This Complete Condo Renovation Was Finished with a P250K Budget
Interior designer Katrina Recomite came up with a minimalist mod theme to turn the lackluster 23sqm unit into a bright and functional space
When the owners of this 23sqm condo unit tapped interior designer Katrina Recomite to work on their space, they only had a few requirements. Aside from wanting to have a cozy, modern, and gender-neutral space, they want to stick to the Php250K budget they have set for the project.
“They let me design the condo unit freely without dictating the design direction. They just made their goals clear and trusted my vision for the space and the design process,” the interior designer shares with Realliving.com.ph. Katrina worked on the furniture layout first to ensure a nice flow in the space and to see if the design will work. Given the size of the unit, picking furniture pieces that will fit in the space is crucial. The interior designer sourced from different stores to keep the home from looking a showroom.
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In terms of aesthetic, Katrina came up with a Minimalist Mod theme which showcases a monochromatic color palette punctuated with deep green and mustard yellow accents. The finished look is simple yet striking, with handpicked accessories that elevate the design.
Check out the unit’s transformation below:
Kitchen
Given the budget, the original cabinets and countertops that came with the unit were retained. To keep clutter at bay, Katrina chose to place a pantry rack from IKEA between the counter and refrigerator to house the small appliances.
Kitchen: Before
Prior to the renovation, the space had plain walls in a color usually used in turned over units.
Kitchen: After
The interior designer decided to retain the ceiling as well so they can allot enough budget for repainting services. Katrina sought the expertise of JC Painting & Renovation to help give the unit a refreshed look.
Dining Area
To save on space as well as to make the most of the unit’s common areas, Katrina chose to create a two-seater dining area that faces a wall. “I designed the dining table to look like a bar counter so I could play around with the height of the furniture pieces in the living and dining areas,” she explains.
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If you look closely, you’ll notice that the custom-made bar table is made of marble. To keep it chic, the designer paired it with deep green velvet stools. It can also function as an extra workstation. Meanwhile, books double as décor pieces in the unit to showcase the owners’ collection of must-reads.
“I placed a shelf above the dining area so it will still spark interest and won’t feel like the space was neglected,” Katrina adds.
Living Area
“We invested in good light fixtures since the lighting will either make or break the design. It will also affect the mood of the end-users,” explains the designer. In the compact living area, a floor lamp will immediately catch one’s attention.
A sofa bed completes the living area so the owners can turn it into an extra sleeping space when needed. Placed above it is a customized mirror from Style Maria. “It serves as an artwork since it also mirrors the wallpaper pattern on the opposite wall,” shares Katrina.
Bedroom
The bedroom of the unit was made more functional and inviting. In addition to creating a sleeping space, the interior designer was also able to incorporate a desk and a spacious closet. Katrina also had to consider the bed frame that will fit in the bedroom. They went with a daybed with a pullout to keep the room from looking cramped.
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Bedroom: Before
The bedroom looked like a blank canvas waiting to be painted on before the renovation.
Bedroom: After
Katrina’s chosen wallpaper from Neumuri is one of the elements that tie the look together. “It was our main graphic design so it was placed against the headboard wall and on the opposite side of the desk so that it will be a great work background during online meetings,” she says. The same wallpaper extends to the dining nook.
Bedroom: Before
Prior to renovation, the unit only had a slim closet placed in the corner of the bedroom.
Bedroom: After
To deliver the owners’ request to have a bigger closet with a full-length mirror, Katrina bought an off-the-rack piece from Furniture Source. “We had the desk fabricated then made the closet and desk look like a modular piece. We had to make it look seamless so we could trick the eyes into seeing one piece,” explains the designer.
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Since this is a one-bedroom unit, the owners initially wanted to remove the partition to create an open layout so that natural light can reach the common areas. Due to the budget, Katrina had to come up with a practical way to open up the space somehow.
“The design solution was to break the solid partition by putting a large window. By doing this, we didn’t sacrifice the division of spaces and they also gained that sense of open space because they can still see what is going on behind the partition,” Katrina says.
Bathroom
To achieve a relaxing bathroom, the designer added a glass shower enclosure, brought in a new sink, and had the walls repainted. The tiles and fixtures were kept to save on costs. Wall-mounted shelves were also installed to add storage.
Ready to work on your own home renovation project? Get in touch with interior designer Katrina Recomite through her website. You can also follow her on Facebook: KR Interior Design Studio or email designwithkat[at]gmail.com.
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