A Colorful Condo in BGC With Playful Italian Touches

Condo developments are usually modern buildings with standard amenities of gyms and roof-deck pools. But this particular condo development in Taguig is different—the residential buildings emulate Italian palazzos with ornate moldings, courtyards, and Gothic-style details, while the adjoining mall winds around an actual canal, complete with gondolas.

It was this Venetian theme that had drawn Benjie Chua to take root in this condo. While traveling, the businessman fell in love with the architecture and art of Venice, Italy. And sure enough, he didn’t want a run-of-the-mill, model unit-style interior for his home. 

Benjie spotted Grace Moslares’ work in Real Living’s website, and soon contacted the decorator. “He loves Venice in general, which is the primary reason for buying this unit,” shares Grace. “I wanted to stay true to the architecture of the condo, and not make it modern. The Venetian design had to be reflected inside his unit.”

The main challenge was incorporating the classical design in a one-bedroom condo unit, but the renovation was done effortlessly. Grace’s concept was “‘Contemporary Palazzo,’ which was inspired by the traditional palatial design that you could see in the old structures in Venice,” she explains. “We created this look by mixing traditional designs with modern functions. We provided a lot of storage, such as the classical-style foyer cabinets which can actually store 50 pairs of shoes…we also maximized the small kitchen with new cabinetry in a classical style with a farmer’s sink, but it was fitted with modern inverter appliances.”

This contemporary-classical style can be found throughout the unit, which looks bigger than it is because Grace reconfigured the main living and dining areas. Jewel tones of turquoise, ruby, and sapphire blue dominate the palette in the accents and furnishings, but are tempered by walls in white. And the piece de resistance is the Venetian-style mural on the ceilings, created by artist and muralist Ricky Ambagan.

Grace reveals that Benjie enjoyed the renovation fully, and that she enjoyed the design process, as well. The final interiors give the feeling of la dolce vita, indeed.