Nirvana in South Forbes

The lingering experience of staying in a Balinese beach resort is the sea breeze blowing along a white sand beach as the warmth of the sun releases your tension and it floats away with the ebb tide to the deep blue sea. And when you return to your private villa, you find yourself in harmony with lush, tropical foliage and a majestic panorama of the sun setting over the horizon.

Indeed, the resort is the perfect luxury hideaway. Though far from the ocean, South Forbes Golf City, a 500-hectare fully-integrated self-sustaining city in the heart of Metro Sta. Rosa, has creatively combined the ingredients of a tropical resort lifestyle into Nirwana Bali, South Forbes’ newest 30-hectare Balinese-themed development. South Forbes is the first Philippine development to win as Best Golf Community Development from the 2007 CNBC International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious property industry awards programme, and the first to offer free golf membership to its residents at no activation fee.

One of its newest model homes is Sanur, designed with a young family in mind. Sanur originates from two words, “saha” and “nuhur”, which literally means the passion to visit a certain place. In earlier times, the village of Sanur was the setting of grand villas of heirs and heiresses. Over the years, it has attracted an international elite and today is a prominent luxury resort area in the Far East.

The Sanur interiors, designed by sisters Camille Sison Reyes and Monique Sison Enrile, ingeniously merges the modern and traditional to produce an everyday weekend-resort home that is open, pleasant, and airy. The warm wood tones and Balinese decorative elements contrast beautifully with the clean, spare walls and sharp lines of the whole house.

The immaculate, almost monastic, living room is striking in its calm simplicity. The whole space pays particular attention to surfaces and textures with the ivory sandstone wall where an oil painting hangs, a soft and cozy sectional sofa with Balinese accent throw pillows for a very relaxed ambience, and an abaca rug that breaks up the space and lends warmth to the stone flooring. Full-length sliding doors invite the outside landscaping in — part of the Balinese tropical living experience.

A wooden louver screen divides the living area from the dining-kitchen section yet still allows for ample light and good ventilation. The seamless kitchen flow along the polished stone counter elevates the cooking experience. A low glass-top bar allows for a delineation of space as well as a countertop for working or eating. The modern glass dining table with steel base complements the traditional wooden chairs for an uncluttered appearance. Printed drop lighting adds an interesting Asian touch.

The sleeping quarters on the second level are the only private spaces in the house as the whole ground level maintains an open plan to enhance the fluidity of transition between spaces.

The master’s bedroom features contemporary pieces of furniture and accessories with traditional Indonesian wooden panels. The platform bed is framed by an upholstered wall panel in vibrant lemon yellow and chic, soft floral patterns. A floor-to-ceiling wooden-framed picture window is lined with built-in wooden shelving to add life and art to the scenery beyond. Luxurious drapery filters the glare of the bright sun.

A walk-in closet transitions between the bedroom and the toilet and bath. Light-colored stone tile flooring and glass partitions add to the bright and airy feeling while the chaise lounge by the large window allows one to view clothes in total ease. Balinese elements add flair to a neutral room with the red wooden art piece, ethnic throw pillows and the rattan-lined wardrobe doors.

The boy’s bedroom next door is given a modish touch with a blue laminated wood drop ceiling which offsets the natural tones of the room and furniture. A geometrical composition of wood panels serves as an interesting headboard while a full-wall mirror opposite the window was added to lend an illusion of space.

The newborn baby deserves a nursery that exudes the joy of every parent. Hand-painted murals akin to a children’s picture book dominate the walls and ceiling for that touch of playfulness. At the center of the room is a teak wood crib that not only reflects fine Balinese craftsmanship but also warmth and security while the baby is lulled to sleep. Matching nesting tables, shelves, and cabinets provide storage for clothes and toys. The chair at the corner window becomes the perfect nook at feeding time and the soft, pale yellow shades can be brought down for some privacy.

Families who desire to settle and forge a new life in a tropical resort lifestyle will find it in Nirwana Bali. Move in right here, right now in South Forbes Golf City. Call 635-7777 or 631-8855 for a free city tour and a complimentary round of golf.