Her home/atelier illustrates designer Wynn Wynn Ong?s point perfectly
FOR SO LONG, JEWELry and accessories designer Wynn Wynn Ong was working from?or out of?her residence, and traveling a lot to her workshop.

But working at home can limit one?s productivity, while a workshop in a distant place leaves a lot of carbon footprint.

Finally, Ong has found an atelier in Makati she has transformed into an extension of her home. As the choice of color, furniture, accessories and artwork reflects her personality, her workspace nourishes the soul and stimulates creativity.

?My studio is private. It was created as a personal space where I can quietly focus on designing and making my pieces. The only people allowed are close friends, and access is purely by invitation,? she says.

The color scheme is largely neutral, such as pale limoncello, which expresses her meditative side.

The punches of contrasting earth tones such as mocha and her trademark aubergine accent wall convey Ong?s hands-on and exacting personality.

For warmth, she introduced natural materials such as kamagong pedestals and wenge-laminated cabinets, metal and glass tables and terra cotta carvings. There?s a lot of natural light mixed with bulbs that mimic daylight for a more inviting scheme, and gallery lights for her huge artworks.

?Having heavy machinery here isn?t a reason for not having an attractive office,? she says. Also, ?I believe the space we make becomes who we are.?

Sacred corner

There are expressions of sincerely held religious beliefs. A sacred corner is devoted to gold and terra cotta statues of Buddha, her guardian; Kuan Yin, the goddess of love, prosperity and mercy; and a small statue of Ganesh, the god who destroys obstacles.

They are mounted on an architectural fragment with a dolphin design from Italy to underscore the feeling of eternity the corner evokes. Every morning, Ong lights an incense stick and prays to invoke the good vibes.

Since she was born in 1957, Ong was ruled by the water snake. Hence, a gold naga (accent on the last syllable), the mythical serpent with wings, is perched on a shelf. Naga is also the brand of her jewelry.

Her love for intimate connections with friends after hours, her passion for social work and openness are easily discerned in her choice of furniture: A wide, sectional sofa covered with nubby linen that evokes comfort; dining chairs with round edges; a glass-topped wooden table that displays Asian silver flasks; mini jewel boxes and hair pieces; delicate linens and artsy tableware.

She loves the sculptural quality of lilies, wild grass and silum leaves.

?Music is piped in to all the rooms; I have my coffee machine and a refrigerator to chill wine and juices for family or friends who drop by. The studio has become an extension of my home. It is the ideal artisan?s workplace,? she adds.

Home ware

Ong?s conscientiousness is reflected in her organized book collection and open shelves filled with containers of neatly stacked raw materials. An entire system is devoted to her home ware line?handpainted bowls with swirling cloud patterns inspired by Chinese paintings; bowls and trays fashioned from kamagong and dao; salad forks and spoons made of pen shell; and resin bowls adorned with faux citrine, coral and turquoise.

?I made home ware for our 2005 show at Firma simply because Chito (Vijandre) naughtily announced I?d design some. I had mentioned to Ricky and Chito over dinner that I was frustrated because I could never find the salad sets or bowls I wanted, and that I should just make some. Before I knew it, I got a call from a magazine editor asking me when they could shoot it,? Ong recalls.

The other shelves are filled with shiny nautilus shells, swatches of crocodile and snakeskin and handpainted resin horns for her bag collection. There are containers of pheasant and rooster feathers, limpets from coral polyps, a web of necklaces fashioned from metallic threads and large cuffs that follow the shape of the ulna or the wristbone.

Ong explains that she researches on the human anatomy to make sure her jewelry pieces follow the contours of the human body.

?The more I am surrounded by the woods, shells, gems, metals, the more I have the freedom to create,? she says.

Jewelry exhibit

Ong is putting the finishing touches on jewelry to be exhibited at Firma on Nov. 19, with Ayala Malls providing the Greenbelt 3 space. Titled ?Ages,? the new collection echoes ancient themes in gold, silver and colorful stones.

She has produced highly labor intensive pieces of jewelry derived from Egyptian amulets and intricate Mediterranean intaglios carved, incised and engraved into stone or metal. Ong developed a method to reproduce the warm tones of antique metals. The pendants and accent pieces inspired by mythological symbols and icons such as satyrs, winged bulls, serpents, the god Horus, scarabs, falcon heads and impalas are detailed representations from historical drawings, for greater accuracy.

A bracelet pays tribute to Philippine culture with icons of Lakandula and Inmaculada Concepcion carved in wood chips, faux ivory that harks back to our Chinese heritage, and blister pearls.

In keeping with the sophisticated theme, Firma has partnered with HSBC Premier, the foreign bank?s wealth management department. Restaurante Pia Y Damaso and Barcino wines have created an Old World menu.

?I wanted to pay homage to the past by making the familiar look unfamiliar,? says Ong. When it comes to jewelry, ?people don?t play enough.?

The serenity and relaxed ambience of the atelier have inspired Ong and her workers to raise the bar.

?This is the first time I?ve consolidated my work in one location. It has completely altered how I spend my weekdays and the way I design. I look forward to designing every day, and tend to spend 10 to 12 hours a day without being aware that time has passed by.?