How Marybeth Parantar-Lara Turned a Lifelong Passion into THERI Curated Interiors

As Cebu’s skyline continues to rise with condominiums and modern residential communities, one designer is proving that the true value of a home lies not in its size—but in the story it tells.

In Cebu’s fast-changing urban landscape, homes are becoming more than places to live. They have become personal sanctuaries, creative expressions, and long-term investments. As condominium developments continue to reshape the city and homeowners seek spaces that reflect both comfort and character, the demand for thoughtful interior design has never been greater.

Answering that growing need is THERI Curated Interiors, a boutique interior design studio that believes every room should tell a story.

Located at the BPI Building in Cebu Business Park, the newly launched design studio is built on a philosophy of timeless elegance, intentional living, and personalized interiors. Behind the brand is Marybeth Parantar-Lara, an entrepreneur whose remarkable journey from the travel industry to interior design demonstrates that it is never too late to pursue the passion that has quietly lived in your heart for years.

For Lara, designing homes is not simply about choosing furniture or selecting colors. It is about creating spaces where people can truly feel they belong.

A Dream That Started at Home

Long before she imagined owning an interior design studio, Marybeth Parantar-Lara was already transforming the spaces around her.

As a little girl, she constantly rearranged furniture, painted whenever she had the chance, and collected discarded containers and recyclable materials that she turned into decorative pieces. While other children played with toys, she found excitement in imagining how ordinary things could become beautiful.

Her mother lovingly called her the family’s “garbage girl,” amused by her habit of bringing home objects others had thrown away.

“My father wanted me to become an architect,” Lara recalls with a smile. “But I was stubborn.”

That stubbornness, however, was simply creativity waiting to find its direction.

By high school, she had already turned their modest apartment into her personal design laboratory. Every week, she experimented with new furniture arrangements, believing each layout could completely change how a home felt.

Her father was less enthusiastic.

“He would always move everything back while I was sleeping,” she laughs. “I’d wake up wondering why everything had changed again, and we’d end up arguing.”

Those playful disagreements have become cherished memories today. Looking back, they were the earliest signs of a future career that neither of them fully realized at the time.

Two Decades of Seeing the World

Life eventually led Lara in a different direction.

Instead of architecture, she built a successful career spanning nearly two decades in the travel industry, working both in the Philippines and Canada. Her profession allowed her to experience different cultures, lifestyles, architectural styles, and ways of living across the globe.

Every destination became a classroom.

Every journey deepened her appreciation for design—not only as decoration, but as an expression of culture, identity, and everyday life.

The experience shaped her perspective and refined the creative instincts she had carried since childhood.

When the opportunity finally came to establish her own business, she knew exactly what she wanted to build.

Not just an interior design company.

But a studio that helps people feel at home.

Curating Homes That Reflect Life

That vision became THERI Curated Interiors.

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all concepts, the studio focuses on carefully curated spaces tailored to each client’s personality, lifestyle, and aspirations.

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

THERI offers comprehensive interior decorating, condominium fit-outs, kitchen and bath design, renovations, home additions, office interiors, and space planning.

Each project begins not with furniture selections, but with conversations.

The team believes good design starts by understanding how people live, work, gather, rest, and create memories inside their homes.

Only then does the design begin.

Mediterranean Warmth Meets Modern Living

One of THERI’s defining characteristics is its Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic.

Instead of following short-lived trends, the studio embraces timeless interiors built around natural materials, handcrafted textures, warm neutral colors, wood finishes, stone accents, and organic elements.

Soft whites, sandy beiges, taupe, muted olive greens, and natural timber combine to create interiors that feel elegant without being extravagant.

The result is understated luxury—spaces that are sophisticated yet inviting, refined yet comfortable.

For Lara, beauty should never come at the expense of functionality.

“A well-designed home should improve the way people live every single day,” she says. “It should feel natural, timeless, and deeply personal.”

Designing for Cebu’s Changing Lifestyle

THERI Curated Interiors enters the market at a significant time for Cebu.

The province remains one of the country’s fastest-growing real estate destinations, with condominium towers, mixed-use developments, and residential communities continuing to reshape the city’s skyline.

As more professionals, young families, overseas Filipinos, and investors purchase condominium units and residential properties, the demand for personalized interiors has expanded alongside the property market.

Interior design has evolved beyond aesthetics.

Today, thoughtfully designed spaces can improve daily living, increase property value, maximize functionality, enhance rental appeal, and create environments that truly reflect their owners.

This growing demand has opened opportunities for boutique design firms capable of delivering customized solutions rather than standardized interiors.

THERI is positioning itself within this emerging market by helping homeowners transform empty spaces into homes with purpose and personality.

When Passion Finds Its Perfect Time

Marybeth Parantar-Lara’s story reminds us that dreams are not measured by age or timing.

Sometimes, they quietly wait until life prepares us to pursue them.

After years spent exploring the world, building a successful career, and learning from different cultures, she has returned to Cebu to build something deeply personal—one thoughtfully designed space at a time.

The little girl who once rearranged furniture every weekend has become the designer helping others discover the joy of coming home.

And as Cebu continues to grow upward with modern developments and evolving lifestyles, THERI Curated Interiors is proving that great design is not simply about creating beautiful rooms.

It is about creating places where memories are made, families grow, and every corner tells a story.

Because in the end, a well-designed home is more than a collection of furniture and finishes.

It is a reflection of the people who live within it.

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THERI Curated Interiors

Location: BPI Building, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City

Transforming houses, condominiums, and workplaces into timeless spaces through personalized interior design, thoughtful planning, and curated living.

Follow THERI Curated Interiors on social media for design inspiration, project updates, and consultation inquiries.