Living in style at Fifth Avenue Place

Stylish home interiors do not come in neatly pre-packaged conditions. Neither are they a study in design generalities that do not address the real needs of day-to-day living. They are, at best, personal statements of their owners, and as such, are as real and as livable as the ideal home environment we all desire. This is the idea behind the two model units of Fifth Avenue Place now on display at its site in 5th Avenue, corner 21st Drive inside the Fort Bonifacio Global City.

How would top-rated interior designers set up their interiors in a one-bedroom condo unit with a view to satisfy the various needs of the target market? Marion Coscolluela, in collaboration with her daughter Mara Coscolluela-Quintal, of the W.V. Coscolluela Interior Design Group and Chat Fores of the Chat Fores Design Studio were up to the mission and came up with engaging answers of their own, each as unique and inspiring as the other. Marion favors the simple, uncluttered home set up with a modern minimalist twist. She felt her preference reflects the moods and inclinations of several young dynamic individuals and couples who are most at home with just the basic but have a lot of need for room to grow. "I made it a point to incorporate features that take full advantage of available space and make it more useful and interesting," said Marion.

Calmness, comfort and elegance, these words come to mind as you enter the living area. The sofa and lounge chair looks very inviting in its simplicity. Visitors are also immediately drawn to the walls, which were clad with a "pearl shine" finish that gives an affluent feel to it. Marion said she wanted to make the partition walls into more than just panels of separation but elements of interest in themselves and she was decidedly successful in doing so. The roman shades used in the windows nicely complement the walls and allows for flexible levels of privacy for the unit-owners. A sense of openness is also achieved in the set-up of the dining area, which features tables with stilted supports and glass tops.

Using predominantly earth tone colors accentuated with touches of green and orange, the whole place makes for a truly relaxing retreat from a busy workweek. "I wanted a palette I can just mix and match," said Marion, "indeed, any future occupants of Fifth Avenue place can easily relate with my design by just injecting their own preferred colors." Moving on next door, is Chat Fores’ take on Fifth Avenue Place. She is known for creating fun interiors and this one is no exception. "My intention was to do something different, I want to go bolder in my design this time," said Chat. Chat’s design for Fifth Avenue Place is a combination of old and new design ideas. She calls it a happy coexistence of oriental and minimal concepts in interior design. The over-all effect is nothing short of eclectic and, in a sense, really bold if not defiant.

Upon entering, you are immediately drawn to the huge mirror by the dining table leaning towards the wall. It has two light sconces punctured through the mirror giving the dining area a uniquely luminous impression denoting an immediate sense of excitement, which extends through the kitchen area. "In the kitchen I decided to use an island counter where I place different European-style vases," noted Chat.

In the living area, what immediately impress you are the huge lamp hanging by the ceiling as well as the transparent acrylic chair by Philippe Starck called "Ghost Chair" and the Lucite tables. "I chose cobalt blue as an accent color to highlight my old blue and white Chinese jars", Chat went on to explain. "I put the jarls on all-mirror pedestals and combined them with Lucite tables, French chairs and Chinese furniture to make the space seem bigger. I also used lights strategically to contribute to the "transparent" look and floating ambiance that I want to project." It is certainly a fun and stimulating spot to entertain guests.

The frosted glass partition by the living area opens to a pristine crisp and white bedroom marked by a large mirror by the headboard. Chat designed a space saving movable trolley over he bed to address the need of those who love to read, work or eat before sleeping. It has all the comforts and notions of an elegant lifestyle intended for a truly relaxing respite. "I guess you can say that my inspiration is actually European because European interiors are bit more bold and adventurous," she noted.

In the course of designing her model unit at Fifth Avenue Place, Chat Fores became so impressed with the project’s potentials that she decided to buy herself her own single-bedroom unit. "For its reasonable price and perfect location, I’m sure that like me, many young singles and couples would see in Fifth Avenue Place, a home they’d really want to own," Chat said.