A Hotel Chic Look for a 39sqm Studio Unit
Ar. IDr. Isabelle Ong Sitco of Iztilo Interiors took inspiration from luxe hotel rooms in sprucing up the well-maximized space

When scouting for a condo home, looking at the size of the units is always a priority. While some instantly shy away from studio units because of size concerns, there are property developers who offer spacious studio units that’s perfect for young professionals and couples.
The owners of this unit in Parañaque City were lucky to secure a 39sqm studio with a balcony, which is bigger compared to other studio units offered in the Metro. “The clients specifically wanted a hotel-feel ambiance in their home. We designed it with muted neutral colors with wood accents for a homey yet hotel vibes feel,” shares Ar. IDr. Isabelle Ong Sitco of Iztilo Interiors.
Since the unit is spacious, Isabelle also had to make sure each area is properly defined, with enough storage solutions to avoid clutter. “We use different kinds of materials on the wall as a design solution to give each room its space while still making it look cohesive,” explains the architect-designer.
Take a peek inside the 39sqm hotel-like studio unit below:
Unit Overview
The door opens to the dining, living, and sleeping areas on the right. From this angle, guests will immediately notice the framed wall accent in the living area which complements the gold finishes and marble elements used in the space.
Dining Area
According to the architect-designer, the clients selected the bar-height dining table, which proved to be a good call since it presents a play of height in contrast to the low sofa and bed. Isabelle also had a mirror installed beside the dining set to create an illusion of a bigger space. “It’s believed that having a mirror in the dining area invites good luck as it doubles the owners’ blessings,” Isabelle says.
Living Area
The colors used in the unit are reminiscent of posh hotel suites. “One touch of luxury in the living area is the wall covering. The living room with the muted wall covering added dept to the space,” explains the architect-designer.
To keep the space from being too busy, décor is minimal, with a simple table with slim legs completing the look.
In front of the sofa is marble wall that gives a touch of elegance and class to the entire unit. According to Isabelle, by using marble, the entertainment wall also serves as the centerpiece in the living area. “With its warm light backlight feature, it’s able to exude a luxury statement,” she explains.
Beside the entertainment wall are white cabinets where the owners’ essentials are kept. The all-white storage units blend well with the dining set. “The storage was designed to hide the large column in the unit. It blended seamlessly into the wall by adding the owners’ portraits and statement wall clock,” Isabelle adds.
Kitchen
The wooden slats serve different functions in the kitchen. Aside from separating the cooking area from the entrance, it also conceals the appliances.
Isabelle opted for a marble backsplash that mirrors the one used for the entertainment wall. “It gives a timeless contemporary feel to the interior. The complementary relationship of the marble and wood materials highlighted by the white countertop gives the kitchen a perfect balance of warmth and coolness as well,” she explains.
Sleeping Area
The lady of the house specifically requested for a black glass partition between the living and sleeping areas. Aside from complementing the neutral color palette of the unit, it’s not also too heavy on the eyes.
Isabelle considers the wood-designed headboard as the focal point in the bedroom. “Choosing a combination of white and wood creates a classic monochromatic setting,” she shares. To complete the look, she had to use the right type of lighting so the architect-designer had wall lights and cove lighting installed. The chosen lighting gives dramatic flair to the space while helping set the ambiance for sleeping.
The closet came with the unit upon turnover so Isabelle had to take it into consideration prior to finalizing the design. Good thing it worked well with the interiors and chosen color palette.
Office/Vanity Nook
Reminiscent of workspaces in hotel rooms, this nook serves different purposes—may it be working, reading, or as a vanity desk. Despite the small space, Isabelle was able to incorporate a bookshelf, a desk with storage, and a chair.
Bathroom
To achieve the hotel-like feel in the bathroom, Isabelle had warm lights installed behind the mirror. “It adds an element of warmth and luxury,” she says. “Another feature is the warm light below the lavatory which can be used during night time to protect the eyes from the bright lights,” the architect-designer adds.
Given the size of the bathroom, she was able to carve out a space for the washing machine as well.
The other side of the bathroom features a glass shower enclosure, marble tiles to tie the look with the rest of the unit, and floating shelves where décor and toiletries can be placed.
Ready for your own makeover? You can get in touch with Iztilo Interiors through email at iztilointeriors[at]gmail.com. You can also follow them on Facebook: facebook.com/iztilointeriors and Instagram: instagram.com/iztilointeriors.