Senior Citizens Live in this Mini Paradise in the City
Wood tones and classic details complete this serene small space

How can three people live comfortably in a 28sqm unit? The answer, as shown in this condo unit designed by interior designer Jasmine Ancheta, lies in how you maximize the available space and the furniture pieces you choose.
Originally a one-bedroom unit with a partition that blocks the natural light coming from the windows, this 28sqm unit now features a tropical-inspired aesthetic, with modern Filipino touches polishing the look.
“It has elements like natural matting fibers, an accent wall that looks like a watercolor painting, and wrought iron pieces. To make up for the simple street view, the vision for this space is Paradiso, a Filipino colloquial term for paradise to signify a locally inspired tropical landscape,” Jasmine explains.
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Take a tour of the compact condo unit below:
Entryway/Kitchen
Jasmine retained the base cabinets in the kitchen then used the same oak finish as the cabinets beside it. To make it easier for the owners to maintain the area, she settled on using subway tiles as backsplash. “We also retrofitted the overhead kitchen cabinets to make space for a microwave,” she adds.
Kitchen
Given the tight space, Jasmine says it’s not ideal to put the range and refrigerator beside each other. “We added a partition, the upper part of which is in glass, for easier cleaning,” the designer says.
Dining Area
The walls in the unit are painted in warm grey to tie the colors used in the space together. In the dining area, the designer added storage and display options to help the users avoid clutter. Jasmine fitted the overhead cabinets with task lighting to further illuminate the space.
“The dining table is a solid wood piece from Retail Therapy and the hunter green dining chairs are the last two pieces we got from Triboa Bay Living. It fits our tropical theme perfectly,” shares Jasmine. The chairs and the stool can be easily tucked under the table when not in use.
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Also at the foot of the bed is a wardrobe that’s divided into three to accommodate the things of the occupants. It has a hanging rod, a drawer, and ample storage space for shoes.
Living Area
After tearing down the old partition wall, Jasmine decided to use a wrought iron partition to separate the sleeping area from the living room. Since three people will stay in the space, it’s important to create a proper sleeping space for them. A comfortable deep daybed with pull-out can accommodate one of the seniors and their helper.
A solihiya pendant light from Lucendi adds a warm glow to the space. Meanwhile, the TV cabinet is big enough to accommodate a TV and other entertainment essentials. Jasmine made sure to incorporate multiple storage and display options.
Sleeping Area
According to Jasmine, the unit us a different take on the Filipino tropical home. Instead of showcasing capiz and antique furniture, she chose to bring in wrought iron pieces which are also tributes to the past.
“The classic wrought iron bed is reminiscent of the user’s own bed when she was a young lady,” the designer relates.
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One of the unit’s highlights is definitely the Neumuri wallpaper that looks like a painting. “It’s a more economical version than having it painted,” says Jasmine.
Jasmine got this night table at a discounted price. “It’s made of ash wood and has a drawer perfect for storing items. We always add a switch and outlets on the bedside similar to how hotels are designed,” she adds.
Bathroom
In sprucing up the bathroom, the designer replaced the existing mirror with a bigger one. More importantly, she added accessories and grab handles to ensure the safety of the elderly users.
Interested to work with IDr. Jasmine Ancheta? You can get in touch with her via email at idrjasmineancheta[at]jasanchetainteriors.com. You can also visit www.jasanchetainteriors.com or follow her on Facebook: Jas Ancheta Interiors and Instagram: @jasanchetainteriors.