When Style Meets Soul: Filipino Designers Craft the Future of Home | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

When Style Meets Soul: Filipino Designers Craft the Future of Home

Geolette Marie Esguerra

 | 

Updated May 31, 2025 10:52 PM PHT

Clipboard

A home is never just four walls—it’s memory, mood, movement. It’s a quiet expression of who we are and how we choose to live. In every curve of a chair, every softened corner of a room, design becomes personal—a reflection of stories told, dreams pursued, and connections made tangible. A home comes close to being the best representation of our current sensibilities and highest aspirations. 

This year, Rustan’s Designers’ Circle 2025 deepens its roots in thoughtful living by partnering with the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID). The collaboration honors the creative force behind inspired spaces—licensed Filipino interior designers whose work shapes not only homes, but the way we feel within them. With this, Rustan’s reaffirms its commitment to nurturing local talent, celebrating homes not just as styled spaces, but as soulful sanctuaries.

The Rustan’s Designers’ Circle is a premium rewards and loyalty program created especially for designers, stylists, and design professionals as a way of honoring their craft and commitment to excellence.

This year’s partnership with the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers brings together the expertise of four interior designers—Cynthia Almario, Cyndi Fernadez-Beltran, Cecil Ravelas, and Ann Dee-Santiago—who each crafted vignettes that reflect their aesthetic while responding to 2025 trends: sustainable materials, multifunctional spaces, and earthy color palettes that resonates with today’s evolving lifestyles. All the products in the vignettes are sourced from Rustan’s extensive collection of local and world-renowned home brands.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cynthia Almario's vignette for Rustan's

Cynthia Almario

Cynthia invites you to step into a living room that radiates whimsical chic, where sophistication meets a playful spirit. Luxurious furniture from Poliform and Flexform serves as the backbone of the space. She took advantage of the merchandise available at Rustan's.

"I infused the room with vibrant colors and quirky shapes from Jonathan Adler to create a delightful contrast to the refined furniture. My idea is to create an enchanting environment that invites exploration, blending various sumptuous materials that harmonize to provide a unique sensory experience." 


Cyndi Fernadnez-Beltran's "La Dolce Isla" vignette for Rustan's
Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran

“La Dolce Isla” is a design vignette by Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran that explores the fusion of European elegance and Filipino craftsmanship. Her creation showcases how global design icons like Fornasetti can harmonize with local materials and forms to create a cohesive, culturally layered environment. 

"The concept is hinged on the belief that Fornasetti’s iconic look—known for its surreal motifs and bold monochrome palette—can be seamlessly integrated into tropical, locally grounded interiors. By pairing his signature aesthetic with the warmth and texture of Filipino design, the vignette reimagines maximalist European charm through a distinctly island lens," Cindy shares.

The space unfolds in three parts: a formal dining foyer, a main dining area, and an outdoor cocktail nook. "Each zone flows naturally into the next, with thoughtful layers and a balanced mix of elements—proving that when global and local design sensibilities meet, the result can be both elevated and deeply rooted," she adds.

ADVERTISEMENT


Cecil Ravelas vignette for Rustan's

Cecil Ravelas

With artful table settings, textured surfaces, and an inviting palette, Cecil Ravelas’ living and dining room vignette captures the heart of hospitality. 

“In the rush of daily life, we often forget to feel. That’s why our homes must become sanctuaries—spaces that breathe, hold beauty, and speak to the soul. Each piece of furniture, every artwork, every cherished object is more than décor—it is nourishment. They restore, inspire, and elevate our sense of home—reminding us of who we are, and what brings us peace,” she says.


Ann Dee-Santiago

Ann Dee-Santiago wanted to create a space that feels like an effortless extension of the home—a lounge-dining experience in a lanai. 

She shares, “The inspiration came from the pace of real life—how busy we all are. In the middle of all the hustle and traffic, one thing we all truly value is slowing down and sharing happy moments with close friends and family. This set up invites that: a relaxed space with fresh plants, centered around a big wooden table with cozy chairs, and a dining set-up that feels easy, welcoming, and not formal," she says. 

"I wanted a place where you can hang out during the day with coffee, or stay up late with good conversation and a bottle of wine. This design is about making space for connection, comfort, and simple joys. In a busy world, true luxury is finding the time—and the space to just be together.”


Rustan's Design Circle


The vignettes will be available for viewing a month from the May 8 launch. Visit Rustan's Makati for more information

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.