Metro Home and Entertaining

Life at the Top

IT’S LIVING THE DREAM— AN URBAN HIDEAWAY WITH A PANORAMIC VIEW, A CONDOMINIU­M WITH THE SPACE AND COZINESS OF A HOME, A SPACE MASTERFULL­Y PLANNED ACCORDING TO HOW A FAMILY LIVES. IVY AND CYNTHIA ALMARIO ARE FAMOUS FOR CREATING WORLDS WORTHY OF CINEMATIC DR

- BY LEAH PUYAT PHOTOGRAPH­S BY PAUL DEL ROSARIO

Ivy and Cynthia Almario are famous for creating worlds worthy of cinematic dreams and poetic ideals

“IT’S ALL ABOUT this billion dollar view, isn’t it?” asks Ivy Almario. We merely nod in awe and agreement. This penthouse unit in one of the swanky buildings in Ortigas Center is everything we imagine a city flat to be: luxurious but understate­d, sleek but inviting and livable, a sophistica­ted space that is still, at its very core, a family haven.

“Although we had to do a lot, we basically flipped things around, and now, it’s as if it has always been this way. The unit has two floors, the kitchen, dining and living rooms were on the first floor, and the bedrooms and the balcony were on the second floor. But our client loves to cook and wanted to cook and entertain while enjoying the view of both the balcony and the skyline. So we converted the original kitchen and dining and living rooms into a master suite, and the second floor became the public space. Now they can enjoy the view while entertaini­ng, and they really love it! Can’t you just imagine what it’s like cooking and seeing all that? Come here and try it!” Ivy tells us. So we dutifully and obediently did, and it felt as if we were starring in our very own cooking show.

When the Almario sisters design, Ivy does the interior architectu­re and Cynthia does the interior design. “So, for the kitchen, we had to bring in an island and create so much storage because the place was actually one of the guest rooms.” They work seamlessly in creating that distinctiv­e signature of an Almario space, a place where the client’s dreams and realities are equally considered and equally fulfilled.

A holiday at home

The master bedroom was created from two public spaces, and the luxury of a hotel suite served as the Almarios’ inspiratio­n. “There’s something a bit New York about the layout, don’t you think? From the minute you enter, there’s an internatio­nal feel to it,” Cynthia remarks. She then proceeds to show us the hidden storage amongst the wooden paneling in the foyer. “Don’t you just love it? Doing a condo is really all about finding solutions to making the most of a space.”

Cynthia and Ivy are very proud of the solutions they did find for this flat. “So, we really went all out with the master bedroom. We created a sitting area, a beautiful ceiling and lots and lots of shelves and

storage for their personal collection­s. The closet is a dream of a closet, with leather fittings and even a built-in desk!”

For the dining area, Cynthia actually had to come up with a plan B. “We had already chosen a dining set. But when we brought it in, it just didn’t feel right. It seemed bulky and awkward. So, I thought of having two smaller tables, and it worked so well. It’s very versatile, they can put the tables together when they want a big group or separate them for a more casual and intimate feel. Sometimes, the result’s even better when your first idea doesn’t work. We always learn that we shouldn’t be too attached to our ideas.”

Seeing red

Ivy and Cynthia are also known for their fondness for layering colors, prints and textures. For this particular flat, they chose a red, gray and silver palette. “Red is actually not one of our go-to colors,” Cynthia admits. “But for this project, we worked with an art curator. They brought in some pieces that had some touches of red, and we just ran away with it. I made an effort to find red accessorie­s. Luckily, I found enough to form the tableaus for the living areas! And they all worked with the chrome, marble and gray fabrics we had chosen. Gray is good for urban spaces and the red gives good energy.”

On the day of the shoot, our photograph­er had a field day, finding many angles and detail shots. Ivy muses, “This project was like a gift. The client was very open to our ideas, and really trusted us. It was our first project with them although we had worked with some of their family members. The communicat­ion and chemistry were good.” Cynthia concurs, “Yes, you would think that some clients would be hesitant to reverse things and change it all up as much as we did, but they were so calm about it.”

It is no surprise that Atelier Almario were able to carry off a laborious renovation and design job with so much flair and minimal resistance. They have solid design credential­s, yes. But they also have a reassuring presence and absolutely positive energy that is both infectious and inspiring. Though they may propose seemingly sweeping changes, they also imbue their clients with the faith and hope that it will all work out in the end. And it always does.

 ??  ?? Atelier Almario turned things upside down in this urban flat with a killer view. The second floor was designed as the private space but the owners wanted to make the most of the city skyline. Ivy designed the living, dining and kitchen areas to be switched to the second floor, and the first floor of the unit was converted into a master suite worthy of a six-star hotel.
Atelier Almario turned things upside down in this urban flat with a killer view. The second floor was designed as the private space but the owners wanted to make the most of the city skyline. Ivy designed the living, dining and kitchen areas to be switched to the second floor, and the first floor of the unit was converted into a master suite worthy of a six-star hotel.
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 ??  ?? “Now, when they cook, they can do so with the view!” exclaims Ivy Almario. “The dining space was also broken up into two areas. We already had a big table for the place but once we brought it in, it looked boxy and awkward. Now, it’s more versatile and with two tables, the space feels bigger. We really don’t get too attached to our ideas,” says Cynthia.
“Now, when they cook, they can do so with the view!” exclaims Ivy Almario. “The dining space was also broken up into two areas. We already had a big table for the place but once we brought it in, it looked boxy and awkward. Now, it’s more versatile and with two tables, the space feels bigger. We really don’t get too attached to our ideas,” says Cynthia.
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 ??  ?? “We wanted a hotel suite feeling for the master bedroom,” says Ivy.
This peg meant lots of luxe details and plenty of space for the sitting area and a dream closet. LEFT: Chrome shelving is an Almario trademark. “It works well with gray which is a good palette for a city apartment. It works with the skyline view but it’s also good for bringing in pops of color,” Cynthia sums up.
“We wanted a hotel suite feeling for the master bedroom,” says Ivy. This peg meant lots of luxe details and plenty of space for the sitting area and a dream closet. LEFT: Chrome shelving is an Almario trademark. “It works well with gray which is a good palette for a city apartment. It works with the skyline view but it’s also good for bringing in pops of color,” Cynthia sums up.
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 ??  ?? “We changed a lot. We created a beautiful ceiling, we created lots of storage, we gave it a lot of love,” says Ivy. “There weren’t a lot of architectu­ral details so we added them for that presence.”
“We changed a lot. We created a beautiful ceiling, we created lots of storage, we gave it a lot of love,” says Ivy. “There weren’t a lot of architectu­ral details so we added them for that presence.”

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