Pardon for this late post, but I’m sure you’ve all heard it by now: Brooklyn-born home brand West Elm is finally in the Philippines—and it’s their very first store in Asia!
Imagine that? I guess that says a lot about the market here…more and more people are getting into making their homes and personal spaces more beautiful and livable. We work hard to make something out of our lives, so we all deserve to live in a place that makes us feel good. 

Lovely vertical garden of real plants inside West Elm's very first store in Asia!
Lovely vertical garden of real plants inside West Elm’s very first store in Asia!

According to the press kit, West Elm is “known for helping people express their personal style at home with authentic, affordable, and approachable products.” It’s also an international brand that works with local craftsman-communities from various countries to create furnishings that are often on-trend and make a statement. The Philippines is one of the countries it collaborates with, specifically with communities of capiz artisans, basket weavers, and potters. West Elm is also one of the home retail brands that highlights consciousness and sustainability—and again, I quote from the press kit—”from handcrafted and local products to supply chain transparency and sustainability.” This means they promise to make known publicly how their materials and products are sourced, developed, manufactured, refined, and transported—from producer down to consumer. From my own research (I follow West Elm on Instagram and have read a lot of articles about them and what they do online), I’ve also found that it is a brand that supports the local arts and artisanal communities. “Artisanal” is pretty big here in Manila these days, and it’s nice to see more and more people get on the “create” bandwagon, even if it is a bandwagon. Let’s hope a big retail brand like West Elm brings more attention to Filipino artists, and in turn inspire more Filipinos to create, instead of copy.
On to the store tour! It’s a pretty small space compared to its sister-brand Pottery Barn’s big, two-storey home in BGC. But its packed with a lot of pretty stuff. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
I love beautifully designed setups in stores. It helps me imagine how to use certain objects that I wouldn't otherwise know if they were just displayed on shelves.
I love beautifully designed setups in stores. It helps me imagine how to use certain objects that I wouldn’t otherwise know if they were just displayed on shelves.

Dying to get my hands on the gold cutlery.
Dying to get my hands on the gold cutlery. They’re a bit pricey though, at P2,250 for one set (for ONE pax huhuhu). Dinner for one, perhaps?

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Midcentury modern lines using upholstery and steel

These mirrors would make a great wall accent in an empty hallway wall, or maybe an entryway. Definitely saving up for these.
These mirrors would make a great wall accent in an empty hallway wall, or maybe an entryway. Definitely saving up for these.

More from their midcentury modern collection
More from their midcentury modern collection

Geometry on these pressed patterned jars
Geometry on these pressed patterned jars

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I don't have space anymore for more tea stuff, but these are too cute to pass up.
I don’t have space anymore for more tea stuff, but these are too cute to pass up.

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Take your pick from lacquer trays...
Take your pick from lacquer trays…

...or mirrored trays
…or mirrored trays.

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Copper measuring cups and spoons!
Copper measuring cups and spoons!

How pretty is this cheese set?
How pretty is this cheese set?

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Okay, these hobnail acrylic everything blew me away. So pretty and so toddler-/cat-friendly! Also saving up for these!
Okay, the hobnail acrylic glassware blew me away. So pretty and so toddler-/cat-friendly! Also saving up for these!

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The Jardine Collection—for outdoors
The Jardine Collection—for outdoors

I thought a while if I should buy these. I don't know what or where I would use them for now, but I know they will come in handy some day.
I thought a while if I should buy these. I don’t know what or where I would use them for now, but I know they will come in handy some day.

Cage terrariums <3
Cage terrariums <3

Weathered wood spheres
Weathered wood spheres

Plenty of objects to fill up shelves and surfaces with
Plenty of objects to fill up shelves and surfaces with

Love the combo of brass and glass
Love the combo of brass and glass

One of my favorite collections from this season
One of my favorite collections from this season

I mean, will you look at that? How very art deco
I mean, will you look at that? How very art deco

The shelf with Philippine-made items
The shelf with Philippine-made items

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White marble and wood!
White marble and wood!

Gold-lipped glasses
Gold-lipped glasses

Deliciously fragrant, wine-scented candles. Particularly enjoyed the rosé candle.
Deliciously fragrant, wine-scented candles. Particularly enjoyed the rosé candle.

There you have it! The first West Elm store in the country is in Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons in Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig. Mall’s pretty new, so parking still ain’t a b*tch (although traffic can get pretty bad…but isn’t it the same for the rest of the metro? Le sigh.)
Spotted your favorites? Follow them on Instagram too /@westelmph.