As a decorated makeup artist, Jake Galvez is no stranger to turning a blank canvas into a gorgeous landscape of creative expression. The experience and taste level that he has developed over the years translates clearly in his artsy BGC space, bought as a fully white unit that has since been transformed into a quintessentially Japandi haven.
Warm wood paneling contrasts the Italian Calacatta marble tiles, with shelving and furnishings in true neutral tones to tie it all together. Overlooking a view of the bustling city, Jake presents the abstract art that adorns the walls from the likes of great contemporary painters like Ivan Acuña.
From the living area alone, you can see a love of fine art meeting a sense of functionality and minimalism. The Kenneth Cobonpue Chiquita stool embodies this combination, creating simple visual interest while serving multiple purposes as both a stool and a side table. Moving toward the entertainment area, even the TV rests above console controllers as a work of art via The Frame, Samsung’s 43” smart TV that uses a frame-like bezel and a customizable screen to blend in with the rest of the wall art in this home.
1 - Tufted 2 Seater Living Room Sofa, 2 - Khaki Paisley Throw Pillow, 3 - Scented Sibol Soy Wax Candle, 4 - Husky Small Metal Lantern, 5 - Nodum Candle Holder, 6 - Pelican Crystal Marble Figurine, 7 - Celestial Soy Candle 8 - Luminor Rattan Side Table
The Calacatta seamlessly transitions as you enter the bathroom, combing the floors and walls with ease. Nothing else detracts from this visual treat, as you are met with a clear glass shower enclosure, sleek rain shower fixtures, and a crisp LED mirror that can be programmed to play music and provide light from its frame. Right across, a pristinely organized beauty closet holds the essence of what makes Galvez a pro at his craft - top-tier skincare, lush scents, and tools curated to complete a look.
Throughout his tour, he muses on his love of music and art, and you can see how every section of this space is built with that in mind. In his own words, “Every morning I sit… grab a cup of coffee and just stare at the view, relax, and listen to music and appreciate art."
Entering the bedroom, more pieces collected through the years take up most of the visual space and leave the rest free of clutter and excess. Both contemporary and rare pieces from the 12th century immediately meet your eye line, lovingly kept from adventures in Brussels, Thailand, Turkey, and more.
Even the plain white Italian sheets on the bed simply serve as the perch for pillows that feature Botticelli and Van Gogh. On the bedside table, a Kenneth Cobonpue lamp sits next to a stand of masks and headbands for his essential skincare routine. Right underneath is a dog bed from ITOOH, carefully placed to allow their beloved dog Tokyo to sleep in the same room.
9 - Orient Suitcase White Wash Rattan, 10 - Serenity 2, mixed media painting, 11 - Black Alien Bees Remix Pillow Cover, 12 - Marble Round Display Tray, 13 - Into the Woods, mixed media painting, 14 - Brown Plain Cushion Pillow, 15 - TENCEL™ Lyocell 3-PC Cream Bedsheet Set 16 - Monkey Animal Figurine Display Tray
Custom-built drawers do the heavy lifting for keeping the space minimalistic, hiding books, a prized collection of snowglobes from across the world, and other knick-knacks. The ash panels are maintained throughout the space, present in the bedroom, living area, and kitchen. Marble countertops keep practical cooking and washing areas clean and appealing, while more art pieces hang on the walls.
Where the main foundations of the home are sleek and monochrome, Galvez injects variety using mixed genres and mediums of art from the likes of Tejido, and Fornasetti. Both Parisian and Filipino artists speak most to his heart, along with sketches of him and his partner, Martin. “I love anything that has color [and is] abstract.”
The dining area continues the theme of creative ways to make space. In a corner of the unit, a large panel can come down and be converted into a functional dining table. Clear glass chairs are neatly stacked and readily available whenever it’s time to eat.
Finally, the kitchen ties in the final perfect puzzle piece to a unit that maximizes the functionality of its space without sacrificing one’s personality and vision. A De’Longhi espresso machine stands out from the hanging cabinets, dubbed as the overused star of the kitchen by Galvez himself. Behind the wood panels, a pull-out dish rack emerges for easy access.
17 - Paparazzi Solid Ashwood Dining Armchair, 18 - Golden Horde, mixed media painting, 19 - Songdream Stretch Dining Table , 20 - Void, oil painting on canvas, 21 - Soho Bar Stool
All sections that would have otherwise gone to waste are converted to functional space. The cutting board perfectly slides into the sink’s divet, allowing a quick transition from preparation to cleaning. Upper sections of the wall feature more built-ins that carry pull-out spice racks, extra plates, glasses, and a vast collection of coffee. The decked-out ref also hides behind a sliding wood panel, resting just above a washer-dryer.
Just as Galvez intimately constructs an idealized picture on a client’s face, so does he bring the same out in his own home. It’s hard not to leave in awe after exploring this quaint space, where everything you need is neatly tucked away and you simply have the leisure to sit back and look at the finely picked beauty that surrounds you.
