The Dreamiest Kids Furniture (Plus More!) is at Gautier Manila

55 years ago, French furniture company Gautier dreamt up its very first kids’ bedrooms infused with visionary flair. Since then, over 5 million children and teenagers have slept in a Gautier bed.

But Gautier is more than just beds to sleep on. I'm talking the kind of magical beds that will blow away your imagination. Just check out the Piccadilly, a circus inspired showcase of a bed where kids can mount fantastical shows from. I love it: 

But more than just style, plenty of thoughtful details go into this bed. From the rounded headboard to storage drawers, even embedded LED lighting.

And I have to tell you, expectations really meet reality at Gautier. Here's the bed as seen in the Gautier Manila showroom at the newly opened retail area of Shangri-la at The Fort.

Now, let me show the Demoiselle collection. It's very French, very feminine. Berry and all our girly girls would love this.

It's authentically French too, since Gautier is one of the few global brands that chooses to maintain almost all its manufacturing in France. Over 95% of the furniture sold in Gautier stores are manufactured in their French factories while the rest are produced in neighboring European countries. 

Again, the pictures will not disappoint because the reality is just as pretty.

Socially minded consumers will also love the fact that Gautier helps protect forests by manufacturing its furniture from wood sourced in sustainably managed forests or from recycled scrap wood within 300 km of its factories in Vendee, France. 

It also adheres to strict European eco-friendly manufacturing practices and prioritizes local communities in its employment, employing over 950  individuals across its 3 manufacturing sites in the Vendée region. Like true artisans, the manufacturing expertise in furniture making is handed down generation after generation. 

Being able to balance sustainable practices and practical design is a huge bonus, of course. I love their space saving and multi-functional beds. Like these from the Dimix line.

Again, as seen in the showroom.

They have separate work desks too, that kids and teens can enjoy studying at.

Check out this bedroom fit for a teenage boy with rock star dreams. Hehe.

Dada with Chris Lim, whose family brought in Gautier to Manila. His brother Greg manages Gautier Manila.

Gautier is more than just kids and teen furniture of course. They have bedroom furniture for adults too.

Which includes closets and storage units.

Check out their bed which you can pop up, so that it's easy to change the beddings. They really think of these things.

I just have to highlight this deck chair inspired by yacht furniture. Isn't it chic? The most chica folding chair in my book.

If you are looking to furnish your home or apartment, you better know that Gautier offers furniture for every room in your house, not just the bedroom: living rooms, dining rooms, foyers and so much more. If your aesthetic veers towards simple, chic, contemporary furniture that you want to live your life in, you will find plenty of that right here, at Gautier Manila.

Gautier Manila 
2/F of Shangri-la at the Fort
30th Street corner 5th Avenue
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Tel +632 946 3660
Facebook and Instagram: @gautierphilippines

H&M Holiday 2015

the H&M showroom gets cozy for the Holidays

Oh gosh, it's that time of year again. Who's ready for the holidays? I know I'm not!

Although admittedly, it's hard to get Scrooge-y when you're faced with warm Gingerbread Man cookies and a DIY ornament corner by Craft Manila.

Add to that, Holiday decorating suggestions from H&M.

Last year, I had a wishlist of items I wanted to get from the H&M Holiday Collection, and I was able to buy them all save for one. This year gets scarier because just look at how much more options there are now. You can actually go by theme: classic red, rustic silver or sophisticated gold.

Then again, the living room vignette at the H&M showroom managed to combine all three themes together into a look that's festive and yet clean.

So who says you can't mix and match, especially when you can afford to get them all because H&M Home is so affordable. Some of the items from the Home Holiday collection are out  now, but the rest should be trickling into H&M Home stores soon.

Don't forget to check out the Autumn/Winter 2015 Collection for kids and the A/W 2015 Studio Collection as well. They're perfect for Holiday dressing!

H&M Home is available at SM Makati and Robinsons Magnolia.

P.S. Watch out for H&M Cebu, opening very soon!

John Lewis at SM Home

British retail institution John Lewis finally makes its way to our shores, by way of shop-in-shops inside the SM Home section of the Philippines’ own retail institution, The SM Store, as well as in Our Home.

The first of the shop-in-shops opened last May 2015 at the fifth level of SM Makati, followed by Aura Premier, Megamall, and North Edsa.

From L to R: Katie Jordan - John Lewis Head of International Development, Trevor Lewis-Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy in Manila, Jorge Mendiola - SM Retail President, Pascale Jimenez- SM Retail VP Business Development, Louise Jones - John Lewis Manager of International Development and Siony Yap-SM Home SVP for Operations 

Easily one of the UK’s well-loved stores, given its long heritage (it started out as a drapers shop in 1864) and wide reach, with 43 stores all over the UK, John Lewis is best known for its policy of “Never Knowingly Undersold”, which has been in use since 1925. 

British consumers consistently rave about their staff’s knowledgeable and informed service, the atmosphere of their stores, and best of all, the quality of their goods – which are not just from established brands, but from their in-house brands as well. 

Of the latter, John Lewis takes great effort to ensure products are sustainably made, or quintessentially British, if not both. 

To say that John Lewis is a trusted retailer is an understatement. Judging from feedback from folks who shop there, the common sentiment is excellent value for money, and they give their hard-earned loyalty in return.

That said, it is hard not to shop at John Lewis not only because they treat customers right, but also because the employees, called “Partners” are taken cared of.

Partners are generously entitled to a share of the profits earned each year, and how can you not love shopping at a store that rewards its people like so?

The shop-in-shops in the Philippines are the second international collaboration, following seven outlets inside South Korean department store Shinsegae, and preceding that of three branches that will be opened in Singapore department store Robinsons.

But back to the Philippines.

When you visit the John Lewis shop-in-shops at SM Home, expect to find high quality bed and bath linens and goods, tableware, and home accessories, such as mirrors, candles and photo frames. 

 Towels, a tick-tocking clock, a glass cloche and ooooh, love that brass mirror 

For all ye Kings and Queens of your own abode 

For decanting wine, or some tea, perhaps?

I had to restrain myself from buying stuff I don’t really need. But I eventually caved in because I couldn’t resist this pillow. I kept on taking photos of it, and when viewed up close, the fabric is just thick and gorgeous.

I also just had to get the round mirror with brass frame because it’s so hard to find mirrors that fit my aesthetic.

Prices are reasonable, with duvet sets at about Php10,000, throw pillows at Php2,500 and the mirror at about Php6,000. If you are looking to redecorate your room or spruce up your home, you need to go to SM Home and check out the John Lewis section.

You might as well take a stroll around the entire SM Home floor, because they have just about everything your home will ever need. From Japanese kitchen appliances to ceramic vases, matresses, even mason jars from Italy.

When SM says they’ve got it all, they really got it all!

About John Lewis:

John Lewis has been named Omnichannel Retailer of the Year in the 2014 World Retail Awards. Other awards received include Multichannel Retailer of the Year and Marketing Advertising Campaign of the Year at the Oracle Retail Week Awards 2014 plus Best Department Store at the Drapers Awards 2014.

On 1 January 2008, the Oxford Street store was awarded a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty the Queen as: “suppliers of haberdashery and household goods.” John Lewis Reading is also the holder of a Royal Warrant from the Queen as suppliers of household and fancy goods. Peter Jones in Sloane Square, Chelsea, which is part of the John Lewis Group, is the holder of a Royal Warrant to both HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh as draper and furnisher.

Look for the John Lewis shop-in-shops within the SM department stores at SM Makati, SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA. 

For more on John Lewis and SM Home, visit www.smhome.com.ph and Follow @smhome and @johnlewisph on Instagram.

H&M Home in Robinsons Magnolia!

I am so excited about this, I am almost tempted not to share. Heehee.

But fine, in the hopes of gaining good karma, I might as well say it.

H&M is coming to Robinsons Magnolia! But here's the bigger deal. Are you ready for this?

They have H&M HOME!!!

O.M.G.

Back when we were living in the US, I actually had to ask my friend Sarj to get my H&M Home throws, place mats and table linen whenever she'd go home to Europe. It was almost like a precious commodity, even if H&M Home prices are so reasonable. No more waiting! Heehee.

The new store will open its doors on November 20, 2014 at 11am.

The 2-level, 3,000-square meter location will carry the brand’s full assortment for women, men, teenagers and children, as well as H&M Sport and H&M Mama. And just to stress, it will also be the first to offer H&M Home in the Philippines.

Finally, I can get my hands on their rustic table cloths.

I can finally do a chic holiday table setting, without spending a fortune! I can actually afford to do a red theme for Christmas...

As well as a gold theme for the New Year.

I've never tried buying their beddings, so I can't wait to see and feel the fabrics of their sheets and duvets.

The quality of their throw pillows are amazing! I remember Sarj got several for me, for just €5.99 a piece over 5 years ago, and they've lived as long as the Belgian linen ones I have from Restoration Hardware. Sulit na sulit.

I'm not sure I want to brave the crowds on opening day, but I have these pieces on my shopping list. Hopefully, H&M Robinsons Magnolia would still have some left for me!

For those shopping on opening day, you sort of get rewarded for lining up! Expect exclusive opening deals: umbrellas and magazines to the first 500 shoppers, tote bags and gift cards worth P200 to P2,000 each to the first 150 shoppers, and a gift card worth P5,000 await the first in line! Expect also some exciting Holiday deals up to 40% off on selected items.

Opening day store hours will be from 11am until midnight with regular store hours of 10am to 10pm resuming from November 21.