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Lawrence's Manila Colonial Renovation
House Call

Name: Lawrence Antaran
Location: Manila, Philippines

Apartment Therapy reader Lawrence Antaran sent in several photos and details of his Manila, Philippines apartment renovation:

I've been living independently in my 30-year-old flat for nearly nine years now. The place needed repairs, some renovation and refurbishing. I decided to make the place better to make me perform better. By the way, I work at home being an independent advertising creative and graphic designer. For now, the first floor is finished. The place veered towards a colonial look. More importantly it tried to be green at the same time "cost less than my laptop."

 
 

Hues are delft blue, eggshell blue and bird's egg green. Walls are a soft cream with one in grey intended for photography use. The finishes are in dark wood and chrome silver.

Many pieces are recycled and repurposed such as the electric fan light fixture and soda can bottom mirror. Two ottomans were made from the paint's plastic pails. Pieces such as the chairs and the trunk center table came from thrift shops. I have been inspired a lot by Apartment Therapy while working on this project. So I'd like to express my appreciation as well.

Living Room: Elements in this room came from everywhere in Metro Manila. The trunk from a second-hand store in Kamuning, the chair from Our Home in North EDSA, the candy jar from a store in Chino Roces, ceramic pieces from Mayon... At the same time a lot of the pieces were DIY projects such as the trunk's base, the zebra print bench and the chrome lamp.

Dining Area: The Parson's table was one of the first DIY projects. It was deconstructed from an office desk. Its shelves were repurposed as side tables/ mini shelving. The drop light was crafted from taffeta ribbons and rattan rings as there is a dearth of source for shades.

The wall sculpture features photographs from my favorite photoblogger Noel Y. Calingasan and the branch from the tree the family needed to let go last new year's. And much like living trees, the sculpture intends to grow more postcards and photos and change every season.

Thanks Lawrence for sharing and we hope to receive an update as your progress with your renovation

Comments (8)

cool place!!
i think this might be the first time manila's represented... awesome!

Wow! Never thought I'd see a place from the Phillippines on AT! Wonderful!

This is soooo perfectly edited it makes me HAPPY! Now I want to go give some of my stuff away...

Love the trunk in the living room!

posted by planehopper on November 17th 2009 at 9:45am
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as someone who grew up in manila, i'm so proud and happy to see that the city is representing here in AT! way to go! cute place too. :)

sexy!

thank you lawrence for finally giving & representing the philippines on a good note. beautiful and well written. great, great job!

Thank you Apartment Therapy and fellow readers! :)

Now adding some detail and working on the second floor.

Cheers!

posted by lawrencevon on November 19th 2009 at 8:49am
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