By profession Annie Chen is a jewelry designer as well as an art gallery owner in Cebu. She divides her time between her home in Singapore where she lives with her three children, and this home in her native city of Cebu. In designing her home here, Annie, wanted to create something that would give her comfort with a bit of pared-down luxury.
When the owner of this house decided to renovate the interiors, she specified to the architect that she wanted to bring the Indochine theme, which captivated her during a trip to Hanoi; there that cultural hybrid is quite evident. The entrance to the house is a barely perceptible gate in a cul-de-sac dominated by tall fences and breathtaking views of the Alta Vista Estate. Inside, however, the house speaks loudly of its owner’s artistic sense. She has had her house built as nothing more than walls to display art, thus, the interiors are pointedly stark, with bursts of color coming mainly from framed paintings, wall décors, vibrant-color fabrics, and rare antique pieces displayed quite imaginatively.
An avid collector of what could only be described as art exotique, Annie Chen has taken advantage of her many trips abroad to amass a wonderfully unique and diverse art collection. A pair of eclectic montages flanks the entrance door, radiating texture and immediately capturing the visitor’s interest. There are unglazed terra cotta jars and wood sculptures by Jet Florendo.
Many of the paintings are by Nepalese and Filipino artists. Complementing the gallery feel of the house, designer furniture is used in functional precision, as revealed by interior windows and thick-lattice wood-screens. A massive wooden table dominates the dining room as well as a Kenneth Cobonpue two-seater upholstered in bright silk. Most passages are discreet and set in playful floor patterns, but a wrought-iron spiral staircase with solid wooden steps leads down to the more private spaces— three bedrooms, particularly—all furnished and accessorized with natural vibrancy.
“I required romance in the interiors, but I was not also afraid of simplicity,” says Annie. The classic modernist architecture was designed to maximize open space. Says Architect Arsenio D. Abella, “A renovation is an update on an existing building. The architect’s duty is to link his discipline with the client’s dream, passion, and love of life.” And this he has done with remarkable results.
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Zee Lifestyle’s October 2015 Luxury Issue: Dina Arroyo-Tantoco and Catherine Tantoco Huang (Sittings Editor: Shari Quimbo/Photography by Filbert Kung/Production Assistant: Patty Taboada/Styled by Sheryl Songsong/Makeup by Byron Velasquez of MAC/Hair by Eddiemar Cabiltes/Clothes available at Rustan’s Department Store)
With the launch of a bigger and better Rustan’s Department Store dedicated to bring to Cebu the world’s most luxurious lifestyle brands, cover girls Dina Arroyo-Tantoco and Catherine Tantoco Huang show the family dynamics behind the premium brand.
To give the lowdown on luxury, Leslie Ann Reyes, Patrice Huang, Chin Onglatco, SJ Quitevis, John Franco and Preston Nicholas share experiences and purchases they consider their ultimate indulgences.
Similarly, this month’s Conversations feature pits together Maris Aznar Holopainen and Annie Chen, Denise Fajatin-Pegarido and Allen Zaldarriaga, John Rey Guadalquiver and Tasha Dixon, Kyle Uy and Michael Goho, Allen Tan and Lor Torres, Michelle Yu and Dr. Cecilia Ramos-Bernad, and Drs. Fremont Base and Peter Mancao to find out their individual luxury preferences.
Zee Lifestyle also sits down with Alexandra Seno, Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, Leigh Carcel, Mia Borromeo, Yiouri Augousti, Gerry and Pamela Montanus, Derek and Mary Ann Arculli, and Butch Carungay for The Call of Luxe, a dinner discussion focused on defining luxury and figuring out its various aspects.
This issue also features a rundown on the latest indulgent trends in the world as well as the best luxury that Cebu can offer, including Amparito Lhuillier’s home, designs by Debbie Palao, and the most premium accommodations in town.
Read more in Zee Lifestyle’s Luxury Issue, out on stands this month. Grab your copies at National Bookstore and Fully Booked. For subscriptions, click here, or download the Magzter app on your device and search for ‘Zee Lifestyle’.
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