From the Robin’s egg blue walls to various animal print accents that make up the lampshade, curtains and couch, there’s no denying the fact that women occupy this room.

“We went for dainty walls and animal print touches,” says designer TC Alvarez-Sibal, who, together with sister Ana Alvarez-Laygo, forms the other half of TwoChic. “We love animal prints. It’s really our signature print.”

Sibal, who receives clients in need of made-to-order pieces on the second floor of their shop in Poblacion, Makati City (call 8992435), describes the interiors’ look as “modern bohemian.”

t0405vergara-twochic2_feat4_2 — Ideas and inspirations in the form ofmagazine clippings, illustrations and textiles are stuck on one of Sibal’s mood boards.

“They’re usually well-traveled and well-to-do ladies in their 30s and 40s,” says TC, referring to the bulk of their clients both for RTW and couture. “They know the value of what they’re buying and they appreciate the thought and workmanship that come with it.”

Apart from these visible feminine touches, a chandelier made of white glass dangles above the huge working table the two sisters share. The room also comes with several mood boards where all sorts of looks, colors, swatches and inspirations are stuck with pushpins.

Framed photographs of TC’s kids Matthew and Elizabeth are displayed on a smaller side table an arm’s length away from her work area. On top of a pair of mood boards, she has a cork or working board, which features sketches that are on their way to the sewing floor next door.

“I also design my RTW collection on this table,” she says.

t0405vergara-twochic2_feat4_3 — ANIMAL print is a recurring motif.

The modern bohemian feel extends to the shop’s spacious fitting room, which is covered in printed lavender wallpaper. The dominance of pastel shades contrasts with their choice of bold jewel colors for the ground floor, where their ready-to-wear pieces are displayed.

While the sisters share a similar taste when it comes to decorating spaces, it was only much later that TC, the older of the two, learned of their shared preferences.

“What I like she likes,” says TC of Ana, the business’ finance person. “And even if we go to a home store on separate occasions, we still end up buying almost the same things.”