"Mukha siyang tambakan before (It looked like a dump before.)," says one of Real Living's reliable Real Makeover designers Grace Moslares of the renovated house. "Everything was really damaged, everything was leaking. There [was] no ceiling. The plumbing was not functioning. There were a lot of pests. That's the reason why they decided to renovate, because at that time [the owner] was pregnant and they were very scared [for the baby's safety]."

The homeowner, who shared the house with her mom, dad, husband, and toddler son agreed. "It's about time ma-renovate siya," she says. Aside from her infant's well-being, she was also concerned about the poor ventilation and the lack of storage in the bedroom she shares with her growing family. But while she and her mom were keen with the home re-do, her dad didn't show the same interest and excitement. "Si daddy ayaw talagang ipagawa kasi sentimental siyang tao (Daddy didn't really want to have the house done because he's a sentimental person)," admits the owner.

With a less-than-enthusiastic member of the family and just one and a half months to complete the construction before the baby's arrival, Grace definitely had her hands full. See how she pulled off an amazing makeover that suited everyone, especially the owner's father and the new baby's best interests.

(First published as "Here Comes the Baby" in the "Real Home" section of Real Living Philippines' Jan-Feb 2012 issue. Words by Kathleen Valle. Photos by Vincent Coscolluela. Adapted for use in Female Network.)