How do you give personality to a house with bland spaces?

The homeowner, who works in media, acquired a typical compact build-and-sell house in Bonifacio Global City. The 260-sq m property is composed of three levels and four bedrooms which are as tiny as 12-15 s qm.   As in any new development, there’s a uniform look in the shell and materials. Large openings compensate for the small space.

Design consultant Jim Tan, known for his quirky touches, injects fun through bright colors like apple green and orange, as well as irregular-shaped furniture.

Chuck in plain surfaces for new treatments

The plywood door of the master bedroom is made interesting with kamagong inserts. The cabinets have air vents for circulation and to prevent molds.

USE THE KITCHEN BACKSPLASH AS A CANVAS

The kitchen came with the standard granite counters and laminated cabinetry. Tan infuses  bright colors and strong geometric shapes in the backsplash. The apple green and orange chairs pick up the colors of the backsplash.

DON’T LEAVE EXTRA SPACE UNUSED

To visually enlarge the space, Jim Tan avoids using dark hues. The living room is light and opens to the lanai. The room is big enough to be divided into mini-zones that will make the space more useful. An irregular-shaped leatherette sofa is positioned in the middle of the room. An occasional chair in apple-green upholstery not only adds zap but also creates a reading nook.

Another corner is made into a simple and efficient workstation. Additional shelves above the desk provide extra storage for office supplies and books. Because the desk is built into the wall, it takes up little space and still leaves an open path in the living room.

Choose high-impact furniture

Bernie Sason’s dining table with a graphico te top and cone-shaped legs delivers on unconv

entio nal design. It is paired with steel chairs in red and black leather upholstery for a contemporary touch.