Houzz Tour: A Poky 1960s Flat is Given a Light, Bright Update
An old-fashioned apartment has been turned into a modern home without abandoning its nautical roots
Surrounded by the Olympic Port, the Ronda Litoral coastal ring road and the sea, Barceloneta is one of the most charismatic districts of Barcelona. Sailors began to settle in this area in the 18th century, and social housing was built here in the construction boom of the 1950s and 60s to improve the living conditions of those who made their livelihood from the sea.
Looking for a change, British lawyer Guy Morley bought an apartment in one of these blocks, which were designed by iconic Spanish architect José Antonio Coderch. He asked the team at Bloomint to completely revamp the space.
Looking for a change, British lawyer Guy Morley bought an apartment in one of these blocks, which were designed by iconic Spanish architect José Antonio Coderch. He asked the team at Bloomint to completely revamp the space.
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Guy Morley was working as a lawyer in London when he decided to change his life. In 2014, he founded Kailani Ice Tea and moved to Barcelona.
The living room of his revamped Barceloneta apartment is pictured here, with the dining room and kitchen in the background (first photo). The console and hangers, which are made out of recycled carabiners tied to hemp ropes, stand out in its décor.
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The living room of his revamped Barceloneta apartment is pictured here, with the dining room and kitchen in the background (first photo). The console and hangers, which are made out of recycled carabiners tied to hemp ropes, stand out in its décor.
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Before The apartment was dark and very compartmentalised, with hallways and low ceilings. “Walking into the place was like travelling back in time and ending up in the 1960s. It was one of those houses that stay the same for decades,” Caroline Jaussaud says.
On the first visit, the interior designers focused on the positives. “The light and natural airflow crossed from one side of the apartment to the other, and the living room opened onto a balcony overlooking a square full of life,” Jaussaud says.
On the first visit, the interior designers focused on the positives. “The light and natural airflow crossed from one side of the apartment to the other, and the living room opened onto a balcony overlooking a square full of life,” Jaussaud says.
After “Our first goal was to enhance the spacious feel and allow for light and cross ventilation. We wanted to create a space where natural light bathed white walls, to with contrast the intense terracotta floor,” Jaussaud says.
The furniture was found in antiques shops and restored. “We mixed contemporary pieces with others that resound with decades of history, in search of a style that would reflect the contrast between the neighbourhood and the new tenant,” she says. The coffee table, for example, was bought in an antiques shop in Barcelona and refreshed.
The furniture was found in antiques shops and restored. “We mixed contemporary pieces with others that resound with decades of history, in search of a style that would reflect the contrast between the neighbourhood and the new tenant,” she says. The coffee table, for example, was bought in an antiques shop in Barcelona and refreshed.
On the balcony, they revived blinds from the original Coderch design.
Wooden panels separate the kitchen-diner from the living room. “Since the space was designed for both working and living in, we used light and mobile elements instead of impractical partitions,” Jaussaud says.
These reflect the nautical life of tenants past. “The texture of the folding screens resembles the nets and baskets used by the fishermen of Barceloneta,” she says.
These reflect the nautical life of tenants past. “The texture of the folding screens resembles the nets and baskets used by the fishermen of Barceloneta,” she says.
The kitchen is for socialising and working. “We rethought the concept of the family dining table, making it into a versatile place at which to work, cook or socialise,” Jaussaud says.
“We associated the Mediterranean lifestyle with the informal use of the flat, creating multi-functional and flexible spaces. We’ve divided areas using colour and materials,” she explains.
So, the common areas – the kitchen, dining room, office and living room – are open and connected to one another. The bedrooms are closed off and feature warmer materials, such as a natural wood floor.
“We associated the Mediterranean lifestyle with the informal use of the flat, creating multi-functional and flexible spaces. We’ve divided areas using colour and materials,” she explains.
So, the common areas – the kitchen, dining room, office and living room – are open and connected to one another. The bedrooms are closed off and feature warmer materials, such as a natural wood floor.
Some of the kitchen cabinet fronts are made of the same textured wood as the screen between the kitchen and living area. “We thought of the place as a fisherman’s house, with a kitchen where everything is visible and that features warm, natural materials. We chose greyish-blues in order to achieve a Mediterranean look while giving a nod to the owner’s company colours,” Jaussaud says.
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The table is a special piece. It was custom-made out of iron, wood and ceramics by carpenter Zachary Dallman in Barcelona. The octopus was hand-painted by Natalia Galera from Bensu Cerámica.
The table doubles as a place for meetings, while the owner’s work station can be seen in the background of this photo.
The designers went for natural oak parquet for the bedroom and bathroom floors to contrast with the tiles in the rest of the home.
The master bedroom has French windows leading out onto the terrace.
The master bedroom has French windows leading out onto the terrace.
The wardrobe in here was designed to order, and includes a space for the owner’s surfboard.
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The furniture in the room echoes the mixture of new and antique that can be seen throughout the home.
Who lives here? Guy Morley, founder of Kailani Ice Tea
Location Barcelona, Spain
Size Two bedrooms and one bathroom; about 645 sq ft (60 sq m)
Designers Caroline Jaussaud, Caroline Savin and Manu Bauzá
of Bloomint
Photos by Margaret Stepien