Tropical Dining Room -This one had the feel of Florida, the palm, the greenery, it all served a purpose for this lovely space. I like the moss which was explained to me is low maintenance as it needs little to no water because it can live off of moisture. There was also a feature wall with framed terrariums which is kind of a fad right now. They also had a waterfall that goes from one part of the room to the other, where you could also see it run through glass. It was relaxing. The dining area was made of natural wood, quite a humongous piece but it worked fine in the space. 

The Modern Baroque Kitchen - This one was quite interesting. It kinda was a bit dependent on Baroque patterns, which hae adorned every wall nook and cranny. The place felt a little royalty, Barbie would gladly live here.There were some broken floors but I think they were still in the process of fixing them. Hopefully when they run the event that gets fixed for a more flawless look.

The Modern Victorian Library - I could see what they were trying to do. The separate office desk and seating area was quite appealing. Their client was affluent, perfect for the theme and it was streamlined quite well. Notice the diagonal tiling with black and white stone, it takes the whole room to a whole different level. Great work on that part!

 

Modern Japanese Master Bedroom - This was one of the more better laid out rooms among the exhibitors. I like how they did the separate Master's bed room, the tea ceremony area and the zen garden. I would love to have a room like this if budget permits and I love what they did on the bed's base. Those rocks and lights will be done in my room soon. This is my next favorite!

 

The Modern Filipino Toilet and Bath - As with any work, for me it's really in the details. I love this particular display the most! That wall in the center actually have small tiles which you can flip over and change the mood of your space from heavy to light. It's a bit riding on the fad these days which is rose gold but this is more of copper. I would love to have this at home, only if I had space. I can imagine if some of their wood pieces would rather be stone or glass, it'll bring more interesting things that would tie up the space and make it feel a little more expensive. Don't get me wrong it is already expensive looking, but I'm sure they can stretch it further. Again, I love this room among all the exhibitors and it's with good reason. It made me realize that Filipino design shouldn't look cheap, even if you're looking at local materials. Hope we're not shortchanged. 

This is for the FUTURE galleries. I like how they didn't make it literal with space exploration pieces or anything, but they've done quite a lot of wall treatments that were impressive.

Rustic Luxe Living Room - As the name implies this is pretty rustic, like most of the items are hand me downs from family members and the feature wall (which I like too) changed the mood of the room depending on the light that's coming from it mood light installed.

I like what they did to the ceiling too. The lighting continues there and with the LED technologies you can have today, it doesn't need to be expensive.

Design Deconstructed Den - This was nice, the murals and all. I love the part that it's for a man cave but I had one problem with it. It's the bar, because it's open on this side and not on the back instead. Once you enter the room it's all there and I only wished I could turn that thing and put it on the other side.

Organic Opulence Lanai / Patio - This was one GRAND room and with the way they continually made the ceiling was very interesting. The materials used seemed all natural, they also have a section where they did a wall treatment with coconut tree sidings, it was massive and interesting to look at. It looked expensive too which in my books is a good thing.

Eclectic Elegance Dining Room - This spot was pretty bare without the TV underneath the table. Imagine yourself having dinner here with your family and you'll still be able to watch the evening news with them too. The walls were all nicely done and tucked away but you have sliding doors which you can open when you need to. It's busy with the eyes but not so much with furniture, it would be awesome for people who don't like clutter.

Mettalic Glam Kitchen - This kitchen had all metal elements on the cabinetry, the ceiling and almost every wall of the kitchen. I like the seating too that folds underneath the counter which can double as an entertainment area if you have family or friends who would come over. Or perhaps lie down if you're waiting for your cake to bake.

Avant Garde Industrial Library - This one is fancy, and I like the shelves most because you can use it with a plank and put books on it or trinkets to personalize it. This could be an executive room, although whimsical, can still pass on for a personal space. I was impressed by the wall and the ceiling, it was just well designed.

Funk Art Master Bedroom - This room would pass as a great master's bedroom for a pop star or someone in the creative business. It's nice that they didn't keep it in a single level because it emphasizes greatness on the bed and the nice desk with lighting on it.

Tech and Trendy Toilet and Bath - This one is super nice. The star of the show is the tub definitely. Aside from that, they made the whole space a his and hers without going too obvious and let the table tops dictate that. I like the rainfall shower in the middle too because it's a bit industrial and trendy without going overboard. They explained it well too.

Now if you're looking for pieces from the exhibit, most of these items are actually for sale. You can also get inspired from their work and apply it to your own living space, just ask or visit them at the Square Building in the Greenfield District. I'm yearning to go back. and check out when they finish some of those that were still in the works a few days ago. Thanks to their sponsors Devant, Uratex, Boysen, Hafele, Bosch, Blanco Germany, Gorenje, Dexterton, La Europa Ceramica, Nordlux, Matimco, AG Murals, Mity Mike, Larry's Curtain, Mainline, Fineza and Ilaw Atbp. for making their mounts possible. It looked very nice with real stuff there.

Again, it's at the Greenfield District. It's right across Shangrila Mall and you can walk from the Shaw MRT station. They can assist you if you need someone to explain things. Thank you PSID for having us!

For more information about their show:

PSID Evolution

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http://www.psid.edu.ph/