How Tito Villanueva creates a stylish, uncluttered condo out of his art and antiques collection

By: Marge C. Enriquez - 12 years ago

RECYCLE At the foyer, the polycarbonate diffuser for the entry lights is covered with empty plastic water bottles, a design that Villanueva introduced in an interior design exhibit for Manila Now. The iron sunburst décor ismade from a recycled iron gate which his office makes for projects.

t0515marge-tito_feat5_1 — RECYCLE At the foyer, the polycarbonate diffuser for the entry lights is covered with empty plastic water bottles, a design that Villanueva introduced in an interior design exhibit for Manila Now. The iron sunburst décor ismade from a recycled iron gate which his office makes for projects.

Interior designer Jose Luis “Tito” Villanueva displays his art and antiques collection in his condominium unit like a collage, making a powerful statement out of a group of elements. These collages not only tell stories of his family and travels, but also of his history.

How can he make a condo space look stylish and uncluttered despite all his artworks?

“Anyone can decorate or put things together. Interior designing is about space planning, surface treatments. When you decorate, you realize that the layout or the surfaces need to be changed for a complete look. I do both,” says Villanueva, who was inspired by his mother, interior design pioneer Nena Villanueva.

He combined two units to make a cozy 240-square-meter condominium in Ortigas. The color theme has neutrals as backdrop for the sculptures and paintings. The neutrals also lighten up the space. On the other hand, he bravely uses brown in his bedroom. Contrary to belief that dark colors recede, the earth tone in his room creates intimacy.

He also procured inexpensive but quality materials such as faux marble tiles in the bathroom walls to complement the marble countertop.

USEDARK COLORS FOR COZINESS The bedroom is in waxed old narra parquet flooring with warm chocolate brown fiber wallpaper, complemented by the beige bed cover. The backlit headboard was customized according to feng shui, to deflect the beam above the head. Abaca rope stools by Rica de la Merced add texture and warmth to the look. The vintage Knoll chair from Villanueva’s father was reupholstered in blue to accent the browns. Thewalls are lined with nude figure sketches by ’60s American artist Carmean. Thewalk-in closet is tucked inside a space hidden by a sliding door.On top of a sand-clad pedestal is a 1995 black bronze sculpture by Fernando Botero bought at auction inNew York. PHOTOS BY BOBOT MERU

“The secret is in the installing,” he maintains. For furniture and woodwork, tanguile does the job as nicely as exotic woods.

GIVE OLD PIECES A NEW LIFE A modern Chinese cabinet is transformed
into a picture gallery of family pictures all framed in sterling silver. “It’s a collection I have had since I started earning. Sterling silver appeals tome even if it takes tons of effort to keep them tarnish free and shiny,” says Villanueva. The cabinet is lined in fabric and fitted with LED lighting. The simple lines of the mid century Herman Miller Eames lounge chair in rosewood complements the cabinet.

Villanueva points out that most interior design tends to focus on the glamour of decorating rather than the practical side. He underscores the importance of storage. In the kitchen, the shelves have been measured to house his collection of plates, silverware, stemware and bowls.

The dressing room looks like a department store with color-coded clothes and lots of compartmentalized drawers.

Another décor tack is to recycle. Old plastic bottles make for a quirky ceiling treatment; old dining upholstery are reused for the office chairs, and an old pedestal is turned into a base for a dining table.

For objects, he mixes eBay bargain finds (“I bought this brass chandelier in eBay for $300. The shipping only cost $65”) with his collection of masters and contemporary artworks.

His trademark is a giant mirror that visually enlarges the space.

The crux of Villanueva’s décor style is engulfing walls and cabinets with various paintings and sculptures to create a snug but decadent stage for a host of objets d’art.