Cover Casa Juan founder Michelle Fontelera
Casa Juan founder Michelle Fontelera
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The Casa Juan founder recounts her love affair with tablescaping
Her passion for dinnerware and tablescapes started when she got married in 2009. Since then, Casa Juan’s founder, Michelle Fontelera, has made it a point to visit shops and markets that offer accoutrements for the home. “Every time my family and I travel, I naturally gravitate to the home and decor sections of department stores,” she says, turning every trip to Europe into an opportunity to frequent flea markets. “These are havens for finding one-of-a-kind, heritage table accessories and decor.”
Owing to her fondness for hosting intimate dinners and lunches with friends, her interest in tablescaping grew deeper, finding joy in putting together delicious and stylish spreads for her loved ones. Before she knew it, Casa Juan, a brand inspired by Filipino heritage and culture, was born. “I’ve always believed that Filipino design and craft is exceptional,” she says. After travelling to many countries and collecting dinnerware from all over, she felt that no plate collection would be complete without a set inspired by Filipino life. “This was when I began exploring the concept behind Casa Juan which has always been about celebrating our culture, heritage and local life through fine tableware. I wanted to create a brand that would tell the story of the Philippines through plates and other accessories. So, I began exploring designs or themes that are distinct to our culture and our life in the archipelago,” Fontelera says.
Above Kaayo x Casa Juan dinner plates, capiz chargers, Ugu Bigyan tabletopper for nuts and candies, T’nalak table runner and capiz candle holder
Kaayo x Casa Juan dinner plates, capiz chargers, Ugu Bigyan tabletopper for nuts and candies, T’nalak table runner and capiz candle holder
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She collaborated with the renowned designer Rajo Laurel in 2020, which marked many firsts. “It was the first plate collection in the country that featured a fashion designer’s sketches. It was the first Filipino designer plate, which inspired Rajo to coin the term: dinnerWEAR,” she explains. She also collaborated with Kaayo, a label that celebrates the craftsmanship of the artisans in Mindanao. “The Kaayo X Casa Juan collaboration is extraordinary because it is a celebration of modern Mindanao. I’ve always wanted to support the local weaving communities and this pairing opened many doors for the brand to do just that. In fact, we are currently exploring other ways by which we can partner with our artisan weavers,” Fontelera continues.
In her own home, Fontelera also finds joy in welcoming and entertaining friends whenever she has the opportunity. Her entertaining style can be described into four words: intimate, casual, hearty, unfiltered. “Intimate groups are the best as this allows each one of us to fully engage and catch up,” she says, confessing that she and her husband are drawn to a hearty Filipino spread. “It’s familiar, delicious, comforting and unpretentious. We either cook the dishes or order from our favourite food tray suppliers. Sometimes it’s a combination of both,” Fontelera says. She combines this with lots of Philippine-themed elements. Apart from Casa Juan plates, she spruces up the dinner table with statement pieces like the sungka, taka from Paete in Laguna, and local textiles used as table runners and napkins. “A good bottle of wine or rosé and a proper gin bar immediately sets the tone for a fun dinner or luncheon with close friends. That same goes for a curated charcuterie board. These days, baked brie topped with honey and walnuts is a mainstay. Nothing can cap off an evening like a deadly dessert,” the gracious host expounds.
Above Fontelera setting the table for a get-together
Fontelera setting the table for a get-together
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Regardless of where in the home they entertain—be it on the second-floor patio or the dining area—it’s always important to create a cosy, comfortable ambience that conveys how happy we are to welcome them into our home. “I also find that flowers and scented candles help to create this vibe.”
Besides aesthetics, ambience and good food, Fontelera also has high regard for sustainability. Most of the local weaves and decor she uses on the table are sustainably or ethically made. Since she prefers dried flowers as they can be used multiple times, she makes it a point that whenever she uses fresh blooms on the table, she always dries them under the sun afterwards to turn them into wilted florals or fragrant potpourri. “Entertaining for me is as much about aesthetics as it is about keeping things casual and homey,” Fontelera wraps up.
Above Charcuterie of assorted cold cuts and cheese in a wooden platter. Sungka is used for nuts
Above Kaayo plates on
rattan charger.
Table napkin from a flea market abroad, tea light candles in small glasses and flower arrangement by Arlan Dionaldo for the Fontelera family’s holiday feast
Charcuterie of assorted cold cuts and cheese in a wooden platter. Sungka is used for nuts
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Tips from the Gracious Host
• Flowers and greens plucked from the garden are always chic. There is a wealth of resources online that will inspire you to create your own floral centrepiece of home blooms.
• An accent piece will anchor that table. Opt for something that is unique and tells a story.
• Name cards are not just useful in seating guests; they also make everyone feel extra special.
• Use beautiful flatware.
Above Kaayo plate set, gold and bamboo cutlery and water hyacinth napkin rings from Casa Juan, flowers by Arlan Dionaldo
Kaayo plate set, gold and bamboo cutlery and water hyacinth napkin rings from Casa Juan, flowers by Arlan Dionaldo
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• Build a collection of dinnerware. A home can never have too many plates. Always have the basics, which can mix and match with colourful salad and bread plates.
• Store tableware by colour so that they are easy to find. For special dinnerware, never put them in the microwave or dishwasher. Hand wash only.
• On choosing serveware, wooden serving spoons and forks add a rustic touch. Occasionally, alternate them with vintage silver.
• Keep cutlery stylish but functional. To keep them in good condition, polish using olive oil.
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Whether on assignment or not, Maritess is always on the lookout for off-the-beaten-path destinations as well as the yummiest finds in the Philippines and abroad. In 2020, she plunged into the black hole of Korean la la land. Follow her escapades at @matetreyes.
