Affordable But Stylish Home Decor That You Can Find At The Mall

Most homeowners think it's convenient to shop for their furniture and accessories at the mall; after all, everything is under one roof. There is the danger, though, of ending up with cookie-cutter, mass-produced items that look a wee bit too cheap. So Real Living sourced at three stores at malls (one of them is brand new!) for designer-style home finds that won't break the bank. 

ABENSON HOME

IMAGE Albert Labrador

The latest home store from the Abenson group wants you to sit down and relax. “We want the customers to come in and sit down and enjoy it and see how it feels because you’re buying something you wouldn’t replace for a quite a few years. So how do you buy it if you don’t know how feels?” says Mark Zwolfer of Abenson Home. “We want you to sit down on it, relax on it. Sit down on it just the way you sit down at home.”

IMAGE Albert Labrador. The generously sized sofas go for P30,000 and up. 

The store, which is located at the brand new W Mall in Pasay City, is a well-curated one-stop-shop for the homeowner—from kitchenware, décor, small appliances, storage, tables, recliners, sofas and bed—which all have a sleek and modern aesthetic, and carry very reasonable price tags. There are dining tables under P10,000, chairs under P3,000, and a whole section with items under P95.

IMAGE Albert Labrador. There is a section where all the items are under P95. 

But Abenson Home’s care for its customers doesn’t stop at the cash register. In fact, they could also help out with their space. Designers and assembly men can be requested to go to the customer’s home, measure the space, and plan it according to her needs. Even the ones who just want to replace her existing sofa with a new one could avail of this service. Because in the end, it makes things simpler for everyone.

IMAGE Albert Labrador. The storage containers all have a streamlined, modern feel. 

You’d also be pleased to know that a corner of the shop has been dedicated to European home store Habitat, which is locally franchised by Abenson. Here, they offer Habitat’s more popular and affordable pieces. “The Abenson Home version is a very affordable local brand and Habitat is a European brand so it felt that it would fit well…the two were complementary of each other. Habitat is higher and we really set [Abenson Home] to be more of a mid-price point,” explains Mark. —Coni Tejada

IMAGE Albert Labrador. Don't miss the Habitat section within the store. 

Abenson Home is located at 3/F, W Mall, 19 Coral Way, Pasay City; or follow them on their Facebook page

READ: Shop of the Week - Habitat

ROBINSONS CURATED HOME

IMAGE The Craft Collection features decoupage ceramics with delicate insect prints. 

Ito Kish is best known for his award-winning furniture designs and masterful styling. Since late 2017, the renowned visual storyteller has become a personal curator for first-time homeowners with his special Curated Home collection for Robinsons Department Store.

IMAGE The Resort Collection highlights natural wood, stonework, and basketry.

Eschewing the expected plastic, mass-produced budget house ware that is the standard fare of department stores, Kish hand-picks around 60 beautifully-made and designed objects, small furniture pieces, and accessories for the Robinsons shopper. But all this comes with a wonderful surprise: the items are very affordable, with prices ranging from below P500 and up.

IMAGE A selection of items from Curated Home, Robinsons

His latest collections for Curated Home, which will be launched this mid-July, include the Craft Collection, which features decoupage details, the Resort Collection, which highlights stoneware and basketry, and the Oceana Collection, which showcases soft furnishings with iridescent accents.

Curated Home is available at Robinsons Department Stores; click here for branches

READ: Let An Award-Winning Designer Handpick Your Home Décor

MUJI, GREENBELT 3

IMAGE The renovated MUJI store at Greenbelt 3. 

With the current fascination for minimalist interiors, it is no wonder that there is a renewed interest in the ultimate Japanese modern minimalist store MUJI. The Greenbelt 3 branch, which was recently renovated to match the aesthetics of the Muji branches in Japan, has interiors that draw inspiration from nature, incorporating wood, stone, sand, and metal.

IMAGE Blue-and-white Nasami ware can also double as decorative objects. 

The stylishly barebones products do not disappoint. There are pale buri baskets for P845 and up, plain white dinnerware for P425, essential oils at P695 (green tea-scented, of course), hand painted blue Nasami cups for P345, and oatmeal-colored organic cotton blankets for P2,950 (to match your organic cotton MUJI blouse).

IMAGE Oak storage bed with drawers and shelving at the base. 

Want to sleep like MUJI? There is a bed with storage underneath (P36,000 for the bed base), so you can KonMari your clutter away.

IMAGE Other MUJI essentials: oak bookcase, minimalist white planters, and a scent diffuser. 

Another highlight of the Greenbelt 3 branch is the “What is MUJI?” display inside the store. The display aims to educate Filipino consumers about MUJI’s less-is-more vision by eliminating any language barriers between the Japanese and Pinoys.

MUJI is located at 2/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City; or follow them on their Facebook page

READ: Finally, A Peek Into the Minimalist Muji Hotel

PHOTOS Albert Labrador (Abenson Home, styling by Coni Tejada), Ito Kish (Robinsons), MUJI