A 1950s Apartment Gets a Transformation

Artist, UP College of Fine Arts faculty member, and industrial designer Ninel Constantino’s home is a recently renovated old apartment located in a quiet street in Quezon City. The three-storey duplex, which she now shares with her brother, Red Constantino, was formerly her lola’s home during the 1950s.

The ground floor serves as Ninel’s studio—it is roomy and stretches all the way to the two-car garage. This is so she has enough space to look at her paintings from a distance and spread out her canvases. It has a small sitting area where she heads to during breaks. On the second floor is her cozy living area with several art pieces from family and friends on display. Just a few steps away is the mostly wood-decorated dining area and across it is the kitchen with yellow and black cabinets.

Ninel’s bedroom is located at the third floor. Just like the rest of the house, it is sprinkled with old, upcycled, and artistic items, like the vintage dimsum cart that now serves as her bed stand. “The way I planned the house is the way I knew myself. Alam ko paano ako mabuhay, ano yung routines ko, ano yung important sa akin. Ganun ko pinlano, kaya sobrang saya ko,” finishes Ninel.

Read the original article ("Industrial Revolution") in the February 2014 issue of Real Living Magazine. Download your digital copy of Real Living on the Real Living App now! Log on to summitnewsstand.com.ph/real-living for more details.