The Homes of Zee

Have you seen this art chic home in Cebu?

A hilltop residence features an impressive art collection, brought together with Mediterranean sensibilities and pops of color.

Art is everything in this modern Mediterranean-inspired house. With its warm hues, its rustic and casual appeal and interesting textures, this is art chic, with pieces by renowned Filipino artists gracing the abode.

This Mediterranean-inspired home is an architectural showpiece by Carlito Co (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)

The five-bedroom house is built on four floors and stands on a 1,100-square meter property on the steep hills of Banilad. After almost three years of construction, it is an architectural showpiece by Carlito Co, with interior design by Hannah Lim. The surrounding landscape is by Jaime Chua.

Huge hardwood doors welcome guests to this decorative family dwelling. At first glance, bright colors of red, yellows, greens and blues dance before your eyes as a stimulating visual. Fine art pieces and fixtures collected by the owners over the years accent its walls, embellish its table tops and elevate its design and ambiance. Works by various prominent Filipino artists, coupled with the modern Mediterranean design structure make this family home an art gallery of sorts.

Hannah Lim's interior design showcases bursts of red, green, blue and yellow. (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)

Hannah Lim’s interior design showcases bursts of red, green, blue and yellow, the latter coming from Kenneth Cobonpue’s iconic Bloom chairs. (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)

(Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)

With the owner being a connoisseur, the interior design is also inspired by various art pieces displayed all over the home. (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)

The owners’ appreciation for art is further made evident with pieces by Arturo Luz, Hernando Ocampo and Romulo Galicano. Interestingly, the collection inspired the home’s interior design, making each room of the house come together. Gaining momentum from the owner’s art pieces, Hannah Lim adds that she designed the home working along with the family needs and likes.

A sense of warmth is imparted in the interiors by hardwood pieces like the dining table and the long table located in the pool area. Kenneth Cobonpue furniture and pieces by Vito Selma sit in the living room, deck and family room. Antiques and family heirlooms lovingly find their place too, while other accents are from travels around the world like the zebra hide rug from Africa in the sitting area by the entrance.

Wooden furniture, flooring and accents give the space some warmth. (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)

A set of Kenneth Cobonpue’s Yoda side chairs add color to the outdoor area. (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)

DEDON furniture allow the owners to relax comfortably by the pool. (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)

True to its overall Mediterranean design, the furniture used in the home incorporates elaborate textiles and patterns juxtaposed against rustic pieces, that always burst with color—Cobonpue’s Bloom and Chiquita in the living area, the modern rattan Coast Pacific dining chairs by the pool, and more hardwood furniture pieces seen all around the house. There are also design pieces from Natuzzi and Dedon.

All these components and the mentioned big-name artists may seem rather intimidating on paper. But their varying styles, designs and colors artfully come into play, resulting in something that’s actually homey than museum-like. Truly, this residence could bring out the artist in anyone—or at least, the art enthusiast.

photography Robo Formacion
Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015. For back issues, subscribe via Magzter.

Related Topics:Carlito Co Coast Pacific dedon home design Kenneth Cobonpue Natuzzi Robo Formacion Vito Selma

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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.