The Homes of Zee

Perl and Meyrick Jacalan’s Mediterranean-Inspired Home is Gorgeous!

Perl and Meyrick Jacalan’s advertising background had given them a strong grasp of design, something that the couple used to their advantage in creating their family home.

From the woody elevation of Northtown Homes, Perl and Meyrick Jacalan live in a comfortably stylish residence, filled with design details that showed off the amount of thought that went into creating the space. Of course, this isn’t very surprising, considering the couple is the duo behind ASAP, an advertising agency in Cebu. Much like the work they do for their clients, the home is a collaborative creative effort that exemplifies good taste.

“We built this house from scratch. It’s a labor of love, mostly by my husband, who was very hands-on with the design and construction,” Perl shares about the Mediterranean-inspired house, which the couple and their five children have been living in since 2002. “It was particularly modeled after the hacienda-style homes in Spain—red tile roof and sunny yellow exterior.”

It also helped that their architect, Perl’s brother Ulysses Arienza, had trained and practiced in Italy and Spain. “We worked with him on the space planning and design of the house,” she recalls. “It was a perfect fit, since we knew we wanted a Mediterranean-style house with a resort feel. Our line of work is very stressful, and we wanted our home to be a haven—an oasis we return to after a hard day’s work.”

The design details followed in the hacienda theme. “Our interiors featured heavy wooden doors, arched windows and openings, rustic beamed ceilings, columns and terracotta tiles that we indent-ordered from Italy,” Perl describes. “True to the Mediterranean style, we had wrought-iron balconies and corridors, and an extensive outdoor living area. We wanted huge open spaces—we even did away with a gate, and instead have a fountain out in front of the house.” Attention was also given to the lot’s landscaping, which added to the concept.

Of course, since its construction, the couple had worked on some upgrades to the structure. “Our design sensibilities changed, and we also wanted our house to be distinctive from the other houses in the area, as majority were of Mediterranean design,” Perl shares, adding that a drive through Tuscany had brought with some new inspiration. We really loved their rustic, sunbaked look. We repainted the exterior with a rustic Tuscan color palette that leaned heavily on earthy hues.”

The couple took it further by adding stone inlays that evoked a Tuscan hillside home, and grew vines to twist around the entrance columns. “It gave our front porch some rustic charm,” Perl adds.

The interiors, although also seeing some furniture updates and paint changes, remained mostly the same. “It’s rustic yet modern, sort of eclectic,” Perl describes. The couple had collaborated on the interiors themselves, finding their background in design a great starting point for conceptualizing. “We drew our design inspiration from a mix of diverse resources, and when it comes to our pieces, less is more.”

This curated take to decorating allowed the home to grow and develop a character on its own, something that Perl and Meyrick wanted. “It’s informal, cozy with a very lived-in look. It’s definitely not a display showcase.”

A pair of imposing Grecian columns greets guests in the main hallway, immediately creating an air of spaciousness with its high ceiling. “We made it this way, as we think the hallway décor was the right place to begin—it set the tone for our home,” Perl says.

Further into the home, there is an interesting mix of new and old pieces, grounded with various wooden accents that celebrate the earthy tone established by the interiors. “We like pieces that are effortless and have a lighthearted appeal, yet with character defined by quality craftsmanship,” Perl continues. Many of the pieces were custom-made, mostly from narra, while some were retained from the couple’s previous home. Additional accents come in the form of designer pieces, such as a pair of Yin and Yang armchairs and a Yoda chair from Kenneth Cobonpue.

Chair by Kenneth Cobonpue

Art also comes into play in the home, with pieces from Filipino artists like Ang Kiukok, Malang, Michael Cacnio, Antonio Mahilum, Norma Belleza, and Manuel Baldemor, among others. There are also pieces acquired from the couple’s travels—a travel nook allows them to display souvenirs casually, while a custom-framed magnetic world map is a creative way to showcase the destinations they’ve visited.

Although the interiors seemed to have come together quite naturally, there were some complications that came with building a house from scratch. “We found that space planning was the most important, and very challenging part of the design process,” Perl admits. “We had to analyze and think about our habits and routines in order to define how each space is to be used, and how we move through each part of the house.”

However, that all pays off once the whole house actually comes together, and Perl finds great pleasure in seeing how their home has grown to be. “When you see that the pieces are working harmoniously, that’s when it becomes enjoyable. Like a puzzle, you can almost see it form, and it becomes easier to put pieces in place,” she shares. “To see it completed and your family happily living in it, it’s so fulfilling.”

Related Topics:Mediterranean Meyrick Jacalan Perl Jacalan

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The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 12

Christmas House No. 12 – Heart-felt Holidays at the Hofers’

Check out why this holiday home is on our list of 12 Cebu homes this season. Zee.ph offers a glimpse of Cebu’s holiday homes from far and wide. Please follow our series as we bring you a different home in the next few days!

Nestled in Banilad, Cebu City, the George Hofer residence stands as testament to enduring elegance. Constructed in the late sixties to early seventies, the mansion exudes timeless charm with warm brown molave wood panels and pristine white marble floors.

Stepping into this grand abode during the Christmas season unveils a journey into a beautifully storied past. This season, Molave wooden entance, intricately carved with the Hofer couple’s monogram, are adorned with opulent yuletide garlands. White velvet poinsettias and persimmon peonies alongside mother of pearl camellias are interspersed with pearlescent berries. Archangel Michael showers the guests with blessings from above, while a macassar ebony wooden effigy of Saint George (slaying the dragon) pays homage to the house owner’s namesake.

Adjacent to a private elevator, a grandiose Christmas tree stands tall, welcoming guests into a sprawling waiting hall. Here, an angel in teal and gold lamé cloth grouped together with exotic blooms gracefully plays the lyre; seemingly entertaining those who await entry.

Further down the hall is an ecru grand piano, where the lady of the house, a skilled pianist, performs Monti’s Czardas, Schubert’s Ständchen, and other rhapsodies on special occasions. A commissioned portrait of George and Dulce hangs on a wall above a console table that separates the hall from the formal dining area.

The Hofer home exudes old-world elegance that is seldom found today, yet its true charm lies in the joyous laughter and warm greetings of the Hofers, who gather annually to share Christmas cheer and delightful yuletide stories in this vibrant space.

The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 11

Christmas House No. 11 – Christine Pelaez

Designed by the noted Cebu architect Teng Jacinto, this expansive residence stands as a testament to the artful curation of Jun Pelaez. Over the years, he has meticulously assembled a collection of artworks, transforming the home into a gallery that reflects his discerning taste and appreciation for the aesthetic.

As the holiday season graces the air, the residence undergoes a festive tone under the artful touch of Jun’s wife, Christine. Embracing tradition, she bathes the home in the classic Christmas palette of reds and greens, infusing each corner with warmth and seasonal charm. The interior becomes a canvas for the holiday spirit, adorned with wreaths, ornaments, and the timeless glow of twinkling lights.

However, the true heart of this home lies in its welcoming spirit. There are two dining rooms, with chairs adorned with red bows and festive centerpieces, where family and friends converge for an equally sumptuous meal.

The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 10

Christmas House No. 10 – The Hudsons’ Christmas Chronicles

The Hudson’s household buzzes with enthusiasm each time the holiday season unfolds. The heart of their Tokyo home, the Hudson Christmas tree, stands tall and proud, adorned with tinsel and cherished trimmings that span the years of their family’s growth. Each ornament tells a story, marking the arrival of a new family member with the annual addition of baubles bearing their names: Mary, George, Victoria and Charles.

Charles, the youngest Hudson at twelve, beams with joy as he proudly places the Christmas star atop the tree. No longer reliant on his father’s shoulders, Charles revels in his newfound height and the welcomed responsibility that comes with it.

In addition to the twinkling blue lights, the festive icons and the white-and-silvery ornaments, another cherished tradition had been completed at the beginning of the joyful season. The Hudson’s much-anticipated Christmas cards, an exciting accountof the family’s adventures, had been creatively crafted by Rose and Karl. The lively narrative chronicles the milestones and quests of each family member, with Karl’s animated storytelling and Rose’s artistic touch bringing the tales to life.

Rose shares, “by mid-November we print two hundred post cards of the Hudson family chronicles. The entire family, from the oldest to the youngest, gathers around to sign each card. Envelopes are lovingly addressed, and the kids lend a hand in labeling.”

In a heartwarming shift of roles, the Hudson parents, Karl and Rose, prepare to pass the baton. The careful planning and distribution of the Christmas cards are soon to become the responsibility of the eager younger generation.

With laughter, love, and a touch of adventure, the Hudson family embraces the season, creating and sharing memories that they and their friends treasure for life.