Home tours: Inside Jessica Kienle Maxwell’s family home

Effortless and elegant, Jessica Kienle Maxwell’s family home is a reflection of her grounded spirit

Our home is our private sanctuary that is a safe and peaceful space,” shares Jessica Kienle Maxwell, the creative director of Philux Inc. “It’s where we appreciate our surroundings, and enjoy quality time on our own and with our loved ones.” Slender and tall, the effortlessly beautiful designer, walks through her home with elegance and ease, much like the space she’s crafted.

On a large 950-sq m property, sits an older rental home she describes as having “good bones”. With four bedrooms, a den and an expansive outdoor area with a pool, it is the perfect residence for the young family of four. Making the move during the pandemic from an apartment, she explains that she and her husband Jesse Maxwell wished to give their children space to run freely.

Above Jessica Kienle Maxwell in her element—relaxed elegance

“From our very first visit we immediately saw that this house had potential,” she says. “It was charming, with its old adobe stone walls and columns, Piedra Pinoy stone floor and tall ceilings with exposed beams. It definitely stood out from all the other houses on the market at that time. The layout and the ‘bones’ of the house were ideal and just what we were looking for.”

Fortunately for the couple, the structure had just been renovated with new cabinetry, tiles and fixtures. It was only a matter of giving it their own personal touch while allowing its inherent character to shine. “As it is an old house which kept its original structure and most of its original materials, we wanted to highlight its natural beauty and character by selecting furnishings that would complement the interiors,” Kienle Maxwell shares.

Above A modernist staircase by the entrance

Above The light and airy living space is what drew the couple to this home

Above A portrait of Jessica by Andres Barrioquinto welcomes guests into the home

Above By the sliding doors to the garden sits a home bar for entertaining

“I chose a mix of contemporary and traditional silhouettes and decorative pieces to balance out the new and the old, while adding a tropical Filipino touch to it. The living room has tall ceilings with exposed beams, a nod to coastal design, and large sliding doors opening out to the garden and pool areas, allowing natural light and ventilation into the house. We were inspired by the openness and connection with the outdoors and wanted to further highlight this by adding tall plants indoors, bringing the outside in.”

One of the most important factors for the designer was to build a safe haven within a buzzing metropolis. The original outdoor area only had plain white cement walls which she remedied with extensive landscaping. “Since the living room looks out into the garden and pool areas, we wanted to make sure to only see green from the inside. In order to maximise the outdoor space we decided on vines and narrow hedges to fill up the walls. This was key in realising our vision of creating a little oasis.”

Above Natural textures and an earthy palette dominate the décor, best embodied in the dining room featuring a custom Philux table with crema marfil stone top

In fact, one of Kienle Maxwell’s favourite spaces is the lanai where she loves “to sit outside in the early mornings, sip a cup of coffee, and enjoy the quietness and the sound of birds chirping before the hustle and bustle of the day”.

Staying true to her grounded nature, the decorative aspects of the interiors reflect an earthy palette with layered natural textures and tend to have a foundational element: “For every new space I like to begin with a focal point, whether it be a furniture piece, an art work, or an interior or architectural feature, and make this the anchor of the design story. Then the fun part is layering it with complementary pieces to complete the look. I tend to gravitate towards a more minimalist feel but I also like mixing elements from different styles and cultures to create a space that is unique and timeless.”

Above The Eijffinger wallpaper is the perfect background for this heritage Anita Magsaysay-Ho

Above Flowers add a touch of colour in the room

Above Oscar their golden doodle is the newest addition to the family

Above The large outdoor garden space and pool are perfect for their growing family

The home is filled with sentimental pieces, particularly masterful artwork by her husband’s grandmother, National Artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho. One in particular is very special to Jessica: a portrait of a young boy sitting on an easel in the living room. “It is always a discussion piece, as friends who visit often comment on it, initially thinking that the portrait is of our son Luca,” she exclaims. “They are always surprised to learn that the boy in the painting is in fact my husband Jesse in his younger years! There is an uncanny resemblance between the two of them at that age, and this always makes for a good story.”

Above Gorgeous afternoon sun illuminates the patio

The home is bright and airy, with a palpable feeling of joyful energy that comes from the exuberant pitter-patter of little feet. Despite having two young children—Luca, 5, and Layla,3—and the latest addition, an adorable pup named Oscar, the space remains stylish and chic. “I don’t believe in sacrificing style to create a functional home for the family,” she explains. “With that being said, a home with young kids should always be a safe space. We designate areas for play and they have learnt to look after their belongings. As young as they are now, I have been teaching them the importance of taking care of the house and the furniture in it, as well as to value and care for their possessions. It’s a lesson I hope they take with them as they grow older, and also apply in other environments outside of our home.”

Above More muted and peaceful tones are used in the family room. The wall features a collage of work by paper artist Wataru Sakuma

Function and flow are key aspects of Kienle Maxwell’s design philosophy. Rather than simply focusing on visual aesthetics, she prefers to imagine first the use of any area: “I have always been a very practical designer, and individual in general. I always study any new space carefully, analysing all areas and establishing the visual link from room to room early in the design phase. A designer needs to have a good understanding of the homeowner’s lifestyle, and how they will move and flow through the spaces.”

Above The powder room reflects the same earth tones as the public spaces

Above An artwork in rich blue hues strikes a contrast with the muted colours of the wallpaper

Above A precious portrait of young Jesse Maxwell painted by his grandmother, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, bears a striking resemblance to the couple’s son, Luca

Above The cooler palette is carried over into bedrooms

Inherently mindful, Jessica’s unique outlook for design ideation is rooted in the beauty of the small, everyday joys. “Whether it be reading a book, ideas shared by a friend, a peaceful walk in nature—all of these moments conjure ideas that influence my design aesthetic,” she explains. “Inspiration comes from quotidian simplicity.”

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