Cover One of the most notable features is its breathtaking sea view
One of the most notable features is its breathtaking sea view
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Mom Designer House transforms a vacant seaside condo into a modern Asian-inspired haven with heritage details
High above Kota Kinabalu’s coastline, where the South China Sea meets Sabah’s verdant landscape, a 1,800-square-foot condominium has been transformed into a sophisticated blend of East and West. The home, owned by two friends—a Sabahan returning to her roots and her American companion—serves as their Southeast Asian pied-à-terre, capturing both the serenity of the ocean and the richness of Asian design heritage.
“The vision centred around a ‘Coastal Chinoiserie’ theme,” says Ashley Yeoh, founder and interior designer at Mom Designer House. “One of the owners is reconnecting with her childhood town, while the other fell in love with Kota Kinabalu on her first visit. We wanted to create an inviting sanctuary celebrating their shared Asian heritage.”
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The neatly appointed study and corridor
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The three-bedroom residence, which stood vacant for seven years before its renovation, now showcases a deft integration of natural elements and modern luxury.
The living space flows seamlessly from a sophisticated dry kitchen to an elegant dining area, where a showstopping shell pendant lamp imported from overseas commands attention.
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Above One of the most notable features is its breathtaking sea view, offering an unobstructed glimpse of Sabah's famous sunsets
Above Open plan spaces make the condo feel expansive
One of the most notable features is its breathtaking sea view, offering an unobstructed glimpse of Sabah's famous sunsets
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“The dining area is truly special,” Yeoh notes. “It’s where you can sit inside the home, enjoy the stunning sea view, and truly appreciate the overall design synthesis.”
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The bar area was designed around the owner’s passion for wines
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In the kitchen, a floating island featuring a Cosentino Trance surface serves as both a functional workspace and an artistic centrepiece.
“We faced the challenge of working with the existing layout,” Yeoh explains. Instead of fighting it, we transformed the fixed island into a design feature, creating a sleek, modern look that doubles as both a practical workspace and an artistic element.”
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Cosentino surfaces were favoured throughout
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The home’s personality truly emerges through its carefully curated details. Chinoiserie wallpapers grace the walls throughout, even in the bathrooms–a technical challenge given the seaside location.
“We developed a special solution, applying waterproof paint beneath the wallpaper and adding ventilation fans to combat the coastal humidity,” says Yeoh.
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Modern dining area featuring a round white marble table with wooden base, light grey upholstered chairs, and turquoise upper cabinets.
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For the two homeowners, one passionate about cooking and the other about wine tasting, the designers created distinct zones that cater to their interests.
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Above One of the most notable features is its breathtaking sea view
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The bar area features gentle curves and rose gold metallic textures, with a thematic blue finish delineating different functional spaces.
A dramatic wallpaper background for the living space
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Natural elements pervade the design through wooden tiles, stone textures, and marble, while flora and fauna motifs in the wallpapers reinforce the connection to nature.
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Coastal Chinoiserie wallpapers are featured throughout the unit
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The designers were particularly mindful of maintaining unobstructed views of Sabah’s famous sunsets, ensuring that even the television placement wouldn’t compete with the spectacular vistas.
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Above The luxurious bathroom featuring a double vanity with marble countertops, emerald green arch-patterned tile backsplash, and a tropical botanical wallpaper mural
The luxurious bathroom featuring a double vanity with marble countertops, emerald green arch-patterned tile backsplash, and a tropical botanical wallpaper mural
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“Ultimately, what makes this project special is how it reflects the personalities of its owners while creating a space that’s sophisticated and welcoming,” Yeoh reflects.
“It’s become exactly what they envisioned–a perfect base for hosting friends and family while maintaining that connection to the sea and their shared heritage.”
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Photography: Ruang Photography
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Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.
