Turning Passion Into Space: The Story Behind THERI Curated Interiors

In a city where modern condominium living and curated lifestyles are redefining the meaning of home, a new name in interior design is quietly making its mark in Cebu’s creative landscape. Nestled within the bustling Cebu Business Park, THERI Curated Interiors opens its doors with a vision rooted in timeless elegance, personalization, and deeply intentional design.

Behind the brand is Marybeth Parantar-Lara — a woman whose journey spans nearly two decades in the travel industry across the Philippines and Canada. After years of global exposure, cultural immersion, and discovering beauty in different corners of the world, Lara is finally transforming a lifelong passion into a purposeful business venture.

What began as a childhood fascination with rearranging furniture and collecting discarded objects has now evolved into a refined design philosophy centered on warmth, functionality, and understated luxury.

A Childhood Shaped by Creativity

Long before she became an entrepreneur, Lara was already instinctively designing spaces.

“My dad really wanted me to become an architect,” she recalls with a smile. “But as a child, I was stubborn.”

Her mother affectionately called her “garbage girl” because of her habit of collecting empty containers and recyclable materials to turn into something creative. Even at five years old, Lara already found joy in reimagining ordinary objects into something beautiful and useful.

Painting became her hobby, and decorating naturally followed. During her high school years, she began experimenting with interiors in their small apartment — constantly moving furniture around to create a fresh perspective every week.

That creativity occasionally caused friction at home.

“My father hated changing the furniture layout,” she laughs. “When I’d fall asleep, he would move everything back to the original position. Then I’d wake up in the morning wondering why he changed it again — and we’d argue.”

What once seemed like playful childhood behavior would eventually reveal itself as the foundation of a future design career.

Curating Spaces With Soul

At THERI Curated Interiors, design is not simply about aesthetics — it is about storytelling, lifestyle, and emotional connection.

The company specializes in interior decorating, kitchen and bath design, renovations, main floor redesigns, and home additions. Every project is approached through collaboration, communication, and careful planning to ensure that each space genuinely reflects the personality and needs of the client.

“Our philosophy is centered on personalization,” Lara explains. “Every detail should resonate with the people living in the space.”

This commitment to thoughtful design is evident in the studio’s signature style: a sophisticated fusion of classic elegance, contemporary simplicity, and Mediterranean warmth.

Inspired by Mediterranean living, THERI interiors embrace natural textures, earthy palettes, handcrafted details, and organic materials. Soft beiges, warm whites, taupe, muted olive tones, wood accents, and textured finishes create spaces that feel calm, elevated, and welcoming.

The result is a timeless aesthetic that feels both luxurious and lived-in — elegant without feeling excessive.

Designing for Modern Cebu Living

The launch of THERI Curated Interiors arrives at a time when Cebu’s urban lifestyle continues to evolve. As more Cebuanos embrace condominium living, compact luxury spaces, and personalized interiors, the demand for intentional and functional design has never been greater.

THERI responds to this shift by creating interiors that maximize beauty without sacrificing comfort and practicality. Whether designing a cozy condo, a sophisticated office, or a family home renovation, the studio focuses on creating environments that enhance everyday living.

For Lara, good design should never feel intimidating or temporary.

“We believe good design should feel natural and timeless,” she says. “It should create comfort, connection, and balance.”

Passion Has No Expiration Date

Marybeth Parantar-Lara’s transition from travel professional to interior design entrepreneur is more than a career pivot — it is a reminder that passion often waits patiently for the right moment.

After years spent exploring the world and building professional experience abroad, she has returned home to create something deeply personal: spaces that inspire warmth, beauty, and meaningful living.

And perhaps, in many ways, that little girl rearranging furniture in her family apartment was already preparing for this moment all along.

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THERI Curated Interiors

📍 BPI Building, Cebu Business Park

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