Interior design consultant Nathalie Küpfer Henares proves there is beauty in uncluttered, well-planned spaces as she gives a tour of her home with her husband Atom
Having lived in various countries, Nathalie Küpfer Henares’ personal style reflects a panoply of cultures she has been exposed to. In Shanghai, she had the opportunity to explore and appreciate Asian craftsmanship, while her stay in Hamburg spurred her interest in Scandinavian design. Switzerland, her homeland, brought her close to nature and taught her to find beauty in simplicity. “Every place has different resources and, thus, different skills, artisans and standards of craftsmanship,” explains the Swiss design connoisseur, who is now based in Manila with her husband, Atom Henares. These design influences that she learnt over time from the many corners of the globe fuel her creativity to this day and serve as the inspiration behind the items she curates and spaces she styles for her online company, PORTORO Interior, as well as her own home in the Philippines.
The Henareses’ dream home is a handsome 1,200sqm one designed by the legendary architect Ramon Antonio. Enveloped by about 700sqm of al fresco space, the three-story residence allows the owners to luxuriate outdoors—something that she wished they had the first few years following her decision to move to the country. “When we were planning the home, we wanted to have a garden, a lanai and enough space for a swimming pool,” shares the lady of the house who, for a long time, has stayed in an apartment in Makati with her husband. “Now, we certainly have more options available to us.” By that, she means the option to have breakfast in the garden, enjoy lunch she personally prepared in their spacious kitchen, and have ample space for entertaining outdoors.
Nathalie, who loves to personally cook their meals, makes sure even everyday dining is a heart-warming experience. In fact, her non-negotiable when the home was still in the works was to have a spacious kitchen that opens onto the garden. Designed by Nathalie herself, the kitchen is meant to be sleek and elegant instead of a conventional one. “That’s why, for example, we don’t have hanging cabinets,” she expounds. The walls have mouldings with mirrors and vintage wall lights sourced from an old hotel in Paris. A herringbone-patterned floor adds a hint of Parisian flair, while art pieces emphasise how important this space is to the owners’ lives. A beautiful vintage chandelier from the Sixties hangs over the three-metre-long island. “While I cook, Atom pours us a glass of wine and puts on some upbeat but relaxing music,” she says.
Meanwhile, for simpler or more intimate meals, the couple has a beautiful nook within the kitchen with a custom-made bench and a Saarinen dining table from Knoll. “At the end of the workday, Atom and I always meet each other in our kitchen. That is our favourite place as well as time of day, to unwind and catch up on our respective workdays.”
Read also: Designer Spotlight: Nathalie Küpfer Henares of Portoro Speaks About Purposeful Design
