interior design for new house in the philippines

Briefing

The property has a total land area of 495 sq. m. However, as you can see in the attached plan (in PDF file), there is some generous land that was not used in the construction as I want to have a small plot of free land to serve as my garden. The house is currently under construction. I think we are about 40% of the process and hopefully it would be turned-over to me by November. As you will find in the Pictures, I have provided the architect’s rendition of how the house would look like when its finished.
However, the architect that I have would not be working on with the interior details and for this reason I turn to participants in the CoContest to help me the needed “body and bounce” for the interiors. There is the initial lay-out of the rooms and locations of furniture (with some modifications to make as circumstances do change), which can be gleaned in the attached PDF file, that have been in the original architect’s rendition. Now, I would like to seek help from the CoContest participants to give life in the interiors.
I have provided some References so as to guide CoContest participants an insight into my vision (although, understandably its spans vary). Generally, I want to have a modern cum minimalist cum industrial outlook but with a touch of tropical given that the property is in the Philippines. An interior that has a light, open and airy feel (including the impact on the budget). In terms of overall finish, I prefer the use of cement for the floors and bathrooms, paint finish for the walls, and wooden floors for the bedroom. I have provided some in the REFERENCES on how those should look. Of course, I am open to recommendations as to how it would be better rendered.
The occupants: Most of the time of the year, the occupants will only be my sister, my mum, my niece, my two nephews and my two shitzu dogs. I am generally working overseas so as well as my sister’s husband. So in general, the foot traffic is not heavy. My mum is 65 year’s old so I am thinking already along the lines that her bedroom and her bathroom should be “elderly proof.” My niece is 10 years old and she goes to school. She has a couple of activities like ballet, piano, painting, archery and other sports that should be factored for the design of her bedroom (Bedroom 2). My nephews are just both three years old so their shared room is more of a place to store toys. Anyways, more on the bedroom usage later.
The property has two floors. I have attached in here the layout and the distribution of spaces for each floors. The first floor will have a corridor, my mum’s bedroom, living room, and the combined kitchen and dining areas. It also has a service area at the back of the kitchen and a porch area that in attached to the dining area. For the corridor, given that it is a bit narrow, I need some suggestions with respect for providing a space where frequently used shoes are stored as well as for to hang your jacket/rain coats. The living room is on a lower level compared to that of the kitchen and the dining. I guess, the initial thought of this is that it provides some separation but not as obviously as it should be. There is that thinking that you can still maintain visuals of those people who are in either of the two areas. Essentially, the visuals should still provide some continuous form but in a different level. There will be a television and some entertainment equipment and some storages that I would like to have in this living area. Moreover, I am not sure whether a hanging lamp/chandelier should be lighting the space as if you can see from the plan, the living area has a high ceiling. Recommendations, at to which curtains or blinds should be used is also expected.
For the kitchen and dining, I hope it would have a continuous flow. We do cook home food a lot and do host once in a while but mostly children events. I want to have a breakfast nook that the area can also have a multi-use (e.g. storage of kitchen items like plates, glasses and others – I leave that to you CoContest participant to provide your recommendation. As the dining is also adjacent to the porch/lanai area, I would like to have that continuous feel as well. A porch/lanai area that is inviting to lounge to.
As for the Bedrooms, there are a total of five. One is located on the first floor, which will be used by my mum and four will be in the second floor. I have already expressed my wish for my mum’s room in the above. However, it is requested that she be given enough ample space to store her personal items as well as a writing desk and a space to set up her own TV (this room and the living area are the only spaces that would have TVs. All other bedrooms will not be provided). Bedroom 01 will be used by my niece and Bedroom 02 by my nephews. If you notice, both rooms have connections (as requested by my niece and my nephew). Bedroom 03 is for my sister and her husband while my room would be Bedroom 04. Bedroom 01 and 02 can have a playful character while Bedroom 03 and Bedroom 04 can have your normal bedrooms. A simple design for Bedroom 03 and Bedroom 04 (as well as for my mum’s bedroom) is what I have in mind, which would include perhaps a wood floor finish (or could be cement) with white paint wall finished. Of course, it should contain a storage cabinet and a hanging desk perhaps.
As for the Family Hall, I have no idea what to do with this. Perhaps, there is where I place my upright piano and a day bed. I leave it to you CoContest participants to suggest on how to make full use of this space.
A lighting layout has been provided by the Architect, which I have as well attached herein. I suggest we have to follow that and if possible no re-wiring should be made.

Some Concerns to Address:

1. Well, there are growing kids and ladies (my mum and my sister) that requires a lot of storage.
2. I am not sure what to do with the space under the stairs and how it can be maximized. The only thing I can think of is that it will be where the two shit-zu dogs would have their sleeping area.
3. The location for the upright piano. I am not sure where best to put it.
4. I want to make sure that there is a feel of openness with regards to the kitchen area, living area, dining area and the lanai/porch area.
5. Would there be a space in the hallway at the first floor where shoes would be stored? I feel it is a bit small to accommodate the storage for shoes.
6. I also need a storage place for books. Yes we read books in papers.

Few Notes:

1. Lighting plan is not necessary. It is uploaded here and must be followed; but suggestions for design of lamp and fixtures in the furniture scheme is welcome.
2. The kitchen lay out has been changed from the PDF file. The correct kitchen lay-out to be used is in the file named: Kitchen 03-25.DWG

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