RACONTEURPH

Ray of hope: Genteel Home opens first-ever showroom in Pampanga

Genteel Home Furniture Boutique and Lifestyle, an all-Filipino furniture and art pieces shop, has officially opened its first showroom in San Fernando, Pampanga. Held last Sunday, the event was attended by government officials, clients, and employees headed by interior designer Kat De Leon. She sat down with select members of the media to share some insights about the establishment.

Starting as an unplanned venture for a client in 2013, De Leon eventually fell in love with the process of making furniture pieces. She has enjoyed the liberty of adding details, enhancing colors, and improving the ergonomics of the pieces that they produce. De Leon likened the experience to serendipity that she has kept on developing until she decided to launch the business and open a showroom publicly.

“It was not a business for me. It is my passion. But now, since it is already a business and I have people who are helping me in the construction, we have already fixed the cost. Definitely not low-cost, knowing that it is difficult to compromise quality. We have practical choices but we do have high-end,” said De Leon.

Amid the competitive furniture market, De Leon said Genteel’s edge relies on the involvement of the client in planning a furniture piece. “Our products bring genuine experience as our clients are involved in the planning process. Even if you would order a single chair, I would like to know who you are and the function of the chair would be. I must feel your personality so that I could curate the pieces that you are ordering from me,” said De Leon.

During the planning process, many clients have already preferred designs in mind that might complement the space, the house’s location, and the lifestyle of the owner. De Leon said while the client’s inputs are being considered, she would give them options. She mentioned the importance of establishing a relationship with the clients and communicating with them if there would be changes in materials instead of giving them false promises and making them disappointed. 

While many business owners have decided to fold up due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a surprising and courageous move for De Leon to open Genteel’s first-ever showroom in the country. “It is hope,” she said, “I want to give them hope that even if it is pandemic, we can still start anew and open doors. It is now the best time for us to help Filipino entrepreneurs.” Apart from furniture pieces, the showroom also showcases art pieces and other crafts from other Filipino artists as part of their collaboration with De Leon.

“Art and furniture pieces are helping a lot of people in addressing mental health problems. Simply change the color of a wall and your house’s aura becomes different. I also want to give hope to local designers that this is the best time for us. Not next year. Not when everything is fluid. We have to set apart. Tell them that even if it is difficult, we have to do something in a brighter way by beautifying homes and supporting people,” said De Leon.

Currently, Genteel’s team is working on putting up a website with interactive features, which will be launched in 2022. De Leon is also preparing to add another showroom in Metro Manila, citing that most of her clients, around 80 percent of them, are based in the country’s urban capital. The upcoming store would sell small items.

With plans to set up a showroom in Metro Manila, De Leon and the Genteel team are obviously unfazed by the increasing competition in the home design and furniture space brought about by international brands. “We are Filipinos. Speaking on behalf of Filipino manufacturers, our products are different and we have our own way of addressing the needs of our fellowmen. We are actually welcoming the fact that more businesses are investing in our country. But we go back to what we know. I am proud of our products. Sino pa ang bibilib sa kapwa Filipino kundi tayo rin. Ang gagaling ng mga kamay ng mga craftsmen natin,” she said.