Dara Roa, Nicole Whisenhunt, Kai Lim—their taste, your finds

Caro Wilson Tausug Princess earrings

: Walter Knoll Pink Two-Seater lounge chair

: Teak Danish Seven Drawer high boy

: Caro Wilson Art Deco side chair

: Vintage Danish Rosewood coffee table

: Capdell Concord Plum 560 lounge chair

: Capdell Concord Blue lounge chair

If you’re still looking for unique treasures or gifts, post-holidays or better yet, pre-Valentine, take a look at what we discovered—a special place where one-of-a-kind pieces rule and hand-picked items take precedence over the usual mall finds. Curio at Rockwell PowerPlant is a little pop-up boutique that is often overlooked in favor of more high-profile shops. We’re fortunate we found out about it.

: Vintage silver-plated food serving dish

: Vintage ornate frame in sterling silver

: Sterling Silver toothpick holder

: Silver-plated candlesticks

: Shagreen square box

: Rogers silver-plated cutlery set

: Pedestal side table with marble top and base

: Metal relief kamagong wood panels

: Whisenhunt brass dipped in gold pinya-style tamburine necklace

: 5-piece Cheltenham Co Sheffield England set

Curated and created by Dara Roa, Nicole Whisenhunt, and Kai Lim, it is full of beautiful objects with interesting stories behind them. Whisenhunt, a jewelry designer, says that her favorite pieces in the store are the silver ones. “I truly enjoy entertaining, and I know how silver is timeless and looks beautiful in every tablescape. It also rises in value, so I see it more as an asset than an impulsive indulgence.”

Roa, also known as the “Collab Contessa” because of her events planning venture, says she loves the hand-sculptured glass art pieces by Lilianna Manahan called Frame Series. She says that each piece encapsulates a memory Manahan treasures and the milestones that brought her to where she is now, which are all part of a bigger picture. “I, for one, am grateful for everything that has happened in my life, both good and bad. So I highly appreciate how Lilianna collected her precious memories to create this series.”

Lim, whose projects include Cura V and Comme Çi, has a similar view. “There is a modern Lilliana Manahan hand-blown sculpture that I love. In a way, it describes my personality: a traditional woman with a modern perspective.”

: China Flowers Ampao Envelopes

: Divine Desk Lamp

: Glass Vase

: Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Shelf

: Amethyst Agate Stone

: 19th Century French Altar Table

Roa says, “When we came across items we liked, wherever in the world we were, we discussed if we should carry them at Curio.” Lim says the items include “heirloom pieces of antique and vintage value that you’ll want to keep forever.” Whisenhunt adds, “Curio was born out of our love for home decorating, entertaining, and collecting beautiful objects.”

Other treasures include carved Chinoiserie sculptures, four feet high, and an antique Baliuag table from 1850 with carved columns. There are also contemporary objects, glassware, crystal, and specialty jewelry.

Although it’s a bit early to shop for Christmas, it’s always in style to buy items for your home or for gifts for special moments that you hope 2023 will have plenty of.