Pineapple Appeal

In the days of French Indochina (now divided into Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia), the pineapple was a rare and expensive commodity, so much so that it became a status symbol. Cultivated in the French colonies and shipped back to France at enormous cost, it quickly gained cult status.

The pineapple came to symbolize what was exotic about the Far East. In our day, one associates the pineapple with an idyllic, tropical setting refreshing to both the eyes and the senses. With such symbolism, it is no wonder a home decor store should adapt the name. At Greenbelt 3, Pineapple is a happy addition to the home-design front and is as delightful as its namesake. Its floor-to-ceiling glass windows bring in an abundance of natural light to beat a gray September day. Color jumps at you from every turn. Vases in deep blue-greens, candles in pastel, earth and rich tones, a sofa in gem-like violet and bold off-white dining chairs framed in dark narra, throw pillows covered in iridescent Thai silks, accessories in wood to suit many moods and occasions, decorative touches from India and Vietnam. This is the place to find conversation pieces and furniture with a classic yet contemporary flair.

As co-owner Leah Puyat points out, "Pineapple wants to go beyond the fashion victim idea of decor." So don’t look for home fashions featured in the latest issue of Elle Decor; instead look for objects that go beyond trends and grow more alluring with time.

As pineapple is also known as the international symbol of hospitality, partners Trisha Rodriquez, Anton Barretto and Leah Puyat began by creating an inviting and pleasurable environment where customers can shop at leisure and are invited to "experience" the merchandise. Here, they are free to touch the merchandise to get a sense of its feel and proportion. Almost 90 percent of what is sold here is made locally and if the owners had their way, that figure would be a hundred percent. But as home design today is largely about the fusion of various elements and influences, it hardly seems possible or pragmatic. As Trisha, Anton and Leah will tell you, buying Filipino today is not what it once was. A few decades back, buying Filipino meant buying handicrafts or souvenirs. Today, buying locally produced and designed items means buying export quality items, often of very creative designs. The Filipino attitude to local products has similarly evolved. Leah and Trisha have clients who are heartened by the growing presence of well-crafted Filipino items both here and abroad.

Although these young entrepreneurs showcase locally produced items with pride, they are all sticklers for quality. They try to sell the very best of what is available at the best or the most competitive prices.

Trisha puts it simply, "We will not compromise on quality but we try to be price-sensitive."

A dining table in solid dark narra inspired by the work of New York designer Thomas O’Brien will cost a client six times less at Pineapple than if they were to purchase it abroad. That seems to underscore the point that quality does not necessarily translate into a hefty price tag. At Pineapple, quality is all about furniture and furnishings that are stylish, comfortable and sturdy – qualities that doubtlessly appeal to today’s practical lifestyle.

For those in search of decorative accents, Pineapple offers one-of-a-kind objects that lend a touch of charm to any home. Locally-made wood accent pieces include side tables, dining trays, serving trays, storage chests, nesting tables and a variety of bowls and jars – all with a distinctly Asian appeal. Look for mirrors with delicately carved borders from India, glazed ceramic cache-pots and miniature brass boxes from Vietnam. Scented candles for the home, made by Anton Barretto, come in tempting colors and delicious scents – vanilla, cucumber, ginger, raspberry and magnolia.

Should clients want to cut through the guesswork of decoration, Pineapple offers interior design services as well. Of the store’s seven partners, Anton Barretto is the expert in interior design and his services can be engaged to refurbish all the areas of a home or just a section of it. In time, Pineapple will come up with a roster of interior designers who may be tapped by clients to spruce up or change the look of their homes.

For now, the owners are intent on establishing their image and injecting a little fantasy into the shopping experience. That means pushing locally-made furniture and accessories of the finest quality while changing the look of the store seasonally to give it a fresh perspective. Customers can look forward to an Anglo-Indian theme for the holiday season that recalls the colonial past of Asia. "We want to spark new ideas in design and show our clients different ways of putting things together," says Trisha.

Walking into Pineapple is stepping into a relaxed ambience where one is tempted to linger and browse. The air is rife with the scent of vanilla. Lush green foliage fills glazed ceramics vases. Comfortable furnishings lull customers to sit and shop awhile. Gift ideas abound.

This is a feel-good store. And who wouldn’t want to bring that feeling back home?