The typical Filipino home is full of knick-knacks and sentimental clutter, which becomes a major storage problem especially when living in boxy condo units.
“Filipinos are natural pack rats,” said interior decorator Dustin Reyes. “The first thing you should do is to edit your home.”
You don’t have to throw or give everything away, but you have to be sensible in putting things together to avoid a tacky crowded look.
Reyes, who has designed windows for fashion houses Marc Jacobs, Club Monaco, Benetton, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Sisley and Marni in New York; plus Myth, Aranaz and Schu locally, specializes in contemporary home designs. 
A common situation he encounters when redesigning a home is people who refuse to part with too many items. Or, he and the client would agree to give stuff away, only for him to find the items hidden somewhere else in the home.
His solution: a separate storage area. But for those who have accumulated way too much, and have the budget, perhaps it’s time to build that dream home.
For this purpose, HSBC Savings Bank is offering home loans with minimal interest.
Premier home
Called HSBC Premier, this customizable home loan offers an interest rate of as low as 5.45 percent. 
To achieve a Premier status, clients should have a loan of at least P6 million. This allows them a home loan rate of 5.45 percent. Plus, they can choose the currency they want to transact in, and the mode of payment—say monthly or quarterly.
HSBC Savings Bank president and CEO Patrick Cheng and Living Innovations home store general manager Ferdie Ong recently gave a tour of an example of a “premier home” in Makati. It has the latest items from luxury brands Minotti, Gaggenau, Bulthaup, Dedon and Bang & Olufsen. Reyes added accent pieces.
The house featured a wide hallway leading from the receiving area to the bedrooms. To keep it from looking bare, Reyes put a wooden dining
table and topped it with books and plants.
“You pass by this hall daily. The idea is to have a quick ‘pickup library.’ You can also add artworks,” he said.
Reading nook
In the receiving area, he put a “reading nook” for people who want a break from watching TV and DVDs. Lighting can be dimmed to conserve energy “and to make everyone look sexier.” 
Furniture is modular, easy to clean, comes in neutral colors and made of sustainable materials, added Ong. A Minotti sofa could last 20 years, he said, while the Dedon outdoor set with smooth corners, found in the poolside, is kid- and pet-friendly.
“Color trends now are yellows, whites, mochas and khakis, done in natural fabrics such as organic cottons and linen,” Reyes said. “When the ’ber month kicks in, you can use bolder colors like orange, deep violet or plum, metallic.”
His tip: If you are bored with the way your house looks, the quickest way to change the look is by changing pillows or pillowcases, giving the room a fresh pop of color.
Visit www.hsbc.com.ph or call 85800 or 9768000; https://dustinreyes.com; www.livinginnovations.ph
