Habitat in Manila!

When my friend Jown Lim-Co invited Dada & I to the Habitat store opening on the 3/F of Abenson in BGC, Dada said he couldn't make it because he was going to be in Hong Kong. But I told Jown, I would still go. I love home stores. Love them.

All the more because this was Habitat. Home of European chic home furnishings and home ware, without the sticker shock. 

Founded in 1964 in the UK by Sir Terence Conran (who got his knighthood in 1983 for his services to design and who also happens to be the father of designer Jasper Conran), the company was once owned by the Kamprad family of IKEA in the early 90s before being acquired by CAFOM, a French company which continues to keep the Habitat spirit of aestheticism, innovation and practicality alive.

You can see how design plays a huge role in their  store. Everything is thought out, well-made and beautifully constructed, and the prices aren't scary high at all.

They have everything from beds and linens.

To accent pieces like these pretty candles with thoughtful and pretty covers, so you don't have to deal with the dust settling on the surface of the wax.

Dining tables and an assortment of chairs.

Dinnerware...

Mostly basic whites, but there are also special ones such as these marble inspired plates.

Drip coffee pots.

Barware such as stainless steel cocktail shakers and wine glasses.

Even the trash cans are chic! My friend Kat calls these Oscar the Grouch trash cans, and we were racking our brains trying to think of a reason to get one, hehe. Ganda no?

Shall we head to the living room?

This could work on a library too. I love the ladder on the book case. It doesn't slide, but it's moveable.

Here's another option. There are plenty more, actually.

Of course, there are plenty of throw pillows. Mostly basic ones though.

Then, there are work desks and cabinets.

As well as desk organizers and file boxes, and small office supplies like paper clips, notepads and pencils.

Even scissors of all shapes and sizes. There are even giant ones, heavy and sturdy and worthy of ribbon cutting and inauguration ceremonies.

Some nice leather envelopes for whatevs.

And the lighting section! Hallelujah! So many chic lighting options from pendant lighting to table lamps to floor lamps. So plenty! We are almost spoilt for choice. In most home stores, it's so hard to find nice lamps, but here, I couldn't even decide which was nicest. Which is a welcome change, for once.

Then of course, there are outdoor accent pieces for candles, etc.

There's a cute bar cart that would work indoors and out.

Ah! There's a small section for kids, and the toys are adorable! The littles ones who went to the store opening all wanted their turn on this old fashioned toy car. It's mahal thought, about Php10,000 but looks hefty and solid.

Oh, and close to the cashier are plenty of tchotckes, mostly refrigerator magnets and laundry clips. Na chic.

Honestly, I've barely skimmed the surface here. I suggest you head out to Habitat on the 3rd level of Abenson in Bonifacion Global City to see for yourselves what's in store!

Habitat Manila

3rd Level, Abenson

28th Street and 4th Avenue

Bonifacio Global City

(beside Ascott Bonifacio Global City)