Dreams do come true. When Real Living’s home makeover winner’s entry wasn’t chosen for the magazine’s ultimate makeover, she didn’t realize that she would still end up getting the makeover of her dreams. “Sabi nila we were shortlisted for the kitchen and dining makeover, and if OK lang ba. So siyempre di ba for me, of course (They said we were shortlisted for the kitchen and dining makeover, and they asked if it was OK with us. So naturally, I said, of course!)!” she enthuses.

She and her husband entrusted their space to interior designer Vera Villarosa, but they did have a few requests in mind. “We like collecting wines,” the homeowner shares. “Tapos ‘pag we invite friends over, they bring wine, so wala kami mapaglagyan. Ang isang request namin is to have a wine rack. Tapos ‘yung mga shelves, ‘yung storage spaces (And when we invite friends over, they bring wine, so we don't have any place for them. Our one request is to have a wine rack. Then the shelves, the storage spaces...)...”

Vera, together with architect Hector Ligeralde and his team, worked on the makeover. Find out how it turned out in the gallery below:

Get more home makeover ideas from the December-January issue of Real Living Philippines, out on stands now! You can also subscribe to the magazine's digital edition. Also in the issue:

7 Secret Storage Solutions for Renters
139 Bed & Bath Finds!
Casual and Chic Homes

(First published as “Heart of the Home” in the “Real Makeover” section of Real Living Philippines' December 2012-January 2013 issue. Words by Sunshine Selga Funa. Pictorial direction by Dagny Madamba. Photography by Jun Pinzon.)