A Stark and Laidback 88sqm Condo
Zen simplicity, brutalism, and patterns make up this decorator’s home

Decorator Gwyn Guanzon’s 88sqm condo unit veers away from styles that one would expect from him. His former homes—most of which were in styles that ran the gamut from tropical to modern-eclectic—are a far cry from the latest interior aesthetic he has adapted in his condo.
Gwyn shared that he wanted a Japanese feel to the space, so he went for minimalist pieces and stark surfaces. It was also during the planning phase of his home when he visited Japan plus other South Asian countries like India and Sri Lanka, and the inclusion of his travel mementos resulted in an “exotic Brutalist” style. Brutalism is a modernist architectural movement that was known for massive expanses of concrete.
Apart from these influences, exotic rugs also played a huge part in the design direction of his unit, with his collection coming from places such as Kabul, Kashmir, Jaipur, Tehran, and Karachi.
This disciplined combination of materials and influences paved the way for a design that’s truly reflective of the decorator’s personality. The result is a home undoubtedly filled with various influences that are as appealing and remarkable as his previous spaces.
Read the original article ("Magic Carpet Ride") in the April 2016 issue of Real Living Magazine. Download your digital copy of Real Living on the Real Living App. Log on to summitnewsstand.com.ph/real-living for more details.