“Form follows function.” This is perhaps the most important—not to mention the most basic—mantra in design and architecture. And fittingly so, for it is function that dictates how we should design our homes.
For seasoned interior decorator and licensed architect Alice Erfe of Erfe & Associates, this means having all areas of the home planned and proportioned to accommodate standard furnishings, the users’ needs and daily activities, and with ample spaces left for storage.
But this is easier said than done. In the advent of small houses and condo units, decorating can be a real challenge, especially for couples with full-time jobs and have little time to do anything else.
The good news is that decorating shouldn’t be that difficult, said Erfe.
It’s a matter of carefully selecting and investing in well-proportioned and well-made furniture pieces.
For couples who find themselves in such a situation, Erfe offers a few useful pieces of advice.
1. Get a simple but stylish sofa that can double as a bed for guests.
Use a stylish slip-cover or neutral upholstery fabrics to partner it well with colorful throw pillows.
2. Dining tables can double as work desks.
They can be pushed against a wall to create more space or pulled to the center of the dining area to add more seats.
3. Do not waste that precious space underneath beds.
Pullouts, either for another bed or storage drawers, are great space-saving techniques. Choose nightstands with lamps to create soft lighting.
4. Gone are the days when TVs are bulky contraptions.
In the advent of LEDs, a great deal of space can be saved inside bedrooms with built-in TV walls complete with shelves, ledges, drawers for books, artifacts and personal stuff.
5. Opt for light chairs and occasional tables instead of the bulky ones, as the former can be easily moved around.
6. Furnish the unit with just the basics.
Avoid clutter by having too many pieces, or if you own several sets, rotate they décor—you don’t have to display everything at the same time. An additional tip: Maximize use of space by creating multifunctional, built-in entertainment, storage, and display cabinets.
It is this simple but incredibly useful philosophy that helped Erfe gained a following in the design world. Already a well-known and respected household name not only in the architectural field but also in interior design as well, Erfe’s long list of clients includes conglomerates and individuals, and her impressive portfolio comprises designs for offices, buildings, commercial establishments, condominium units, rest houses, and even mid-market homes. One of her more notable projects is 53 Benitez of Primaries, a subsidiary of Rockwell Land.
According to Erfe, 53 Benitez’ interior spaces are designed with the modern homeowner in mind. The units’ extra-tall ceilings and light wall and floor finishes can easily be decorated with a modern Scandinavian furnishing style.
These can all be seen in the project’s model units in Rockwell Center, and feature design details like drop ceilings, accent cove lighting, and accent wall treatments to create a stylish and cozy ambiance. Mirrored walls were also utilized to double the feel of space, and all units are planned with natural lighting and ventilation to make them light and airy. Erfe said,
53 Benitez’ interior design is very simple, cozy, and functional. Every inch of space has been considered for the end user’s needs.
Because it is developed Primaries, a subsidiary of upscale builder Rockwell Land, people will normally associate 53 Benitez with luxury. However, a luxurious design is something one can achieve without having to shell out too much, shares Erfe.
Simple and cozy elegance is very easy to achieve.
It all starts by selecting a theme, be it Scandinavian, contemporary Asian, modern, contemporary, or even an eclectic mix.
She also advises homeowners to choose their furniture wisely: sturdy and well-made yet simple pieces is the way to go. Neutral-colored fabrics for the sofa upholstery, window treatment, and bedding can be embellished and decorated with splash of colors from artworks, throw pillows, dining chair upholstery, rugs, bed runner, chinaware, napkins, placemats, and artifacts.
Asked to give any advice to new designers, Erfe shares her most basic philosophy:
Design for the clients, the users—for their needs, their preferences, [and] their personality.
She also advises designers to listen and be sensitive to the ideas that clients share, and use or filter those that they think will work well in the project.
“As an architect or an interior designer, your acquired expertise and taste will create for the clients the house, the home, or the project of their dreams—the structure or interiors that they will feel very comfortable in, that satisfies all their requirements and the project that they know you can create from the ideas they have given.
Indeed, in design the principle “form follows function” never fails.
