Cover A glimpse of the unique design in Vicki Delgado’s study
A glimpse of the unique design in Vicki Delgado’s study
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Vicki Delgado invites Tatler into her study and shares the memories behind each special piece that elevates the room’s design
Deep intentionality is an essential attitude in curating any space. Such is evident in Vicki Delgado’s study where she strikes a balance between elegant details and the modernist language of her home.
Tranquil ease permeates through the walls of the airy study, flooded with natural light. “I wanted the room to feel very peaceful,” she remarks demurely. A poised and dignified presence, Delgado’s character is reflected fully in the space she inhabits. The room is often used to host small gatherings with Ricky and Vicki Delgado’s friends and family, and one gets a sense of the assured comfort the couple live in and wishes to share with their guests.
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Above The Delgados’ dogs Bond and Felix resting on the lounge chair
The Delgados’ dogs Bond and Felix resting on the lounge chair
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Large glass sliding doors flank the wall opposite the sofa, which frame a tree-lined garden where her poodles, Bond and Felix, sunbathe. The dogs, whose fur match the colours of the home, are arguably masters here, weaving in and out of the rooms, attracting coos wherever they go. A pool outside reflects light into the room in the kind of playful way the cool blues of water can.
Devoid of any technological distractions, the rooms encourage its occupants to engage in conversation. “We’re already so distracted by our phones and tablets—we want people to connect and converse with each other while they’re here,” Delgado muses. In her sitting room, an area where one might place a television is taken up by a painting that complements the room with a poignant scene from nature.
Above The niche in the Delgados’ study
The niche in the Delgados’ study
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Clues to her considerate nature abound in the home, with a collection of antique vases and decanters, which line a bespoke niche along one of the walls in the study. What started with one vase has grown into a collection from Delgado’s travels over the past eight years. “When I find something abroad, I hand-carry them,” she smiles.
But where does one begin in building a collection? The vases, she explains, come from a wide range of sources, with some pieces found on eBay and garage sales, while others from specialised antique dealers. For Delgado, the thrill of the chase is its reward, highlighting her resourceful nature.
Responding to the ruling paradigm of instant gratification, Delgado finds comfort in watching her collection grow over time. “It’s true: anyone can buy a whole collection of those vases at an auction for a lot of money, or have it already curated. But for me, it’s meaningful because I collected them one by one,” she alludes to the value of considering choices and spending time carefully building something. “That’s not something I feel money can buy.”
Above The mural wall of maps
The mural wall of maps
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Artfully arranged in salon-style with the help of the interior designer Blue Carreon, her husband’s maps, a collection built over decades and generations, lend old-world charm to their contemporary home. “I had so many maps and nowhere to put them at first,” she relays. “I thought it was a great idea. We made cardboard cutouts to match each map, numbered them and laid them out on the floor. It took us a long time, but I think it came out well. I couldn’t have done it without Blue and his design expertise.”
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Above A rug from the Delgados’ first home, on top of which is a shagreen coffee table from Cebu
A rug from the Delgados’ first home, on top of which is a shagreen coffee table from Cebu
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Every aspect of the room marks a different chapter in Delgado’s personal story. A rug carried over from the family’s first home lies at the centre of the room. It is topped by a shagreen coffee table sourced from Cebu shortly after the Delgados’ wedding. “I knew they made beautiful things in Cebu, so I collaborated with a designer on this [shagreen] coffee table,” she shares. “I had to choose which wooden planks to use for the base. It was a labour of love.” Above the coffee table is a mix of objects—French brass and green stone candelabras sit alongside books. The many details in the room signal to us that tradition is of great value to the happily married couple that live in this home.
Above A carved desk from Cebu and a refinished rattan chair
A carved desk from Cebu and a refinished rattan chair
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In the corner stands an eye-catching desk accented by playfully carved details. “I sourced this from Cebu during the pandemic. I wanted everyone to have their own space to work in at home,” she explains, relaying the practical undertones of the pieces she selects for her home. As a jeweller, sourcing comes naturally to her, finding diamonds in the rough. “I got the rattan chair from Facebook Marketplace. I wasn’t intending to buy it then, but the collection popped up for a good price. I had to refinish and recolour the chair, which was even more expensive than the entire collection! But they’re very sturdy and I love them.”
Quietly considered pockets of time and space are becoming a rarity in our world, but Delgado successfully creates a timelessly elegant home. Marrying elements of her inquisitive character and dignified sensibilities, her home is cool, calm and collected, just like its owners.
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Credits
Photography: Jon Hipe
About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
