From its humble beginnings in a backyard to its current status as a design house manufacturing a wide-range of furnishings to various hotels and resorts in the Philippines, Prizmic and Brill has undergone a remarkable journey, showcasing the Gregorian-Victorian tradition of campaign furniture.
Matthew Brill, the driving force behind Prizmic and Brill, established the company in 1986. His journey began with quality control checks for abaca bags exported to the US market, igniting his interest in the industry. His family's involvement in the interior design sector, with his mother and sister, further fueled his passion.
"I started contemplating creating my own products, which led me to replicate an old rattan suitcase. Hiring a sample maker and sourcing raw materials for all components marked the inception of the business in my backyard," Brill recalled.
Prizmic and Brill specializes in campaign furniture, designed to break down or fold for ease of travel. The brand offer different product categories – Campaign, Orient Express, Voyager, Boho, Dojo, Titanic, Club, and Hospitality – each thematic in its own right.
The Voyager collection, reminiscent of furniture found on old boats, and the Orient Express line, evoking the luxury of train travel across Europe, are the categories that serve as the pillars of the business, shaping its identity and contributing to their success today. Boho is the latest collection line, revered for its unconventional designs and the use of lively colors, textures, and patterns to create these free-spirited items.
Regarding the materials used in their furniture, Prizmic and Brill sources leather hides globally, which are then processed and embossed by an affiliate tannery. These hides are subsequently hand-tipped in their facility. For metals, they utilize black iron, stainless steel, or brass. Mahogany is their preferred wood due to its renowned durability and strength. Additionally, they incorporate organic materials such as hand-woven split full-peel rattan, braided abaca, hand-loomed raffia, and Portuguese cork.
Brill shared how their products have a formula that resonates with their owners saying, “We aim for a mixed medium, a touch of complexity, a hint of extravagance, and embellishment to the extreme. It grabs the attention of buyers or even those just passing by.”
He continued, “We all aspire to surround ourselves with items that reflect our identity, pieces that we admire for their craftsmanship and desire to live with. That's what we try to achieve: to create those special pieces that people long to come home to, representing their travels or something desirable that enhances their environment.”