Practical design and eclectic pieces complete this home revamp in the South
When Adelaida Ignacio was finally convinced by her children to relocate to a bigger home, she immediately took to Instagram where she found their current residence. From the online pictures to meeting the broker at the site, Mrs. Ignacio knew it was the house for her and her family despite the plainness of the structure: “Nung nakita ko to, I fell in love with it. Plain na plain pa siya, hindi ganito yung itsura.” Mrs. Ignacio then enlisted the help of her niece Jiezl Sunga, head designer of Upcycle Manila.
Once they had the title to the property, Jiezl set to work. The all-white house was a blank canvass to work with and since the house was well-designed to begin with, no major renovations were needed. They just needed to put in personality through finishes and furniture pieces. The design process was simple and informal. Jiezl chose the finishes and furniture and presented them to the client to which they just gave a “yes” or “no.”
Jiezl describes the house as a “juxtaposition of industrial and classical design”. She started with what the client, her aunt, already had and built the redesign from there. “The cement feel of the wallpaper and then the classic furniture pieces that she has already tapos dinagdagan lang ng iba. Some [furniture pieces] are from the old house, some are customized by Upcycle Manila.”
There were certain areas, though, that needed more consideration than others. But, since the client was a close relative, Jiezl faced no challenges in determining the spaces the family needed to have. First on the list was to have entertaining and dining areas since the family loved to gather around the dining table. Mrs. Ignacio recounts their love for food comes from her mother: “Siguro I got it from my mom, kasi my mom loves to cook tapos magaling talaga siya magluto. So my brothers, kasi we’re eight, I have 7 brothers, and they love to eat. Gusto nila yung pagkain ng nanay ko kaya pag gusto nila matikman, magpapaluto sila.”
Other than the dining areas, the family is happy to finally have their own individual bedrooms that they can put their personal stamps on. “Each room, sila yung namili ng theme, sinabi lang nila sakin kung ano yung gusto nila. Yung isa masculine, yung isa gusto niya tropical talaga with pink kasi favorite color niya yun. Iba iba yung style/theme ng rooms, depende sa personality nila that’s why yung hallway ginawa na lang naming simple, without a theme, para may element of surprise,” shares Jiezl.
Mrs. Ignacio never thought they would move from their old home of 28 years. But, as if by fate, she was given the chance to make the home she’s always wanted: a place to eat, live, love, and laugh in.
