FURNitalia’s Florence Ko redefines luxury living by furnishing homes, as well as furnishing hopes.
There is a saying that an automobile is how a person wants to be seen, but a home is who a person is. And with the current locked down state of the economy temporarily garaging cars, people suddenly have a lot more time to ponder who they truly are.
Enter Florence Ko, managing director for FURNitalia – the sole purveyor of luxury Italian furniture in the Philippines. In it’s almost two decades of existence, few companies are uttered in the same breath when it comes to selecting the most luxurious, the most bespoke, and arguably the best pieces to sit in, sleep on, and live with. But for Mrs. Ko the community quarantine has made her realize that it’s not just about spending time at home, but spending time in hope.
“There is so much anxiety, because there is so much that’s unknown,“ she shares in relation to the lockdown, “but being stressed only leads to more sickness.” So instead of worry, this haven maven reached for the Word. “365 times it’s mentioned in the Bible – ‘Do not be afraid’ or ‘Do not be anxious.’ If you meditate on the Word of God, it will calm you down.”
From one accustomed to hosting lavish dinners for Manila’s elite at FURNitalia’s Bonifacio Global City showroom, Mrs. Ko has also opted hosting more online gatherings.
“I and a couple of friends gather as often as possible together (online) to learn God’s word and His promises.” As someone who nurtures her physical as well as spiritual life, she entertains the thought that lockdown might be a way for God to reach out to humanity – by making people sit still and feel His presence. “For is it not written,” espouses Mrs. Ko from memory, “Show me your ways Lord, teach me Your path, guide me in Your truth – for You are God my Savior and my hope is in You all day long.”
In addition to the presence of the divine, Florence Ko also confesses to feeling the presence of more people – those around her.
Working Class
“I (used to) work from Monday to Sunday,” she recalls, “I go to the office, have breakfast there – then usually when I come home in the evening, it’s usually straight to the room.”
She confesses to not having enough time to explore her own house and appreciate her own furniture pieces, as well as doing more mundane tasks. But “during the lockdown I cooked all the time! I also helped my washerlady wash clothes, watered the plants,” Florence shares, “and I was the only one allowed out to do groceries, so I truly felt like a frontliner.” And while it is a stretch to imagine someone whose regular work must involve inventory keeping, in the off-chance that someone would like their place furnished as finely as the Louvre, the Vatican or Buckingham Palace – Mrs. Ko indeed pulled up her sleeves, as well as weeds. “There was a time when I decided I wanted to swim, but the pool was dirty. Since all our help stay out, I did it myself!” She notes the experience was tougher than it looks.
Being an empty-nester, she also shares that it’s “only my husband and me. We have to depend on one another.” Florence happily notes that she and her husband, William, can now regularly have breakfast together. And sleep late. And sleep in. “So again, maybe this is a blessing – God’s way of helping families become closer to one another.”
Still, the lady boss of FURNiItalia allocates pride of place towards her business – as well as the people who rely on her.
From Florence with Love
Poltrona Frau, Molteni & C, Giorgetti, Fiam, Venini, Penta … – these are just some of the imported Italian brands that have placed their trust on the Florence and William Ko team.
“Our business wasn’t affected that quickly,” Florence says, who has taken to helping friends’ enterprises who’re more hard hit by buying their products (such as baked goods, fresh seafoods and others), “if you notice, even during normal operations our showroom doesn’t have very heavy traffic.” A quick glance around their spacious BGC showroom – replete with shifting, stylish showcases for bedroom, bathroom, and beyond – confirm this. “So whether we are on MCQ, GCQ, or what-have-you – we’re on social distancing, by default!”
Still, Florence admits that business is slowly being affected. “We’re grateful for the business of our long-term clients.” She says, referring perhaps to well-heeled socialites and discerning customers. But Mrs. Ko instead humbly designates her clients as: “People who want to make their homes nicer.”
Indeed, Mrs. Ko believes that the shift to a more work-from-home economy will help the furniture business. “You spend more time at home, so you renovate, improve areas. Everyone will want a space for themselves.”
And in this, she foresees two main problems.
“One is that online shopping is not so effective for our product,” she notes, despite toying with 360 degree virtual showrooms, “People like to be tactile with the product. They want to be there in person, to see the dimensions.” Ever protective of her employees as well as customers, Mrs. Ko (oft clad in a cerulean colored protective gown), has staff doing round-the-clock cleaning, and wearing immaculately white personal protective equipment (PPEs) 24/7. FURNitalia is ever-ready for any sudden walk-in – pandemic or no.
“And then there is the second problem – which is delivery.” She says that unlike grocery shopping, where stuff is easily bought for later pick-up – bespoke furniture requires special handling.
“But we’re in it for the passion,” affirms Florence, who considers pieces less expensive as they are increasingly essential – “profit is a requirement for any business. But more important is passion. It’s more exciting and fulfilling if you have passion.”
It’s a promise that she fulfills by providing “a place for everything, and everything in its place” and furnishings that ensure “a space for everyone, with everyone at their pace.” It remains her ardent hope from home.
Start investing in your own work-from-home pieces by FURNitalia. Follow them on social through their Instagram and Facebook or visit their showroom located at 30th Street corner Rizal Drive, Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
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