MIX THE ELEMENTS The wicker stool, fabric-covered dining chairs, glass and wood table, antique cabinet, glass pendant andmirror blend harmoniously to create spatial depth. — MIX THE ELEMENTS The wicker stool, fabric-covered dining chairs, glass and wood table, antique cabinet, glass pendant and mirror blend harmoniously to create spatial depth.

MADONNAANDCHILD Amina Aranàz-Alunan with Helena, the second of her three children.Wary of not making the family residence look untouchable, shemakes it a stressfree hub of activity, thanks to the sturdy sofa daybed covered in stain-resistant fabric. — MADONNA AND CHILD
Amina Aranàz-Alunan with Helena, the second of her three children.Wary of not making the family residence look untouchable, shemakes it a stressfree hub of activity, thanks to the sturdy sofa daybed covered in stain-resistant fabric.

By combining new elements with heirloom furniture, Amina Aranàz-Alunan has created harmony in which textures, shapes and styles blend and differ delightfully. Yet the subtle synchronicity and dramatic differences result in a luxurious feel.

Her décor style is the product of her environment. She grew up in a household surrounded by antiques and furniture that have acquired a patina with age. When she studied at the Istituto Marangoni in Italy, she was exposed to historical buildings with strikingly modern interiors.

Returning to Manila, she established Aranàz, a fashion accessories venture with her mother and sister, and eventually founded the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA), where she is now the executive director.

The décor of her three-bedroom townhouse in the suburbs reveals Aranàz-Alunan’s creative journey. Key pieces are like markers in her life. After she and mobile marketing executive Rafael “Rafa” Alunan IV got married and began to make a home, they acquired the basic couch and bed. The couch, then in maroon and emerald green upholstery, was a hand-me-down from her parents.

“I chose a neutral palette for the apartment. Little by little, we bought pieces together. I wasn’t sure what he liked, and I was still discovering my design style. I was very conscious of how he would react. My style is feminine so I try to inject some masculinity,” she recalls.

With a growing family, the Alunans moved to what is their present townhouse in a safe and child-friendly neighborhood. By then, Rafa had given his wife carte blanche in styling the house. Meanwhile, she was making a name for herself in the fashion industry.

Contemporary feel

USE LAYERS TOADDDEPTH The warm white color scheme not only exudes comfort but also complements the woods. The table with exaggerated turned legs is made from an old door. The white linen sofa looks casual against traditional shapes. Meanwhile, the cowhide rug not only adds amodern edge but is also good for high-traffic areas. The patterns of the pillow pick up the colors from the painting. — USE LAYERS TO ADD DEPTH The warm white color scheme not only exudes comfort but also complements the woods. The table with exaggerated turned legs is made from an old door. The white linen sofa looks casual against traditional shapes. Meanwhile, the cowhide rug not only adds a modern edge but is also good for high-traffic areas. The patterns of the pillow pick up the colors from the painting.

The original dark interiors have been whitewashed, and the open-plan living room, dining room and lanai flow in one contiguous, airy space. The clean backdrop gives the house a pared-down, contemporary feel despite the period furniture made by her grandfather or given by her mother.

She recalls that the antiques and vintage pieces seemed ordinary in the traditional interiors of the homes of her parents and grandparents. Against the bright and clean background of the townhouse, however, these same pieces appear fresh.

Aranàz-Alunan styles the home the way she does her bags. “I love contrasts and unexpected mixes. Just like my handbags, I value handwork and intricate details.”

In the living room, the old sofa is upholstered in white to match the modern white color scheme. The coffee table echoes Aranàz-Alunan’s attraction to the old-and-new style—the top is made from an antique carved door encased in glass, while the base has exaggerated ball-shaped legs.

THE high-backed carved chair of Jesus Christ and the Apostles looks attractive enough to stand alone or with other furniture.

The cowhide rug, the black-and-white abstraction by Ivan Acuña, and the black-and-white patterned pillows set off the formality of the period-looking pieces. Their patterns create an impact of color in a room full of light and wood tones.

Aranàz-Alunan points out that she is partial to contours. Thus, the curves of the antique throne chairs and the Chinese altar table blend with the modern, white round woven chair and the curvaceous sofa. A masculine, angular chrome and black leather armchair brings an unexpected contrast.

STRIPES PROMOTE ORDER Stripes in small quantities such as in the upholstery balance a room full of solids. Moreover, stripes should be scaled according to the size of the space.

To freshen up the look of the dining room, Aranàz-Alunan keeps a variety of slipcovers for the woven chairs. Against the white walls, the coolness of Oriental ceramics and the warm patina of the antique bar cabinet and lounge chair make for a timeless ambiance in the dining room.

As an unpredictable touch, she adds a quirky moose sconce by Kenneth Cobonpue and his glass pendant lamp over the glass dining table.

The lanai décor tone changes to a laid-back feel, owing to the lush plants. While the graceful, intricate rattan furniture and the rustic and elaborately carved chairs made by her grandfather represent diverse styles, they share the quality craftsmanship so that they look just right together.

As in many homes, some accessories hold sentimental value. The paintings are reminders of the couple’s shopping trips. The ceramic vases and lamps are links to Aranàz-Alunan’s family.

In the end, the house maintains a blend of the elegance of the past and the vibrancy of the present.

For Aranàz-Alunan, the mix of disparate elements reflects the confident style of both a designer and an executive. “I’ve grown wiser in my decisions in business and at home.”