Ito launches his Kish-mas collection

For the first time ever, Ito Kish and his eponymous home store are releasing a great, big Christmas collection. While past seasons have seen a few décors for the holidays, this one, he says, is “a Christmas celebration in a big way.”

This year’s Christmas pieces at Kish come from all over the world. He says one of his objectives is to keep the local market updated with what is new. “If you visit Collette, Merci of Paris or ABC Home Carpet of NYC, chances are we have an item or two that they are selling as well.” 

The past two years have been huge for Ito Kish — ticking off many firsts from his list. Last year, he designed his first furniture collection, the Gregoria, which marked his first exhibit at Manila Fame (for which he won best design).

The Gregoria — a design that uses wooden balustrades of different heights — is also now at the Gwangju Design Biennale as one of the 22 Icons of Asia. “They picked two chairs from 11 Asian countries that represent the vernacular and contemporary,” says Ito. “For the Philippines they picked the Peacock chair and the Gregoria.”

Last month he had his first showing at Maison et Objet in Paris with the Philippine delegation. It was an experience that he describes as tiring and exciting — being a newcomer still in the export industry and without a network of global distributors (as retailer, he’s always been an importer and so now he is experiencing business on the other side of the fence).  

It’s an experience he’s not likely to forget soon. “The CEO of DesignBoom, the on-line authority on arts, architecture, design and technology went gaga over the Gregoria and they featured it online just recently. Kelly Wearstler standing in front of you looking every inch a fab designer.”

So, now, Christmas is coming along and Ito has spruced up his showroom on Nicanor Garcia St. (formerly Reposo) in Makati. As always, the pieces in his showroom have “the classic style with a touch of elegance and hint of decadence.”

The pieces are in either glass (silver finials, mercury glass and silver pine cones), gems or use beads and copper as embroidery. “Our gift suggestions this holiday range from perfume bottles to satin boxes with copper embroideries, beautiful trays and boxes from Colombia. Our decors are wonderful pieces like eye-catching models of beautiful buildings. The models are stylish art pieces that can grace any bookshelf, desk or mantelpiece. Each one is handmade to a very high standard, and the artist reproduces the architect’s original design in exacting miniature model form. The restrained use of color allows a focus on form and detail.”

Restraint is one practice that Ito knows very well, whether in his own home in Makati or in his clients’ houses.

Some of the accessories in the collection use plaster with a very hard resin, which gives the models a reassuring weight and smooth, cool feel. “Some models also have fine details, such as window frames, etched in metal. All bases and backs are covered in felt. Ceramic and resin animal wall decors such fish, ram, hippopotamus, elephants and rhinos. Huge vases that can be used as one  or several pieces are such great gift items. We even have almost real looking magnolia flowers and foliage from Italy. And not to be missed are the new collection of furniture pieces that are all mid century inspired in luxurious velvet or leather, American oak wood and brass fittings. Not to forget our boxwood wreaths, topiary and balls in various sizes, all were initially frozen and treated to stay fresh looking for at least a couple of years. We even have antlers from Denmark and Sweden for the holidays.”

Christmas is always a big celebration here with trees and home décor going up even before All Saints’ Day, but it can also be a hit or miss with many homeowners. Ito’s tip: “Decorate with pieces that bring joy to your space, be experimental and mix things up. Always be creative and original. It may help to start with a theme or concept on how you want to decorate. The use of lights LED always brings extra joy.”

As for the biggest mistake that we can do to our homes when decorating for the holiday: “Over decorating to the point that your space looks like a Christmas shop, and using materials that look old and boring.

Like they say, less is more — it’s good for our spaces and it’s good for our budgets.

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Kish the showroom is located at 233 N. Garcia St., Bel Air, Makati.