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.

Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
Foreground: Bird Cage Chair in Rattan by E. MURIO, Background: paintings of AMAN SANTOS

Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches

House Doctor

Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
Kawa Chair from HOUSE DOCTOR with JIMBOBART’S Sofa Defender Bear Cushion

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.”

Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
Upper Left: Goslings Centerpiece Bowl from ALESSI CERAMICHE, Photo Credit: Architect Edwin Uy

&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.”

Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
&NEW’S Robot Side Tables are solid steel powder coated in vivid colors. The table’s open shelf and zigzag legs make it perfect as a side table. All tables are manufactured in Britain and welded in batches.
Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
“The Marfa Coffee Table from &NEW is made with 100% recycled post consumer plastic with powder coated steel shelves.”

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.

Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
Bone China Canisters with Cork Lids from Swedish from Sweden’s GUSTAVSBERG
Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
JIMBOBART’S Stacking Cups
Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
Polychrome Terracotta Heads from Alessi Ceramiche
Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
Octaevo Paper Vase by JANUS
Fresh Home Decor Ideas at Guava Sketches
SIEBENSACHEN Musical Boxes

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.

Author

Annie is the Managing Editor of Let it B | MyBoysen Blog. An unrepentant workaholic, she runs this blog and her own company Talking Lions (https://talkinglions.com). She thrives on collaborating with people who are good at what they do, and working together with them to create something special. Annie learned interior styling while managing her own wholesale business in the Netherlands, importing high-end, handmade home furnishings to stock four outlets and a showroom in the country.

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