Eclectic Dreams
Davao-born designer and fashionpreneur Marga Nograles talks about her private space and the soon-to-launch Kaayo Home
It is not surprising for Kaayo founder Marga Nograles to live in a home that radiates Filipino artistry. Afterall, this same ethos gave birth to Kaayo, a fashion label that she founded, which juxtaposes traditional Mindanaoan craftsmanship with stylish fashion pieces. Her home highlights an eclectic mix of modern minimalist Mindanao with a lot of one-of-akind collector’s items inherited from her mother such as an antique drum, framed jackets, brass and wood mirrors. These pieces are combined with ghost chairs, Kenneth Cobonpue creations and art, striking a balance between old and new. In a conversation, Nograles tells Tatler her favourite spots in her private space as well as her plans to launch Kaayo Home.
What are your favourite spots in your home and why?
Our multipurpose deck. This space used to be a mini open-air cabana beside a pocket garden, but we never used it because it was always too hot out. Just before the pandemic I decided to close this space with a high ceiling and sunroof detail. The best decision I made ever. Suddenly this new deck transformed into my whole family’s favourite place to be. My husband Karlo got first dibs always though. This was his home office (for IATF or Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, of which he was the spokesperson in 2020 and a cochair until March 2022), recording room, study room, Zumba studio and our date night space.
In which area of the home do you spend your time the most? Why?
Since my husband Karlo is always in my favourite space, I spend most of my time in our living room. This is my office and happy hour nook.
Are there parts of your home that you would like to be changed?
For now, I am good. All parts of my home are overused and abused in many ways from home school to home office to online Zumba sessions and dinners. This makes me happy as I feel I have maximised every space of my home.
What are your favourite artworks and furniture pieces in your home?
All my pieces at home tell a story but my top three are these. First, our Daniel de la Cruz family sculpture, which is a 4-foot-ladder that holds all that is dear to me—my husband, three children and our favourite things. This sculpture reminds us that family is all we need. Second, my Mark Padernal portrait from Provenance Gallery. I was lucky enough to be the second subject of Mark’s portraits. Nowadays it is so difficult to book an appointment with them as the waitlist is quite long. Lastly, my mum’s Baldemor.
I love it because it was done in my birth year 1979 and I grew up with this painting. When my family and I moved to Manila, I asked mum if I could take this painting with me. Today every time I look at it, I remember my childhood and home.
Where do you usually source stuff for your home?
I mostly have stuff made. Apart from the special pieces I have— from Kenneth Cobonpue, or an antique chandelier I bought from a friend, some pieces from Lady Scott Jones, my antique solihiya and mother-of-pearl chairs, and my forever favourite Bo Concept sofa—everything else, I have made to incorporate a modern touch of Filipino. Because of this we are now doing Kaayo Home with my favourite furniture guys, Upcycle Manila. Together we are upcycling and incorporating Mindanao on modern bespoke pieces.
How often do you entertain at home? Where do you usually entertain and what elements do you usually put on your dining table?
I love to entertain but since the pandemic that has become a challenge. Every space of my home is used for multipurpose everything, so it takes major effort to host. But we make the effort still sometimes and just for intimate dinners. This happens on the deck. I now have a new Kaayo Home limestone slab table and I love it! It goes perfectly with my eclectic home and my plates. I collect plates, glasses, placemats, napkins from my travels, so I have a few sets. I like to mix and match depending on the theme and food of the evening.
Some may think that local materials tend to make a home look dated. How can you use local materials and still make your home look cosy and current?
The best mix for a Modern Mindanao home for me is to keep things clean and minimalist. Invest in some key pieces and then incorporate just a hint of Mindanao. For my antique pieces like my mother-ofpearl and solihiya wooden chairs, I put zebra hide seat cushions. For my home, I keep that clean feel as best I can, but I allow myself to go crazy with artwork on my walls.