Homes aren't only reflections of their owners' personalities. They are also venues for practicing one's craft and passion, be it a home-based business or an artistic endeavor. Such is this lovely old house tucked in a quiet corner in Manila, where the homeowner sometimes holds dance rehearsals to pull performers out of their comfort zones. It was offered to her more than seven years ago because of her love for old houses. "I grew up in one," says the owner. "This is exactly like the house that we all grew up in as children [in Sampaloc, Manila], with trees, large windows, and calado."

As with most old houses, however, this one presented a challenge. "The bathrooms needed repair. We made our own kitchen, bedroom, sala, made it a very livable space. And then that's it. Slowly, we started putting our furniture in, which were coming from Syquia Apartments. We painted the entire house. It needed repairs and fresh paint," the owner shares.

Their labor of love paid off. The result is a Pinoy-looking space that the owner also describes as eclectic.

(First published as "Chic and Artistic" in the "Real Home" section of Real Living Philippines' October 2011 issue. Photos by Vincent Coscolluela. Styling by Gwyn Guanzon. Adapted for use in Female Network.)