Wearing Rajo, the host bonds with Louis, a mini Schnauzer, next to a gorgeous tea set by Versace
Cover Wearing Rajo, the host bonds with Louis, a mini Schnauzer, next to a gorgeous tea set by Versace

Linda Ley welcomes us into her modern and eclectic abode where Eastern and Western influences meet

Inside Linda Ley’s home, you’ll find that the neutral-toned walls allow her to play around with the decor. Her choices are reminiscent of both Eastern and Western styles, each piece taken from both travel destinations and top brands in the country to create this eclectic space.

See also: Home Tour: A Peek Inside Ria Prieto's Chic Art-Filled Home

As a homemaker, Ley also decorates with functionality and style in mind. Given her fine taste and exquisite style, she’s able to seamlessly blend luxury with comfort. For instance, indoor plants are placed next to large glass doors and windows that show a view of the garden.

But there’s more to see and admire about this modern residence—from precious artworks to a talking parrot.

Tatler Asia
Ley enjoys her afternoon tea wearing Yong Studio
Above Ley enjoys her afternoon tea wearing Yong Studio

What was the inspiration behind the design of your home?

We took inspiration from the home of our architect and interior designer, Chito Antonio. He introduced to us the Modern Asian home with an Eastern x Western flair—a look that’s warm and welcoming. With a colour palette of neutrals such as white and beige, it’s simple yet elegant and serves as a nice background for accent pieces such as paintings, sculptures and statement accessories to stand out.

What are your favourite spots in your home and why?

The kitchen and the living room. Both areas are used for entertaining—which I love! The kitchen has an island counter that I style when hosting parties. Both areas have quality sound systems to help set the mood. The living room is the heart of our home. It is where I spend a lot of time after my daily chores. I enjoy sipping tea or coffee in a corner overlooking the garden. Lush greenery gives me a sense of tranquillity and peace.

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Photo 2 of 2 The family’s all-time favourite, wasabi prawns

In which area of the home do you spend time the most?

I spend a lot of time in our kitchen and dining area. You’ll find a perch
there for Bradley, our talkative 18-month-old Yellow Crown Amazon Parrot. Bradley is our main star! We chat and have our voice lessons daily. He greets everyone with a “Good Morning” and a “Good Evening”. My heart melts every time he says, “I love you!”

See also: 6 Tatler Friends and Their Unique (and Adorable) Pets

Bradley sings well too and can belt out the entire Happy Birthday song! I’m a stage mum so I snapped this moment on my phone and use it as a staple birthday greeting for my friends on social media. We also bond daily with Bradley’s furry friend Lui, our mini schnauzer.

Both Bradley and Lui keep me company while I cook, making it a fun activity.

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Photo 2 of 2 A vibrant Japanese buffet set-up

As a homemaker, how are you able to balance elegance and comfort in your home?

I love an elegant home with luxurious decors and furniture, but I always take into consideration its functionality. Each piece should look nice as well as give comfort to my family and our guests. Great style and comfort should always come together. Furnishing should be practical and user-friendly.

Our meals are served à la carte, with plating and garnishing. I also regularly set up our dining table and kitchen counter with tasteful seasonal decors and floral arrangements. This makes every meal delightful and chic.

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Ley’s beautiful Moroccan dinner with a tea set and decor from Turkey
Above Ley’s beautiful Moroccan dinner with a tea set and decor from Turkey

What is the first thing guests notice when they enter your home?

Artworks of Arturo Luz, Romulo Olazo, Juvenal Sanso, I M Pei, Ramon Orlina, Isabel Diaz, Ramon Diaz, Isabel Velasco and an 11-feet-tall Tree of Life sculpture by Ferdinand Cacnio are some of the pieces you’ll notice upon entering our home.

Where is your favourite spot for entertaining?

Not one spot but several. These would be the kitchen, living room and our family room where I can lounge around, chill and sing karaoke.

Where do you shop for items in your home?

Some of our local sources are Focus Global Inc, Furnitalia, Kuysen, Dexterton, Allan Romero and Rustan’s to name a few. I also love to shop for decor and accessories whenever I travel.

See also: Where to Buy Parisian Inspired Mirrors in the Philippines: FURNitalia, Deqory, and More

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Wearing Rajo, the host bonds with Louis, a mini Schnauzer, next to a gorgeous tea set by Versace
Above Wearing Rajo, the host bonds with Louis, a mini Schnauzer, next to a gorgeous tea set by Versace

Which pieces are your favourites?

My favourite piece is our antique alabaster Buddha sculpture located in the living room because I always feel it brings me good luck. Modern glass furniture from Murano and Fiam are also some of my favourites.

What’s a typical day like at home?

It’s all about attending to my family’s needs. I start with preparing breakfast. Then I have my “me time” playing with our pets, Bradley the parrot and Lui the puppy. After which I cook lunch and spend time in our garden nurturing the plants. I try to take naps in the afternoons to keep my energy up. After a nap, I do a light workout in our gym. In the late afternoon, I prep the stuff needed for cooking dinner. Timing is everything as homecooked meals are always best served hot!

Are there any parts of your home you’d like to change? If so, how would you change them?

Due to the pandemic, I can only safely carry out minor repairs that are extremely necessary. So far, I do not have plans for any major renovations as I personally find our home perfect for our family. The only plan I can think of now that we’re on Alert Level 1 is to have the exteriors repainted and refreshed. Both areas have quality sound systems to help set the mood.

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