SETTING foot in her home, one instantly gets swept up in the interior that’s embellished with elegant and eclectic touches complementing one another.
“My mom and I are really into weird things,” shared Patrice Huang, or Patty, while pointing out a few pieces as an example; like the phone booth in the wall or the figurine of a dog with a watering can for a head they bought in Hong Kong. “It’s the weirdest thing but I love it so much!”
Her home showed more than character and colors bursting at every corner as it told a collective display of fond memories from their travels. In fact it was their love for all things quirky that got Patty to venture into her business called Simple Wishes Home.
“We love to travel together so that’s where everything came from. Every piece has a story. Eventually from all our travels, we were just like, ‘Mom we have to stop because there’s nowhere to put it,’” she recalled, laughing. “That’s basically the summary of how Simple Wishes Home started because I realized, I actually enjoy buying things for the house but it’s not for us anymore because we have no more space for it.”
The brand was established late last year and carries products from home accents to accessories sure to make any ordinary space feel extraordinary, which patrons can check out at the fourth floor of their home located on 570 Don Gil Garcia St., Capitol Site, Cebu City by appointment basis.
More than a hobby, this is a passion of hers. She’s done two exhibits and currently there are products of her brand on display at restaurant District on 53rd and home and accessories line Holidawn Home. Apart from being a businesswoman, Patty’s also an interior decorator who’s at present involved in a number of projects like a bed and breakfast and restaurant to name a few.
Although the thought of starting up a business of her own felt scary, pressure-filled and challenging for her especially during the first few months, she also shared its upside which is the boundless creativity and freedom that came with it, both of which are very important to her being a creative person.
“There’s so much freedom which is what I like; my mind just goes crazy, I can be my own person. I don’t have to fit to anyone’s standards,” she said.
Next to that is learning from those who’ve been in the industry for a long time, like her mother, Debbie Huang, founder of styling firm Simple Wishes and whom she fondly calls her best friend. “I’m really super close to my mom; she’s like my sister, but she’s still my mom,” she joked. “Ever since I was a kid, because I was the eldest—so my mom’s business has been there for like 18 years—whenever she’d have an event, she’d always bring me around. I’d be that kid sleeping on the floor in the ballroom waiting for her.”
Having worked closely with her through the years, she shared some of her mother’s traits she greatly admires and picked up as well like being punctual, hardworking, hands on, how she deals with people and her never-ending ideas. “We (our generation) think we can do it all but I realized we need the guidance of role models. For me my mom is my biggest role model. I appreciate her advice. You have to really learn from someone you look up to or who’s done the business.”
Talking about future plans and goals, Patty plans on putting up a store and putting together a staff for Simple Wishes Home. She also shared her dreams of having her own design firm in the future.
While that’s in the works, she continues to try out different things, push herself more and learn the ropes while reveling in the endless possibilities. “That’s where I am in my life right now. I’m finding myself. I’m still at the point where I’m still figuring it out. There are so many options for me,” she said.