Cover The living room with expansive views of Taal Lake in Tanauan, Batangas
The living room with expansive views of Taal Lake in Tanauan, Batangas
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From a weekend getaway in Batangas to a rustic sanctuary in Cagayan de Oro, these homes express uniquely Filipino designs
Nestled across the Philippines, these stunning homes celebrate craftsmanship through their thoughtful designs. Emphasising natural materials like wood, stone, and rattan, each space pays homage to the country’s rich artisanal traditions. These residences reflect the homeowners’ unique personalities and heritages, blending modern functionality with cultural depth.
Here, we look back at some of the notable homes we have featured: a rustic showroom and home at the heart of Cagayan De Oro; a family’s verdant escape from the city in Laguna de Bay; a weekend getaway in Batangas that embraces natural materials evolving with nature; an exquisitely renovated childhood home in Manila; and a sprawling Quezon property that follows the whims of nature.
In case you missed it: How Nix Alañon carves a new space for Filipino designers in Adorne by Phoenix Home
A rustic sanctuary at the heart of Cagayan De Oro
Above The living room in Deanne Lim’s Cagayan de Oro home
The living room in Deanne Lim’s Cagayan de Oro home
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A property that's been in her family for years, Deanne Lim wanted a space for boundless creative expression. Her goal was “to transform something that felt distant into a place that’s now accessible, functional, and meaningful for both my personal life and my business.”
Above The living room overlooking the dining area
Above The dining room in Deanne Lim’s Cagayan de Oro home
The living room overlooking the dining area
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The result is a curation that elevates a classic design with an unexpected range of organic materials. Both a showroom for her brand, Twenty Third PH and a home, this Cagayan de Oro space features breathtaking natural light that infuses the kitchen and living room with an almost otherworldly glow.
Read more about this home here.
A family’s tropical sanctuary with a view of Laguna de Bay
Above The lush garden in a Laguna home
Above Blooming orchids on display in a Laguna home
The lush garden in a Laguna home
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Away from the bustling streets of Metro Manila, a family home sits in harmony with nature while being grounded in Filipino heritage. Located in the heart of Nuvali, Laguna, this three-storey home features a distinctive style rooted in the homeowners’ Negrense roots, with traces of Neoclassical and Spanish elements grounding the space.
Above The skylight in the master bathroom of a Laguna home
Above A glimpse of the living room setup in a Laguna home
The skylight in the master bathroom of a Laguna home
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A prominent feature of the home is the use of natural light to create a refreshing atmosphere. The crisp white walls are the perfect backdrop for the plants and flowers strewn throughout the space. The couple carefully tends to their different types of orchids, which bloom in February and September. They have also planted a katmon tree by the stairs and bougainvillaea framing the front entrance, showcasing their deep connection to nature.
Read more about this home here.
A tranquil weekend home exploring natural materials in Batangas
Above The living room with expansive views of Taal Lake in Tanauan, Batangas
The living room with expansive views of Taal Lake in Tanauan, Batangas
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With views of the nearby Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, this expansive property fits in seamlessly with the surrounding flora and fauna to create a space. “We wanted to create a dialogue with the volcano’s profound natural process of creating material like lava and smoke,” says homeowner and architect Sacha Cotture Cotture. As such, the home’s façade is designed with patina in mind. This includes all shutters of expanded metal sheets covering the glass doors, windows and the ceiling over the lanai.
Above The lanai of a weekend getaway in Tanauan, Batangas
The lanai of a weekend getaway in Tanauan, Batangas
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The family enjoys unwinding in the lanai, where their love for nature shines through. “The lanai has become an extension of the garden and greenery all around,” says Cotture. The refreshing, open veranda is the perfect place for a game of badminton. Afterwards, the family lounges around on the couches and watches the breathtaking sunset.
Read more about this home here.
A renovated suburban home at the heart of Manila
Above A mango tree prominently displayed outside the Manila home
Above The Eames lounge chair in the living room of a Manila home
A mango tree prominently displayed outside the Manila home
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One’s home reflects their growth over time; this is especially true for Jethro and Melissa Sorra, who have transformed Melissa Orteza-Sorra’s childhood home into their oasis. “It’s a place filled with wonderful memories,” shares Orteza-Sorra. “As we redesigned the space, we learned more about our preferences, styles and what truly matters. We thought about the future and how we want our home to evolve with us.”
For the exterior of the home, they chose light-coloured bricks and marble to complement the black windows. The home is situated in a laidback suburban area, which the couple mirrored through the lush greenery enveloping the exterior of the home.
Above The swimming pool area in a Manila home
The swimming pool area in a Manila home
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The Sorras lead busy lives, so a deep connection to nature is essential to their well-being. The result is a home that balances a traditional design with contemporary flow. To further add serenity to the space, their house features an exquisitely tiled swimming pool, perfect for a quick dive on a hot summer’s day.
Read more about this home here.
A meditative, verdant escape nestled on the hills of Quezon, Philippines
Above The dining room and living room of Binhi at Lahi in Lucban, Quezon
The dining room and living room of Binhi at Lahi in Lucban, Quezon
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Since ‘Binhi at Lahi’ serves as a weekend getaway for a landscape architect, the design intersects an indoor sanctuary with elements of the nearby wilderness. “The client wanted to see, touch, feel and smell all the plants,” explains Jason Buensalido of Barchan Architecture.
Situated in Quezon, one of the Philippines’ most rainy provinces, the home is built to withstand temperamental storms. At the same time, the house celebrates the deeply human pursuit of architecture by juxtaposing exposed steel beams with genuine wood. “We created a language for the steel columns to converse with the natural material throughout the home,” Buensalido says.
Above The indoor spiral staircase behind the kitchen, leading up to the hobby lobby in a Quezon home
Above The outdoor jacuzzi in this Quezon weekend getaway
The indoor spiral staircase behind the kitchen, leading up to the hobby lobby in a Quezon home
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For ‘Binhi at Lahi’, the homeowner wanted “pockets of experiences” throughout the property, imbuing each corner with reflective tranquillity. The guest rooms echo the soothing natural palettes of the home while bringing in elements of the nearby sea. An expansive mural of greens and blues imbues the space with serenity, paving the way for a nearby outdoor jacuzzi and conversation pit.
Read more about this home here.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
