LOOK: Interior Designer Cynthia Almario’s Maximalist Party in a Minimalist Place - LA Lives

Cynthia Almario’s home is a modernist dream. “I love to have black and white themed parties,” she says. But she does classic tablescapes. So for her party, she had two set-ups. “I love [shades of] blue and white,” the interior designer shares.

That day’s affair was a get together with siblings as a welcome party for her mother, who had arrived from the U.S. “My house is a party house. I always hold class reunions, family get togethers, birthday celebrations, Christmas and New Year parties, or any excuse to hold a party.”

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Interior designer Cynthia Almario at home for Lifestyle Asia (Photography by Kieran Punay)
Interior designer Cynthia Almario at home for Lifestyle Asia (Photography by Kieran Punay)


In the hands of those who lack design acumen, an opulent display of food may look overwhelming. But under Cynthia’s keen decorative eye, the layout of the food is just as artfully designer as her tablescapes. Decorative elements for the buffet table includes risers to prop the dishes up in different levels. “I love doing the tablescape and the menu,” she says.

At the end of the day, what is most important to Cynthia are the company and the food. “Good food, good ambience and good company are ingredients to a very memorable party,” she says.

Scroll down to see more photos from Cynthia Almario’s party… 

Cynthia Almario's black and white tablescape perfectly matches the aesthetic of her minimalist home (Photography by Kieran Punay)
Cynthia Almario’s black and white tablescape perfectly matches the aesthetic of her minimalist home (Photograph by Kieran Punay)
Cynthia Almario's display of food recalls that of still life paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, albeit in a more contemporary arrangement (Photography by Kieran Punay)
Cynthia Almario’s display of food recalls that of still life paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, albeit in a more contemporary arrangement (Photograph by Kieran Punay)
Decorative elements for Cynthia's buffet table includes risers to prop the dishes up in different levels (Photography by Kieran Punay)
Decorative elements for Cynthia’s buffet table includes risers to prop the dishes up in different levels (Photograph by Kieran Punay)
Cynthia Almario hosted a welcome party for her mother, who returned home from the United States (Photograph by Kieran Punay)
Cynthia Almario hosted a welcome party for her mother, who returned home from the United States (Photograph by Kieran Punay)
Cynthia encourages her guests to pick and taste whatever they like
Cynthia encourages her guests to pick and taste whatever they like (Photograph by Kieran Punay)
A sakura-based cocktail inspired by the cherry blossom season of Japan (Photograph by Kieran Punay)
A sakura-based cocktail inspired by the cherry blossom season of Japan (Photograph by Kieran Punay)


This article was originally published in our latest coffee table book “Lifestyle Asia. Millennials. Travel. Entertaining.”
To see more parties from Manila’s most discerning hosts and hostesses, you can purchase the book by sending us a private message on Instagram (@lifestyle_asia) or on our Facebook page. The book is also available in leading bookstands.

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