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Flipping Real Estate: A City Apartment into a Cozy Coastal Home

Michelle Almanzor
Sep 12, 2015
3 min read

So we were tasked to convert a 40 sqm studio apartment into a 2 bedroom unit. Our client is a very busy mommy so she gave us the freedom to do what we wanted with her unit. The catch was that we only had a Php150,000 budget inclusive of construction! We wanted to change everything so we sourced to death to find the best looking items for the best prices and even helped her sell all her previous furniture. Check out how we fixed it and within a week of completion, the unit was SOLD!

BEFORE (above): The living area just had too many colors.

AFTER (above): We opted to stick to our coastal colors (naturally) to give a more fresh and breezy look. It's always best to stick to 2-3 colors per area for uniformity and to make sure everything looks put together.

BEFORE (left): The space used for the dining area was too cramped. A 6-seater dining set is too big for a studio unit.

AFTER (right): Space was converted into a seating area. It is more functional as the ottoman has storage and is also movable.

The dining area was moved to a different space.

BEFORE (above): The bedroom was a bit tight with 2 wardrobes. They were made of MDF (Medium Density Fiber Board) and Laminated with sticker. We really avoid purchasing furniture like this because it is easily scratched and almost impossible to have it repainted or refurbished. Trying to will cause the sticker to peel off. It is inexpensive, but replacing it within a few years will end up costing you double.

AFTER (above): We purchased a brand new, solid wood wardrobe. It has a ducco finish which is easy to clean. And if you ever want to change the color, it is very simple to just paint over. This wardrobe is sure to last you for years to come. We changed the bed as well to stick to our coastal theme. Our client did not have a side table-- and we know that is essential for any bedroom. One tip is to just purchase a small ledge which you can attach to the wall. Simple, affordable, and functional!

BEFORE (left): The bathroom had tiles that needed to be changed with more complimentary colors and a more up to date look.

AFTER (right): We used 60x60cm tiles- white for the walls and gray for the flooring. It made it brighter and more modern. We tiled the whole niche with one of our favorite colors. If you look closely, it has waves on them! Love!!!

BEFORE (above): This studio apartment actually had an extra room. It is very small and was being used as a walk-in closet / storage area. We changed the color from yellow to beige. See photo below. It just looks more inviting, don't you think?

AFTER (above): Our client initially wanted to rent out her space on airbnb. So we decided to convert her storage area into another bedroom. More bedrooms actually make a unit more attractive for that market.

BEFORE (left):

The lavatory outside the bathroom was neon green.

AFTER (right):

We painted it white to match the rest of the unit. And we inserted DIY accessories onto the other side of the lavatory.

They are basically reclaimed pieces of wood painted and shaped into shells!

BEFORE (Left):The original bar placed in the kitchen was too big and took up too much space.

AFTER (Above): We replaced it with a 4 seater dining set which was more fitting for a 2 bedroom. We also threw in a blue splashboard for color. This also avoids staining the walls when cooking or cleaning.