Hej, Hey, HAY Manila!

Last night I attended the opening of Design Story in Uptown Mall BGC. I usually avoid going out during rush hour… but seeing my favorite Scandinavian design brands being launched in Manila is one of the few things that can make me brave Manila traffic. It’s all for the love of the beautiful Scandinavian design brand HAY. LOL.

You know it’s a classy and delicious event when Gaita Fores’ Cibo di M does the food. I only needed to see her signature earthy table arrangements and homemade potato chips to know that she was catering.

The launch was done with Real Living Magazine and Uptown Mall, a Megaworld Luxury Development.

I’ve loved Scandinavian design before we even moved to Europe, because of the simple lines, bright and light aesthetics and highly functional pieces – minus the excess baggage or heaviness of traditional designs. In fact, one of our musts when we look for a flat to rent is that it should be all white. This is strangely very hard to find here in the Philippines, while it is the standard in Berlin.

I’m happy to notice that since we’ve moved back to Manila, I’ve found that slowly there are more choices for those who don’t find dark wood and too warm colors very appealing.

Truth be told, I hoarded some HAY items like my beloved gold pens and gold scissors before moving to Manila. I’m delighted that I can get my stash here without having to travel to Europe.

This DLM table in white is my favorite. It’s easy to place it by the window, where it will serve as a perfect canvas for your styled IG photo of the day, or drag it next to the couch to enjoy a morning cup of coffee. The handle at the top explains why Thomas Bentzen’s table is aptly named ‘Don’t Leave Me’. Abbreviated to DLM, the little handle allows you to carry the metal side table with you from room to room, so it will always be by your side. Although it’s lightweight and portable, the three legs are very stable.

I am obsessed with gold. I like to have little flashes of gold in my all white and wood home. The pale gold matte bottle opener is just divine.

HAY is a Danish designer and manufacturer of contemporary furniture, accessories, lighting and rugs. Since 2002, the Danish brand has been successful in “creating durable quality furniture at affordable prices to allow as many people as possible to enjoy excellent design.”

Through its furniture and accessories collections, Hay, which was founded by Rolf and Mette Hay, has always paid homage to the age of Danish Modern, where quality, craftsmanship and humanistic design put Denmark on the global map.

The brand continues to explore the current possibilities in home and office design with new technologies, new materials and new ways of living with furniture. Some of its popular pieces are already part of permanent collections in prestigious art museums and exhibits, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, and Les Arts Decoratifs, Paris.

HAY’s most versatile furniture series is the About a Chair. May I have this fully upholstered, with wheels and a gaslift pretty please?!? #DiploLustList for sure!

They were giving away some goodies, with About A Chair as the grand prize for the winner of their Instagram contest. My photo was nowhere near as creative as the winners. Check out more IG pics of the event at #DesignStoryLaunch.

HAY is also joined by another international brand, Stellar Works, in Design Story. it’s a little bit too warm for my taste but it’s still good complimentary design for those who don’t want to go Scandi all the way.

The official launch of HAY and Stellar Works at Design Story  marks the luxury brands’ first-time presence in the Philippines. The east and west designs of HAY and Stellar Works are displayed in a single showcase.

Design Story is the brainchild of partners Joseph & Stephanie Coyiuto-Tay, and Dana Uy. The Tays bring in almost a decade’s worth of furniture expertise, and are behind the uber-successful home design store Casa Bella. Design Story is the Tays and Uy’s second venture, after Furninova in New Manila, launched back in 2014.

JANUARY 2019 UPDATE: They launched a second and larger location in Chino Roces Extension, and it’s called Casa Bella at The Alley. Complete details below!

Related reads:
Why They Decided to Bring Hay Denmark to the Philippines

DESIGN STORY INC