5 Fabulous Family-Friendly Homes In Asia

Exuberant and well designed, these joyful family homes are ample proof that form and function need not be mutually exclusive

Form and function are the golden rules of design although aesthetics often fall on the wayside when designing family homes that accommodate the needs of its younger members. However, with clever planning and material selection, style and function need not be mutually exclusive–here are five homes around Asia which are ample proof of that.

1. A Modern Home Built Around Family Life in Malaysia

Above The double-ceiling dining room is one of the main features of the Kasah House, opening up into a pool area/ Photo: Pixelaw Photography

An all-white home may seem like a nightmare for most families but Ee Lin Loo of ELD makes it work by using it as a blank canvas to fill with bursts of colour by way of furniture, art, light fittings, and artefacts from the owner's travels. One of the main requests from the homeowners was to ensure that it would suit the family of four's lifestyle, creating a focal point in the form of a dining room filled with natural light.

Above The pool creates a serene oasis

With an ultra-high ceiling, the spacious dining area and bar almost take on the relaxed, welcoming feel of a living room and is a natural communal spot for family members to gather over meals and pow-wows at the end of the day.

"This dining space is mainly the heart of the house, an area where the family spends most of their time," Loo says. "The double volume room simultaneously brings in a lot of natural lighting into the house and adds that element of surprise as you make your way into it."

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2. A chic home finessed with designer furniture in Singapore

Above The striped walls and a patterned rug add a sense of whimsy

Designed by Prestige Global Designs for a well-travelled couple, the owners wanted their home to look different and interesting, with surprises to be discovered in every corner. To create this, the designers injected colours, textures and patterns to create a unique and luxurious interior. Elegant furnishings from Hermès and Gubi, Bang & Olufsen TV and speakers and a wow-inducing Gucci wall covering depicting herons and dragonflies delight and amaze its residents and guests.

Above The daughter’s bedroom is a playful space that features a double-decker bed with a slide

Above This circular alcove is another playful touch in the daughter’s room

The team also created a large study adorned with Zig Zag wallpaper from Missoni which the children use to play computer games and relax with the family. Close attention was paid particularly to the daughter’s bedroom which was designed with a sense of fun and flexibility.

The room’s centrepiece is undoubtedly the double-decker bed with a built-in slide, while a cosy round seat upholstered in light blue cushions inspires her to spend quiet time reading. For a touch of sophistication, her bathroom features colour-blocked tiles in hues inspired by her mother’s Hermès In-the-Loop To Go pouch.

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3. A unique home designed for play and art in Hong Kong

Above The designer took advantage of the expansive space in the private garden and built a swimming pool/ Images: Almond Chu

For this sprawling house in Fo Tan in Hong Kong's New Territories, the brief to the designers, Adapa Architects, was to create a cheerful and playful home for the kids and to display the owners' art collection. A sprawling 4,000 sq ft house spans two storeys and a 3,500 sq ft. private garden, the designer had the luxury of space to fulfil the brief.

Above A space within the living room created for the girls in has a marked contrast to the rest of the space in its use of colours and furniture

To cater to the different tastes and evolve with the practical needs of the owners' three growing daughters, the design to be flexible but unique. A new study-slash-playroom sporting a feature arch was built within the living room for the girls. This space allows the girls, who each have their own bedroom, ample opportunity to spend time together. This wasn’t the only space created for the children to gather, a sleek marble island was installed in the kitchen with the express intention for the daughters to spend time learning how to cook.

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4. An eclectic home filled with design objects in Manila

Above The open-plan living space with high ceiling is the heart of the home. It features iconic pieces such as the Fog & Morup Radius pendant light, a rocking stool and coffee table by Isamu Noguchi, a large Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll and an Ib Kofod Larsen. Image by Scott A Woodward

Founders of Mid-century Manila, Ken and Isa Mishuku's home is not unexpectedly a treasure trove of objects from that era. The couple, whose passion for vintage mid-century pieces has turned them into purveyors for collectors and design aficionados, live south of Metro Manila in their self-designed family home.

Above The couple's collectible make every corner an interesting one

Originally inspired by the industrial style lofts found in New York, the couple had to purchase the lot next door to annex as a garden and to match the demands of a growing family of three kids and one puppy. The effortlessly elegant home now eschews heavy steel and leather industrial décor for a light and airy haven for their striking mid-century modern furniture collection.

Above The chic children's room

These mid-century objects also populate the kids' rooms with a piece by Geoffrey Harcourt, mini-sized Panton chairs and the Eames elephant.

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5. A residence with big wows and small details in Malaysia

Above The space was deliberately devoid of traditional artwork, relying instead on the pure forms of the staircase and the light and shadow play of the skylight. Image by David Yeow

Home to a couple and their three children, the brief to Wunderwall Design was not driven by any particular concept but more driven by intention. As such the designers set out to craft a sanctuary for the owners and their three young children which was uncluttered, warm and comfortable. In essence, it is a home to unwind and relax, a very important factor for the owners who have a very busy work life.

Above Plenty of display space was provided for in the bedroom

While the design language is consistent, public areas and private areas were treated differently. Broader gestures were deployed in the living and dining rooms on the ground floor, the bar and AV room in the basement, and tea room on the mezzanine. In the upper two floors, which hold the bedrooms, gym and study, are a shade moodier and more intimate in feel. Intricate details abound here like custom furniture, headboards and screens which need to be appreciated up close.

Above The large expanse of the master bedroom is divided into smaller areas with intricately detailed screens

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