Elegant pieces, accessories to spruce up homes this holiday

Books by Rizzoli and Assouline Guaxs vase

In many ways, this challenging year has taught us to appreciate even more our family, our blessings and our home, which have become more than just a sanctuary. In the new normal, our homes have also become a place where we work, study and even have fun and unwind.

So as December comes, let’s adorn and spruce up our homes with elegant pieces, fixtures and small home accessories to create a fresh look and add a dose of cheer to the holidays. Or better yet, you can opt to give these as gifts to family and friends this Christmas

Andres Vasquez-Prada and Kaye Tinga of W/17 suggest finding pieces that will last long, both in substance and style. When you step into the W/17 store, it almost feels like you have gone back in time, but of what era? Nobody knows. That is on purpose as each piece is carefully selected to go beyond trends and last a lifetime. You can find here small home accessories that could easily blend or add a little something to an unused corner or coffee table. Carefully selected dinnerware that a loved one can use on their table is the next best thing to being there, as if celebrating a Christmas gathering that we were all used to.

Please visit W/17’s well-appointed warehouse-turned-home store at Warehouse 17, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Pasong Tamo, Makati, open from Mondays to Saturdays. Call W/17 at (02) 8478-1717 for more details.

Find pieces from W/17 for the perfect holiday setup

Candles and diffusers by Coqui Coqui, candles by Feu de Beaumont and W/17

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For other décor and home furnishings, check out the yearly holiday bazaar organized and curated by sisters Bea Zobel Jr. and Sofia Elizalde.

Designers’ Holiday Bazaar offers proudly Philippine-made products ranging from handmade accessories and fine jewelry, woven bags and embroidered home decor, to scents, stationery, fashion, food and more.

Six years ago, Bea Zobel, along with Tes Pasola, Tony Gonzalez and a group of artists in El Nido started the bazaar. The objective was to raise funds for children in Ayala Foundation’s CENTEX elementary schools to move up to Ayala Corp.’s APEC high schools.

“Twenty percent of proceeds from the bazaar go to helping children get scholarships for four years while they finish high school,” said Bea. The scholarships included tuition, school uniforms and allowance—all of which are provided until they finish their schooling, for as long as they maintain the scholarship requirements in terms of grades and good character.

All items at the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar are on display at the Greenbelt 5 Fashion Walk and purchases could be done online. Check out its website at Designersholidaybazaar.com and Instagram @designersholidaybazaar for all the offerings. My favorites are the one-off furniture and limited edition boxes of Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre of AC+632. The decoupage line is simply gorgeous and very detailed. Check out the glass-enclosed shell pieces of Mabolo. They are almost sold out.

Along with the other home products being sold are those from the Gifts and Graces Foundation. Check out its beautiful throw pillows, decorative bells and gift items. This foundation also gets funding from the Noel Bazaar that will be online this year.

Noel Bazaar Online will also donate proceeds to Inquirer Foundation. Philippine Daily Inquirer continues to partner with various organizations including GMA Kapuso Foundation, Gifts and Graces Foundation along with the Noel P. Gozon Medical Clinic and Lingkod Puso Foundation, to help these deserving groups achieve their visions and objectives.

This Christmas is all about gratitude and sharing. Make it count!