The career trajectory of JJ Acuña reads like a global odyssey—one that stretches from a quiet Texas suburb to the skylines of Hong Kong and, most recently, Manila. Across each locale, he honed an approach he calls “spatial DNA”. It’s a bespoke methodology that weaves client aspirations, cultural context, and intuitive materiality into environments that […]
Fable Café and Lounge: Kenneth Cobonpue’s New “Cabinet of Curios”
Celebrated for his internationally acclaimed designs, Kenneth Cobonpue now takes his artistry into an entirely new dimension. Fable Café and Lounge is an immersive and whimsical space that embodies a design philosophy that extends beyond the physical and into the experiential.
Once Upon a Time…
As part of Kenneth Cobonpue’s expansive new showroom in Bonifacio Global City, Fable Café and Lounge is an extension of Cobonpue’s creative vision and brand identity. What began as a simple concept to complement the showroom grew into a fully realized destination. Here, set in a 230 square meter space accommodating around 50 diners, fantasy and design converge.
“The idea was to create a café for my clients in our new showroom in BGC,” he shares. “And gradually, as we began to see what that café could look like, it began to take a life of its own. And soon it became a place that could stand independently.”
The designer’s love for nature and storytelling both played a significant role in shaping Fable’s distinctive aesthetic. “I’ve always been fascinated by these curio cabinets of the earlier centuries,” he explains, “where people took these specimens of flora and fauna to bring back and show people what it looked like. And I couldn’t get these specimens, so I decided to make them on my own.
“It had to be an experience, a place that transports you to a world of fantasy for the few hours that you were there. And so that was the birth of Fable, because it’s a world of make-believe.”
Cobonpue embraced the creative freedom of being his own client for Fable, designing without constraints to fully express his artistic vision. “And I think that’s the best project when you’re your own client,” he reflects. “You can do whatever you want.”
Fable as a Brand Extension
Fable is just one part of Kenneth Cobonpue’s larger vision for a holistic lifestyle experience. The 900-square-meter showroom is divided into four distinct areas: the cafe and lounge, the first and second floor of the showroom itself, and the Cloud Gallery. Cobonpue has always aimed to showcase a lifestyle that extends beyond furniture and objects, creating an immersive environment for visitors.
“I’ve always wanted to show people a certain lifestyle that goes beyond the furniture and the objects that we are selling,” he shared. “So you can come here, have a cup of coffee, see furniture objects, and see art—it’s all in one living space.”
Through the Looking Glass
In keeping with the cafe’s ethos, Fable’s menu also reflects the same creativity and storytelling seen in the design. “The food, the drinks, and everything, come from different parts of the world… and [are] inspired by different tales,” Cobonpue explains.
Every design choice within the space reflects Cobonpue’s unique interpretation of a fantasy world. It invites guests to explore and discover its layered narratives. His designs are rich with organic elements and symbolic forms, each carefully crafted to evoke a sense of wonder.
“I think we all want to spend time in spaces that don’t look like our homes,” he muses. “Otherwise, you would just stay at home… Every corner had to tell a story. This is my abstract representation of the natural world. And it was my desire to spark conversations and stories in the same way that these stories inspired me.”
From outside, the facade features an intricate paper installation by Wataro Sakuma, adapted from one of his earlier patterns. Guests enter through this forest-like portal and discover a clearing leading them into the magical, whimsical world beyond.
On the ceiling, gigantic custom-made leaves feature LED lighting that changes color throughout the day. This contributes to the café’s dynamic ambiance, making the space feel alive and adaptable.
“We designed Fable so that the mood changes,” the designer shares. “By day, we serve brunch. This was really a coffee place for my clients, so it’s really simple, very casual dining. And then towards the evening, there’s a supper crowd… There’s music, and then we have a DJ after, and then the mood changes. The lighting changes, the intensity, the music, and it becomes a totally different vibe.”
Designing Fantasy
Everywhere you look, the craftsmanship and attention to detail is impeccable. “Everything here is my own interpretation of nature,” Cobonpue explains, “from the floor that looks like natural pebbles to gigantic palm leaves and flowers. And you have these [bar] stools that resemble clams. And then the bar, which looks like shimmering water.”
A reimagined DJ booth draws inspiration from the designer’s childhood memories of riding carabaos. Rather than opting for a conventional design, he created a playful and nostalgic setup. The DJ appears to be riding a group of carabaos, adding yet another uniquely personal touch of whimsy.
Fable’s design also showcases Cobonpue’s signature ingenuity and experimentation with materials. Striking handmade wire light fixtures resemble the curio cabinets that inspired the entire design in the first place. “The beautiful thing about wire is that the light actually goes through it, so it can light a whole table,” he explains.
Cobonpue even approached functional elements with an imaginative flair. Even the smaller details, such as table accessories, carry his creative touch. The cutlery holders, shaped like crocodiles, are custom-designed to reflect his playful approach. This also alludes to one of the café’s rare pieces—a one-of-a-kind tufted rug crafted in collaboration with Tai Ping Rugs before the company closed. This vibrant piece, a gigantic crocodile design, holds the distinction of being the only one in existence.
Partnering with renowned artists also further elevates the experience at Fable through meaningful collaborations. Kenneth Cobonpue partnered with acclaimed contemporary artist Ronald Ventura to create a bespoke sculpture specifically designed for the space, deepening the dialogue between art and design. Other artists from Southeast Asia can also find a home in Cloud Gallery.
Cobonpue’s Vision and Philosophy
Kenneth Cobonpue has long believed that design should be an experience that engages and transports those who interact with it. He compares his work to a performance. The audience is not merely an observer but an active participant in the environment he creates.
“I believe that design is a theater, and your clients, or the people who use your furniture or the objects that you design, are your audience,” Cobonpue asserts.
Fable, in particular, allowed Cobonpue the freedom to break away from the constraints of furniture design. Without the boundaries of functionality or budget, he treated the entire space as a canvas for his imagination.
“Every wall and every corner at Fable is like an empty page for me where I can let my ideas run wild. I couldn’t do that with furniture, because, of course, there’s a specific function, a specific price. At Fable, I can do it,” he explains.
This freedom resulted in a space that elicits emotional responses from visitors and evokes wonder. Cobonpue finds joy in seeing his designs come to life through the experiences of those who step into Fable.
“I think most people who come through these doors are always in awe because they don’t expect to enter into this really magical world. And I think that’s the experience that I really want—to transport them into another world and where fantasies come alive,” Cobonpue reflects.
Fable: A Celebration of Art, Culture, and Imagination
Fable encapsulates Cobonpue’s inclination for creating objects and spaces that stir the imagination. His work is not only about aesthetics or function—it is about crafting emotionally resonant experiences.
“Nothing gives me greater joy than to see people enjoy my designs. And I can sit here for hours just to watch how people are in awe when they see all the different things,” Cobonpue shares. In this sense, Fable is both a physical space and an idea made manifest, a celebration of art, culture, and imagination. Cobonpue invites all to experience the magic for themselves.
“Fable is just another expression of that desire to bring what I have—this unique blend of art, furniture, Filipino culture, and emotion—together,” he concludes.
Photography by Kieran Punay.
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