PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY
Atty. Aileen Regio and Hermi Hizon prove that women have what it takes to succeed and rule in a male-centric territory; Chef Billy King cooks up a storm in the City of Pines
FOR HIM, HER, AND ALL
If the family intends to spend time together, bonding over conversations about their daily dealings and school happenings, the homeowners prefer the living area as an ideal location. It is also a venue for cinematic and television viewings, with the family lounging, eyes glued on the set and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. Embellished with a meticulously curated set of collectible pieces of art such as paintings, sculptures, and other interesting objets d’art, it is also a sterling example of sophisticated simplicity—where a wide, expansive space is delicately decorated with minimal but substantial furniture and fixtures.
“The living room is the family’s bonding area,” she tells us. “It is where we receive our guests as well. One of our favorite moments so far would be Christmas, where we invited a lot of our families and friends. It was the perfect time to share the joys of the season with your loved ones.”
But just as an unforgettable time with everyone is cherished, moments of isolation are also important for each member of the unit. Hence, while the open-plan layout of the home is appreciated, the couple made sure that there are precious spots at home where each person can take time to meditate, work, or relax in peace to their own accord. For her, two areas function well for this purpose. “If I need time alone, I have my own office space where I do the work. And if I need to do more creative thinking, I usually spend it at my walk-in closet where I get a different perspective and inspiration. It is really my personal fashion haven,” she declares.
The ultimate haven, however, will always be the bedroom. And as heads of the family, both he and she made sure that the space delegated for each individual is customized to their personality and character—this gives everyone a sense of ownership, much needed in one’s home. She explains, “The bedroom is the inner sanctum for all of us, so we made sure that each of us would find great comfort in our own rooms. We tried to list down the styles or designs that appealed to us and we cascaded it to the design team and we are very glad with it. The bedrooms are not just spaces but are manifestations of our own personalities. Like for one, our bedroom had sketches of one of the closest designers I have worked with.”
FROM IDEAS TO BLUEPRINTS
Guaranteeing satisfaction is something that both homeowners are experts in with their successful businesses. And with the tables turned in the construction and design of the merged units, the couple addresses that the final product is something that they are both proud and happy with. “Our interior designers were really wonderful,” she affirms. “They made sure that all parts of the house are very personal. They were even particular with our lifestyle—our needs and wants. They even made us share some photos that had an appeal to us so they would get a grasp on the overall aesthetics that we want. Here in our home, there are displays like motorcycles—which mainly showcases my husband’s interest; fashion sketches and walk-in closet—which also showcases my character.”
“Travel is a great source of inspiration—especially when you are building your home,” she advises. “We adore all the places that we visit because we always gain a unique experience from each. It sparks a lot of imagination, which we wanted to apply in our homes. The Fornasetti and chandelier were actually from our travels.” As a testament to the atlas of all the exotic places and tourist hotspots that the family has been to, the multitude of inspirations and influences of every fine detail transports you to a location hundreds of miles away from the metro. And while the assimilation of hundreds of varying styles into a cohesive collective is a skill that not every one possesses, with the aid of their suppliers, the two were able to create an abode that is undoubtedly pleasing to the eye. She agrees, “The style of this house is very eclectic: a fusion of East and West. This approach is actually challenging because it’s very dynamic. We incorporated different elements, but the key is finding that unifying element and balance, so the look will still be beautiful and comfortable.”
Every home is a personal project, a brainchild of its owners’ personal experiences. Perhaps one could draw memories from simpler times where a little girl plays with dolls on a miniature house, pouring tea and imagining a future with family. Or maybe the time when he put a ring on her finger, ready to build a future together. The summation of life experiences of each family member tell a tale, where the house becomes a metaphor and each individual is represented. “If you would ask the younger version of myself, this would not be the dream house I had envisioned. But as we grow as a family and our interests and experiences expand, you will find that everything about the house has a story to tell about us as a family. More than being a dream house, this space serves as a space where dreams are made of, allowing my family and friends to share the experience. We are very pleased that our home is a reflection of our family,” she ends, happily.