Fala Atelier guts Lisbon apartment to create bright open-plan home

The Moiré apartment, a duplex unit in Brasília, Brazil, has undergone a contemporary renovation by CoDa Arquitetura. This project aimed to infuse modern drama into the existing structure while preserving and enhancing its original architectural details. The name 'Moiré' is derived from the optical effect of shimmering or rippling patterns created by the superposition of similar designs, a phenomenon subtly referenced by the metal mesh railing of the central staircase in the apartment. Spanning 294 sq m, the apartment serves as the primary urban residence for a doctor, a lawyer, and their small dog. The design brief focused on maximizing existing space and fulfilling specific client requests. These included the integration of a guest kitchen with the living room for entertaining purposes, alongside a more private kitchen for daily use. Additionally, the clients desired three suites, a guest bathroom, a TV room, and an office, emphasizing the need for a highly functional and integrated living environment. CoDa Arquitetura's design retained the exposed concrete beams and pillars, introducing an element of material honesty and rawness. The overall aesthetic is modern and contemporary, with the central staircase, an original feature now updated with a new metal railing and handrail, serving as a focal point. A distinctive honeycomb ceiling, with its metal grid and surrounding concrete, provides a visual contrast to the warm, dark tones of the staircase and wood elements, adding an intriguing design detail. The architects focused on creating harmonious and functional spaces that cater to the clients' lifestyle. The two distinct kitchens exemplify this approach: a formal kitchen seamlessly integrated into the living area for guests and a more utilitarian kitchen for everyday activities. The renovation also involved strategic spatial reconfigurations, such as converting one bathroom into two and creating a new powder room, which facilitated an expansion of the living room. The material palette employed in the apartment is diverse and sophisticated, ranging from feature wood paneling in the entertainment zones to the dynamic honeycomb ceiling. The sleek metal of the staircase and the luxurious Guatemala marble used for the kitchen countertop further contribute to the apartment's refined character. Each bathroom was designed with a unique personality, including a primary suite, a green suite, and a blue suite. The second floor features balconies that connect the main bedroom to an office and a secondary bedroom. The culmination of these design choices is a residence that is both timeless and understated, offering a balanced environment for contemporary living, entertaining, and personal relaxation. #BrasiliaApartment #CoDaArquitetura #MoiréDesign #ModernArchitecture #ContemporaryInteriors #OpticalIllusion #DuplexRenovation #BrazilDesign #LuxuryApartment

This article details the comprehensive renovation of a lakeside villa in the Algarve, Portugal, undertaken by Architecture and Interior Design Studio De Rosee Sa. The project aimed to modernize a dated property, transforming its fragmented layout into an open-plan living space while preserving its traditional Portuguese aesthetic and incorporating elements of a modern English style. The clients, who had been visiting the Algarve for over two decades, sought a home suitable for year-round use as their family grew, explicitly requesting to avoid a 'beachy' feel. The renovation focused on unifying the original split-level ground floor to create a continuous, expansive, and fluid area ideal for entertaining and daily family life. This involved reimagining a dated conservatory with large windows to maximize natural light and garden views. The design process began with a mood board that blended traditional Portuguese coastal homes with contemporary, pared-back interiors, reflecting the client's preference for softer finishes, layered textures, and classic English kitchen details. The objective was to achieve a warm, lived-in, and comfortable atmosphere year-round, successfully integrating the relaxed, open feel of a Portuguese home with traditional English interior charm. The design approach emphasized atmosphere and materiality over overt stylistic references, leveraging the Mediterranean backdrop of sunlight and natural textures. Local materials like stone, timber, and marble were used, but with refined finishes and tailored joinery reminiscent of English interiors. The color palette moved away from stark white, exploring subtle hues of light pink, soft green, and gentle off-white for communal areas to add character without overwhelming the space. The dining room, a central hub for family and friends, was furnished with a bespoke walnut dining table seating ten, complemented by a sculptural pendant light and walnut detailing in the adjacent kitchen to ensure visual cohesion. Bathrooms were designed with distinct material palettes; family bathrooms featured Portuguese Estremoz White marble for a timeless aesthetic, while the master suite showcased a bolder Verde Viana marble paired with Farrow & Ball’s Dimity. A unique sculptural moment was created in the powder room with a bespoke marble sink, its raw front face highlighting the stone’s natural texture against a limewashed wall. The designers also integrated several vintage pieces and artwork sourced from various markets, personalizing the space and tying the different elements together. Challenges encountered included a language barrier and managing the project remotely from another country. Sustainability was a key consideration, leading to extensive sourcing of materials like marble, tiles, and stone within Portugal to reduce shipping impacts. For UK suppliers, those with European distribution points were prioritized. The use of marble flooring also contributed to sustainability by naturally regulating indoor temperatures during hot summer months. The most transformative aspect of the renovation was deemed to be the living areas, which evolved from disconnected rooms into a light, expansive, and modern open-plan space seamlessly connecting to the garden and pool, while retaining a homely feel. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #PortugueseInteriors #EnglishAesthetic #AlgarveVilla #OpenPlanLiving #SustainableDesign #LuxuryInteriors #MaterialPalette

The article showcases a unique residential project by Fala Atelier in Matosinhos, Portugal, which redefines suburban architecture with an unconventional design. The house, spanning 2,580 square feet, features an inverted roof where one side is curved and the other straight, creating a distinct silhouette that stands out from typical suburban homes. The structure is described as an 'exploded box' resting on a translucent plinth. The exterior of the house employs a striking black, white, and green color palette, a signature of Fala Atelier, but with new and surprising elements. Different vertical and slanted surfaces are meticulously chosen and set apart with varying colors. The facade is punctuated by a mix of round and square windows, which are arranged to compose three distinct elevations, some evoking faces or imaginary animals. Adding to the playful aesthetic, the house incorporates blue and green shutters that can conceal the openings, giving it the appearance of a paper collage with colored figures scattered across a white canvas. The color scheme is elaborate, featuring hues of green, blue, light green, black, white, and green again. Inside the residence, the structural elements are intentionally detached from the walls. A sequence of five slender, light green concrete columns is prominently featured in different rooms, designed to subtly obstruct daily routines, emphasizing their presence as sculptural elements rather than hidden supports. Notably, one of these columns extends to the outdoor terrace, seemingly supporting nothing, which further highlights the architect's unconventional approach to structure and form. The ground floor hosts an open living space that seamlessly connects to the garden and an office situated above it. The interior's complexity is enhanced by double-height spaces, occasional kinks in the walls, and the visible concrete columns, all beneath a gently sloped ceiling. The upper floor houses the primary bedroom within an extruded quarter-circle space, adding another unique geometric dimension to the layout. The house's construction is a deliberate assembly of various surfaces—straight, folded, cut, curved, and tilted—crafted from materials such as concrete, marble, and glass brick. These surfaces divide, overlap, intersect, and cover different areas, all anchored by the bold, punching-through columns. The interior space is designed to meander between these carefully choreographed elements, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. The architectural concept defines the house as a figure that is simultaneously complete and broken, reflecting a deliberate disruption of conventional architectural norms. #FalaAtelier #PortugalArchitecture #ModernDesign #InvertedRoof #UniqueHomes #ArchitecturalInnovation #ColorfulFacade #ConcreteColumns #SuburbanRevolution

Iñigo Berasategui and Ane Arce, partners from the Bilbao-based architecture firm AZAB, embarked on a gut renovation of their new condo, which featured a semicircular floor plan. The building, designed by Spanish architect Hilario Imaz, is a typical 1960s bourgeois housing unit, originally configured with a conventional series of rooms connected by a corridor. Despite its dated appearance, the couple recognized the apartment's potential, particularly its light-filled corner location and unique curved layout, which also posed a design challenge. The architects worked with a budget of 45,000 euros, including furniture and kitchen appliances, to transform the 969-square-foot flat. Their objective was to create a flexible, open space that embraced the building's curves. To achieve this, all interior walls were removed, resulting in one expansive open area. This decision was driven by an exploration of new ways to experience domestic space and was heavily inspired by Marcel Duchamp's Readymades, a concept that lent its name to the project: the Ready-Made Home. A key aspect of the renovation involved the reuse of existing materials and the incorporation of DIY techniques. For instance, Nero Marquina marble, originally used as kitchen flooring, was repurposed for the kitchen's edge and as a backsplash in the main bathroom. A former white marble kitchen countertop was upcycled into a table positioned behind the sofa, further illustrating the project's Duchampian and DIY ethos. Color played a crucial role in the redesign. Long, light-blue curtains, a bold pale-pink range hood, and a bright-yellow steel frame supporting the shelving system were strategically introduced. Berasategui explained that the fresh color palette was intended to highlight objects and soften the overall aesthetic, with a creamy tone for the background and a gradient of colors from pink to blue to draw attention to furniture and elements over the architecture. Even the front entrance features intentional patches of olive green paint, creating an unfinished look that raises questions about the definition of a completed home and suggests ongoing evolution. Additional design elements include birch plywood boards used for both kitchen cabinetry and living room flooring, reinforcing the DIY aesthetic. The expansive shelving system, suspended from a bright-yellow steel frame, reflects the couple's love for books. Berasategui also mentioned inspirations from “the atmosphere of the Factory and the first houses of Frank Gehry,” emphasizing a lighthearted, playful liberation that defines the home's spirit. The project successfully transformed a conventional 1960s apartment into a modern, flexible, and art-inspired living space. #ApartmentRenovation #OpenFloorPlan #BilbaoArchitecture #AZABArchitects #DuchampInspired #DIYDesign #RepurposedMaterials #ColorPalette #ModernLiving

Gon architects have transformed Casa Flix, a 42-square-meter attic apartment in Madrid's city center, into a flexible, light-filled urban home. Located on the sixth floor of a historic 1900 building near Calleo square, the renovation addressed the challenges of a compact space with a sloped roof and unconventional layout, aiming to maximize space, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. The original two-room layout was reconfigured into four distinct, yet visually connected, areas: a bedroom/dressing area, an entrance, a workspace/bathroom, and a kitchen/living/dining room. The apartment's entrance, designed to evoke a ship's interior, features a blue tunnel, a metal shelf, and a circular window, creating a unique transitional space. The central bathroom separates the sink and toilet from the shower, utilizing mirrored panels to conceal plumbing and expand the perceived space through reflections. A glass block wall in the shower ensures privacy while allowing natural light to penetrate. The workspace includes a triangular desk against a green partial wall, complemented by an orange Moustache chair. The kitchen area features pale yellow cabinets running along the higher end of the sloped ceiling, providing storage for kitchen essentials, cleaning products, and even the owner’s clothes. A vibrant blue dining table is positioned beneath the lower part of the ceiling. To enhance natural light and ventilation, additional skylights were installed in the bedroom and living room, creating an airy atmosphere. A transparent glass door at the entrance further contributes to the apartment's openness, allowing light to flow throughout. At night, the glass-blocked shower illuminates, casting a soft glow across the entire apartment. While most of the apartment features a mix of bold colors and white surfaces, the bedroom maintains a serene, minimalist aesthetic by being completely void of vibrant hues. The exterior of the building, with its small, open terrace offering views of tiled rooftops, complements the modern interior. The renovation successfully transformed a drab attic into a dynamic, colorful, and highly functional living space, emphasizing smart design solutions for small urban dwellings. The project highlights the potential for innovative design to revitalize historic spaces, creating contemporary homes that embrace both aesthetic appeal and practical living. #AtticRenovation #MadridArchitecture #ColorfulInterior #SmallSpaceDesign #UrbanLiving #GonArchitects #ModernApartment #ResidentialDesign #InteriorTransformation

Parisian architecture firm f+f architectes has completed the conversion of a former attic space in an Art Nouveau building in Strasbourg, France, into a contemporary and luminous two-storey, four-bedroom apartment. The renovation project involved the fourth and fifth floors of the building, which were previously used as maid rooms. The newly designed apartment spans 240 square meters, offering a modern living space within a historic context. The apartment's layout is split across two levels. The lower level is primarily dedicated to private spaces, featuring four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a home office. Access to this level is through a double-height entrance hall, which is illuminated by a skylight, creating an immediate sense of openness and brightness upon entry. The upper level, in contrast, hosts the communal living areas, including an open-plan living room, a dining area, and a kitchen. This arrangement allows for a clear separation between private and public functions, catering to modern lifestyle needs. A key material choice in the renovation is black dyed MDF, which f+f architectes used extensively throughout the apartment. This material is integrated into various architectural elements, such as storage units and wall coverings, as well as custom-designed furniture, including the dining table. The selection of black dyed MDF is notable for its consistent color throughout its mass, which makes it less susceptible to visible chipping compared to stained or lacquered wood, ensuring durability and maintaining its aesthetic appeal. This material was also utilized for the stairs, creating a cohesive design language. To provide a visual contrast to the dark MDF, the stair banister is constructed from clear, laminated glass. This design choice contributes to the apartment's light and open feel, allowing natural light to penetrate through the structure while providing safety. The original pinewood flooring of the building was retained and updated. It was treated with lye, a substance that helps preserve the wood's natural light shade and prevents it from yellowing over time, ensuring the historical character of the flooring is maintained while integrating with the contemporary design elements. The structural elements of the attic, specifically the trusses, were left exposed, adding an industrial and raw aesthetic to the interior. Additionally, new metal I-beams were incorporated to open up the lower-floor plan and to support the terrace structure. Modifications were made to the roof's truss work to accommodate the new terrace and a new opening was created in the top floor for the stairs, demonstrating a careful balance between preserving existing structures and implementing necessary alterations for the new layout. The kitchen features a marble ceramic island, complementing the natural wood and black MDF, and is situated beneath the original beams. The bathrooms maintain the minimalist design with black MDF cupboards and marble wall and floor tiles, continuing the refined material palette. Two terraces, one of which is carved into the roof, are accessible from the upper floor and offer views of the surrounding park. The architects noted the asymmetrical pitch of the roof, which is steeper towards the street, likely to give the building a more imposing facade facing a large square. This project exemplifies how historic attic spaces can be transformed into functional, bright, and aesthetically cohesive modern apartments while respecting and highlighting the building's original features. #Lofts #Interiors #ResidentialArchitecture #Apartments #France #Strasbourg #AtticConversion

La Macchina Studio, an Italian architecture firm, recently completed the renovation of a 1950s one-bedroom apartment in Rome's Appio Latino quarter, named 'Retroscena.' The project focused on restoring original Venetian terrazzo floors while incorporating bold colors and theatrical elements to create a dynamic living space. Studio founders Gianni Puri and Enrica Siracusa aimed to enhance the apartment's "irreverent and surreal nature" by playing with color contrasts, graphic motifs, and unexpected design elements, likening the space to a "surreal set where reality and fiction coexist in a quasi-theatrical scene." The renovation began with the meticulous restoration of the apartment's existing terrazzo floors, with local craftsmen enlisted to bring them back to their original state. To provide a neutral backdrop for the vibrant additions, walls and certain architectural features were painted in bright white. Against this white canvas, primary colors were introduced to create striking visual accents. For instance, an arched doorway and a low, mid-century style cabinet in the living area are painted a bright blue. A pair of zesty lemon-yellow fabric curtains can be drawn to partition the living area from the kitchen diner and to provide privacy for the balcony door. The blue-lacquered wooden archway, extending almost a meter from the wall, serves to screen the kitchen from the hallway's view and defines the entrance to the bedroom. A red wall-hanging above the sofa further contributes to the primary color palette. The bathroom was conceived as a two-room space. The first section, featuring a bath and shower, is encased in white square ceramic tiles with dark grouting, forming a graphic check mosaic. A pointy arched doorway leads to the second part of the bathroom, which houses a toilet, bidet, and a sink framed by the arch. Peacock-blue enamelled walls and a dimmable ring light mirror above the sink amplify the theatrical aesthetic within this private space. In the bedroom, a brick-red micro cement treatment applied by La Macchina Studio gives the floor a ruddy hue, offering a warmer, softer contrast to the bolder living areas. A low-hanging orb-style pendant light and peach velvet curtains further contribute to this softer ambiance. The entryway also features pinkish cement flooring, differentiating it from the rest of the apartment. Built-in white wardrobes in the hallway cleverly conceal a hidden room, which functions as a study, maximizing the apartment's functional space. La Macchina Studio, founded in 2013 by Puri and Siracusa in Rome, has previously undertaken other notable renovations in the city, including an apartment with terracotta-colored walls and another featuring a reading den with a porthole-style cutout. This Retroscena project showcases their distinctive approach to residential interior design, blending historical elements with contemporary, playful interventions. #ApartmentRenovation #RomeArchitecture #LaMacchinaStudio #InteriorDesign #TerrazzoFloors #ColorfulInteriors #MidCenturyApartment #ArchitecturalRestoration #ResidentialDesign

The article details the transformation of a challenging long and narrow hallway in a 95-square-meter Milan apartment, originally built in the early 1900s, into a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing space. The design team at Kick.Office addressed the homeowners' concern about this wasted space by embracing its proportions and length, turning it into a 'promenade' rather than trying to diminish it. This approach highlights how difficult architectural features can be re-envisioned as central design elements. The renovation incorporated several innovative solutions. Niches, built-in cabinets, and a dedicated home office area were integrated into the hallway. The architects noted the increasing demand for home workspaces and cleverly incorporated one into this previously underutilized area. A striking barrel vault ceiling was created from scratch, painted in a combination of milk white and an intense terracotta red, adding drama and visual interest. The flooring in the hallway was updated with a contemporary grit that pays homage to traditional Milanese apartment styles but with modern colors. Functionality was also a key focus, with one of the built-in cabinet doors discreetly leading to a guest bathroom. The lighting design played a crucial role in enhancing the hallway's depth and style, featuring a series of reiterated wall sconces and an iconic Glo-Ball lamp by Jasper Morrison for Flos. This strategic lighting created a stylish backbone for the apartment, guiding residents towards the living area. The apartment's overall layout was thoughtfully reconfigured, relocating the sleeping area to the quieter rear, adjacent to a loggia overlooking a courtyard, while the living area with a smaller loggia now faces the street. Original period elements, such as Italian oak herringbone parquet flooring and traditional cement tiles with decorations, were meticulously restored, maintaining the apartment's historical charm. The living space was further enhanced with designer furniture, including a vintage bookcase and a Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer. The open-plan kitchen and dining area showcase a dark green Veneta Cucine kitchen with an ivory quartz countertop. Flush doors conceal practical areas like the laundry, refrigerator, pantry, and oven, contributing to a clean and linear aesthetic. The dining room features an LC6 glass table by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand, paired with Cesca chairs by Marcel Breuer, illuminated by a cherry-red Diabolo pendant lamp. The kitchen area is lit by a 265 adjustable wall lamp by Paolo Rizzatto for Flos. The designers emphasize a layered look achieved by mixing custom-designed furniture with modern and classic pieces. The bedrooms and bathrooms also underwent significant transformations. The main bedroom retains its ornate early 20th-century cement tiles and features a soft color palette. The bathrooms were revolutionized, with one unique feature being a shower carved out of a former kitchenette space, accessible via an oval, chocolate-colored door. A glass-cement wall separates the shower from the private bathroom, providing light while maintaining privacy, and serves as an homage to Pierre Chareau's Maison de Verre with its circular decoration. The guest bathroom, accessed from the hallway, features green wall tiles and a Guatemalan green marble countertop, drawing inspiration from the past with its square, simple tiles. The renovation successfully integrates design and decoration to make the long and narrow hallway a cohesive and harmonious part of the apartment. #HallwayDesign #MilanApartment #InteriorArchitecture #HomeOfficeIntegration #HistoricRenovation #SpaceOptimization #DesignerFurniture #LightingDesign #CustomCabinetry

This article highlights the transformation of a 1930s apartment in Madrid's Chamberí district by design studio Plutarco, led by Ana Arana. Originally a series of dark, confined rooms, the 140-square-metre space was redesigned to be vibrant and functional, catering to the owners' passion for cooking and entertaining. The clients' unconventional request for a large, open kitchen, which is not typical in Spain, was central to the renovation. Despite initial concerns about food smells, Ana's team developed an effective solution that integrated the kitchen seamlessly into the living and dining areas. The renovation involved a complete overhaul, removing walls to create an open-plan L-shaped living/dining area that wraps around the kitchen. The apartment now includes two bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, and a third bathroom that functions as a utility room, discreetly housing a washing machine and cleaning supplies. Ana Arana viewed the challenge of carving out distinct zones within a compact footprint as an opportunity for creative problem-solving, emphasizing that restrictions often lead to innovative design solutions. Her approach focused on manipulating light, color, and materials to achieve an uplifting atmosphere. The design scheme is characterized by a painterly quality, drawing inspiration from artists like Miró and Mondrian. This is evident in the use of rainbow-bright furniture, art, and unexpected color accents, such as lilac cabinetry under the kitchen counter. Playful elements, including tomato-red 'Ekstrem' chairs by Terje Ekstrøm and nougat-like terrazzo flooring, are balanced with subtle refinement to create rooms that are both visually appealing and comfortable for living. The overall aesthetic conveys a sense of fun and approachability. Bold, vibrant colors are a recurring theme throughout the apartment, notably in the coral-pink and sky-blue bathrooms. These exuberant hues are strategically contained and grounded by black fixtures and fittings, which Ana describes as a neutral element that provides a sense of unity. This contrast between vivid colors and structured black lines evokes the artistic styles of Joan Miró and Piet Mondrian, where primary colors are sharply defined on a canvas. Despite its contemporary and fresh appearance, the home maintains a connection to its Spanish roots through its functional design. Ana emphasizes that the most Madrilenian aspect of the apartment is not its aesthetics but its functionality, particularly its emphasis on communal living and entertaining. She notes that in Madrid, people prioritize gatherings and family dinners, often willing to sacrifice living room space for a larger area dedicated to parties. The apartment successfully balances these cultural values with modern design, creating a space that prioritizes food, friends, family, and fun. The renovation, detailed in ELLE Decoration March 2021, showcases Plutarco's ability to transform a traditional property into a bold, functional, and joyful home tailored to its owners' lifestyle. #MadridApartment #SmallSpaceDesign #ColourfulInteriors #OpenPlanLiving #ModernRenovation #SpanishDesign #PlutarcoStudio #InteriorDecorating #FunctionalDesign

Homepolish designer Tali Roth offers practical advice for renters looking to personalize their temporary living spaces, emphasizing that a rental unit's potential should not be wasted due to its temporary nature. She asserts that individuals often reside in rentals longer than anticipated, making it essential to create a comfortable and personalized environment rather than living in a state of limbo. Roth's own Chelsea loft serves as a prime example of how to infuse personal style into a rental without undertaking extensive, permanent renovations that could jeopardize a security deposit. Roth suggests focusing on easily modifiable elements within a rental. Lighting and window treatments are identified as key areas for impactful changes. For instance, an existing, generic light fixture can be replaced with a more aesthetically pleasing one. In her dining room, Roth replaced an IKEA light with a Synapse chandelier by Apparatus Studio, which helped to make the space feel cozier by lowering the ceiling's visual height. For those hesitant to alter existing wiring, sculptural wall lamps that plug into outlets and can be mounted high are presented as a viable alternative. Installing blinds and full-length curtains is also recommended to add warmth, texture, and privacy, with Roth opting for gray Belgian flax linen curtains to complement her home's modern color scheme. The article highlights Roth's innovative approach to customizing furniture, particularly her collaboration with Semihandmade to transform standard IKEA cabinet systems. Through this, she added custom taupe doors, a counter, and brass hardware to her units, demonstrating how affordable, modular furniture can be elevated to appear bespoke. One of the most significant transformations in Roth's loft was the application of faux concrete to a large wall by i faux. This technique was used to address the challenge of vast, white rental walls, adding significant texture and depth to prevent the space from feeling like a stark, empty box. Roth's design philosophy embraces geometric patterns and chunky forms, which she refers to as a "Flintstones aesthetic," influenced by her appreciation for modernism. This theme is consistently applied throughout her home, evident in sculptural vases, Hubble Wall Sconces by Pietro Russo for Baxter in the living room, and terrazzo wallpaper in the bathroom. While Roth chose traditional wallpaper, the article also suggests removable wallpaper options for renters seeking less commitment. The process of designing each rental space is also presented as a learning opportunity, allowing individuals to refine their tastes and understand what works best for their lifestyle, including considerations for living with young children. Roth shares a personal insight regarding her velvet couch, noting that its susceptibility to watermarks might lead her to choose a different material in future rentals, at least until her son is older. Ultimately, Roth emphasizes that customizing a rental is a common practice, particularly in cities like New York, where landlords generally expect tenants to personalize their living spaces. She reassures renters that most lease agreements simply require the unit to be returned to its original state, detailing her plans to reverse her changes, such as reinstalling the original light fixture, deconstructing the faux concrete, removing wallpaper, and repainting walls white, before moving out. #RentalDesign #LoftLiving #InteriorDecor #HomepolishDesigner #TaliRoth #DIYDecor #ApartmentRenovation #ModernAesthetic #IKEAHacks

Valencia-based studio Paloma Bau recently completed the renovation of a 55-square-metre beachfront apartment in Dénia, Spain, which now serves as a holiday home for its owner. The project, named Mediterrasian, aimed to blend East Asian and Mediterranean design influences while addressing inherent structural shortcomings of the original 2008 construction. The renovation focused on correcting common issues such as awkward ceiling drops for technical installations, poorly integrated pillars, unnecessary structural build-ups, and unresolved material junctions. Paloma Bau meticulously considered architectural detailing to achieve a coherent and streamlined aesthetic throughout the apartment. This approach prioritized functionality and visual harmony, ensuring that every element contributed to the overall design. Key to the Mediterranean influence is the incorporation of built-in elements, which serve to soften the interior and enhance practicality. For instance, bathrooms feature shelving integrated into curved corners, effectively zoning the shower area while providing discreet storage. Similarly, the living room and bedrooms benefit from recessed shelving and smooth-fronted, integrated cabinets, offering ample storage without introducing visual clutter. The material and color palette is intentionally neutral, creating a calming and sophisticated atmosphere. Light-colored oak cabinetry and shelving are consistently used across multiple rooms, providing a unifying element amidst varied textures. This choice of wood brings warmth and tactile richness, characteristic of Mediterranean design. East Asian influences are evident in several bespoke design elements. A floor-to-ceiling sliding door, separating the communal and private spaces, is a prominent example. Crafted from translucent, dappled glass with arc-shaped tracery, this door draws inspiration from traditional Japanese wooden-and-paper panels. The studio reimagined these materials in metal and cathedral glass, aiming to evoke the gentle movement of ocean waves. This artistic interpretation serves as a focal point and a functional divider. Further East Asian touches include rice paper lampshades and sheer linen curtains, which contribute to a light and airy ambiance. These delicate elements are thoughtfully contrasted with dark hardware on doors, adding a subtle touch of modernity and definition. The combination of these stylistic elements—the earthy warmth of Mediterranean design with the refined restraint of Asian aesthetics—defines the apartment's unique character. Custom-built volumes in the living space double as bases for the sofa and steps leading to the terrace, showcasing a smart integration of form and function. An archway gracefully connects the living area to the kitchen, repeating an architectural motif seen elsewhere. The design ethos prioritizes spatial mindfulness and clarity, ensuring that the relatively compact 55-square-metre space feels open and uncluttered. The project successfully marries the artisanal qualities often found in traditional Mediterranean homes with sophisticated architectural precision, resulting in a design that is both visually appealing and highly functional for a holiday residence. The renovation highlights how thoughtful design can transform a standard apartment into a unique space that reflects a nuanced blend of cultural aesthetics. #ApartmentRenovation #MediterraneanDesign #EastAsianInfluence #CoastalLiving #InteriorArchitecture #HolidayHome #NeutralPalette #PalomaBau #CustomMillwork

This article details the renovation of an apartment located on the third floor of an ancient building near the Palau de la Música in Barcelona, Spain. The project, undertaken by Colombo and Serboli Architecture, was designed for a young Italian fashion designer seeking a serene and warm living space in the Catalan capital. The architects were immediately captivated by the apartment's open proportions and five-meter-high ceilings, and sought to preserve and enhance existing charming elements such as massive wooden beams, wooden floors, a mezzanine overlooking the living area, and two-floor metal windows. A key challenge involved rationalizing a compact bathroom and replacing structurally compromised stairs leading to the second level. The design philosophy embraced a 'wabi-sabi' approach, integrating original features and imperfections while maintaining the apartment's inherent charm. Shapes employed are simple and bold, featuring recurring basic forms like squares, circles, and spheres, with sturdy solid surfaces to complement the monumental existing elements. The architects drew inspiration from the architectural styles of Luis Barragán and Carlo Scarpa, with Scarpa's influence particularly evident in the sculptural stairs and a central furniture piece that defines the entire project. The core concept revolves around a multifunction block, a layered central element around which the space and activities are organized, maintaining an open, loft-like layout. The dining area extends from the central stair element. On the kitchen side, the block incorporates niches, openings, and shelves for tableware and pantry storage. A substantial, arch-shaped travertine marble slab protrudes from the block, forming a one-legged dining table and an integrated bench. A small square niche cleverly conceals a spotlight, functioning as a disguised sconce. The stairs themselves are conceptualized as layers of materials, transitioning from a solid plinth to wooden block steps, then to a suspended micro-cement landing with a half-circle cutout designed to accommodate a tall plant. The final steps, made of light-colored wood, appear to float and double as a light source above the dining table through integrated LED strips. On the second level, the bedroom area remains open to the living space. A wicker panel serves dual functions as both a headboard and a balustrade. A suspended ledge, inspired by Paul Rudolph's Halston House, runs along the double-height space, forming bedside tables and a display shelf for the living area. The closet in the bedroom is designed as a warm monolith, clad in woven wicker screens. One screen cleverly conceals the entrance to a small bathroom, another hides a hand washbasin within a mirrored box, and a third integrates the stair's handrail through a diagonal cut. The bathroom is finished with vertical ceramic tiles featuring an elegant nacre finish, introducing a new texture to the apartment's overall palette of neutral shades. The architects utilized a neutral color palette but played with a variety of finishes, ranging from glossy to rough, selecting materials based on their tactile and textural qualities. These include white microcement for the stairs and seat block, light natural wood, and woven wicker panels. Enameled painted walls reflect light, contrasting with matte microcement, a rough travertine slab, and porcelain kitchen tops. A textured bouclé fabric was chosen for seat cushions, and brushed steel details, such as in the bespoke cooker hood, complete the material palette. #BarcelonaApartment #WabiSabiDesign #StaircaseDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation #InteriorDesign #ColomboSerboliArchitecture #ModernLiving #MaterialPalette #FashionDesignerHome

Zooco Estudio, a design firm based in Madrid and Bilbao, undertook a comprehensive renovation of a semi-detached residence located in northwest Madrid. The primary objective was to foster a sense of openness and visual connectivity across the various sections of the house. This goal presented a considerable challenge, given the home's modest size of just over 1,600 square feet, distributed across four narrow floors, including a basement, for a family of three. To address this, the architects devised a central element: a versatile bookshelf that extends through multiple spaces and floors. This all-white shelving unit, visible upon entering the home, adapts its function according to its location and dimensions. At the entrance, it serves as a wardrobe for coats and shoes. In the TV area, it is designed for music storage, and in the dining room, it acts as a display unit for tableware. The bookshelf functions as both a storage solution and a subtle physical divider, maintaining visual continuity between areas such as the entry and dining room. On the main entry level, the shelving system is specifically configured with horizontal components to accommodate jackets and shoes. In the living room on the same floor, the shelves wrap around the walls, extending upwards to the floor above, thereby creating a double-height space that enhances the perception of openness and expands the room's actual footprint. Zooco Estudio highlights that the shelves successfully integrate aesthetics and functionality. Their simple construction and white finish serve as a neutral and bright backdrop, allowing the homeowners' personal items to become the focal point. Throughout the residence, the material palette is intentionally simple and direct, featuring solid oak floors—often arranged in a herringbone pattern—complemented by white walls, ceilings, and the prominent white bookshelves. A notable exception is the staircase, which stands out as a sculptural element crafted from black, folded steel, contrasting sharply in both form and color with the rectilinear white shelves. In a creative inversion, the kitchen deviates from the general material scheme; instead of wood floors, white tile is used, and the cabinetry and shelves are made of wood. This white tile retains the scale of the herringbone pattern found elsewhere but introduces a contrasting texture and color. On the second floor, the white shelving continues, serving a dual purpose as a storage solution and a protective railing. The two bedrooms and bathroom on this level are separated from the hallway by vertically oriented slats, which conceal access doors and contribute to the visual unity of the area. The uppermost floor is dedicated to the master bedroom, where the vertical slats reappear as a partition between the bathroom and sitting area. Skylights are strategically placed above to ensure ample natural light throughout these spaces. In the bathrooms, ceramic tiles replace the oak flooring, covering both floors and walls. The square tiles vary in color depending on the bathroom, maintaining a simple and uncluttered aesthetic. The design successfully creates an open and interconnected living environment within a constrained footprint, utilizing a single, adaptable element to define spaces, provide storage, and enhance the overall aesthetic of the home. The thoughtful integration of materials and structural elements contributes to a cohesive and functional design that maximizes both visual appeal and practical utility. #ResidentialArchitecture #InteriorDesign #MadridHomes #ZoocoEstudio #BookshelfDesign #MultiFunctionalFurniture #SpaceOptimization #RenovationProject #ModernInteriors

The article provides expert advice on planning and decorating a loft conversion, transforming it into a functional and aesthetically pleasing room. It features insights from Hannah Connellan, Lead Designer at Revival by Design; Simon Tcherniak, Senior Designer at Neville Johnson; and Anjelica Delfino, Interiors and Paint Expert at Valspar. The primary focus is on maximizing space, utilizing color effectively, and selecting appropriate furniture and finishing touches to create a cohesive and comfortable environment. The experts emphasize the unique nature of loft spaces and encourage homeowners to embrace creativity in their design. Anjelica Delfino highlights that open, airy layouts and industrial aesthetics of lofts make color choices particularly exciting. Hannah Connellan stresses the importance of maintaining a consistent design message throughout the space to avoid a "confused" look. For rooms with low or sloping ceilings, the consensus is to use light colors to create a sense of spaciousness. Dark colors on sloping ceilings are advised against, as they can make the space feel smaller and more imposing. Hannah Connellan suggests blurring the line between walls and ceilings by painting them the same color, especially where ceilings are lower in a loft. Effective space utilization is a critical aspect of loft design. Hannah Connellan recommends strategic placement of furniture based on ceiling height; for instance, low-level drawers or a bath can be placed under eaves, while full-height wardrobes and showers should occupy the tallest points of the room. Simon Tcherniak advocates for bespoke, fitted furniture to accommodate awkward corners and sloping ceilings, providing ample storage and open shelving. Hannah Connellan further elaborates on this, suggesting beds with storage drawers and built-in wardrobes under eaves. She also mentions the possibility of customizing off-the-shelf furniture with fabric, wallpaper, new handles, or stone/marble tops to elevate their appearance, especially when budget is a constraint. For multifunctional spaces, such as guest bedrooms that double as offices, the article recommends using versatile furniture like a dressing table that can serve as a desk or an ottoman bed with storage. Attention to detail is crucial for creating a comfortable and inviting loft space. Simon Tcherniak suggests incorporating comfortable seating beyond the desk in a home office, potentially a sofa bed to double as a guest room. Hannah Connellan advises adding layers to make large loft spaces feel cozy, but also emphasizes the importance of negative space. Window treatments for lofts require careful consideration due to varying window types. For daytime use in an office, light- or UV-filtering Velux blinds are recommended to maintain coolness while allowing light. For bedrooms, blackout blinds are suggested for optimal sleep. Juliet balconies or dormer windows may require sheer curtains for privacy during the day and blackout curtains for night. For en-suite bathrooms, Hannah Connellan encourages the use of mosaic, terrazzo, or small square tiles in a chequerboard pattern, or bold colors like orange to create warmth. Final touches include using mirrors to enhance light and space, placing pot plants for freshness, and employing strategically placed lamps and layered soft furnishings to create a cozy atmosphere. #LoftConversion #InteriorDesign #SpacePlanning #ColorScheme #FurnitureSelection #HomeRenovation #ExpertAdvice #BedroomDesign #BathroomDesign

Jean-Christophe Aumas, an art director based in Paris, embraces an instinctive and fluid approach to interior design, viewing his apartment as an evolving laboratory rather than a static space. He frequently rearranges furniture, repaints walls, and groups objects in new configurations, emphasizing that "Nothing is permanent." His Parisian apartment is situated on the ground floor of an 18th-century hôtel particulier in Pigalle, a property that immediately captivated him with its cathedral-like ceilings, intricate plaster moldings, and original herringbone parquet floors during his initial visit in 2016. The stained-glass windows and a small courtyard were particular draws, and these glass mosaics significantly influenced the apartment's vibrant color palette, featuring vivid blues, burnt reds, and punchy lilacs. Aumas notes that this unique characteristic creates the feeling of living in a small garden, a rarity in Paris. Addressing a lack of natural light, Aumas incorporated a skylight in the living room and installed floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto the garden. This intentional design choice aimed to blend the indoor and outdoor spaces, fostering a "little jungle" atmosphere where greenery seamlessly extends indoors from the purposefully overgrown outdoor area and an extensive houseplant collection. The interior design subsequently evolved organically, leveraging Aumas’s expertise in creating memorable visual experiences, a skill honed through his work on window displays and set designs for prominent brands like Cartier and Louis Vuitton. For instance, after designing a cobalt-tinted mirror for the fireplace, he extended this hue by painting a vertical block of French blue from the mantel to the ceiling. The kitchen reflects a fusion of Brutalism and Mediterranean influences, inspired by Aumas's trips to Procida, Italy, and his upbringing near Aix-en-Provence. Concrete countertops, reminiscent of London's Barbican building, are juxtaposed with a lavender wall color, evoking Mediterranean summers. To further enhance this contrast, wood salvaged from the renovation was repurposed into kitchen cabinets, left raw and treated only with a matte varnish to highlight its texture. The bathroom maintains this coastal European aesthetic with terracotta tiles from Siracusa, Sicily, laid in graphic stripes. Aumas created a distinct "shower capsule" by painting the upper half of the shower wall in a dusty pink and replacing a traditional glass door with a decorative, cinder block-esque partition. Despite the apartment's vibrant use of color, Aumas considers it minimalist compared to his previous loft, which was entirely painted in bright hues. His current approach focuses on using "just a touch of color in each room." Examples include a cobalt archway and radiator in the library complementing a Moroccan rug, and a sky-blue built-in bookcase in the bedroom against white walls. The dining room, notably, is an exception to the geometric paint treatments. With its high ceilings and plaster moldings, it is bathed in a pale, almost white blue, creating a serene and expansive feel, with only a crimson Moroccan rug anchoring the dining table. The apartment is also deeply personalized through furnishings and art collected from around the world, such as Carlo Scarpa chairs, vintage 1950s ceramics, and a painting by Lara Feldman. Aumas particularly cherishes his Vincenzo de Cotiis sofa, from which he can survey nearly his entire home, underscoring the cohesive and curated nature of his living space. #HomeTour #ParisApartment #InteriorDesign #CreativeDirector #Renovation #ColorPalette #SustainableDesign #BrutalistInfluence #MediterraneanVibe

The search for compelling interior design stories is an ongoing endeavor for T Magazine's staff, with the director of design and interiors, Tom Delavan, primarily responsible for finding residences to feature. However, story pitches can come from various sources, including publicists, architects, interior decorators, writers, and photographers. The most exciting discoveries often arise through more serendipitous means, such as word-of-mouth recommendations or accidental encounters, a dynamic that has become an internal office joke where editors are encouraged to inquire about interesting houses during any meeting. A particularly noteworthy discovery occurred when editor-at-large Nick Haramis was researching artist collectives. He learned about a group of recent art-school graduates who were not only conceptualizing unique, unconventional furniture and decor but were also actively producing these items themselves. This collective, known as Espace Aygo, transformed a dilapidated building in a bustling Brussels neighborhood into their shared living and working space, where they crafted nearly every element of their home, including a sink fixture made from a pétanque ball and a bathtub from urethane rubber. While the initial artist collectives story never materialized, the scouting photographs of Espace Aygo immediately revealed its potential as an unforgettable home story for the magazine. This discovery is particularly significant in an era characterized by often overly polished interior design, where a homeowner's personal style can be overshadowed or even dictated by their decorator. Espace Aygo serves as a powerful reminder that a home achieves true memorability not through adherence to conventional politeness or perfection, but by expressing a distinct point of view and showcasing the creative effort of those who inhabit and shape it. It underscores the idea that creating a unique and personal living space does not necessarily require substantial financial resources, but rather demands perspective, imagination, and a commitment to authentic self-expression in one's environment. The author expresses a personal affinity for Espace Aygo's aesthetic, indicating a willingness to reside there. Even for those who may not share this specific taste, the collective's inventiveness, resourcefulness, and imaginative spirit are undeniable. Ultimately, these qualities are presented as the fundamental components that truly define and enrich a home, highlighting the value of individuality and creativity over conventional design standards. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #EspaceAygo #ArtistCollective #DIYDesign #Brussels #CreativeLiving #UnconventionalHomes