Everyone has a go-to brand for everything. When it comes to furniture and home accessories, mine is W/17.
Started in 2011 by Andy Vazquez Prada and Kaye Tiñga, the brand was a product of a need to supply discerning, discriminating consumers with distinct, unusual and beautiful accessories for the home. The partners saw a market for unique, sophisticated home lifestyle products that honor artisans and natural resources.
Since its inception, the venture had become a search for the best manufacturers of products from the Philippines and all over the world, some places being South America, Africa and Thailand. It had also become a long-running showcase of exotic craftsmanship, one that displays a long tradition of respect for the materials used.
In their most recent tableware collections—namely the Chinoiserie, Imperial Table, Lace Platinum by Vera Wang, and Pashmina—different inspirations help make old, familiar items feel new.
I recently caught up with Kaye herself. She talked to me about the brand, the furniture one needs to invest in, and a new addition to the family, their storied Wedgwood pieces.
What furniture should we invest in?
We are believers in quality over quantity. Take your time furnishing your home, and invest in timeless and beautiful pieces that will last a lifetime.
Aside from the people, what makes a home “homey”?
Accessories, accessories, accessories. This includes, among others, art, books, cushions, candles and family mementos, as well as framed pictures, although it is also a good idea to add this with a light touch.
What makes W/17 unique among home stores?
In W/17, we only buy things we would be proud to display and use in our own homes, so the tableware, scents, décor and furniture are things we ourselves love. Andy is truly a savant when it comes to things for the home, and can quickly identify almost any lamp, vase or glassware, as well as the inspiration behind it. This knowledge gives W/17 unusual depth in terms of our product selection.
Where do you source your products?
At least half our products are manufactured locally, we are a believer and supporter of the talent and skill of our local artisans. We also comb the world for unique products we believe our clients would love to have at their homes, whether it is a one-of-a-kind vase, an artisanal plate, or a timeless tea pot.
That is why we were so excited when we were approached by Mila Guerra Lee to introduce Wedgwood, founded in England in the 1700s, to our clients, since we were certain it will be a welcome addition to the tables of our very discerning clientele.
Who is the Wedgewood client?
It is truly wonderful that even the younger set including millennials recognize quality for their home needs. Our Wedgwood clients include teenagers living in their own flats while in university abroad, who say that drinking their tea or cup of coffee from a Wedgwood cup elevates their morning experience and reminds them of home.
Hostesses with the mostest who entertain regularly, with their own chefs, who want only the best for their guests including the tableware they serve their food on. Brides who appreciate quality, and want dinnerware they can enjoy now and they know will become heirlooms in the future.