The Family Guy

(Ferdie Ong is grateful his parents showed him the value of money.)

WALKING into Ferdie Ong’s home in Forbes Park is like walking into what I imagine is everyone’s idea of a dream house. Aside from being spotlessly clean, the home comes alive with ultra-luxurious furniture that not only makes for great conversation pieces but also is actually comfortable enough to lounge on.

Ferdie is general manager of Living Innovations Corp., a seven-year-old company that has been bringing to Manila what can be described as the Rolls-Royce of furniture. Its roster of furniture brands for kitchen and living spaces reads like a photo shoot straight out of Wallpaper, the premier magazine for interior design: kitchens by Bulthaup and Gaggenau, living room sets by Minotti, bathroom fixtures from Agape, chandeliers from Lolli e Memmoli, outdoor furniture by Dedon, lamps by Martinelli Luce, stainless-steel office furniture from La Palma, just to name a few. All of these brands are considered global leaders in interior design.

Needless to say, these pieces come with quite hefty price tags that only the discerning handful can appreciate. In fact, as we settle in for our interview in an enclosed patio, I casually ask how much the five-piece set of woven furniture we were seated on cost. After quickly calculating each individual piece, Ferdie unblinkingly replies, “P800,000,” while the chair I had parked my butt on was P100,000. Hwat?!?! (Click Something Like Life for the rest. Photos courtesy Bridges@com)

(Minotti Wearing Bed designed by Rodolfo Dordoni)

(Dedon lounge furniture is a favorite among local hotels and resorts.)