Building a house from scratch allows the owners (and in this case, the designers) to delve deep into their design preferences and figure out what kind of space will best fit their personalities. In this home, the owners wanted something Asian and tropical but contemporary at the same time. The challenge was to find a style that would mix both worlds but not be overdone or over-designed. The result is a breezy mélange of stone, wood, and bright and airy spaces.

(First published in Real Living, Real Homes section, June 2009. Photos by Miguel Nacianceno, styling by Issa Villar; adapted for use in Female Network)