Vivid Serenity: Inside Filipino designer Rodney Alday’s colourful sanctuary in London

Such is revealed and embodied by the grand ‘salon’ by the entrance, its walls finished in muted blue colour paired with bespoke wall mouldings. Seamlessly connected to the dining area thanks to the open-plan layout, the inviting drawing room is accentuated with rust velvet curtains from Dedar, linen sheers by Pierre Frey and a six-foot, early-18th-century Italian Rococo mirror above the mantlepiece.

Alday admits to being inspired by a previous trip to Paris—specifically, the lasting impression of a design studio on Boulevard Malesherbes, located at the heart of the city’s Golden Triangle. He recounts, “In 2019, I attended a meeting held in a high-end Parisian atelier headed by Tristan Auer. Upon entering the reception room, it felt like being greeted in a very modern and chic ‘salon’ of a French chateau, which had drawn inspiration from haute couture’s tailor-made creations. The space was not huge but felt grand, luxurious and eclectic. The warm colour palette, matched with different finishes, made the space more intimate, like [it was] someone’s residence rather than an office, and every single detail was carefully calibrated.”

As such, the feature pieces he has selected for his living space depict a rich visual dialogue between shape, texture, lighting and shadow. Alday articulates: “From the fusion of outline contours of the wool pile rug and the sculptural layers of the Shuffle side table by Mia Hamborg in the living room, down to the weaved backrest of the Arv armchair from Brdr Krüger paired with the Atelier Areti lamps—all manifest a whimsical twist.”

He is avowedly drawn to deep colours such as rust, terracotta and olive green—all of which appear in his residence in the most luxurious materials. “I love the combination of woven silk, velvet, brass and natural stone!” he exclaims. Speaking in general for his projects at Maison RA-D, Alday says he also enjoys incorporating material finishes from the Philippines when the client’s personality permits. This includes anything from raffia wallcovering and bamboo silk rugs to Cadiz shell inlays and pineapple leather for small joinery and furniture—items that would be readily available from his suppliers in Europe. “These natural materials add an elegant contrast with a vernacular feel or texture fully expressed in a more British or European context. I find this mix very exciting!” he adds.

Read more: Bringing cultures to the table: Swiss, French and Filipino entertaining

Artworks similarly play a substantial part in Maison RA-D’s designs. For this project, the striking combination of modern abstract art pieces from Ronan Bouroullec and antique gilt-framed oil paintings personally sourced from various chateaus in Rouen and Dijon delivers a vibrant contrast to the intimate setting. “I’m obsessed with the dark oil on canvas portrait by the artist Andre Jean Antoine Despois,” Alday enthuses on what might just be his favourite item in the house. “This, combined with the tanned leather seat and timber armrest of the Tokyo chair from Bensen, creates a beautiful composition. I also love the silhouette of the Atelier Areti lamps,” he adds. He doesn’t forget to point out the giant taro plant placed by the tall windows of his drawing room, noting, “Can you see my obsession with tropical plants cultivated in the Philippines? [I believe] it adds volume and shape to my schemes.”

Though a typical day for Alday is spent “totally absorbed” in projects in various locations, his time at home reliably offers a sense of respite and calm. “On weekends, I like to wake up to the scent of freshly brewed Colombian Cascada coffee. I love having a cup in the kitchen with the natural light passing through the sash windows, casting shadows and silhouettes,” he relays, adding how the kitchen, fitted with heritage tiles and a marble counter, is one of his favourite spots. “In the afternoon, I can never go without having to drink my Moroccan Botanist ‘Sultan’s orchard’ tea.”

Returning to the drawing room, he says it is the place he prefers when reading, browsing and listening to music. “Everything happens here, in this room that showcases the centre and heart of our home,” Alday says. “It is south-facing, so it tends to be bright in the morning and creates a theatrical feel in the evening, with the candles lit and ambient lamps creating different moods. You also have an incredible view of the Town Hall’s Council Chambers from our window.”

It is also here, as the space spills into the dining area, where he entertains guests. “I usually invite a few friends over when I am not travelling. From time to time, a few selected clients would love to pop over as well,” he shares. “In London, it is very common to host dinners or serve cocktails with canapés such as blinis with salmon and Osetra caviar, quail eggs, lobster burgers on panino nero and wagyu sliders. The table setting has to be exquisite, and the evening would usually start with serving bubbles—a Bollinger as the guests arrive, followed by either a Chateau Margaux or Châteauneuf du Pape Roussanne depending on the season and what food is being served.” The guests’ comfort and delight are always top of mind.

See also: Elemental hosting: Elevating family gatherings at home with Baby Whisenhunt

Noting how it tends to get gloomy and overcast in the United Kingdom, Alday plays around with lighting within the different rooms of the address. His use of vibrant yet muted colours is likewise recurrent. In the bedrooms, light fabric sheers imbue the cosy space with softness, which is then made more masculine by the contrasting finish of a Calacatta marble bedside pedestal from Audo Copenhagen. When working from home, Alday would typically utilise one of these airy havens for a sense of privacy and free-flowing natural light.

In its completion, Alday’s residence manifests a versatile and multifaceted concept for an equally dynamic creative. “For me, luxury can only be achieved with the overall curation of ‘pieces’,” he says. “With the juxtaposition of old and new, the design is fully focused to facilitate and deliver the personal needs of a creative household.”

NOW READ

Jewel Tones: 12 precious home décor items that ooze luxury

A look at Ana de Ocampo’s welcoming abode

Pure Indulgence: Curated home décor picks for your Christmas wishlist