A private island residence inspired by colonial architecture and the travels of two lifelong explorers.
Hidden on the island of Mua Pel'am, The Kent Residence is home to Jacques and Catherine Kent, two explorers whose travels have shaped every corner of the estate.
For Catherine Kent, exploration did not end with returning home. The entrance gardens draw inspiration from decades of travel through tropical regions, combining ornamental species with specimens collected from more remote environments. Together, they create a lush transition between wilderness and residence, setting the tone for the world beyond the front door. A closer look reveals that not every plant was selected for its hospitality — a detail Catherine has always considered part of the charm.
Opening from the sala terrena, the rear gardens are arranged around a pool lined with reclaimed stone and enclosed by fragments of ancient ruins. The composition balances cultivated elegance with the atmosphere of a forgotten expedition site, blurring the distinction between residence, landscape and archaeological discovery.
A sheltered bar terrace forms the social heart of the garden, while dense tropical planting softens the surrounding masonry. Not every object or specimen encountered here was chosen solely for decorative purposes — a reflection of the Kents' longstanding belief that curiosity is often worth a certain degree of risk.
Positioned between the central courtyard and the ocean veiw gardens, the living room forms part of a sequence of spaces that gradually transition from residence to landscape. Beyond the main seating area, a covered terrace centred around a gaming table leads towards the sala terrena, which opens onto the pool gardens beyond.
A gentle breeze travels through the open colonnades and terraces, carrying the atmosphere of the courtyard towards the gardens and reinforcing the seamless connection between architecture and landscape.
While much of the residence embraces openness and light, the kitchen offers a more intimate atmosphere. Finished in deep terracotta-toned Venetian plaster, the space draws inspiration from traditional Mediterranean interiors while remaining firmly rooted in the tropics.
A large brushed stainless-steel island forms the centrepiece of the room, its clean lines intentionally contrasted by handcrafted Selvadoradian ceramics and woven harvest baskets collected during the Kents' travels. To preserve the simplicity of the space, storage and utilities are concealed within an adjoining pantry, allowing the kitchen itself to remain uncluttered and architectural.
At the heart of the room stands a large antique table, where maps are unfolded, routes debated and the occasional fiercely contested game of chess takes place. Surrounding shelves house a growing collection of books, artefacts and field notes gathered during the Kents' travels.
Not every object on display has been fully catalogued. Catherine prefers it that way.
Occupying a private wing of the residence, the Master Suite was designed as a retreat from both island life and the demands of exploration. Tropical textile wallcoverings and carefully curated furnishings create a calm atmosphere, while a folding screen acquired in Shang Simla subtly separates the sleeping quarters from the dressing area beyond.
Generous wardrobes provide ample storage for Catherine's collections and, somewhat remarkably, sufficient space for Jacques' belongings and travel cases as well. From here, the suite flows into the adjoining bathroom, where botanical motifs, emerald-green tiles and a freestanding bathtub frame views across the ocean.
On the opposite side of the suite, a private sitting area offers a setting for late-night conversations over a bottle of wine before leading into Jacques' study. Here, a writing desk and typewriter occupy pride of place among shelves of books, maps and personal papers. Catherine's expedition laptop shares the room with a large antique chest whose contents remain, by mutual agreement, largely undiscussed.
Arranged around the central courtyard, the guest accommodations offer two distinct interpretations of island living. Positioned above the sala terrena, the first bedroom embraces a softer and more intimate atmosphere, with high original windows, layered textiles and a palette of muted tropical tones.
The prominence of the guest accommodations reflects a long-standing tradition of the residence. Since Catherine's childhood, when the property still belonged to her parents, it is said that no guest room remained unoccupied for long. Friends, relatives, fellow explorers and the occasional unexpected visitor have always found their way here.
Together, the guest quarters provide a comfortable retreat while maintaining the residence's characteristic balance between tropical elegance and collected influences from abroad.
Positioned just beyond the Expedition Study, the tent forms a direct link between the residence and the spirit of exploration that shaped it. Originally used by Catherine's father during his travels, the structure has since found a permanent home overlooking the ocean.
Today, it serves as an informal extension of the study, offering a secluded setting for research, archaeological analysis and expedition planning. Surrounded by sea air and tropical vegetation, it provides a welcome change of scenery from the more formal interiors of the residence while remaining firmly connected to its history.
Though no longer required to withstand months in the field, the tent continues to embody the adventurous character of the family that once carried it across distant landscapes.
Partially reclaimed by the surrounding vegetation, the garage stands as a reminder that exploration at the Kent Residence has always been a practical pursuit as much as a romantic one. While the structure shows signs of the tropical climate's slow encroachment, it continues to provide shelter for the vehicles that remain essential to life on the island.
A rugged off-road vehicle, a small boat and the residence's seaplane are housed here, ready for journeys ranging from routine supply runs to rather less predictable destinations. Though less refined than many other parts of the estate, the garage reflects the same spirit that shaped the rest of the property: a conviction that the next adventure is never very far away.
1 Kichen Fresco by House of Harlix | 2 Egyptian Emerald Dream Wall Tiles by Nando | 3 Estate Parquet Floor by Felixandre | 4 Georgian Panorama by Felixandre | 5 Room Devider 'Kwatei' by Harrie | 6 Colonial Sofa by Felixandre | 7 Potted Date Palm 'Grove' by Felixandre | 8 Desk 'Tiny Twavellers' by House of Harlix
