Tucked in a hidden corner in Greenbelt 3 is a gem of a shop called Guava Sketches. It’s a well-curated design store with originals from European designers. This shop was founded by sisters Jennifer and Joan, and shows their love for good design and functionality.
In their website, Jennifer and Joan had this to say, “This passion started with an appreciation for well-made items whose beauty is complemented by utility. Our shop reflects the same ethos – it is informed by a love for nature and a great appreciation and respect for craftsmanship. Our offering ranges from small items such as collectibles and jewelry, to kitchenware, everyday homeware, and furniture pieces. These pieces are made by artisans with distinct taste. Though from diverse eras – some having a history of more than a hundred years, while others are young brands at the forefront of a generation redefining “new”, these makers are bound by the same aesthetics and belief.”
E. Murio
I visited the shop twice. The second time I went, I saw that their range of offerings had widened to include products made by Filipino designers and artists, like furniture maker E. Murio and artist Aman Santos. The pieces that were there melded beautifully with those from the European designers. You could see that the two young women really had an eye for design.
Joan told me that they would like to incorporate more Filipino designs in their collection.
House Doctor
I thought at first that the cane furniture were all E. Murio until I saw this Kawa chair made of rattan and metal from House Doctor with this whimsical Jimbobart bear cushion nonchalantly placed on it.
Architect Edwin Uy, who also visited Guava Sketches said, “It’s a store Manila badly needs. It’s about time we get to see designer products that are not commercially popular as we have seen with the influx of big European brands in the last ten years. The shop carries a wide selection of brands and products from shirts, plates, books, posters to furniture. I have heard of some brands either from Monocle or Wallpaper magazines so it’s nice to see them IRL.”
“There’s this cool brand called & New and one of the coffee tables speak so much of its materiality. The texture from a section of a composite material set against a smooth yellow table top is so interesting. It’s also a great place to look for that unique, never-before-seen (in PH at least) products which can become really great gifts! I actually bought one recently and it was even packaged nicely in a hip clear plastic tote. It is definitely a store where you can discover pure and authentic pieces of design.”
&New
&New is described as a “modern furniture brand created by a British-Finnish design duo Jo Wilton and Mirka Grohn.” Launched in January 2014, it was “tipped by The Architectural Digest as one of five UK based brands and design studios worth keeping an eye on.”
Other Design Heavyweights at Guava Sketches
There are so many to choose from, especially if you like innovative materials, crafts, or things that are whimsical and fun.
There’s so much more to see in the shop. So if ever you find yourself in Greenbelt 3, go visit Guava Sketches in that corner you hardly go to unless you’re a Lush fan.
