Having spent a majority of our time at home, we have all wanted to change our personal spaces in some way or another. Some buy cute plants and decors or maybe even rearrange their furniture while others have a whole transformation in mind. For Maycel Soleta and her family, they chose the latter for their 44 sqm. condo.
After she and her husband got married, it took them more than four years to get this home, prioritizing building their parents' houses instead. Maycel told Cosmopolitan in an email interview, "Tipikal na bahay kubo kasi 'yong kinalakihan namin na bahay hanggang sa bago kami ikasal... Pareho kasi kaming galing sa hirap and ang iniisip din namin is sila muna bago kami kasi matatanda na sila."
But they finally decided to have their condo renovated; here are some "before" photos of their unit:
Around mid-November 2020, the family started planning for the condo's renovation, consulting a team of professionals: interior designer, Mazen Castro of Studio Castro and contractor, La Arte Design Interior Works, and architects Alain and Ely Lagaran.
Maycel wanted the condo to have a minimalist, Scandinavian style—something she wasn't sure was achievable until Mazen showed her the designs. They wanted the space to look like a contemporary Filipino resort. According to Mazen, "it's a small space with a big impact."
"The interior offers ambient lighting, white walls, earthy color tone accents, [a] variety of textures paired with clean lines, plants to liven up the space, and a showcase of local materials."
Maycel's favorite part of their renovated condo is the bedroom because when she's there with her family, it feels so much like a hotel na "nawawala yung pagod [nila]."
Meanwhile, her husband loves their living room because it's where he relaxes after work—a perfect spot to watch Netflix, thanks to their super comfortable sofa bed.
Maycel shared that their budget for this renovation was "more or less P700,000," which was surprising because they expected it to be much pricier. She also said that they're paying it off in installments.
This space is something they're very thankful for because not only does it feel like a staycation in the city, it's also located near their office so it's easy to access whenever they need a break.
If anyone has a similar goal, Maycel said, "When God gives you the perfect time to start building your dream home you must know what you really want and your budget. Find trustworthy partners who can [turn] your dream home design into reality." She credited her team for their work ethic and professionalism. She also advised taking your time, focusing on needs, not wants, and being wise with your spending.
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