RL Makeovers: A Bland to Beautiful Two-Bedroom Unit

In order to take care of her parents, homeowner Amy Leal quit her job in Singapore and moved back to the Philippines. As she took on the task of looking after her mother and father, who each occupied her unit’s two bedrooms, Amy had to sleep on the couch.  And, even after they both passed away less than a year apart, Amy still spent her nights on the sofa out of habit.

To help heal Amy's broken heart and give her a new start on life, interior designer Kimi Manuel and architect Randy Crispino worked on the property together. Since the homeowner worked in Mexico for a few years, she wanted vibrant colors like red and orange. She adds that because she is in the fashion and garment industry, she was looking forward to more prints, patterns, and textures.

When Amy finally saw her newly renovated unit, she had to take a moment to let everything sink in. “It’s a blessing. Ang tagal ko ‘tong hinintay—two years!” she tearfully gushes. She adds that “RL means ‘Roberto Leal,’ my dad… Parang may coincidence 'ata. Thank God talaga, maraming salamat!” And as for sleeping on the couch? “Hindi na! Now that there are two new beds, I will be leaving the sofa behind, and alternate sleeping here and there."

Read the original article ("To New Beginnings") in the September 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.