The Home Items We Loved At ArteFino 2019 (Part 1)

ArteFino, the country’s premier and much-awaited fair, is back. Once again, it puts the spotlight on Filipino artistry and celebrates all things local. For its 2019 edition, the organizers and vendors zoom in on the importance of Filipino heritage or pamana, bringing attention to the rich culture and traditions of the country through quality products that interpret these influences with a modern spin. Social enterprises from all over the country gathered to champion the advocacy of promoting distinctly Filipino materials and practices by empowering local artisan communities.

Day 1 of ArteFino proved to be extremely successful, with products getting sold fast just after a few hours since the fair opened the doors of The Fifth in Power Plant Mall to discerning shoppers. The 1,380-sq.m. events space housed the booths of around 80 exhibitors that offer a wide range of items from clothes, jewels, bags, shoes, home décor and furniture pieces.

ArteFino 2019 runs from August 29 to September 1. 

Below are some of the pieces for the home that caught our attention at ArteFino 2019 fair:

1. C&C's "La Vie Planter"

The artisanal home and gifts brand is becoming a favorite for how they take baskets to the next level. Their "woven chic" products are great additions to an interior space that needs something a little extra to give it an eye-catching spin. In time for ArteFino 2019, they launched a new collection they call the "Organic Escape." C&C describes their new offering as one that "seeks serenity in the powerful elements of nature and translates it into beautiful lifestyle pieces. It celebrates the power and the subtle playfulness of neutrals." The collection includes the Celya basket bag, La Vie Planter, Lune Mirror, Alon Barrel, and the Eli & Cirque Tabletop Accent Pieces.

Our favorite is the two-toned La Vie Planter that features a modern stylish take on the traditional solihiya weave. Look closely, and you'll notice that the styles of weaves are different, making this intricate piece even more interesting.      

2. FunNest's teepee and Tropicale's "Manong Sorbetero" storage bin

FunNest and Tropicale are sister brands that offer unique and statement-making pieces for the kids' rooms. It is FunNest's goal to spark the little ones' creativity by creating for them a fun environment that "let their imagination run free." The brand's product portfolio includes teepees and canopies, wall decals, shelves, pillows and poufs, playmats, bags and storage pieces, buntings, stuffed toys, and even a "gym" made of wood interior with leatherette finish that features a climber, a tunnel, and a slide in one. In championing sustainable living, the Tropicale brand, meanwhile, reinvents the rattan into playful pieces that will surely appeal to the kids—a Kalabaw rocker, a  basketball arcade, a football goal, a kiddie vanity table, a toddler writing desk, an airplane, a children's love seat, a doll crib, a doll high chair, a butanding bench, and a tarsier basket (the last two were launched at this year's ArteFino). Everything in the collections of FunNest and Tropicale makes us want to be a kid again, but our absolute favorites are definitely the teepee and the rattan "Manong Sorbetero" storage bin!

3. Cornerstone Pottery Farm's ceramic hanging planters

Cornerstone Pottery Farm prides itself in producing handmade stoneware pottery that showcases Philippine craftsmanship. With careful consideration to designs, their products double as functional art pieces, so nice to look at and even nicer to use around the home. Their shop is in Silang, Cavite, but they always join bazaars and fairs like ArteFino. The fact that their company is dedicated to providing a lasting means of employment for their craftsmen makes them a perfect fit for ArteFino, which is likewise passionate about uplifting the lives of local craftsmen. The collection Cornerstone Pottery Farm featured in ArteFino includes a wide range of plates, bowls, and other accents, but we were specifically drawn to the cute ceramic hanging planters that are sure to breathe life to a minimalist space. 

4. Pottly n Tubby's jeep rattan bed

Parents and parents-to-be will want to buy a lot from Pottly n Tubby; their items are so unique they deserve spots in any kids' rooms. The brand offers handcrafted premium teepees, playtents, beds, beanbags, playmats, pillows, wall banners, and many more products that carry a modern and playful design and may be personalized. But what's more notable about their catalogue is their rattan collection of floor beds, toddler beds, carabao baskets, and chairs. At ArteFino, though, what proved to be the most noticeable is their jeep rattan bed, which was handcrafted by their partner artisan local weaver. The people behind Pottly n Tubby say, "Growing up in Palawan, we used to run around in our old trusty Jeep! [This piece was] inspired by that free-spirited nostalgic feel of growing up in the province, with wind blowing in your hair, salty dusty air, and just looking for adventure in every corner!" We also loved their faux leather floor beanbags, faux leather playmats, and faux leather aprons and bibs (which were created to ensure no leather offcuts are wasted).

5. Art of Gold's handpainted trays, containers, and tissue holders

From handpainting throw pillows and bedspreads, Art of Gold is now offering handpainted wood and metal products as well. For ArteFino 2019, they presented a tropical-inspired collection, featuring a wide selection of designs. Each design is masterfully made, no doubt, but our favorite are the blue and white pieces that also evoke a Chinoiserie feel. 

6. Haspe Design Studio's "Kaballete" chair

Function and style meet with Haspe Design Studio's finely crafted furniture pieces. Putting the spotlight on the furniture-making industry in Bulacan,  they collaborate with skilled wood workers, rattan weavers, and carvers in the province while making sure they follow sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in all aspects of production. Haspe Design Studio offers items like accent chairs, side tables, coffee tables, consoles, and other furniture pieces for the living area, dining room, bedroom, office, and outdoor; they also have home accents as well as furniture and décor for baby and kids. At ArteFino 2019, we especially loved their "Kaballete" chair that features a mid backrest design and vibrant cushion seat, which toddlers will surely love to sit on.

7. NVC Foundation's art pieces made from recycled Nespresso capsules

The people who work on every piece for NVC Foundation are not just talented artisans, they are artisans of hope. After all, the company is established to provide livelihood, education, and nutrition programs for the poor in the Philippines. Every piece sold from the ArteFino fair benefits children of disadvantaged families through NVC Foundation's MingoMeals nutrition program. One piece featured in the fair was an artwork depicting the Santacruzan; not just any other artwork, this piece was made by 16 pairs of hands in 60 days, transforming 2,310 used Nespresso capsules, tesserae from dozens of eggs, discarded mirrors, and chips shaped to form. It got sold on the morning of ArteFino's Day 1, and this will allow NVC Foundation to distribute 1,280 MingoMeals! Not to worry, though, there are tons of other artworks fashioned from Nespresso capsules, eggshells and ceramic tiles you can take home.

8. Sustainably Made by MARSSE's serving boards

The premium kitchenware and home accessories of this brand are made of materials that were sustainably sourced from Marsse Tropical Timber tree farm in Umingan, Pangasinan, and are crafted by a local community there. These items were fashioned from branches, trunks, stumps and roots, while ensuring that no wood is wasted as well. Mara Sebastian, Marco Sebastian, and Mario Sebastian Jr. of Sustainably Made by MARSSE say, "Sustainability is at our core, our vision. We are tree farmers. We are committed to developing tree plantations and producing wooden products that ensure a future where the need for wood is met in harmony with nature." For those who love entertaining at home, make sure to check out their serving boards.

9. HoliCow's set of nesting tables

A sustainable furniture and housewares company based in Cebu City, Philippines,  the Holistic Coalition of the Willing (or HoliCow) is all about "cultivating intelligent design towards a sustainable future." The woman behind HoliCow is internationally acclaimed furniture designer Debbie Palao, which is why this brand's furniture pieces are remarkably conceptualized and executed, and are absolutely world-class! You'll find great statement pieces  for your home from HoliCow, be it a dining table, a side table, a lounge chair, a hanging lamp, an ottoman, a divider, a magazine rack, a storage bin, a mirror, or a tray. Our ArteFino pick is the set of nesting tables; it features "inlays of woven strips of bamboo and rattan skin, in intricate complementary patterns that showcase the splendid weaving work of our partner-crafters in Tubigon, Bohol.⁠" 

10. Domesticity's pieces done in collaboration with Hindy Weber

Handicraft products made of Pandan and other indigenous materials are the stars of this proudly Filipino brand. Their product portfolio includes bathroom accessories, storage boxes, office accessories, tabletop accessories, gift items, and other functional accents for the home. What makes Domesticity extraordinary is the work that goes on behind each of their products: "We employ 20 family members of sugar workers, and out of school youth from our family owned sugar farm in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. All of Domesticity’s workers are beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga Village in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. A portion of our sales profits will go to building houses for the families, and support the various activities of the village." For ArteFino 2019, they collaborated with Hindy Weber in creating stylish homeware. Our favorite is the woven serving tray with cover!

Artefino 2019 is till September 1 at The Fifth in Power Plant Mall.