A major renovation breathes new life to a family apartment, providing a cosy home that has everything the owners value the most
For a small family of three who travels a lot, a functional city apartment would seem ideal. Anne Alonso, a managing director at a multinational investment bank and financial services company, often goes on business trips and at times shuttles between Manila and Negros along with her husband Giacomo and 8-year-old son Iago. Like many others, their lifestyle and needs changed during the pandemic. The isolation made them realise the value of having a warm and cosy shelter in the middle of the city. “We lived a fast life in a ‘fast home’ and I somehow neglected the value of a sacred space where we can relax with the family,” Anne says.
This realisation prompted the owners to rethink the layout of their home, which previously had many unused and unoptimized spaces. “We acquired this flat when we were quite young and just started working. We’ve done minor renovations to it but went for darker colours which made the space look smaller than it is. The pandemic has allowed me to see the potential of the space and the urgent need for a refresh to incorporate into our home how our lives—including our passions, beliefs and priorities—have evolved as a family. We wanted the space to look and feel bigger, the areas to become more cohesive, and to create spaces where we can spend more activities and quality time together,” she adds.
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With the help of Joseph Goyenechea, House of Goyen’s principal decorator, the 156-square-metre flat was transformed into an airy abode with details that take inspiration from the terrace apartments in London. “The kitchen was enclosed and cramped. The living space was facing towards a wall next to the kitchen and the dining area was isolated at the far end and flooded with natural light,” Goyenchea describes the home before it underwent a revamp. “Coming into our home [now], you will be welcomed by a small hallway leading into an open living and dining area that catches the morning and afternoon sun in the most natural and beautiful way,” Anne enthuses. The renovated three-bedroom apartment has three bathrooms, a clean and service kitchen, and a spacious outdoor terrace which she admits “is hard to come by nowadays”.
The kitchen is said to be the heart of the home and in the house of the Alonsos, much effort and importance have been given to this space. Giacomo loves to cook and entertain and so it was a must to create a beautiful stage for this. In fact, one of Anne’s non-negotiables is the use of durable Arrabescato—a white marble known for its unique veining of black and a touch of gold—for the kitchen countertops. “I wanted to ensure that the materials we used focused on quality and longevity. Marble is a natural and beautiful stone that lasts more than ten years if you care for it well. [This kind of marble] kept the kitchen bright,” she explains.
The countertop complements the dark blue bottom cabinets and white wall-mounted cabinets, completing a two-toned shaker kitchen look. “We opened up the wall and created a peninsula counter for additional base cabinet storage and mainly to bring in natural light. The changes in the kitchen made it look bigger and brighter,” adds Goyenechea.
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