Luxury. It’s a word that is often thrown around but few of us can truly grasp its definition. Luxury is also commonly linked to rarity and beauty. Most times it is associated with a hefty price tags, but it can also come virtually free yet elusive. In the last episodes of Modern Living TV we discovered the essence of luxury and how to embrace it in our lives without necessarily all the zeros.
Fine jewelry and luxury are practically synonymous with each other, and although the adornment of palaces in gold and gems by kings are a thing of the past — at least for the most of us — we can still learn an important lesson about the intrinsic value of items from third-generation jeweler Candy Dizon.
“Luxury is not about the value of the piece but how much you value it in your life,” she stated. “It’s basically the history that was put into the piece, the effort, the artistic creativity…” This is a general mindset that we can apply when fixing our home. When purchasing art, décor or furniture, it’s not so much how much you paid for it but truly how much you value it and will cherish it forever.
At the Minotti and Living Innovations showroom, we entered a world of haute design and uber luxe furniture where general manager Ferdie Ong shared with us his definition of luxury. “I think luxury is something that is timeless,” he said. “Something that you can use from now to 10 years from now. Also, luxury is something that is unique and is customized for you.” True luxury is getting above and beyond what you pay for, especially in terms of quality. So, when it comes to furniture, it is not just about the design or the brand, but the materials and construction of the piece.
To further illustrate his point he explained that a Minotti sofa has seven different kinds of foam inside. “The edge has a firmer foam so it can support you and you can stand up with ease. Further in, it is softer so you can really sink into it. The back and pillows also have a different firmness so you can sit comfortably…” With regular generic sofas that have just one kind of foam all over, the tendency is over the years, some places will bear more the brunt of use than others causing it to deform and be lumpy. It is in this light where we can see that true luxury is something that is not only timeless in beauty but also in form and function.
The meadow collection is made of 300 TC Egyptian cotton sateen and woven in Italy. The collection is available in sheet and duvet sets at Rustan’s Home.
Being able to live with luxury, in that everyday sense, is also a luxury in itself. “A lot of people ask, ‘Can we really sit on these sofas?’ We tell them yes! You should use them. Don’t put plastic covers on them, they can easily be cleaned. And in fact Renato Minotti, when he was here, he took off his shoes and relaxed on the sofa.” Ong suggested that if we have a bit of money to spend, it is wise to invest in a good sofa, as they will last a long time.
Another place where one should really spend on luxurious surroundings is your bedroom. Some people don’t even give their bedrooms a second thought because they think that no one will see it, but in fact it is the one place in your home where you spend the most time. At least for those who are lucky enough to get that elusive eight-hour sleep. In our bedroom episode we got tips from the experts on how to make small changes to your bedroom to turn it into a luxurious, peaceful haven.
1. Spend on good beddings. Purchasing a high quality mattress will also determine the quality of your sleep. A good mattress, with the right maintenance can last you practically a lifetime.
2. Envelope yourself in luxury. Your bedsheets are something that are not only meant to be nice to look at but also nice to feel. As much as possible choose 100 percent cotton which allows air to circulate and your skin to breathe. Choose the right thread-count for your needs. Try to choose a minimum of 300 to 400 for durability and softness. Above that, once you start to hit 600 to 800, the sheets are thicker and more velvety but can also get warm. It is better for colder climates or for those who love to blast the air-conditioning. Percale has a lighter, fresher weave where as sateen is heavier and silkier. It all depends on your preference. Buy three sets so you can interchange during the week.
3. Pile on the pillows. Choose at least four pillows with different fillings. It would be good to have some that are firm for support and other that are fluffy for comfort. There is nothing more luxurious that plopping yourself on a big pile of pillows after a long day.
4. Add cozy, calming accents. Area rugs, knitted throw blankets, fresh flowers, a nice carafe. These elements that you would find in a luxury hotel room should be around you everyday. After all you deserve it.
5. Smell the luxury. Spend on nice scented candles and room sprays. Aromatherapy is often used in luxury hotels and resorts and to trigger your olfactory memory. Perhaps have two candles — some calming lavender for unwinding at night and then energizing citrus for the morning.
6. De-clutter. To really enjoy your bedroom, keep it clutter free. Have a desk that can close up, bins and trays to organize your loose papers and things. The ultimate luxury is having a peaceful place for pure relaxation.
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Catch these two episodes, Modern Living Season 2, episodes 6 and 7 on Philippine STAR’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/user/philstarcom
Kung Hei Fat Choy! Catch Modern Living’s special Chinese New Year episode today on ANC at 6 p.m. with a replay on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.