This Vibrant Barcelona Apartment Has The Most Remarkable Doorways

Colombo and Serboli Architecture (CaSA) undertook the renovation of a 65-square-metre apartment located in a 13th-century residential building in Barcelona's historic El Born neighborhood. The client, a young Italian woman working in fashion, sought to incorporate additional storage and a new guest bathroom into the property. The original layout was dark and compartmentalized, with two street-facing bedrooms and one near the entrance obstructing natural light from reaching the central communal areas. CaSA initiated the renovation by demolishing all existing partition walls to open up the space, highlighting the four-meter-high ceilings and large balcony windows. To provide separation between the entranceway and the main living area, a full-height navy blue storage unit was installed. This unit features a contrasting pink display niche and a doorway, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes for storing clothes and other belongings. The adjacent living and dining area is distinguished by a coral-colored arched volume. This architectural element cleverly conceals the guest toilet, which is finished with blush-toned tiles and a circular mirror. The architects chose an arch shape for this volume to preserve the feeling of height in the living room, ensuring it almost touches the wooden beamed ceilings without creating dark or dusty corners that a full-height or half-height volume might have. The design's arched motif extends to the kitchen, where a curved breakfast island is topped with a terrazzo-like surface made from flecked quartz. The remainder of the kitchen and living spaces maintain a bright and airy atmosphere, characterized by oak flooring and whitewashed walls. A pale grey sofa from the Danish design brand Hay complements the contemporary aesthetic. A significant challenge of the project was structural. Over time, non-load-bearing walls had acquired structural value. Their removal, necessary to restore the apartment's grand spaces, necessitated the installation of steel beams to reinforce parts of the ancient structure. This intervention allowed the architects to emphasize the original architectural elements while enhancing the newly created open spaces and their proportions. The original woodwork of the apartment's window shutters was also meticulously restored. This project showcases CaSA's expertise in transforming historic properties. Based in Barcelona, the firm has completed several other notable projects in the city, including a co-working space in the Baró de Viver area where they integrated storage systems and various space-saving solutions. The renovation of the El Born apartment effectively blends historical context with modern functionality and vibrant design choices, addressing the client's needs for increased storage and a more open, brighter living environment. #BarcelonaApartment #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #StorageSolutions #ColorfulInteriors #HistoricRenovation #ArchitecturalArches #SpaceOptimization #ElBorn

This article details the transformation of a 925-square-foot apartment in Almaty, Kazakhstan, by designer Elina Mussakulova of sdelaemremont.kz. Initially, the apartment presented significant challenges, including an unpleasant odor due to faulty plumbing, and a long, uninteresting layout described as trailer-like. Mussakulova's primary goal was to make the space welcoming and visually appealing for the new owner, Raushan. Upon entering the renovated apartment, guests are now greeted by handcrafted Metlakh floor tiles and a retro GPO Bermuda record player in the foyer, replacing the previous issues. A major design hurdle involved load-bearing transoms in the living room and bedroom that were awkwardly placed. Instead of concealing them, the design team decided to highlight these architectural elements with plaster corbels. Similarly, the long, seismic corridor was transformed into a series of nicely framed passageways, effectively addressing what was once considered a significant aesthetic problem. The kitchen's design originated from a unique wallpaper by Zak + Fox featuring monkeys, chosen because it reminded Mussakulova of the client's active personality and curly red hair. The purple fruit depicted in the wallpaper inspired the color choice for the kitchen cabinets, establishing a personalized and vibrant theme. A notable decision involved connecting the bathroom directly to the kitchen to create a more spacious entry hall. To mitigate the issue of a toilet next to the oven, a small room was ingeniously built within the bathroom to discreetly house the toilet. The apartment also features resourceful storage solutions, such as a yellow freestanding cabinet found at a flea market. Although its wood was in poor condition, painting it gave it a new lease on life, demonstrating a creative approach to repurposing. The homeowner's preference for a soft bench in the kitchen over a narrow island with stools was adopted, contributing to the kitchen's intended function as a relaxed social gathering area rather than solely a cooking space. This client's infrequent cooking habits allowed for the use of a tiled countertop, an unconventional material choice that perfectly suited her lifestyle. A rolling library ladder was a non-negotiable element for the designer, incorporated to visually heighten the ceiling and add a whimsical touch. The project also involved collaborating with a plaster specialist for the first time, who created custom plaster corbels under the transoms, adding intricate detail. The article highlights the use of stained-glass doors, a new and highly successful feature for the design team, which they plan to incorporate into future projects. These doors, despite limited color options, were combined to create a cohesive and striking visual element. The design philosophy also emphasized unconventional art placement, such as positioning pictures in unexpected corners, to create more engaging and dynamic visual effects. Key products and suppliers mentioned include Anthropologie for handles, Original BTC for lighting, Tikkurila for wall paint, Finarte for rugs, Zak + Fox for wallpaper, and Zara Home for furniture, illustrating a mix of high-end and accessible design elements used in the project. #ApartmentDesign #InteriorRenovation #KazakhstanHome #ColorfulInteriors #StainedGlass #CreativeSolutions #HomeTours #SmallSpaceDesign

Maria Santos, founder of a renowned interior design studio established in 2015, presents a tour of her personal apartment in Madrid. Known for a timeless design approach that honors classical architecture while integrating modern elements, Santos emphasizes the use of natural materials to craft bright, functional, and relaxed spaces. Her Madrid residence serves as a prime example of her signature style, characterized by a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary aesthetics. The apartment, originally an old and dimly lit property with numerous small rooms, underwent a complete renovation. Santos describes the process as challenging, particularly the decision-making for her own home, which she found more difficult than designing for clients. The extensive renovation involved new installations throughout and a significant re-arrangement of rooms; for instance, a former bedroom now functions as the kitchen, and the previous kitchen has been transformed into a bedroom. The completed apartment now boasts four bedrooms, two living rooms, a dining room, a kitchen, and a dressing room. A central challenge during the renovation stemmed from the property's age and poor condition of some walls. The kitchen, in particular, presented difficulties as it was initially a small, dark bedroom lacking any existing fittings. This transformation highlights the designer's ability to reimagine and restructure a space entirely. The chosen color palette reflects Santos's classic-modern style, with a predominantly white base punctuated by green accents to ensure continuity across the rooms. Texture is introduced through natural materials such as wood and stone, while textiles, furnishings, and accessories add splashes of color. The furnishings represent a mix of pieces from her previous home, new antique acquisitions, and custom-made items. Santos's forthcoming antique shop, Bingutti, is the source for many of the antique furnishings. She intentionally contrasts furniture from different eras, incorporating original Saarinen tulip chairs, Joe Colombo chairs, and a large antique French dining table. Key areas of the apartment are meticulously detailed. The entrance hall features an antique French table adorned with Chinese blue porcelain vases and a painting by Hugo Alonso, designed to ground the transient space. The kitchen, a favorite room, seamlessly connects to the dining area. Notable discoveries during renovation include two columns near the kitchen island, which were integrated into the design. The living room showcases a custom white linen sofa, an Italian antique marble coffee table, a painting by Zobel, and an antique French table, complemented by Joe Colombo's bold green chairs and a zebra carpet. In the dining room, personal paintings from Santos's architecture studies adorn the wall, alongside a French antique crystal chandelier and wall lights, contrasting with the Saarinen tulip chairs. The main bedroom is furnished with a gold metal chair and a French antique chandelier, creating a glamorous boudoir feel, balanced by Daphine table lamps by Lumina and a painting by Eduardo Lalanne. The children's bedroom features a distinctive wooden bed, adding grandeur and warmth. The photography for the feature was done by Montse Garriga. #MadridApartment #InteriorDesign #MariaSantos #HomeRenovation #ClassicModernStyle #AntiqueFurniture #NaturalMaterials #EuropeanDesign

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

Narch, an architecture studio, undertook the renovation of a 65-square-metre historic apartment located in Barcelona's Eixample district. The primary objective of the renovation was to transform the living space into an area capable of accommodating family events, which necessitated a more expansive layout. To achieve this, the design strategy involved the removal of most internal walls, resulting in an open-plan configuration. A significant outcome of this structural modification was the creation of a visual collage from the apartment's existing decorative floors. These floors, consisting of traditional Barcelona encaustic tiles dating back to the early 20th century, were originally confined to individual rooms. With the removal of partitions, different tile patterns now appear adjacent to one another, forming an eclectic and unified composition. Encaustic tiles are characterized by their method of production, where differently pigmented ceramics are poured into a mold and then pressed, ensuring the pattern extends throughout the tile's thickness. During the renovation, the Narch team meticulously preserved existing mosaic tiles. They carefully removed, cleaned, and reinstalled usable original floor tiles. For areas like the kitchen and bathroom, which previously lacked original mosaics, the team sourced additional encaustic tiles from the same historical period from an antique shop, integrating them seamlessly into the design. The new apartment layout features two bedrooms positioned at opposite ends of a dog-legged plan. These bedrooms are separated by a large central living space that incorporates a kitchen, dining area, and lounge. The entrance to the apartment opens directly into this living space, eliminating the need for a separate lobby and maximizing usable floor area. French doors in the living area provide access to two balconies. The varied patterned flooring serves as a visual testament to the apartment's original compartmentalized layout and its historical context. To further emphasize the flooring's intricate details, Narch strategically placed appliances and storage units along the perimeter walls, maintaining an uncluttered central floor space and promoting spatial and visual continuity. Glass sliding doors, made from semi-opaque laminated glass, were incorporated to partition the bedrooms from the main living area. These doors offer flexibility, allowing the space to be opened up into one large area when desired. The choice of semi-opaque glass enables light to penetrate deeply into the apartment, which is approximately 14 meters long, thereby creating a sense of lightness and reflecting the surrounding environment while still ensuring privacy. Addressing the client's preference against exposed ceiling beams, the architects designed a dropped ceiling. This design cleverly conceals lighting within recesses around the edges of the room, contributing to a clean and contemporary aesthetic. The overall design aimed to cultivate a peaceful and comfortable environment, characterized by abundant natural light and fresh air circulation throughout the rooms. This renovation exemplifies a thoughtful approach to modern living within a historically rich architectural shell, preserving and highlighting original features while adapting the space for contemporary needs. #BarcelonaApartment #ApartmentRenovation #InteriorDesign #EncausticTiles #OpenPlanLiving #HistoricPreservation #NarchArchitects #SpanishArchitecture

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

Architect Charlotte Fequet and Maud Tyzon undertook a significant renovation of a 1,400-square-foot apartment in Paris's 18th Arrondissement, initially tasked with simply replacing cold ceramic flooring with warmer wood planks. The clients, Aude and Antoine, and their two teenage daughters had resided there for nearly a decade and desired a home that better reflected their personalities. What began as a minor update evolved into a comprehensive reorganization of the apartment's layout, driven by the architects' perception that the home lacked a welcoming ambiance even after the flooring change. The renovation focused on optimizing space and incorporating soft, curving lines throughout the apartment, a signature style of Fequet. In the living area, a wall near the fireplace was repositioned to create a larger gathering space. The couple’s bedroom was divided, allowing for the creation of a closet between the bedroom and bathroom, enhancing storage efficiency. A key design element was the replacement of all rectangular doors with sliding glass openings featuring arched detailing, which visually expanded the space and, in the kitchen, served the practical purpose of containing cooking odors. A unique bending wood banister at the foot of the staircase functioned as a desk, room divider, and an artistic focal point, its form designed to evoke a sunset. Fequet emphasized that round shapes and curves not only alter a room's proportions visually but also diffuse light more softly, particularly beneficial in a bedroom setting. The color palette prominently featured Yves Klein Blue, a favorite of the homeowners, reminiscent of their holiday destination, Greece. This color appeared in various forms, including wallpaper in the living room and headboard alcove, and herringbone-patterned shower tiles in the primary bathroom. The couple's bedroom was designed to emulate a hotel suite, offering a cozy retreat for relaxation and work, complete with ample hidden storage for clothing and a built-in desk. To integrate the outdoors with the interior, especially given the apartment's two sunny terraces, Fequet custom-designed a dual-tone mirror for above the living room fireplace. Its cloud-like shapes reflected the external views and enhanced natural light distribution. While cobalt blue dominated the color scheme, two elements provided a departure: ochre bookshelves flanking the fireplace and a surprisingly pink kitchen. The pink kitchen cabinets and terrazzo floor tiles were a specific request from Antoine, intended to introduce warmth and contrast, ultimately proving to be a successful and delightful choice that brought the renovation full circle from its initial simple flooring replacement. #ParisApartment #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #CurvedShapes #SpacePlanning #ColorPalette #CustomMillwork #StorageSolutions #ModernDesign #UrbanLiving

The article showcases a unique Bengaluru apartment designed by Jonathan Sylvester and Jay Mandania of Studio Sylus. This home, nestled in Peninsula Heights, Bengaluru, was crafted for an elderly couple seeking a retirement community home that reflected their distinct personalities. The designers embraced a blend of classic and modern aesthetics, focusing on Indian interior design within a contemporary framework. Initially a furnished model apartment, the space required significant reconfiguration to align with the new owners' lifestyle. Key structural changes included converting a secluded family room into a state-of-the-art media room. Additionally, a small powder room was merged with the master bathroom to create a more spacious en-suite for the master bedroom. Recognizing the importance of a functional and visually appealing kitchen, the designers integrated the previously ill-lit kitchen into the main living area by removing walls, allowing natural light to flood the space. A clever design element incorporated into the apartment was the use of inconspicuous storage units and hidden doors to maintain a seamless aesthetic. A notable aspect of the design was the extensive sourcing of furniture and decor from across India. Pieces like a mother-of-pearl inlay console from Kanpur, rugs from Delhi, a swing from Gujarat, and a table from Chennai were meticulously selected and integrated to create a cohesive and eclectic narrative. Curated art pieces were strategically placed in a corridor, cleverly concealing access points to the bedrooms. The apartment's design also emphasizes the use of local and natural materials. Sadarahalli granite, Kota stone, and solid teak wood were incorporated, maintaining their earthy and raw essence while being refined to perfection. This blend of old-age materials with modern design elements creates a dialogue throughout the apartment. The entryway, for instance, features a large mirror with an intricately carved walnut frame set against Sabyasachi wallpaper, establishing a distinctive mood. The dining area boasts a large, monolithic table crafted from Sadarahalli and Kadappa stone, shaped with contemporary curves. To introduce color, the designers adopted a unique approach: they first selected rugs for each room and then built the corresponding color palettes around them. This project by Studio Sylus exemplifies a successful fusion of eclectic elements and locally sourced materials to create a characterful and modern living space. #BengaluruHomes #EclecticDesign #IndianInteriorDesign #StudioSylus #HomeRenovation #LocalMaterials #ModernClassic #InteriorDecorating

Sigla Studio has completed the renovation of a 150-square-meter apartment in Barcelona's Eixample district, located within the 1904 residential building Casa Salvador Viladevall III. The project focused on preserving and restoring the apartment's original early 20th-century features while integrating contemporary elements for improved functionality and comfort. Unlike many other renovations in the building that disregarded historical characteristics, Sigla Studio meticulously rehabilitated existing details, aiming for a harmonious blend of old and new. Key original features preserved and restored include the vibrant mosaic floor tiles and decorative plaster mouldings on the ceilings. The mosaic floors, identified as creations by Teotim Fortuny—a prominent manufacturer of hydraulic mosaics in Catalonia known for intricate modernist and traditional Catalan designs—were carefully restored, with missing tiles painstakingly sourced to maintain their integrity. Solid wooden doors were also preserved, and original windows were updated with double-glazing to enhance energy efficiency without compromising their aesthetic or tactile qualities. Structurally, a significant intervention involved opening up the kitchen to the hallway and introducing an internal window between the kitchen and living room. These changes were implemented to improve natural light penetration and overall flow within the central areas of the apartment. The kitchen also received a vaulted ceiling and warm red Alicante marble floors, which create a striking contrast with the cool steel kitchen cabinets. In the living and dining areas, a large table designed by the studio, featuring a marine plywood structure and a Roman travertine marble top, serves as a focal point. A silver pendant lamp hangs above it, accentuating a ceiling rose, part of the decorative plaster mouldings. The bedrooms adopt a more subdued, natural color palette, balancing the vibrant restored floors with softer tones to ensure seamless integration of historical and modern elements. To accommodate the client's request for an additional bedroom, the main bedroom was divided into two using a custom-built dressing room. This adaptive design solution avoided alterations to the original mosaic floors or ceiling mouldings, respecting the apartment's historical layout while meeting contemporary needs. Bathrooms feature custom-made red marble sinks and detailing, designed to visually integrate with the rest of the apartment rather than being isolated spaces. When not in use, their open doors contribute to a greater sense of spaciousness and improved lighting. The project underscores a commitment to celebrating Barcelona's rich architectural heritage through thoughtful restoration and contemporary intervention. #BarcelonaApartment #SiglaStudio #ApartmentRenovation #HistoricPreservation #MosaicFloors #CatalanModernism #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalRestoration #EixampleDistrict

This article highlights the comprehensive renovation and enlargement of a 2,583-square-foot apartment situated on the top two floors of a historic building in Rome. The project, undertaken by local firm Studio Strato, aimed to enhance the apartment's connection to its outdoor surroundings, specifically a lush green park. The redesign emphasizes preserving elements that narrate the building's history, such as exposed beams and pillars, which were intentionally left visible to showcase the restoration process and the building's historical layers. The renovation began with the demolition of existing internal walls to create a more open and integrated living space. This transformation resulted in a single, expansive area that combines the living and dining functions. The interior aesthetic was significantly brightened with fresh white walls and complemented by larch parquet flooring. A notable feature is a sleek black fireplace, contributing to an overall airy and modern environment. Central to the common area is a striking pink staircase, which serves both a functional purpose, connecting the lower level to the master bedroom above, and an aesthetic one, visually delineating the living and dining zones. To improve the apartment's connection to the outdoors and maximize natural light, large, expansive windows were installed. These windows not only flood the interiors with sunlight but also offer panoramic views of the adjacent park. The dining area, located next to the living lounge, provides direct access to a balcony, further blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. The kitchen also underwent a modern upgrade, now equipped with stainless steel appliances, reflecting a contemporary design approach. Vincenzo Tattolo, co-founder of Studio Strato, articulated the design intent as enriching the house with a strong graphic look. This was achieved through specific material choices, such as using masonite for the walls of the master bedroom and the widest wall in the kitchen, adding a distinctive texture and visual interest. The master bathroom features Fornace Brioni tiles on both the floor and walls, contributing to a cohesive and sophisticated design. Similarly, the daughter's bathroom is adorned with dotted mosaic tiles, also from Fornace Brioni, ensuring design continuity and quality throughout the apartment. The article includes floor plans of both the lower and upper levels, providing a comprehensive overview of the spatial arrangement and how the renovation optimized the flow and functionality of the apartment. The project successfully blends historical preservation with modern design elements, creating a bright, open, and graphically rich living space that is well-connected to its Roman setting. #apartmentRenovation #romanArchitecture #interiorDesign #studioStrato #modernLiving #historicBuilding #openConcept #pinkStaircase #italianDesign

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

Architect Yacine Bensalem, founder of In Situ & Partners, led the renovation of an elegant Haussmann-style Paris apartment situated in the 16th arrondissement. The project aimed to preserve the aesthetic codes of a classic Parisian apartment while seamlessly integrating modern functionality. Drawing inspiration from the apartment’s 19th-century deeds, the renovation meticulously recreated the original rhythms of the space, adhering to Haussmannian rules while incorporating British and Asian influences inherent in the firm's design philosophy. The outcome is a sophisticated and refined living space that highlights exquisite craftsmanship through handmade finishes and custom pieces, all crafted by Italian and French artisans. Bensalem's aesthetic is evident in the subtle fusion of styles. The hallway, for instance, features leather and bronze shelves that introduce a touch of Asian glamour, a theme echoed in the Japanese-style resin shelves above the living room fireplace. Designed to mimic an outdoor space, the hallway acts as a transition zone between the private and public areas of the home, featuring lantern-style lighting and geometric marble flooring that evoke the atrium of a Parisian mansion. Despite the previous owner removing many distinctive Haussmannian elements like parquet flooring and original moldings, the apartment’s monumental entrance, high ceilings, large windows, and an incomparable view of the Eiffel Tower provided a strong foundation for imagining its original grandeur. The material and color palette were carefully selected to align with classic Haussmannian codes. Walls and ceilings were painted in natural ivory, complementing the lightly patinated herringbone oak parquet, which was chosen to convey a sense of lived-in history. The study and powder room feature dark oak paneling, reflecting British design influences. The long hallway’s flooring boasts a traditional 19th-century geometric pattern in grey, black, and white Italian marble, a motif that extends to the contemporary kitchen with contrasting grey and rust-colored wall tiles. The furniture for the living area and other spaces was a blend of custom-made pieces and curated design elements. Collaboration with skilled Italian and French artisans was crucial, ensuring that many elements were custom-made to personalize the rooms. Notable pieces include Kartell armchairs and Flos lamps, complemented by antique items such as the mirror above the dining room fireplace. The dining room also features a custom-made dining table, couch, and lighting, alongside pieces like Sinai wooden coffee tables by Cattelan Italia and a blue Febo armchair by B&B Italia. Custom rugs by GC further enhance the tailored feel of the apartment. One of the primary challenges of the project, beyond the logistical difficulties posed by the Covid pandemic, was authentically capturing the Haussmann spirit while infusing it with In Situ & Partners' unique style. Bensalem's extensive background in classical French architecture, honed during his 14 years of studying and working in Paris, proved invaluable. The project deliberately went against the prevailing trend of devaluing classical interior design, demonstrating a commitment to historical accuracy and cultural identity. The interaction with art was also a key aspect, with numerous works by Pierre Bonnefille, a Maître d'art, chosen for their poetic and contemporary representation of tradition, aligning with the project's artistic and poetic guiding principles and its deep respect for craftsmanship. #HaussmannStyle #ParisApartment #InteriorDesign #LuxuryHomes #InSituAndPartners #TraditionalModernMix #FrenchArchitecture #CustomCraftsmanship #ArtIntegration

This article showcases the renovation of a two-storey apartment in Barcelona's Eixample district by Spanish studio Bach Arquitectes, named Urgell Apartment. The project involved combining two existing flats, one dating from the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth, and the other built in the 1960s, into a single residence for a young family. A key feature of the renovation is the creative reuse of traditional encaustic floor tiles, which were salvaged from the older apartment and augmented with additional tiles found during another refurbishment in the same building block. The original lower flat possessed some encaustic tiles, which are distinct for their patterns created by pigmented ceramics pressed into a mould. However, these were insufficient to cover the entire floor area due to previous replacements. The architects, Anna and Eugeni Bach, seized an opportunity to acquire more of these historic tiles when a neighboring apartment in the same block was undergoing refurbishment and its old tiles were being discarded. This allowed them to amass seven different types of these decorative tiles. With the expanded collection of tiles, the architects devised a unique flooring pattern for the entire lower level, which includes a spacious living and dining room, a children's bedroom, and a small bathroom. The tiles are arranged in distinct stripes, intentionally disregarding the room divisions and partitions, to create a sense of continuous space and flow throughout the floor plan. This design choice highlights the beauty of the reclaimed materials while providing a cohesive aesthetic. The apartment's organization revolves around a central staircase made of pine wood. This staircase is more than just a means of vertical circulation; it integrates functional spaces such as kitchen units and storage closets on the lower level, and laundry facilities and a desk on the upper floor. This strategic integration maximizes space utilization and streamlines the apartment's functionality. Two voids are incorporated into the stairwell design: a window that offers a view into the kitchen from the stairs, and a large opening on the upper studio that provides a visual connection to the kitchen below. These visual connections contribute to the perception of the flat as a unified whole, rather than two separate levels. The lower floor serves as the main living area, accommodating the entry, living room, dining room, kitchen, a children's room, and a bathroom. The upper floor is designed as a more private retreat for the parents, featuring a master bedroom, a bathroom, and a study room. In terms of external spaces, a decked terrace extends along the side of the upper floor. A folding metal staircase on this terrace provides access to a larger rooftop terrace, which is partially shaded by a canopy, creating an intermediate indoor-outdoor living experience. The renovation also preserved existing woodwork, including doors and windows, on the lower floor to maintain the architectural character typical of Barcelona's Eixample district, while new elements were introduced on the upper floor where original features were absent or unsuitable for preservation. #BarcelonaApartment #BachArquitectes #EncausticTiles #TileRenovation #DuplexApartment #PineWoodwork #StaircaseDesign #ReclaimedMaterials #InteriorDesign #EixampleDistrict

The La Odette apartment, originally a dark and cramped three-bedroom dwelling from 1877, has been transformed by Barcelona-based architecture studio CRÜ into a spacious two-bedroom residence. The renovation focused on optimizing space and enhancing natural light and ventilation within the 65-square-meter property. CRÜ, formerly known as RÄS, initiated the project by removing existing partition walls, creating an open-plan layout that significantly brightened the interior. Key to the redesign is the strategic use of contrasting natural materials. The studio aimed to break up the volume of the apartment into distinct planes, utilizing surface finishes such as white-painted exposed brickwork, various terracotta tiles, and terracotta-painted walls. This material palette was chosen to introduce warmth and help delineate specific areas within the otherwise open space. For instance, terracotta floor tiles extend to a section of a wall near the kitchen and entrance, serving as a visual anchor and a textural contrast to the surrounding white-painted surfaces. An innovative application of the terracotta tiles involved installing them back-to-front on a wall section, exposing their ribbed undersides. This technique created a unique vertical terracotta texture, adding depth and a tactile dimension to the space. The design also incorporates smaller, square maroon tiles in the hallway and bathroom, providing a further textural and color contrast against the terracotta-painted walls in the bathroom and the raw brick near the entrance. The bathroom itself features a wall adorned with medium-sized white tiles, distinguished by terracotta-colored grouting, reinforcing the overall material theme. Functional rearrangements include relocating the bedrooms to the rear of the building, with one offering views of a courtyard and the other accessing a balcony. The living area is positioned at the front, overlooking the street. A sliding corrugated glass door allows for the separation of the master bedroom from the living space while permitting light to diffuse between these areas. The minimalist kitchen is outfitted with a red polished marble backsplash, sourced from the south of Spain, adding a touch of elegance and a subtle pop of color. CRÜ studio is led by architects Clàudia Raurell, Joan Astallé, and Marc Peiró. Their portfolio includes other notable Barcelona apartment renovations, such as a minimalist apartment featuring dark grey tiles and a monochrome palette, and a project where a polycarbonate-walled mezzanine level was inserted into a previously concealed gabled ceiling, showcasing their expertise in inventive spatial solutions and material contrasts. #BarcelonaApartment #Terracotta #InteriorDesign #ApartmentRenovation #CRUStudio #MaterialContrast #OpenPlanLiving #ResidentialArchitecture #Spain #TileDesign

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 explores the design principles applied to an open-plan living space within a London apartment, encompassing a sitting room, dining room, and kitchen. The project was executed by interior designer Stephanie Dunning, known for her combined expertise in interior design and construction. Dunning's background, including early work with her father's construction business and technical drawing, and subsequent experience with Nina Campbell and royal commissions, underpins her approach to transforming period buildings into contemporary, comfortable family homes. A key aspect of this particular London apartment project involved the installation of new double-glazed Crittall windows. These windows were chosen to maximize natural light from the west-facing elevation and to contribute to a clean, modern aesthetic. The overall design scheme utilizes a muted, neutral background for the paintwork and curtains, which serves to enhance the contemporary feel and allow other design elements to stand out. Dunning's design philosophy emphasizes the use of texture to create a rich, layered look within the space. To achieve this tactile quality and to address practical considerations like sound dampening—essential in an apartment setting—the design incorporates a mix of materials and colors. Burnt-orange cushions provide pops of color and visual interest, contrasting with navy sisal flooring and a navy-and-white rug. These elements not only add texture but also contribute to the acoustic comfort of the open-plan area. The furnishings integrate both new pieces and the client's existing antique collection, blending contemporary style with personal history. Further enhancing the functionality and social nature of the space, a club fender was included to provide additional occasional seating. The article also provides specific details on how to replicate elements of this design, including sources for key items. The circular tables are from Julian Chichester, and the distinctive steel windows are manufactured by Crittall, a company with a long history of producing this style since the late 19th century, now experiencing a revival in both historical and modern properties. The cushions, noted for their deep texture, are available from Stephanie Dunning's own online business, Inky Velvet. Stephanie Dunning's career trajectory, from learning detailed technical drawing in construction to working with prominent interior designers and undertaking high-profile commissions, showcases a comprehensive understanding of both the structural and aesthetic aspects of interior design. Her methodology, as demonstrated in this London apartment project, effectively merges practicality with sophisticated design, creating an inviting and well-appointed living environment. #OpenPlanLiving #ApartmentDesign #InteriorDesign #LondonApartment #StephanieDunning #CrittallWindows #TexturalDesign #ContemporaryInteriors #HomeDecor #DesignInspiration