An All-White Makeover by a Mom-and-Daughter Tandem
The two bonded over sprucing up the outdated common areas in their family home
There’s something about waking up to a bright and cheerful space every day. It can lighten up your mood and make you feel ready to take on another day. What if you’re seeing outdated nooks and worn-out furniture? Just like Janica, you can use it as an inspiration to work on a home improvement project!
“Our house looked lonely and lacked that welcoming quality. We felt like our living room was no longer a place we can hang out in as a family, plus the space and furniture are no longer comfortable,” she shares with Realliving.com.ph. Motivated to turn things around, she enlisted the help of her mother, Mary Ann, and their neighbors who are construction workers.
Mary Ann was in charge of handling the budget, with Janica taking care of the planning and decorating. “My mom was so supportive of my ideas and we would even go to upholstery shops, surplus stores, and local markets here in Bacolod City,” recalls Janica.
It took them two months to complete the new look of their living, dining, and kitchen areas since they had to adjust to the schedule of the workers. Though it took some time, the two are more than happy with what they were able to achieve. “We really saved a lot because we repainted and reupholstered our furniture pieces instead of buying new ones. I also did some DIY and brought in secondhand items,” Janica says.
See the rest of the makeover below:
Before
Most of the makeover budget was allotted for ceiling repair. Since the house was built in the 1980s, its ceiling has to be replaced with a more durable material.
After
Once done, painting and decorating were accomplished. The common areas now sport an all-white look that’s easy on the eyes, making the first floor look more spacious.
Before
The kitchen looks outdated and cluttered prior to the makeover. Cloth was used to cover the cabinets under the sink, too.
After
Keeping within the theme, the cabinets were given fresh coats of paint. Proper cabinet doors were also installed for the cabinets under the countertop. If you look closely, you’ll notice that after repairing the ceiling, there’s now a space between the top of the overhead cabinets and the ceiling. To make use of this space, curated pieces are on display.
Before
After
Instead of keeping the dining area beside the kitchen, Janice moved it to the side by the window, freeing up space in the cooking area. This allows them to install droplights that define the dining nook.
Before
This part of the home used to have a TV set and other entertainment essentials.
After
To maximize the space, they carved out a seating area with a cozy, tropical-inspired theme. This is an ideal space to set up a nook since there’s natural light streaming through the windows—making it an ideal hang out spot whether you’re reading or enjoying a quick snack.
Before
The old living area looked uninviting and gloomy. “The sofa had ripped edges and the paint on the walls was old and chipping,” Janica says.
After
The revamped living area now has a new rug, freshly painted walls, striking accents, and a lovely reupholstered sofa. The tufting adds flair to the sofa, adding a touch of elegance to the space. To separate the living area from the dining and kitchen areas, a wooden divider is seen at the back of the seating piece. Since it has slats, light and air can still pass through, keeping it from looking cramped.
“This is what I’ve envisioned since the beginning of our project. Whenever I wake up in the morning and go to the living room, the house has that cozy and welcoming vibe. I’m happy and grateful that we achieved our goal,” muses Janica.
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Have you recently spruced up your room or renovated your home? We'd definitely love to see the result! Send clear photos (with your full name, city address, and accompanying kuwento) to [email protected] with the subject "DIY Makeover" and we may just feature your DIY project!
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