It is rare to find a family home that is both chic and comfortable, an elegant abode that also encompasses the needs of a bustling household. 

But it is fair to say this house, located in the stunning surrounds of Vista Del Mar, is out of the ordinary.  

The owners, who asked to retain their privacy, bought the sprawling home in 2006 to accommodate their family of six. With spectacular views of North Sound, ample space for the children to grow, and enough distance from the frantic pace of George Town, it was the ideal location for the family. Yet, the house’s initial configuration did not suit the owners’ needs. So, in 2008, the couple began a renovation process that lasted two years. It was an arduous process, but the family could not be happier with the final result. 

“The house gave us the nuts and bolts, it had the foundations that we could build on,” the owner explains, as she relaxes on the back terrace that overlooks the waterways of North Sound. “After going through [Hurricane] Ivan, we didn’t want to start from scratch. We completely changed the front exterior of the house, added this back outdoor area as well as a wing with two extra bedrooms. It was a very extensive and detailed refurbishment, which is why it took so long.” 

When it came to the façade of the home, the owners took their cue from Caribbean-inspired architecture while still conforming to Vista Del Mar’s Mediterranean aesthetic. The aim was to create a home that captured the warmth of island living. Indeed, the house is visually stunning, with rich golden hues that reflect this marriage of inspirations; bubbling fountains frame the front porch, further enhancing the casual elegance.  

“I wanted to get away from that Floridian-Mediterranean look, and instead use touches of the Caribbean,” the owner explains. “I wanted it to be very charming. It feels really wholesome and really quiet here.” 

Inside, the house strikes the right balance for the family, with an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication. A chic living room, with floor to ceiling windows, is ideal for entertaining; the soothing neutral palette is punctuated by bursts of muted colour, in the decorative cushions and salmon-hued silk rug. Adjoining the living room is an elegant dining space, where the owners host dinner parties and family get-togethers. The space reflects the owners’ love of Asian influences; the dining table chairs are covered in a striking, Eastern-inspired print. In fact, the owner loved the design so much that she commissioned Karoly Szücs, of Artisan Metal Works, to create railings for the upstairs balcony, based on the same pattern.  

“I had the idea [of converting the pattern into balcony rails],” she says. “Karoly brought it to life.” 

The sprawling, state-of-the-art kitchen underwent considerable renovations and is now one of the most unique spaces in the house. Initially, the kitchen was not big enough for the couple’s needs, but rather than completely remodeling the area, they decided to work with the space to create a kitchen ideal for a large family. 

“The kitchen was quite a dark space, because the cabinets are in a dark wood. It needed brightening,” the owner says. “We added new cabinets, which replicated the style of the existing cabinets, in a lighter wood tone, and we created a divider between the kitchen and dining room. The divider is a practical solution because it has a lot of storage, but it means we can close off the dining room for events. 

“The kitchen is lovely in the evening because I can cook and there is enough room for everyone to be around.” 

The most striking feature of the kitchen is a tiled mural of a phoenix, situated above the gas stove top. The vivid colours of the phoenix, in dazzling greens, oranges, reds and yellows, immediately capture the eye and add a mystical element to the kitchen.  

“Phoenixes represent eternal life and it adds a lot of colour to the space,” explains the owner. “It’s my favourite feature in the house.” 

These Asian-inspired influences are evident throughout the house, reflecting the owner’s childhood spent in Singapore. The owner says she did not have a specific design scheme in mind, describing the interiors as “modern”, but rather wanted to create a warm yet sophisticated space that accommodated the family. To this end, the interiors feature many sentimental items, including works from local artist, Renate Seffer, and a large Buddha that originated in Hong Kong.  

“The design concept was a gradual process,” she says. “I love creating calm and I want the look of the house to keeping changing. We didn’t want a look that we would tire of. We don’t like too much clutter. 

“As a child living in Singapore, I have a lot of memories of that area and I am really comfortable with that culture,” she continues. “I wanted to incorporate these elements into the home because they create tranquillity.” 

The family room, also on the first floor, is the most relaxed space of the house, with a huge, multi-coloured lounge in shades of bright orange, pink and purple, which practically radiates with comfort. The owner preferred the playfulness of the space, which also features towering bookshelves and a children’s craft table, to the formality of a proper cinema room.  

“I didn’t want to have a cinema room and now I’m very glad we didn’t use permanent sofas,” she explains. “So many people comment on the sofa, and it’s perfect for the family. It is a favourite room of mine because it just has so much energy.” 

Outdoors, the family’s love of the water and of entertaining is palpable. A large terrace overlooks the swimming pool and canal, where the family’s boat is docked, and sumptuous lounges provide plenty of space to enjoy the view. Shades of blue and green create a sense of calm. The area features an outdoor kitchen, where the children often host barbecues for friends, and a stunning outdoor shower, based on the same Asian-inspired pattern of the balcony railings, which was also designed by Karoly. 

“My husband wanted this area to be his own,” the owner explains, as she gestures to the sun-dappled patio, which is equipped with retractable motorised screens, which protect against tropical insects, and electronic misters that provide relief from the summer heat. “It was a lot of work [to renovate the area], but we’re so glad we did it. We love to spend time out here and use the area as much as we can. The kids love to bring their friends here.” 

This abode truly meets the needs of both the adults and the children. While the house brims with beauty and rich detail, it retains a welcoming feel in which no area is out of bounds. Three years after moving in, the family could not be happier.  

“The home is a representation of the family,” the owner says. “There is respect. The kids have their space and they respect our space. It has been a perfect house for our family.” 

Location, luxury and a laidback lifestyle; the ideal family home.   

With spectacular views of North Sound, ample space for the children to grow, and enough distance from the frantic pace of George Town, it was the ideal location for the family 

A large terrace overlooks the swimming pool and canal, where the family’s boat is docked, and sumptuous lounges provide plenty of space to enjoy the view