Property and Living
Southeast Asian design prowess and craftsmanship go to Maison et Objet
Southeast Asian design prowess and craftsmanship go to Maison et Objet
Genteel Home brings the Bigkis collection to Maison et Objet, the leading interior, design, and decor trade fair
From September 4 to 8, 2025, the Bigkis collection will make a mark at Maison et Objet, one of the most important European events for interior design, held biannually at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center in Paris, France. With 40 brand-new pieces by five renowned designers in Southeast Asia, local furniture maker Genteel Home will be heading and curating the platform that showcases ingenuity in design, sustainability in natural materials, and talent in workmanship from the region.
Drawn from the Filipino word for “ties” or “bonds,” bigkis represents a design that connects people, places, and ideas by transforming material, process, and intention into a shared cultural narrative.
“Bigkis is about creating spaces that reflect the warmth and togetherness at the heart of every Filipino home. It celebrates the family and the way our living spaces become the backdrop for shared stories and bonds. But we hope our Bigkis collection sparks a deeper interest and appreciation for Filipino design—not just abroad but also among our fellow countrymen,” says Genteel Home founder and principal designer Katrina Blanca de Leon.
Genteel Home is a recognized collaborator with various artists, artisans, and professionals in the same field. In these endeavors, De Leon makes sure to choose creatives who share the same vision and whose values are aligned with her production house. Specifically, she chooses partners who are keen on utilizing natural, eco-friendly materials. “We encourage as much as possible the creation of handcrafted artisanal pieces. We also look at how they value their heritage and incorporate culture when it comes to design.”
For the collection, the featured designers will be presenting their individual and distinctive visions. By blending Thai and Filipino materials such as nipa thatch and tinalak, Eggarat Wongcharit created globally adaptable pieces. Malaysian Keat Ong merges Eastern craftsmanship with Western campaign furniture in transformable and sustainable design. To craft poetic expressions of togetherness, Singaporean Lai Siew Hong used woven rope and timber. Kezia Karin reinterprets Indonesian jewelry motifs into furniture accents rich in cultural detail. Ivy Almario delivers functional art that reflects Filipino identity with a contemporary, pop-art energy.
The exclusive designs were brought to life by the hands of local artisans under the roof of Genteel Home, a collaborative effort that unites the textures, languages, and colors of Southeast Asia. Through shared techniques and sensibilities, local hands add depth and continuity to each designer’s contribution. Together, they present a textured landscape of cultural connection built on craft, trust, and collaboration.
More than just a furniture line, Bigkis is a statement of Southeast Asian representation, proudly delivered by Genteel Home.
“We wanted a stage to show how Asians are united in design, how tight we are when it comes to our relationship as neighboring countries, and how we complement each other when it comes not just in design, but also in culture. It is like a continuous threading of design, workmanship, culture, and our relationship with each other,” said De Leon.
Milan-based Filipino architect Michael Vincent Uy designed the Genteel Home booth at Maison et Objet that will mirror the richness of the Philippine archipelago, with flowing walls portraying the diverse Southeast Asian voices in harmony.