Crafted With Kindness
Genteelhome demonstrates how design can be an act of service, one that brings comfort, warmth, and solace.
Words Piolo Cudal
Photos courtesy of Genteelhome
December 27, 2025
Genteelhome proves that design can do far more–it can heal, comfort, and quietly stand beside those facing life’s hardest battles.
The Pampanga-based furniture atelier, known for its sustainable, bespoke creations, launched a long-term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative rooted in its guiding philosophy, “Made For You, Made with Love.”
Unveiled during the Genteelhome Gratitude Lunch on December 10, the atelier’s latest initiative, Crafted with Kindness: Cancer Care, marked the start of an annual CSR commitment in which the brand dedicates its craftsmanship to a different sector in need each year.
Genteelhome Collection
For its inaugural project, Genteelhome partnered with I Want To Share Foundation (IWTS) to design and create purpose-built furniture for the Bone Marrow Transplant wing of the Philippine General Hospital.
Design With Dignity
The BMT wing is a space where young patients undergo one of the most physically and emotionally demanding stages of cancer treatment. Here, comfort is not a luxury but a necessity.
Partners and VIPs gathered for the Genteelhome Gratitude Lunch on December 10.
Genteelhome responded by crafting loose furniture pieces that prioritize warmth, flexibility, and functionality. Lounge chairs encourage rest during long hospital stays. Side tables and movable desks on wheels adapt to the daily rhythms of patients and caregivers alike. Each piece is made from reclaimed materials and thoughtfully designed to support real, everyday needs
“Genteelhome is not just about the furniture—it’s about the memories created, the process of building each piece, and the lives intertwined with our craft,” said Katrina De Leon, Founder of Genteelhome.
Genteelhome Gratitude Lunch Attendees (L-R: Dong Ronquillo, Bonnie Tan, Sheila Romero, Talia Asuncion, and Atty Karen Jimeno)
For De Leon, the project reflects the atelier’s deeper purpose. Genteelhome emphasized the process behind each creation. With Crafted With Kindness, that philosophy extends beyond homes and into hospital corridors, where thoughtful design can offer moments of ease and reassurance.
Legacy of Care
For IWTS, the collaboration represents a long milestone, viewing the project as both practical and symbolic.
Representatives of the I Want to Share Foundation during the Genteelhome Gratitude Lunch | (L-R: Dong Ronquillo, Talia Asuncion, Bonnie Tan, Sheila Romero, and Pinky Antonio)
“Every piece they created for the Bone Marrow Transplant wing was made with care and designed to adapt beautifully to its users,” said Sheila Romero, Founder and Chairman of IWTS.
Romero emphasized how critical design is in healthcare spaces, especially in environments where patients are fighting for their lives.
“Genteelhome brought warmth, character, and dignity to the patients. The BMT wing is where patients face the toughest battles of their lives, and thoughtful design matters immensely.”
Ms. Sheila Romero of IWTS
This partnership also established a landmark achievement: the Philippines’ first charity-funded Bone Marrow Transplant wing, a legacy project of IWTS that now carries both medical purpose and human-centered design.
Beyond furniture, this initiative is not an isolated effort, as community building has long been woven into Genteelhome.
In previous years, the brand partnered with local artisans and pledged a portion of its revenue to the Haribon Foundation’s reforestation efforts, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability.
At the heart of its operations is a dedication to preserving traditional Filipino furniture craftsmanship while providing livelihood opportunities for skilled artisans.
By collaborating closely with local makers, Genteelhome ensures that its work sustains both cultural heritage and contemporary relevance. Each piece, whether destined for a private home or a hospital wing, reflects a balance of artistry, responsibility, and care.
Meanwhile, the Gratitude Lunch also served as the launchpad for the Genteelhome Edit, a new curated collection of objects and interior decor. True to the brand’s identity, each item balances form and function, helping homes showcase objects that tell individual stories and enhance daily life in meaningful ways.
From its beginnings in Pampanga in 2013, Genteelhome has grown into one of the country’s most respected local furniture ateliers, earning recognition at both local and international expos. Yet, its latest chapter suggests that its most enduring legacy may not be found in showrooms, but in the lives it touches.
