Cover The living room of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
The living room of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
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In Makati City, architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, transformed a compact urban property into an exploration of Philippine contemporary art
One’s home is the clearest reflection of their personality. Here, the collections of furniture, art and mementoes from travelling come together in a vibrant, eclectic portrait of life. Nestled in the heart of Makati City, this family has transformed their space into something remarkable. Not only is it their private residence, but it has also become a personal gallery to showcase the most dynamic creations by Filipino artists today.
The fast-paced city life is the perfect backdrop for an art collection that features the works of Olan Ventura, Ramon Orlina and BenCab. But before the art could accessorise the space, the family had to find the perfect place to settle down.
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Above The dining room of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
The dining room of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
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“When we discovered this property, what immediately drew us in was its prime location in the heart of Makati City,” shared the homeowner. “While the lot itself isn’t expansive, its proximity to major city landmarks—such as shopping malls, business hubs, schools and expressways—made it the perfect choice for us.”
Such proximity to Makati’s most prime amenities sets the stage for an eye-catching family home. Instead of viewing the city’s endless stream of lights and sounds as a challenge, the homeowners felt encouraged to work with Architect Freddy Bautista and interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola to create an artistic oasis.
The design philosophy draws inspiration from a source of sophistication. “We were inspired by our love for travel—particularly our fondness for hotels,” the homeowners share. “We wanted to bring that same sense of elegance into our everyday living, creating a space that feels both welcoming and refined, much like the hotels we've enjoyed staying in around the world.”
Above The living room of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
Above The living room of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
The living room of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
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This influence is most evident in the home's open-concept layout, which seamlessly connects the dining and kitchen areas. Their parallel positioning enhances flow and functionality, particularly when entertaining family and friends. A custom-made dining table by Eforma anchors the space, while a strategically placed mirrored wall creates the illusion of expanded dimensions, reflecting a classic hospitality design technique adapted for residential scale. A striking large-scale painting by Olan Ventura commands attention at the centre of the room, creating a conversation-starter that elevates everyday dining.
The living room occupies a sunlit corner of the home, furnished with custom-designed pieces from brands like Moda Interni, Roche Bobois and Kuysen. Yet furniture serves merely as a supporting cast to the true highlights of the homeowners’ collection. On display in their living room is an exceptional art collection featuring works by Ronald Ventura, brass sculptures by Michael Cacnio, glass sculptures by Ramon Orlina and works by BenCab.
Among their favourite pieces is a custom Ronald Ventura painting that holds personal significance for the homeowners. “It depicts two horses, which we consider symbols of luck, along with rabbits—a playful nod to the fact that my husband and I were both born in the Year of the Rabbit,” said the homeowner.
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The upstairs hallway of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
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Beyond the living room, the home’s verticality is another point of visual interest. Hallways leading to the upper-floor bedrooms showcase a thoughtfully curated display of works by National Artist Arturo Luz, alongside pieces by other prominent Filipino masters. This placement transforms the act of moving between floors into a gallery experience, integrating the homeowners’ love of Filipino art into their daily routine.
Above The primary bedroom of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola
Above The ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista
The primary bedroom of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola
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The master bedroom maintains the hotel-inspired aesthetic with a bright, refined ambience achieved through custom-built furniture tailored to complement the room’s serene palette. A small mirrored walk-in closet serves dual purposes as functional storage and a stylish dressing area, demonstrating how luxury hotel concepts can be transported with both efficiency and effectiveness into residential contexts.
The uppermost floor serves as the family’s primary gathering space, complete with an outdoor deck furnished with statement pieces from Roche Bobois, Kuysen and Montini personally selected by the homeowners. “Each piece was chosen for its craftsmanship and how it complements the space, creating a warm, light-filled and inviting environment where art and life coexist beautifully,” they shared. This level also features striking contemporary artworks by Olan Ventura, Anton del Castillo and other modern Filipino artists, creating a space where comfort meets creative inspiration at the home’s highest point.
Above The family room of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
The family room of a Makati home designed by architect Freddy Bautista, alongside interior designers Loubs and Ricia Gardiola, featuring an expansive collection by Filipino artists
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While designing the Makati home, they took practical elements of Manila’s climate into consideration. The structure sits at an elevation to prevent flooding during Manila’s heavy rains, while solar panels reflect the homeowners’ commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. Most furniture was custom-made and imported using high-quality materials chosen specifically for durability, balancing aesthetic impact with the home’s longevity.
“As we settle into our home, we envision the space evolving to continue meeting the needs of our growing family while maintaining its style,” the homeowners shared. Upon touring this space, it is clear that urban constraints are not limitations for design. Rather, such parameters establish a new atmosphere for creative expression. The result is a multifaceted space that will continue to be a family sanctuary, private gallery and testament to Philippine artistic achievement, all without compromising a single function.
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Credits
Photography: Greg Mayo
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.
