UnDiplomatic Wife

  • About TDW
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • AS SEEN ON
    • Collaborate
    • Policies
  • Diplo Picks
    • Diplo Beauty
    • Diplo Mama
    • Diplo Home
    • Diplo Tummy
    • Diplo Tips
    • Diplo Travel
    • Diplo Style
    • Diplo Baby
    • Diplo Inspiration
  • Living in
    • GENEVA
      • good to know
      • food & drink
      • shopping
    • Berlin
      • Good To know
      • To Dos
      • food & drink
      • Shopping
    • MANILA
      • good to know
      • to do
      • food & drink
      • shopping
    • JAKARTA
      • good to know
      • to do
      • food & drink
      • shopping
  • TRAVEL DIARIES
    • Finland
    • France
    • Greece
    • Germany
      • BERLIN 2022 ITINERARY
      • Willkommen in Berlin
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Malaysia
    • Myanmar
    • Netherlands
    • Philippines
    • Poland
    • Spain
    • Singapore
    • Switzerland
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam

Where to get Scandinavian Furniture in Makati

January 17, 2018

Before moving to Manila from Berlin, I was quite worried that it would be difficult to find Scandinavian-style furniture in Metro Manila. Luckily, there are more options now. Naturally, it’s not as common as in Europe, but I actually have fun finding out Metro Manila’s secrets. Recently someone sent me a message asking for help, so I’ve decided to share my finds below.

Could you suggest places to buy Scandinavian-style furniture? For example IKEA minimalist type with white and grey accents. I’m trying to look around but I cannot seem to find this type of style in furniture shops in Makati.

BEFORE I DIVE IN

  • GOOD TO KNOW: When buying furniture here in Manila, or anywhere else for that matter, always ask if an item is solid wood or MDF. If they say it’s veneer, that usually means it’s made of composite wood inside (not solid) then they have a very thin layer of expensive wood on top. What does this mean? Veneer is expensive, yet it’s not solid wood. If you scratch it, it’s going to be as difficult or impossible to repair, unlike solid wood, which can be fixed.
  • WHY BUY SOLID WOOD? When solid wood is scratched or damaged, it can still be repaired and restored, so it’s a better investment in the long run, and also better for the environment. It also has a higher resale value than MDF laminate or veneer furniture which is basically disposable and does not ship well once assembled. Solid wood furniture, if you can afford it or find good deals, can last several lifetimes, and can be upcycled so it’s the sustainable choice for me.
  • CAVEAT: Solid wood is a natural material and can expand and contract, so changes in temperature and humidity can affect it. I usually go for brands that kiln dry their wood so that there is minimal chance of cracking.

PHILUX

Okay so this is not strictly Scandinavian, but I am so in love with Philux’s Scandiana pieces. Scandi + Filipiniana, get it? They are so modern and unique, and of course proudly Philippine-made. They moved to a bigger space in Powerplant Mall in Rockwell. I also love their furniture for kids rooms!

They use solid Mahogany, which is better value than MDF furniture that have laminate or expensive veneer finishes. Furniture can be custom made to different colors (mine being ducco white) while the cheapest finish is brown Mahogany. They also have a store in Shangri-la BGC.

Philux Rockwell

R3, Power Plant Mall • 02 898 1974 • 0917 634 9044 • other locations

TRIBOA BAY

I was first introduced to Triboa Bay in FAME Manila, a showcase of the best Filipino design that is held twice a year. I was really impressed that they were chosen by award-winning designer Robert Van Embricqs to manufacture his line of Rising furniture. Can you imagine a chair that stores flat and then rises to become a chair? I am really lusting after the Rising Table.

Triboa Bay Living

G/F LRI Design Plaza, N. Garcia St. Bel-Air II
+632.403.6281 • more locations

F1RST HOME

Also in LRI is designer Ito Kish’ store. Though he closed his main showroom down the road, this small shop of Scandi gems is still open. Curated pieces which are sourced from different countries.

F1rst Home LRI

furniture • accessories • IG • 2/F LRI Design Plaza, 210 N. Garcia St. Bel-Air II

DIMENSIONE

I regularly visit Dimensione for cool designer accessories and more affordable Scandi-inspired design (mostly made in China). Sometimes you can find original Scandinavian brands there like House Doctor. Just a caveat: I noticed that they sometimes label it as Made in Denmark when the brand is Danish, but in reality the item is made somewhere in Asia.

I also saw my favorite brand of Indonesian-made upcycled Teak furniture in Dimensione, but when I returned recently, I saw that the pieces were copied in China and no longer made with antique recycled teak, which is in a different category compared to the light recycled wood they are using. After all really old-quality teak is not just pest resistant, but also can be used indoors and outdoors.

Dimensione has a location in Greenbelt and in Rockwell, among many others.  Dimensione has a high-end show room of truly designer products in BGC, which is worth checking out.

Dimensione Rockwell + Greenbelt

FB • IG • R3  Power Plant Mall Rockwell Mkti • (02) 756 5034
LG Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center • (02) 501 3740

MÖBLER

If you are looking specifically for IKEA items in Makati, then Möbler is the way to go. Be warned that this is not an actual IKEA store, but a reseller so prices can be double, Be warned that they only accept cash or check payments. I like going when there is a sale because then the price is closer to actual.

They have a small showroom, so they don’t carry the super large pieces of IKEA, however you can order stuff from the IKEA Australia catalog. It will arrive on their next shipment. Though higher in price they are more dependable than some IKEA resellers that I have tried. In fact one IKEA reseller I tried on Instagram has not yet delivered Php6,000 worth of items that I had already paid for February 2017. I’ve been following up a refund, but it’s taking a while. Lesson learned. Möbler is established and dependable.

Möbler PH

4977 Enrique St, Palanan, Makati, 1235 • (02) 216 1782

HABITAT MNL

The Habitat in Glorietta 3 is much smaller than it’s BGC counterpart so if you would like a bigger selection, a visit to their BGC showroom is worth it. I like to think about Habitat as a more high end IKEA. It’s not surprising because Habitat used to be owned by IKEA.

If you want to see what kind of design goodies to expect, I love the photos from this blog post, by the fabulous Jackie Go.

Habitat BGC

Abenson, 28th Street And 4th Avenue BGC • (02) 887 5247

 

DESIGN STORIES PH

If you are already in BGC, you might as well check out Design Stories Inc. in Uptown Mall, because they carry my absolute favorite Scandi brand, HAY. One of my first posts when I moved to Manila was on the opening of Design Stories, because even if I barely had time to blog, I was really excited to have my beloved HAY here in Manila.

I ordered my ergonomic office chair from them and it was made in Denmark to my specifications. Of course there are ready to buy floor items too. These are really high quality items with great quality control. There is a big difference when you buy truly designer Scandinavian pieces vs Scandi inspired. I recommend on splurging on hard working items like a sofa, office chair, and dining set, but if budget is tight then you can’t go wrong with a HAY side table.

I love to layer metal Scandi tables that are easy to move around, instead of traditional side tables that stay in one place. The key is to have them in the same color or at have a color them. They are beautiful and are totally practical and functional. See pictures of their store here.

Design Story Ph

FB • IG • 3/F Uptown Place Mall, 11th Ave. cor. 36th Ave. BGC • (02) 815 6022

GOOD TO KNOW: Across from Design Stories are other furniture stores that have Scandi-inspired furniture. Again, always ask about the material of the wood and remember that if you furnish using laminate or veneer, you will need to replace them when they get damaged.

Here are more furniture hubs in BGC that are also worth checking out.

DEXTERTON

When you go up to the third level of Greenbelt 5, make sure to go to all the showrooms of Dexterton. They have a showroom, and an outlet store. Kartell is theirs and so is Artemide and some other brands.  They have several and they have Scandi design and Scandi inspired furniture – mostly from Malaysia – that can be quite affordable when they are on sale. Make sure to ask what their best possible discount is, if you pay cash and also if they have 0% installment schemes with your bank. I especially love their Scandi insired couches. However when buying couches, always make sure to get ones that are comfortable to sit in, with removable covers or cushions so that they are easy to clean and if they do get stained, it’s easier to reupholster or have couch covers made.

Dexterton Greenbelt

3rd Floor Greenbelt 5 • 217-6121 / 738-1521 / 217-5389 • email us at info@dexterton.com

MORE TO DISCOVER

So my lovely Declutter MNL members have suggested more Makati shops to this growing list! I would like to share them with you below. Click on them to get more info:

  • Nordik Concept in LRI
  • Lady Scott Jones has Scandinavian collections

Soon I’ll be sharing where I score IKEA and other Scandinavian deals online, so that it gets delivered straight to my home. That’s one of my secrets to reducing stress while living in a super busy Metropolis like Manila: HAVE EVERYTHING DELIVERED.

Do you have any other go to places to buy Scandinavian Stye Furniture in Metro Manila – even if it’s not Makati?  Please share in the comments below.

Leave a Comment · manila shopping

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

READ MORE
 

LET’S GET SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

TRAVEL DIARIES: Fischer’s Fritz Zürich

Summer hack: Portable Neck Fan

Summer hack: Leguano Barefoot Wet/Dry Shoes

Excellent Chinese Food at Le Tsé Fung in La Réserve

AirPod Anti-lost Accessories Philippines

DISCLOSURE

I am an Amazon affiliate, but all opinions are my own. The content of all my blog and social media posts are products and experiences that I truly enjoy and I only work with brands that fit my life and style.

GOOD TO KNOW GUIDE

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @UNDIPLOMATICWIFE

HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

#UDWinGeneva #UDWgenevagoodtoknow #expatingeneva #diplofamily #expatlife #genevaswitzerland #expatingeneva #filipinoingeneva #pinoyingeneva #movingtogeneva #movingtoswitzerland #movingtogeneva #genevaexpats #switzerlandexpatlife #geneva #genevaswitzerland
MERCADONA HAUL Whenever we go to Spain, we love t MERCADONA HAUL

Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
MARINA BADALONA HOTEL At first we were going to MARINA BADALONA HOTEL 

At first we were going to stay in the heart of Barcelona, where we stayed 8 years ago (I didn’t even know that @diplobaby was already in my tummy at 2 weeks old) but the “hotel” is now expensive with no amenities & small rooms. So TD found a hotel in #badalona - a 20min taxi ride from Barcelona city center - that was so fabulous & slightly less expensive.

SAVE THIS NOW for future trips to Barcelona

WHY I LOVED marinabadalona
🤍 All white interiors was so beautiful & calming
🤍 Gorgeous view of the Marina 
🤍 Everything was so aesthetic, even where you tap your card to enter the room
🤍 Massive bed
🤍 Electric curtains
🤍 Lots of closet space & hangers
🤍 2 TVs
🤍 Refrigerator
🤍 White/cream Nespresso & kettle
🤍 Architecture & interior design is sooooo me!
🤍 Small rooftop pool with unbelievable views (need to do a separate post)
🤍 5min walk to the beach
🤍 Gorg esplanade
🤍 Yummy restos beside
🤍 Mercadona right beside - so convenient!

FEW RECOS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
✌️ Loved the textured wall paper, but it’s difficult to keep clean inside the bathroom
✌️ The bathroom surface area was a bit small & our stuff kept falling off the sink
✌️ Not a single chair in the family room so when we had room service we had to eat standing
✌️ No salt & pepper with room service so we called to ask & were told we would be charged for them taking it up. After TD clarified that there was no S&P with our meal, they said they would bring it up. The person brought a small bowl of of salt & pepper combined. The salt was for DiploBaby’s salmon, but he can’t eat pepper, I wanted both for my pesto. Had to run down in my slippers & the resto staff were very apologetic coz who serves a mixed S&P ever? They gave me individually packaged ones which I really appreciated.
✌️ Since the hotel has a pool & is by the beach, I wish there was a place to hang & dry swim suits. Our suits & watershoes did not dry in the tub.

All in all the value we got from staying in this hotel was so high compared to a more expensive hotel in Barcelona. No hotel stay is perfect.

Now, would I stay there again? YES PLEASE! Would you?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Designed by Fancy Girl Design Studio.