The Homes of Zee

Seasoned Interior Designer Rosebud Sala’s Elegant Style

In her fifty years of interior decorating, Rosebud Sala’s elegant taste and fine eye have strongly influenced the design of some of the best homes in the city.

This story is taken from our archives. Originally published in Inside Cebu.

In her fifty years of interior decorating, Rosebud Sala’s elegant taste and fine eye have strongly influenced the design of some of the best homes in the city. As a matter of fact, Rosebud Sala puts her stamp on everything she does, whether decorating a house or pursuing a charitable cause. Her second house, located on the crest of one of the many hills comprising Maria Luisa Estate Park, embodies the Rosebud style. The simple layout was achieved in association with the architectural firm of Jacinto and Unson, a long-time collaboration that started in the early ‘70s.

The main level is divided into three parts. The principal living room leads to the formal dining area that opens onto the wide trellised verandah. Amidst the orchids and flowering vines, it is in this verandah that the lady of the house does most of her entertaining, giving everyone an expansive view of the city below. On the other end of the house, next to a quiet library, is the master’s bedroom.

The rooms are distinct from one another; each has its own special feel. They almost give the impression of a collection of unrelated nooks rather a singular home. But pulling all the various rooms together into a unifying whole are the neutral palette of textured fabrics and the layered wood surfaces where the art and furniture inside also follow a coordinated pattern dictated by tastefulness and practicality.

The Sala house is full of surfaces which invite you to touch and feel: a smooth waxed antique table, a Persian carpet and a profusion of silk pillows. There is also a sensuousness in the atmosphere that Rosebud very subtly evokes, by “mixing objects and making associations between different periods, between cultural references, between colors and materials,” as she herself puts it. Above it all, there’s an element of harmony.

For a breakfast setting, Rosebud Sala arranges fresh tropical blossoms and fruits around a typical Cebuano offering of rice cakes and fruit compote. The exquisite china service is a touch whimsical, but it works with the vivid organic colors of the cultural fare. The table is set alfresco and offers a panoramic view of the island.

Related Topics:Beautiful Homes in Cebu Inside Cebu Interior Designer Rosebud Sala

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A. Create different moods with lighting. The use of warm colored indirect lighting such as lamps, colored LED back lights, or even string lights can create a cozy and relaxing vibe after a day’s work.

Beautiful lighting can transform a small modern apartment.

B.) Convert to smart home systems. From door locks, CCTV cameras, you’ll also be able to control and turn on lights, appliances even if you’re away from home. All you need is a wifi connection and the applications on your mobile phone.

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C.) Hire a professional interior designer. We always get an impression that hiring a professional would be expensive, but they actually help you make the best choices and save you from making bad purchases.

Go over design options and your color palette with a professional interior designer to get better results and save more.

IDr. Christa M. Cañizares, piid
Founding Member, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers – Cebu Chapter
Principal Designer, CMC Interior Design
Specializes in residential and commercial design.
A homebody and renovation aficionado.

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