A distinct lounge-like vibe is given by the furniture and accents designed by Naval. (Photo by NOEL PABALATE)

He is a designer who doesn’t use gimmickry to get noticed.  And he doesn’t have to consciously blaze a trail which other designers may follow.  Certainly, Milo Naval is a designer so secure of his oeuvre that whatever he creates instantly becomes a classic—and to use quite a trite word, timeless.

This self-effacing attitude with his profession is certainly not unique to Milo.  Indeed, there are other designers who have the same personality.  However, the fact that he can articulate his thoughts into designs that can defy the here and now is certainly a gift that not all designers have.

Consider his recent exhibit at the recently concluded Manila Now exhibition held at the SMX in the Mall of Asia. As expected, buyers and guests gravitated towards the more colorful booths that screamed for attention.  Nonetheless, after going through the exhibits once or twice, it wouldn’t be too much to state that they eventually find their way to Milo’s furniture exhibits, which give a laid-back and subtle vibe.

“My designs are very lounge-y,” he states, adding that his designs are quite appropriate for rooms that are meant for relaxing and de-stressing. 

Although, his furnishings hew towards a minimalist and quite modern approach to living, they are nonetheless bulky enough and are surely meant for rooms with luxurious dimensions. Surprisingly, they give the illusion of being low—when in fact they’re not—confounding visitors at times who think that his furnishings are height challenged.  Also, to an untrained eye, his designs may seem to look quite alike at times.  This is partly due to his subtle color palate and finishing that may seem raw to some but which are actually quite sophisticated and in keeping with international tastes and trends.

A very good example of this subtle sophistication is his take on wood and its use in a particular item of furnishing.  Sure, he is practical enough to use wood in creating a framework.  However, the exposed wooden surfaces provide a surprising understanding of texture and tonal differences that only a designer who has spent years designing furniture can truly understand.

For his new line of furnishings, Milo has gone farther by using salvaged and engineered wood in his design.  “I just made it look as natural as possible,” he says, adding that he sometimes creates a clean and really polished look or leaves it rough and natural depending on his inspiration.

This duality likewise extends to his choice of fabric for upholstery.  Again, subtlety comes into play as the fabrics he uses are actually unique to the market he has in mind.  For his local line for instance, he actually uses imported fabrics as these are more in keeping with local tastes.  On the other hand, he goes all out for the fabrics he uses for his foreign line, by using natural and exotic fibers and weaves (e.g. tinalak) that international buyers are more partial to.

Anyway, his designs are such that a lot of his furnishings have actually been used by a lot of local and foreign-based Filipino designers.  No mean feat to be sure and certainly quite a subtle but nonetheless influential achievement for someone who’d rather keep to the sidelines than revel in the spotlight.