Casa Estrella
Reaching one of your goals is guaranteed to bring you joy. With that joy, comes peace and satisfaction. This was something I came to realize four months ago when I got my art studio.
An art studio of my own is a dream come true. Having a place for me to paint, a place to store and hang my art, a home for my beloved cat, and a space to receive guests was exactly how I envisioned my life for many years. Now, I have it in my hands.
Getting another place in the midst of the pandemic might sound crazy and foolish. I didn’t even expect it to happen but by some stroke of luck, I found myself inspecting what Real Estate experts would call “a fixer-upper.” A 42sqm two-bedroom condominium unit in a mid-rise building, two balconies, one bath, and a spacious living room/kitchen right outside of Makati CBD. Basement parking included. Accessible and safe, with the bonus of a burgeoning food scene popping up a few streets away. All for an agreeable payment arrangement.
The catch?
It’s a 5-year old, filthy time capsule.
- Boxes in the balcony exposed to the weather for years
- I have no idea why the balcony floor was covered in newspaper
- more trash
- using my dive gloves to protect my hand while I try some DIY
The previous tenant’s items were left behind and have been gathering dust for years. The place was infested by case-bearing clothes moths and cockroaches. There were problems with both bathroom and kitchen plumbing, the ceiling leaked, there was mold on the walls, and there were even used condoms under the bed! I should have run away screaming, right?!? Right! But the deal was good despite the challenges it came with, and I am the kind who doesn’t mind putting on some elbow grease to get things done. It took two months for the cleanup alone, another month decorating (sped up only with the help of a few friends), and then I could comfortably call it home.

From mess to magic.
It was grueling work, but it did not stand a chance against my dream. From a den of filth, I have transformed it into an oasis in the middle of the city. I come here when I want to feel at peace and when I have the burning desire to get creative.
My art studio is not yet finished. There are still some personal touches I want to add, but it’s already home to me. I open my door, and I feel instant peace and relief, the way I dreamed it to be. It’s my playground, a place where one can be free. It’s my safe space.
And dear lover, you are invited.
- My view at night
- Your place of relaxation
- From mess to magic.
- come visit?