Tastemaker interView: Rowena Gonzales

Words by: Rowena Gonzales
Photo Credit: Rowena Gonzales

 

Rowena Gonzales, the founder of Liquid Interiors Limited, shares insights on styling during the festive season.

 

 

Rowena Gonzales is a creative with a purpose. Her firm, Liquid Interiors, has earned international acclaim due to its unique portfolio that brings wellness and sustainability to city living. Gonzales’ approach aims to bring happiness to people by making each space tell a unique story about the client in a way that enhances a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. She seeks to make a positive impact by improving spaces where people spend most of their time.

Gonzales’ portfolio ranges from bespoke residential, residential development, workplaces, education, community, and wellness spaces. Her practice is guided by the highest standards of sustainability and wellness in the built environment, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), and the WELL Building Standard. Liquid Interiors has an impressive portfolio with works located in Hong Kong, China, and Europe. Her style brings emotion and meaning to every space in a sophisticated and modern way, balanced with nature.

 

 

What Asian design philosophies do you most often employ in your practice?

 

My Father grew up on a rice farm in the Philippines where they used to drink the water from a well next to their home. For them, sustainability was just the way of life. Nothing was wasted. And mostly anything that you didn’t need anymore could find a happy place in someone else’s home. They did not use toxic chemicals because they did not want to pollute their drinking water. They used natural building materials because that was what was available. Their plants were beautiful but also provided their food. Although I grew up in Canada, my parents kept a lot of their traditions alive. We had many fruit trees and a large garden. Eating together as a family was the most important thing.

 

As a Filipino Canadian I would say that my Asian design philosophies reflect the way I grew up:

  • Have lots of plants around, inside and outside, and if they can also provide food even better.
  • Minimize waste, and if there is something that you don’t need that can make someone else happy, donate it and give it a second life.
  • Prioritize the family dinner table. Eating is where all the fun happens in Filipino families.

 

What the most important things to consider when styling a space?

 

Let the styling tell your story. Make sure that your personality shines

 

 

What are the main ingredients for styling for Chinese New Year celebration?

 

I have been living in Hong Kong for the past 17 years and have grown to love Chinese New Year. Similar to its western counterpart where we often make our new year’s resolutions, Chinese New Year is connected to the first day of Spring. It is agriculturally the best time to plant new seeds and start new.

My main ingredient for styling for Chinese New Year is real plants. I stay away from plastic or electronic décor as well as single use decorations. I usually buy fresh flowers for the main living area as well as the bathrooms to give the feeling of spring to the home. I spritz orange water to give a fresh citrus smell throughout the home and make sure to keep the windows open for long periods of time so that the air is fresh and new.

In my own home, we usually make Siopao, a Filipino steamed rice bun dish influenced by Chinese cuisine. When we have guests, our dinner table is the main area we socialize and most of our décor is in sight while eating at the table.

 

Shop Rowena's Vermillion favorites here.