Culture in design does not always announce itself through a recognizable motif, material, or symbol. It can also be embedded in the relationships designers build, the knowledge they listen to, the materials they choose, and the decisions they make in response to communities and their environments. This distinction emerged throughout the 2026 International Design Conference […]
A Contemporary Christmas with Aivee Teo
Given the busy schedule of Dr. Aivee Teo—juggling the beauty care of top celebrities and offering free consultations and minor cosmetic surgeries in various barangays through her Beauty Beyond Borders program—it is no surprise that she views her home as a refuge and a space where she can spend time with her family. With the holidays upon us, Teo has made sure that her home is ready to embody the coziness the season brings.
“I feel that our family is very traditional. Me and my kids, we like to put up the Christmas tree together. We enjoy putting up Christmas decorations in the house. It’s a family affair,” Teo shares. “It reminds me personally of my childhood–when I used to set up the Christmas tree with my parents.”
Her foyer is lined with family photos taken throughout the years with some of the artwork they have collected—some favorites by Elmer Borlongan and Jigger Cruz. The living area takes up a huge part of the home, with bay windows that climb from the floor to the double-height ceilingDouble-Height CeilingA ceiling that rises through two storeys, creating a tall, open volume usually found in living rooms, lobbies, or entry halls. It enhances the sense of space, allows larger windowsGo to Double-Height Ceiling Glossary making the space feel even more expansive.
Elegance Meets Comfort
The Teo home’s elegant and classic touches made it a fitting choice for a special partnership with MyHome and FURNitalia—founded by Florence Ko, who is also the president of Gruppo Mobili Philippines Inc., the Philippines’ first premier Italian furniture distributor and FURNitalia’s parent company. The pieces follow the grand proportions of the room. A grand piano anchors the eye and is flanked by Cleo sofas by Molteni&C—a heritage Italian furniture brand that FURNitalia distributes. The sofas mirror the gentle angle of the windows, making it softer to the eye.
Similar to how the prominent dermatologist can seamlessly mix and match luxury pieces in her wardrobe to create the perfect outfit, she expertly does the same with the furniture in her home. Sleek, handsome modern furniture sit in the same room as an antique dresser and a Baroque mirror. A pair of Poltrona Frau Holly Lamps designed by Jean-Marie Massaud—with Murano glass forming a woman’s silhouette—are a nod to her work with the body.
“Furniture-wise, of course, we have to maintain the elegance by curating the furniture and making sure that they fit the overall look of the house. So basically I try to combine elegance but at the same time, maintaining the home to be very homey,” shares Teo. “It’s important for us to really invest in furniture or items that we can reuse that’s classic and timeless.” With this piece of advice, she illustrates how choosing a sofa in a neutral color can be a canvas for seasonal decor like colorful throw pillows.
Creating a Home for Meaningful Family Moments
Taking the home’s nuances and how the family uses each space into consideration, MyHome and FURNitalia were able to meaningfully collaborate in creating a refined, holiday-ready abode. For the Teos, this season is all about the family, and creating a home that they can all enjoy is a priority.
“I’m very excited when we always try to change or elevate the experience for the kids by bringing in pieces that will make them excited to actually come home. So for me, having a beautiful space that my family will enjoy is important. Of course, having a beautiful space doesn’t have to be super expensive. It’s really about styling or putting things together, [reflecting] who we are, and it’s something that we can enjoy as a family,” concludes Teo.
Get an intimate look inside the home of Aivee Teo by ordering your copy of the MyHome December 2024 issue, available via the sarisari.shopping website, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download via Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Read more: A Perfect Match: Crate and Barrel and Vania Romoff
Photographer: Jar Concengco
Sittings Editor: Geewel Fuster
Art Director: Marc Pagdilao
Creative Stylist: Jegs Santos
Shoot Coordinator: Mae Talaid
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