A 1930s Apartment with a Cozy, Ancestral Vibe
What’s a homeowner to do with a 200sqm apartment with a clear view of the Manila Bay? Give it a character of its own, that’s what
Homeowner: Chiqui Sy-Quia Mabanta
Type of Home: 200sqm Apartment
Style of Home: Filipino, Ancestral
Restaurateur Chiqui Sy-Quia Mabanta moved into a unit in North Syquia Apartments in 2000. The space, which her mother used to rent out to a lola (not related to her) for 40 years, was reminiscent of an ancestral house (read: wooden floors, art deco railings, and vintage furniture pieces).
When she took over, Chiqui gave the unit a major facelift, but decided to keep its “old” vibe intact. To give her new space a character of its own, she threw in some eclectic pieces from her travels and moved around some furniture. The result? A spacious unit with abundant natural light, a seaside view, and a chock-full of history—where new, old, and everything in between come together.
Read the original article ("Past-Present") in the October 2015 issue of Real Living Magazine. Download your digital copy of Real Living on the Real Living App. Log on to summitnewsstand.com.ph/real-living for more details.
