When IDr. Kim Abla, Schematic and FF&E Manager of Hurray Design received the brief for this project, her principals, Bong and Rossy Rojales, it came via a tour of what was existing in this residential project.

“We named the project A Minimalist Retreat as it features a tropical minimalist interior with a contemporary design. As such, we focused on the unification of forms, materials, and light to enhance the space; by using necessity and context to guide the design,” Abla tells Metro.Style.

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The client requirements were simple: it had to reflect the personality and lifestyle of its owners, beauty queen-tv host-celebrity, Rachel Peters and politician, Migz Villafuerte. Both have been known to be laidback, easygoing, and quite fond of the lifestyle imbibed in the tropics. The beach-loving couple is currently at the helm of a growing family. Naturally, their design requirements highlighted space and room to grow, considering that the property was the home that saw Villafuerte’s growing years.

Rachel Peters and Migz Villafuerte tied the knot last year. Together with Hurray Design, they have completed their tropical-minimalist home for their growing family. @magicliwanag via @rachelpetersx

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The design process was unlike anything Hurray Designs has ever ventured into. Being the first in a newly-launched procurement service from the design company, they were able to streamline what could have been a lengthy process. Part and parcel of residential designers’ lives is the hand-holding of the client through each aesthetic consideration in a home. Not so for this one!

“Usually for projects, we have five stages. But for this project, we combined the schematic stage and design development. Once the design was done, we presented it all to them. The success of this project was because of the trust of the clients and the collaboration between Team Hurray and our trusted suppliers. This project is where we started our Procurement Service so as soon as the design was approved, we procured everything for them following the approved design and budget. We didn't provide any drawings. We skipped the drawings and the awarding stage as we're the ones who awarded the suppliers… The couple trusted us on [our choices]. When our team started work on the project, they already had a General Contractor and Architect involved. So we came in at the last part which took us six to seven months. We started in the first quarter of 2022 and then turned it over before December,” recalls IDr. Abla.

The study is a warm contrast to the minimalist bedroom, painted predominantly in white. The headboard's fluting gives the room some texture, accompanied by the bed's curves. Courtesy of Hurray Design

Adding to the home’s tropical-minimalist flavor are some bespoke pieces that add a special feel to each of the spaces they inhabit such as the customized oak dining table and the bed for the guest bedroom by Studio Fino. The cloud sofa is another highlight, as well as the Vito Selma floor lamp in the living area. These all complement the couple’s unique contemporary art collection.

“[The living and dining rooms] show so much of their personality already. You see it in their personal collection of art pieces combined with the presence of wood, linens, textiles, woven materials, and lanterns. We're happy that we were able to capture what they really wanted,” says IDr. Kim Abla.

Live edge shelves host a collection of plants and knick knacks. Baskets function as storage. Courtesy of Hurray Design