"We need to be mindful about how we make things because there’s already so much waste... We practice responsible crafting, ensuring we use discarded materials," co-founder Maan Agsalud said.
Common Room PH’s journey started as a dream. Roma Agsunod and Maan Agsalud’s journey began by showcasing the dolls and plushies they created through their brand, Pop Junk Love. As they moved from one bazaar to the next, they grew their network, forming friendships with other local makers, small business owners, and creatives. They wanted a physical store but knew they couldn’t limit it to showcasing only their dolls. So, they invited their friends to join them in this vision.
“It’s named Common Room because it’s a shared space for different makers,” Maan tells Style Weekend. “If you’re a maker who joins pop-ups and bazaars, opening a shop is one of the milestones you imagine. We wanted to share the idea of having a permanent store with other makers.”
In 2015, they opened Common Room PH in Katipunan, Quezon City. The store featured handmade local goods, eventually becoming a hub for local makers and creatives. Over time, it expanded, bringing Filipino products closer to more people through branches in malls. The Covid-19 pandemic, however, forced them to let go of the Katipunan space to keep the business afloat. But as one door closed, another opened. Last August, in time for Common Room PH’s anniversary, they opened the doors to its Mess Studio inside The Atrium of Makati.
“This is a very experimental space for us. All our other branches focus on retail, but we’ve long wanted a space like this,” Maan says. “When we saw the opportunity to rent this place, we took a leap. This is a space where we can do a lot of things. Everything we wanted to put in our other branches, we made sure to include here.”
The new, larger branch accommodates more makers and strengthens their mission of creating a community through mindful, creative projects. Outside, a signboard displays words like “magkalat,” “mamili,” “magbasa,” and “magkape” in bold Quiapo font, summarizing the new store’s experience.
For the love of all things local
Much like its other branches, the 300-square-meter space features a Retail Area stocked with Filipinomade products. Underneath moody lighting and origami cranes, shelves are filled with handwoven bags, skincare essentials, cups, and more. Hanging on the walls are stickers, accessories, and other anik-anik. A nice corner is set aside for clothing and wearable items.
“The difference is that around 40 to 50 percent of the featured makers here are new,” Maan says. “They haven’t been in any other stores and are new to Common Room. We still have our bestsellers, so it’s a mix of established and new makers.”
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Responsible crafting
The founders’ pride in the new store lies in its Craft Area, where people can get messy, find joy in working with their hands, and unplug. The space features long tables with mismatched secondhand chairs, perfect for creative pursuits. The Craft Area offers nine upcycling projects available with the purchase of a Craft Pass (₱799), which includes tools, materials, and project guides. Alternatively, guests can bring their own projects and access the store’s tools with a Seat Pass (₱499 for five to eight hours or ₱299 for one to four hours). There’s also a kid’s room with books and art materials for families bringing young ones.
Encouraging mindful crafting, Common Room uses only donated scrap materials in its projects, which are contributed by its friends, makers, and patrons.
“As much as possible, all the crafts are upcycled, using plastic bottles, scrap fabrics, and paper… We need to be mindful about how we make things because there’s already so much waste,” Maan explains. “We practice responsible crafting, ensuring we use discarded materials. Guests can finish projects in a day and take them home.”
On weekends, the Craft Area often hosts workshops, seminars, and other activities. Occasionally, Common Room PH also organizes “Craft Tambay,” inviting makers to share their stories and crafts.
Read through the pages
A new feature in the store is its Community Library. Visitors can lounge, read books, and find inspiration from reading materials in the founders’ collection and donations. Currently, the books are for in-store enjoyment, though the lounge area offers books and zines for sale from local publishers and self-published authors.
Building a community
As a collaborative space for artists and makers in the Philippines, Common Room PH supports its makers’ and other organizations’ projects. Its Community Wall features posters of their upcoming events.
Eats and sips
Rounding out the experience at Common Room PH’s Mess Studio is a café and snack bar. While working on crafts or reading in the lounge, visitors can enjoy nostalgic treats and drinks. The café menu includes merienda treats like Tuna Pandesal (₱160), Kesong Puti Pandesal (₱170), and Longanissa Pandesal (₱180). Customers can pair these with mango blends, ginger-calamansi drink, hot chocolate, or coffee brews in partnership with Convenience Coffeehouse. Must-try items include Tapa Pandesal, a twist on tapsilog, and the crowd-favorite Mango Sago (₱170).
#StyleWeekend experience
There’s much to explore in the Mess Studio and its surrounding areas during the weekend. Maan recommends starting with a stroll around Ayala Triangle Gardens or The Atrium for photo-taking and finding inspiration. Visitors can then enjoy crafting, reading, and a coffee break at the Mess Studio before wrapping up the experience with a Chinese meal at Tien Tien Hotpot Restaurant inside The Atrium.
Common Room PH’s Mess Studio is located at The Atrium of Makati. Its other branches are at UP Town Center, Rockwell, Alabang Town Center, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
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