Shamcey’s interior motive

MANILA, Philippines - Life is full of surprises. “You’ll never know what you gonna get,” as the famous movie line goes. Shamcey Supsup, now Mrs. Lloyd Lee, can attest to this.

Her entry to Binibining Pilipinas in 2011 seemed not to be on her bucket list. However, Shamcey’s Top 5 placement was expected, given her beauty and brains. Becoming the new host of Lifestyle Network’s Interior Motives came as a surprise to Shamcey. The lifestyle show airs Thursday nights at 9:30.

“I had been eyeing to have a TV show, related to home, interior or architecture,” Shamcey says. “And I watched Interior Motives Season One (which was then hosted by Angel Aquino).” While religiously following it, Shamcey would ask herself when she could do a similar show. As you and I know, her wish was granted.

According to Shamcey, Interior Motives is thematic week after week. The themes can range from colors to concepts like shabby chic and big and small. Viewers will see her visiting a space that represents a particular design concept and interviewing a homeowner or a designer. In a previous episode, Shamcey tagged along with the Interior Motives team and went to a small, intimate house with big furniture pieces. She checked out the space and gave her take on it.

“Usually, the (typical home TV) episode is just about one house,” Shamcey says of the show. “What’s good about (Interior Motives) is, there will be four segments which revolve around a theme.”

Since she is an architect by profession, expect honest comments from Shamcey. “(The challenge in hosting the show) is when the designer sounds technical and I’ll explain (his) ideas in layman’s terms,” she says. Among her favorite show segments are presenting “Tool Kit” and doing makeover.

“When you graduate, you’ll become a general practitioner,” shares Shamcey. “You can also further your studies. What I like best about being an architect is the implementation (of designs). I did project management for quite some time before. (People) have this notion that an architect is just a (home) designer. There are other fields one can go into like construction and research. I’m into construction. I like the enjoyment and fulfillment of seeing the design ‘growing’ (being developed). That’s what I like about the show. You can see the finish product.” To Shamcey, transforming a blank space into a furniture-filled space is priceless.

How does Shamcey deal with her clients? She says she would suggest designs and materials to be used. “But it all depends on the feel of the client. (For example,) one cannot expect that marble will have the same (consistency in) color because it’s a natural stone. Then, (I would tell the client to) try granite instead. I won’t impose because it’s the client’s home. It’s what his personality is about.”

As a person, Shamcey has the tendency “to speak too fast” and as a result, “I eat my words.” Interior Motives has helped her correct that “speaking habit” by relaxing and rehearsing her spiels for the voice-over. “I have to pretend that I’m talking to someone; my voice should be full of energy.” Although she can walk the talk and has the “interior motive” to make designing spaces fun and fulfilling, Shamcey does her homework before facing the camera. “I do my own research. We want (the designs) to be accessible.”

What makes architecture different from other fields of profession?

“Architecture is not like mathematics,” Shamcey answers. “Architecture is art. There’s always something new to discover and to learn. It’s not an exact art or science. Anything is possible. There’s no right or wrong. It’s just about (personal) preference or what you like. And you’ll get more ideas every time.”