Home Tour: A Luxury Coastal Chinoiserie Apartment in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

High above the coast of Kota Kinabalu, where the South China Sea meets the verdant Sabah countryside, an 1,800 square meter residential complex has been transformed into a sophisticated blend of East and West. Owned by two friends—a Sabahan returning to her roots and her American companion—the home serves as their Southeast Asian pied-à-terre, capturing both the tranquility of the ocean and the richness of Asia’s design heritage.

“Central to the vision was the theme of ‘Coastal Chinoiserie,’” says Ashley Yeoh, founder and interior designer of Mom Designer House. “One of the owners is reconnecting with her childhood city, while the other fell in love with Kota Kinabalu on her first visit. We wanted to create a welcoming sanctuary that celebrated their shared Asian heritage.”

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