Six of the design industry’s biggest names reflect on the ever-changing culture here in the Philippines and shed some light on their secrets to success
Stephen Sy
Founder and President, Focus Global
Home to brands such as SieMatic, Sub-Zero, Ethan Allen, B&B Italia, Miele, and Tempur, Focus Global caters to an upscale market with the most discerning taste in home furnishings. “Our clients value their homes as long-term investments,” says Stephen Sy. “They want things that will last—pieces they can use and live with for a long time—and they are willing to invest to get it right. We are here to help bring out their creativity and make the process of completing their dream homes a memorable experience.” The company has recently opened a five-storey showroom at The Fort. Sy adds, “Nowhere in Asia can you find 5,000 square metres of space dedicated to showcasing a wide selection of the most coveted home furnishing brands.” He places great emphasis on the importance of variety in the industry; more brands are emerging both locally and abroad, and companies such as his expand their portfolios to accommodate their clients’ growing needs. “Nowadays, people are designing to suit their personalities,” he says. “They work with designers to mix and match different pieces from different collections. Gone are the days when the same style is used all throughout a home.”
Ferdie Ong
General Manager, Living Innovations
Ferdie Ong started his business with kitchen manufacturer Bulthaup and furniture company Minotti 15 years ago. Now, Living Innovations is one of the most successful design ventures in the country, with brands such as Casamilano, Meridiani, and Bang & Olufsen, among many others, under its belt. “We’re the only company in Asia that has everything under one roof,” he says. “We have a strong arsenal of brands in different areas like kitchens, furniture, outdoor pieces, appliances, and even audio-visual equipment. The pieces are carefully curated; the selections are cutting-edge in terms of both design and function, and are suited to my personal tastes as well.” Living Innovations takes customer input seriously; many of its clients have a clear picture of what they want, and have done their homework by doing research on the internet and by visiting different stores. Ong adds, “Five years ago, we were following what was trendy abroad. Now, we’re embracing our individuality and finding our niches. With businesses like mine working in tandem with others in this industry, clients have the opportunity to explore their tastes, as well as take their pick from the best of the best.”
Edison Go
Vice President, Kuysen
Having been around for a little over 25 years now, Kuysen continues to evolve as a design company due to its forward-thinking approach to business. This long-standing team of professionals takes pride in representing world-famous brands and products, providing tools that allow architects and interior designers to fully express their visions, and helping Filipinos build their dream homes. “Our corporate tagline—‘Inspiring Creativity; Delivering Solutions’—is a testament to our commitment to fusing functionality and design,” says Edison Go. “We don’t stick to a particular aesthetic; no single philosophy can monopolise the design scene. We cater to the market who sees quality as non-negotiable, and who appreciates design as something that adds real value to a space.” Kuysen represents several of the world’s best brands, including but not limited to Hansgrohe, Duravit, Kaldewei, Zanotta, Living Divani, and Baxter. When Kuysen first entered the design business, homeowners tended to focus on function and utility. Go reflects, “The designs back then failed to inspire—a bathroom, for example, was just a bathroom. Due to the burgeoning interest in design today, we have progressed beyond the utilitarian. We’ve come as far as to have a toilet designed by Philippe Starck!”
Florence Ko
Managing Director, Furnitalia
Her company name alone speaks volumes of what it is all about. Furnitalia is synonymous with good-quality, high-end furniture from Italy. Before it stepped into the game, Italian furniture brands had no presence in the Philippines. “Designing is in the Italians’ blood,” says Florence Ko. “The pieces they make have always appealed to me because Italians are number one when it comes to manufacturing furniture.” As of today, Furnitalia carries pieces from large brands such as Poltrona Frau, Molteni&C, Flexform, Giorgetti, Cassina, Fiam, Veblem, Roda, Venini, Fontana Arte, Penta, and Calligaris. The company prides itself in its flexibility; each brand has its own aesthetic, and Ko is confident that there is something for everyone at Furnitalia. “It’s good to still be here,” she says. “I’m thankful that people trust us. When we were starting out, both my company and the customers were quite conservative. I used to play it safe by buying pieces that I know would sell immediately. But the game has changed because customers have developed a certain openness and awareness. We’ve grown a little bolder. I can now show that it’s okay to explore options that don’t necessarily qualify as ‘safe.’”
Dexter Go
Vice President, Dexterton
“Our company is unique because we are strong in four different segments: bathroom, furniture, tiles, and lighting,” says Dexter Go. “When clients come to us, we can confidently say that we cover all their needs.” The company carries Gessi, Kohler, Inda, Falper, Artelinea, Gruppo Treesse, Jacuzzi, Glass Design, Emco, Störmer, and Blanco for bathroom fixtures; Caracole, Schnadig, Kartell, Himolla, Simmons, Modloft, and Viking Beds of Sweden for furniture; Artemide, Metalspot, Vistosi, and Pablo for lighting; Marazzi, Ariostea, Rondine, Pastorelli, Monocibec, Azuvi, and Laminam for tiles, among others. As a businessman, Go’s outlook on the future of the local design industry is a positive one; he believes the Philippines will soon catch up to the likes of Hong Kong and Singapore. “Due to the presence of the internet, the modern-day customer finds ways to be well-informed,” he adds. “Aside from a keener eye, people have a higher buying capacity and more willingness to spend. In effect, more companies will be coming to the Philippines, providing a wider selection for everyone.” Dexterton is set to open its massive 18-storey showroom at The Fort in October this year.
Bryan Lim
Vice President for Business Development, Suyen Corp
“The present-day design scene is so vibrant,” Bryan Lim reflects. “Homeowners are more involved in designing their space. Thanks to the availability of information, they are able to educate themselves and understand the value of the pieces they purchase.” Studio Dimensione prides itself in carrying well-known home furnishing brands such as Cappellini and Republic of Fritz Hansen. To accommodate its ever-growing roster of clientele, it also brought contemporary brands such as MDF Italia, Arper, Magis, and Foscarini into the fold. “A solid identity is important to us,” says Lim. “Our clients know the heritage and DNA of each brand we carry. It’s not enough that a piece looks good—it has to serve a purpose as well.” He points out the quickly evolving relationship between design and technology as a key factor in figuring out how to move his business forward. Studio Dimensione will always stick to its guns, though, and is set on continuously doing its best to grow as a company.
Photography by Sara Black