MANILA, Philippines – For this season, go beyond the departments of store-bought and infuse a little DIY for your holiday home décor. More than just sprigs of plastic pine, go for a living, breathing bough of succulents to refresh any room; a centerpiece fit for any Noche Buena tablescape, assembled with quartz crystal; silver or gold bark? Rustic or radiant? Your laurels are the limit.
We asked three of our go-to jewelers to design a holiday-ready wreath decorated with their own fine pieces: a Yuletide loop embellished with haute joaillerie. We commissioned these garlands to inspire your own festive fantasy.
On setting a festive mood, decorating for the holidays and the Christmas traditions they can’t live without, here at YStyle, we’re keeping things strictly ornamental.
AC+632
Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo, retailers at AC+632 and Firma, chose to recreate an enchanted forest for their version of a fantasy wreath. Lacquered in metallic silver, the hints of miniature fruits and berries still made for a verdant touch. The pair used crystal pavé brooches from Firma and AC+632 in the form of salamanders, chameleons and bird wings for their accents.
YSTYLE: What inspired your wreath?
CHITO VIJANDRE and RICKY TOLEDO: An enchanted forest. To give it an otherworldly glow, we sprayed it with metallic silver paint and added berries and miniature fruits. The highlights are the jeweled creatures that inhabit the forest.
How do you embrace the holidays when it comes to setting a festive mood?
Lots of flowers all around the house set the mood. Our Sung jar by the entrance foyer welcomes guests with an epic arrangement of tropical flowers. Fresh poinsettias are scattered around the house. Sampaguitas festoon our gilded Buddhas and even our chandelier is made more festive with asparagus vines.
When it comes to décor for your home, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Decadence in all aspects, whether it’s the tree made of antique crystal chandelier hangings or the dining centerpiece overflowing with fruits, nuts, Victorian silver and crystal.
Name one holiday style tradition that you can’t live without.
CV: I always change the bulbs of our chandelier into candles so that the dining room has a warm glow.
RT: I bring out our late parents’ monogrammed silver cutlery and combine them for the Noche Buena dinner so this way, we remember them more during this most joyous occasion.
* * *
AC+632 is at 2F Greenbelt 5 and Firma is at 1F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati.
Janina Dizon
Janina Dizon Hoschka, jeweler at Janina for Jul Dizon, opts for a wreath inspired by an opera-length necklace, clasped with velvet and sprigs of pine. Garlands of malachite beads round out the drop, tasseled with orange and amethyst fringe, accented with a maple leaf brooch of winter tones — set with tourmaline, sapphires and rubies in yellow gold.
YSTYLE: What inspired your wreath?
JANINA DIZON: I’ve always wanted to infuse a jeweler’s touch in everything that I do, so when YStyle asked me to do a wreath, I wanted to use some materials out of the ordinary. I started playing around with the idea with my niece, Jacqui. We even toyed around with stingrays. But in the end, we thought an opera-length necklace of greens would ultimately be more festive. I love the idea of a wreath that comes from nature.
How do you embrace the holidays when it comes to setting a festive mood?
The holiday season is a special time for my family. We usually decorate the tree and leave shoes out for St. Nickolas (a German tradition). We embrace the Filipino, the American and the German traditions during Christmas. Triple the fun!
When it comes to décor for your home, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
My décor, I believe, has always had personal meaning for me. Every year, I add a portrait ornament of my family to the tree. Hopefully, many years from now, we can look back at a Christmas tree full of our personal memories.
Name one holiday style tradition that you can’t live without.
Christmas Eve is always surrounded by the best china, linen and silverware. My mom (jeweler Jul B. Dizon) taught us to believe in having the best of everything so the night will usher in prosperity for the year ahead.
* * *
Janina for Jul Dizon is available at The Peninsula Manila, Makati City and at janinadizon.com.
Joyce Makitalo
Jewelry designer Joyce Makitalo went into the woods for her holiday garland. Inspired by the Yucatán forest and Mayan jungles, Makitalo pieced together a living wreath garnished with succulents and wet foliage. Accented with pieces from her latest collection, Maroch, the designer went back to her recurring motif of Native American tribes with rings and pendants that also double as cuffs.
YSTYLE: What inspired your wreath?
JOYCE MAKITALO: My wreath is inspired by the Yucatán forest. It’s inspired by Mayan jungle flora and fauna, its critters and creeps. First, I went to the woods (haha), picked leaves, branches and berries, then sewed them onto the wreath. It makes a good nest for the weevils.
How do you embrace the holidays when it comes to setting a festive mood?
I put up the tree right after Halloween! I make sure I find new Christmas music every year (this year, I found Mairi Campbell). I keep the tsokolate eh flowing; queso de bola and honey-cured veg ham become table staples.
When it comes to décor for your home, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
A good ol’ fat Christmas tree! It never fails to remind me of beautiful childhood Christmas memories.
Name one holiday style tradition that you can’t live without.
Decorating the Christmas tree while drinking Spanish chocolate — with ground cashew, spiked with chili — and cramming it full until it can breathe no more. A full tree is a happy tree!
* * *
Joyce Makitalo is available at 1401 BSA Tower, 108 Legazpi St., Makati City or at Jmakitalo.com
Photos by HUB PACHECO
Sittings by DAVID MILAN
Special thanks to MOZAIC LIVING