Tropical Interiors. Elizabeth V. Reyes

Mehitabel, alongside modern designs by Manila-based companies.

      Contemporary ideas in rustic furniture include biomorphic lounging chairs and standing lamps fashioned from handmade paper. These are designed by Val Padilla for Locsin International, a leading furniture exporter who has successfully tapped into the Italian and German markets. Created from twisted seagrass woven over steel tube frames, the singular Penelope chair and the two-part lounging chair, Angelo, are ideal for any contemporary space. The two upright, faux-Japanese paper lamps, were conceived originally for the Italian market: " The Italians wanted lamps that reminded them of the Orient," recalls Padilla.

      Stylist Castro uses the lanai too to showcase earthy yet chic accessories made of stoneware and creative grasses. Quezon potter, Ugu Bigyan, displays his latest organic creations along with a giant black stoneware rock, meant to imbue an urban home with rustic flair. And displayed on every tabletop are the varied, ultra-organic, grass arts by Renata Vidal of First Binhi Co.

      Contemporary luxe in the Aguila main sala. The modern square coffeetable is by fine-furnisher Designs Ligna Inc. Elegant sofa upholsteries were sourced in England. The colourful cock-fight painting on the easel is by Cacnio, cockfight specialist.

      The inner den speaks quietly tropical and tastefully refined in the classic conventions of Mehitabel furniture (Cebu). The floral painting is by surrealist-modernist Onib Olmedo in an unusually happy period.

      Aguila's antique kamagong mesa altar is dressed with thoroughly modern accessories as the indigo blue stoneware jars and a painted plate by potter Ugu Bigyan of Quezon. The giant laminated mirror with a 'wood-strings parquet' motif comes from Johanna Lacson, the recycled crafts' designer of Bacolod and Manila.

      Rustic modern furnishings in all-natural materials. Penelope is a sculptural seagrass seat conjured from the plump grass plaited over a steel tube framework; it's comfy too. The shapely paper lamp makes a modern statement for Filipino design as oriental, organic and ornamental. Both designs are by Val Padilla for Locsin International. Accent cubes bundled in natural twine, by Renata Vidal for First Binhi Corp.