Genteelhome begins with one Filipino word as the starting point towards bringing thoughtfully made furniture pieces to life. The word Sibol describes emergence and growth. It was aptly chosen as the guide word for Genteelhome’s latest furniture series titled The Burnt Collection. As with the previous editions, such as Bigkis and Payak, founder and creative principal Katrina de Leon reiterates that a brand rooted in bespoke craftsmanship must come from a place of meaning and purpose.
Genteelhome’s newest release, The Burnt Collection, makes use of the process of burning wood slabs in order to achieve its unique finish. De Leon explains how a piece of wood goes through the process of extreme heat and pressure in order to materialize as something more interesting, different, and ultimately beautiful. It draws heavily from the philosophy that beauty and resilience will emerge from exposure to heat and pressure, much like how the human spirit navigates through trials and difficulties and comes out of them renewed and enhanced.
At first glance, the furniture pieces look modern yet unassuming. Upon taking a closer look, the emphasis on craftsmanship becomes difficult to ignore. Charred mahogany wood with a matte finish shows every subtle grain. In each dining chair or coffee table, you will find traces of hand-finishing. There is not a single nail or screw in sight to compromise the aesthetic. Instead, the craftsman makes use of wooden dowels to reinforce the joints of each woodwork, providing superior structural strength. Each creation is built with intention. Having sustainability in mind, even wood scraps are put to good use and formed to strengthen every fixture.
Other notable pieces, such as the Thrive accent chair, boldly reveal the state of wood during mid-transformation—where only parts of the piece are charred while the rest retains its original color, emphasizing the state of one striving to reach balance.
The Character dining chair set incorporates other textures and age-old Filipino techniques like the solihiya and reintroduces itself as a contemporary and versatile home statement.
The Grit makes use of natural wood carved into unique patterns as well as burnt wood to create a side table that is both a conversation piece and a functional living room addition.
For Filipino tastes and preferences, The Burnt Collection is adaptable by nature. Each piece adds much depth to its surroundings through its deep contrasts and subtly commands attention against light, airy spaces. It is furniture made to stand out but still provide a sense of calm to a space.
With a main showroom located in Pampanga, Genteelhome likewise offers custom services to clients, as well as to those who would like to revive their old furniture pieces using the burnt technique. As a brand distinguished for its proactive approach, its thirteen years of success comes as no surprise and is a testament to their principle rooted in meaning, drive, and substance.
The artisans at Genteelhome create by telling a story, and The Burnt Collection tells one of resilience, transformation, and emergence. These are words that have also described the Filipino people. From one word, Sibol, a new line was launched, but it has simultaneously incorporated a change in perspective—one where true beauty is found not only in flawlessness, but also in transformation.
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