People often misconstrue interior designers as decorators. However, the interior designer’s job extends beyond the aesthetics of a space. They are also responsible for functionality, lighting, materiality, and ventilation, including technical and structural constraints. Interior designers take into consideration various factors before planning a space, including understanding their clients and the functionality of the space. […]
Intentional Maximalism: The Ever-Evolving Apartment of Vince Uy
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For many, settling into a home marks an endpoint, a project completed. For Vince Uy, however, his aparment is a living narrative, a space that breathes and shifts in step with its inhabitant’s own journey. It’s a philosophy rooted in the understanding that personal evolution and changing lifestyles naturally imprint themselves onto one’s surroundings, making the concept of a “finished” home an ever-receding horizon.
This belief in continuous adaptation finds vivid expression in the creative director’s own Makati apartment, a residence within a 1990s building that he has guided through numerous iterations over the 12 years he’s lived there, with the most recent renovation recently concluded. “I guess the thing with my style is more of really intentional maximalism,” Uy explains.
And it’s this principle that animates every corner of his home—a curated abundance of stories, colors, and textures. The larger unit cuts, a feature of older buildings like his, provide a generous stage for this dynamic design to unfold.
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A Philosophy of Refresh
Having lived in the building since 2001, moving units once to accommodate a growing collection and a desire for more space, Uy appreciates the qualities of his ‘90s high-rise. Beyond the larger unit cuts, features like floor-to-ceiling windows offer an expansive feel, bathing the maximalist interiors in natural light.
Subtly guiding the placement of furniture and even color choices are feng shui principles. Uy keeps his layouts flexible to optimize the flow of energy, further enhancing the apartment’s adaptable and harmonious atmosphere.
The recent renovation wasn’t about a complete overhaul but a strategic enhancement. Beyond the practical, it was an opportunity to play and update. While most of the home is grounded in a “predominantly mocha” base, individual rooms now present their own distinct hues. The study is sage green, the guest room eggplant, and the kitchen a vivid mustard yellow. Even the master bedroom received a new coat of personality with a shade called apple crumble.
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His spirited confidence with design is evident: “I like to play with color.” Uy’s home is a living entity, constantly adapting. Areas like his dining space have undergone numerous transformations, and arrangements throughout the apartment transform every couple of years. This fluidity reflects not just changing tastes, but an evolving lifestyle. For instance, he used to have the living room laid out for entertaining. “But now it’s more designed to chill,” he shares.
Moments and Mementos
Stepping into Uy’s apartment is like entering a personal museum. Inspiration is often a blend of his travels and the distinct periods of his life, evident in the many items he brings back from his journeys. His home, in essence, is built from the fabric of his own experiences and the impressions left by art exhibits he’s visited.
An Adaptive Abode
The foyer and hallway make a distinct impression. A striking sea dragon console sourced from a local supplier showcases unique artwork and offers an immediate glimpse of the personality within. A short corridor leading to a powder room and bedroom serves as a mini gallery, with an imposing piece by Leeroy New holding space.
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The Essence of Home
Ultimately, Vince Uy shaped a home that functions as an authentic extension of himself. He defines home as a place of “comfort, safety, and personal peace,” a sanctuary where he can truly be himself, regardless of how unconventional or maximalist his design might appear to others. In every colorful room, every curated object, and every evolving arrangement, his Makati apartment vividly reflects the beauty of a life well-lived and well-displayed. It’s a space that mirrors him, providing a profound sense of balance, well-being, and the irreplaceable feeling of being perfectly, intentionally, at home.
Read the full story by grabbing your copy of BluPrint Homes, available at the sarisari.shopping, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download here or through Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Photographed by Ed Simon
Read more: 4 Modern Apartment Interior Design Ideas in the Philippines
Frequently Asked Questions
Intentional maximalism is a design philosophy where a home serves as a curated, ever-evolving narrative of the inhabitant’s life rather than a finished project. In Uy’s apartment, this is expressed through an abundance of stories, colors, and textures that shift in step with his personal growth and changing lifestyle. Unlike cluttered spaces, every object and color choice is deliberate, creating a sanctuary that functions as a personal museum of his travels and experiences.
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While the home remains grounded in a “predominantly mocha” base, the latest renovation introduced distinct, bold hues to individual rooms to give them unique personalities. The study was transformed into sage green, the guest room into eggplant, the kitchen into a vivid mustard yellow, and the master bedroom into a shade called “apple crumble.” This strategic use of color reflects Uy’s confidence in design and his desire to constantly “refresh” the energy of his living spaces.
The apartment is located in a 1990s building, which typically features larger unit cuts and more generous floor plans than many modern high-rises. These expansive dimensions provide a larger “stage” for Uy’s maximalist collections and bold furniture arrangements to unfold without feeling cramped. Additionally, the building’s characteristic floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the rich textures and colors in natural light, enhancing the overall sense of openness and vitality.
Uy utilizes feng shui principles to subtly guide the placement of furniture and the selection of colors to optimize the flow of positive energy throughout the unit. He maintains a flexible layout, allowing for arrangements to be transformed every couple of years to reflect his current lifestyle needs, such as shifting the living room from a space for entertaining to one designed for relaxation. This adaptability ensures that the home remains a harmonious environment that promotes well-being and personal peace.
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The apartment functions as a “living narrative” where inspiration is drawn directly from Uy’s travels and the art exhibits he has visited over the years. Unique items, such as a sea dragon console or a large-scale piece by artist Leeroy New, serve as anchors for his design, representing specific periods of his life. These mementos are not just decorations; they are the “fabric of his experiences” that make the home an authentic and deeply personal extension of his identity.
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