Recently, the lifestyle store organized a soiree right at its Home section and invited some of the hottest designers and hosts to celebrate with them “Home Entertainer’s Month.”
These jet set party throwers were challenged to come up with vignettes that were inspired by different destinations around the world known for their flamboyant festivals, exotic culture and timeless grandeur.
However, the bigger challenge was to recreate the festive atmosphere using Rustan’s power brands found at its Home section. Not so much of a daunting task with a wide selection of home accents to choose from.
First stop: the Moroccan Guest Space.
Society’s most prominent party thrower, Tessa Valdez and her partner, interior designer Ito Kish collaborated to create a Mediterranean–inspired setting that combined North African designs with their own unique style.
Tessa and Ito played with colors (from Murano glass sculptures, porcelain vases, fancy candleholders, and lamps) while keeping furniture to a minimum.
The explosion of colors is a visual feast in itself.
“Nothing is wrong or right in designing,” says Tessa.
From Morocco, the party continued to Italy. Chito Vijandre, Ricky Toledo and designer Bea Valdez live in a world of fantasies at the Italian Masquerade Ball vignette.
Unlike regular masks that disguises a person’s identity, a Venetian mask is a reflection of the person’s true character. This same air of mystery is mirrored in this vignette that brings in mind the old aristocracy of Italy.
“It’s a bit of romance and drama. We used opulent designs, which Italy is known for and are available in Rustan’s, and incorporated it in a contemporary setting,” explained Chito Vijandre.
Nothing lacking and nothing in excess. This is exactly how Marina Vargas Tantoco and Ross Morante want to entertain guests in their zen–inspired vignette.
Marina Tantoco, wife of Rustan’s president Bienvenido Tantoco, Jr, and Ross Morante, head of Rustan’s creative team, worked together in this minimalist setting that made use of hand–woven SilkCocoon curtains, native bowls and floor lamps made of fossilized leaves from Cebu.
Ross threw in orange pillows for a touch of color.
“This is more of Filipino zen because everything we used here is locally–sourced,” pointed out Ross.
Gyrate and wail to the beat of the Polynesian Cocktail Lounge. This is the place where island stylings go urban hip!
Henj Tobias and Lynn Monroy balance functionality and aesthetics by using native items such as bamboo and abaca, and presenting them in a very contemporary setting.
Tropical–inspired pieces bring to mind the exotic charm of Boracay while an Andy Warhol mural serves as the main focal point of this setting. It’s definitely for people who want to drink and party until the wee hours of the morning!
From the white sand beaches, the party hops to the Victorian Parlour... a room filled with timeless grandeur and grace.
An era elegant in itself, this vignette was designed by mother–and–son team of Maricris and Andy Prada who’s love for finer things is reflected in this classy setting.
The atmosphere inspires lighthearted conversations…a tea by the garden where strawberry jam and cucumber sandwiches are for everyone to share.
Next stop is a Mardi Gras where a Bacchanalian celebration puts revelers right into the heart of New Orleans.
Designed for passionate dancing, flirting and drinking, Criselda Lontok and Evan Reyes throws a truly great party with an explosion of masks, feathers and hundreds of beads!
For the Oriental vignette, Miguel Rosales and Celine Lopez avoided the usual clichés — no gold, red dragons, no sterile serenity.
Instead, Miguel and Celine took inspiration from the charm of the old world to come up with a modern party setting which still retains that distinct Asian hospitality.
“We designed this with friends in mind and it wasn’t so difficult ‘cos everything is available here (Rustan’s). Our interpretation of Oriental is not too traditional or literal although we used it as some sort of a take off,” said Miguel.
Seven vignettes, 15 gracious hosts… let the party begins!
