Planning and decorating your home may be fun but, sometimes, it can lead to a disparity of taste and style. Now is probably a good time to embrace a new eclectic lifestyle so find smart and creative ways to merge your styles into something that works for both of you. Your home, like your relationship, is about the two of you as a couple. Pursue your decorating nature with items that go well with both your interests and styles.

So while you’re at the brink of this new phase in your life, let SM Homeworld help you decide which items are suited for your fresh abode. The Homeworld Shopping Corporation (HWSC), a sister company of SM Inc., started displaying its merchandise in several SM branches. Encouraged by the overwhelming response of customers towards home furnishings, it prompted the management of SM Inc. to organize a separate management team to supervise and control its operations. Thus, in 1992, SM Homeworld was formed. With a wide selection of the finest plasticware, glassware, kitchenware, linen, decor and furniture pieces, SM Homeworld has become one of the country’s top home accessories suppliers.

To celebrate diversity in good home pieces, Manila Bulletin’s About Weddings invited two real-life couples with differing personalities to pick their own choices of home accessories at SM Homeworld Makati as they share their views on starting a home for married couples.

The Artsy Couple

Ito and Tippi Ocampo (Married, 10 years, April 1997)

Ito and Tippi have been married for 10 years now. Since their destination wedding in Rome until now, Ito and Tippi have been living the life of a couple who fall in love with each other each and every waking day. Tippi is a well-known fashion and accessories designer while Ito is the CEO of the clothing line, Pret-a-Party (www.pretaparty.net). With their extensive background in fine arts, this couple has proven that it is their love for beauty and the arts that keeps their relationship even stronger.

About Weddings: Ito is...

Tippi: Very passionate, artistic, loves music, laidback.

AW: Tippi is...

Ito: Very visual, fun-loving, meticulous, clean.

AW: What problems did you encounter upon starting your home?

Ito and Tippi: Budget, not [being able to buy] everything we want. And figuring out which items to prioritize.

AW: Choose between the two: function or beauty?

Tippi: Beauty.

Ito: Function.

Items Ito and Tippi selected

AW: What styles do you prefer for your home?

Ito and Tippi: All kinds of decoration, a little bit of everything. We like to balance things in our home, especially the decoration.

AW: What part of the home do you like to splurge on?

Ito and Tippi: The bedroom because, for us, it is our sanctuary, our escape, a place of serenity. [It is an] area where we spend most of our time. We like to splurge on the things we enjoy like coffee paraphernalia, entertainment systems and everything that can make our home comfortable.

AW: Are you strict about the budget? Or are you the kind that says, "This is what I need. I’ll buy this whatever the cost"?

Tippi: We’re not strict about the budget at all because we’re so opposite in terms of buying accessories for our home. Like me, I go for style and beauty, while he is into the functional side of the accessories. We really love to balance everything in our home, from the style and design; so most of the things in our home are a juxtaposition of our different tastes and preferences.

AW: Any advice for couples who are starting their own home?

Tippi: if you’re on a budget it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy the cheapest. Buy items that mean a lot to you and make sure they will last long. Don’t be afraid to splurge or save, as long as it doesn’t compromise the quality.

Ito: If you’re a guy, just say yes.

***

Mark and Mariel Crisostomo (Married, 1 year, May 2006)

They may be a young couple but Mark and Mariel have certainly known each other since their college days. Their wedding last year is assurance that their life together, which started from being friends to being husband and wife, has been sealed. Just recently, this couple earned their second college degree in nursing. They are currently working on their application to work abroad. Friendship as the foundation of their love assures this young couple of a long and lasting marriage.

About Weddings: Mark is...

Mariel: Very silent, obsessive-compulsive, neat and believes everything must have a purpose, especially [when it comes to] home accessories.

AW: Mariel is...

Mark: Very orderly, detailed, creative and she can transform anything from simple to fabulous, especially the food she always prepares for us.

AW: What problems did you encounter upon starting your home?

Mark and Mariel: We always buy things that are not necessarily needed. We never first put our budget in consideration.

AW: Choose between the two: function or beauty?

Mariel: Beauty.

Mark: Function.

Items Mark and Mariel selected

AW: What styles do you prefer for your home?

Mark and Mariel: We like earth colors like brown and green because we think it doesn’t go out of fashion. Also, earth colors are very easy to mix [and match] with other colors. It also doesn’t get dirty easily.

AW: What part of the home do you like to splurge on?

Mariel: The bedroom and the kitchen. We like to splurge on the bedroom because [it is an area] in our house where we find peace and relaxation. We also like to splurge on our kitchen because we like to cook, especially me. I think it is more enjoyable to cook when your kitchen is fine-looking.

AW: Are you strict about the budget? Or are you the kind that says, "This is what I need. I’ll buy this whatever the cost"?

Mark and Mariel: We try to [have] things in balance. For example, we really like this piece of item but it [is not] in line with our budget, so what we do is make sure it is included in our budget [for our next shopping trip].

AW: Any advice for couples who are starting their own home?

Mark and Mariel: Couples, especially the young ones, need to save money for the things they really need. They must be able to learn to prioritize between what they want and what they need. It is really essential for the couple to carry their convictions [when it comes to] buying things, [especially those] they don’t necessarily need. Besides, your savings might not be able to sustain [your lifestyle].