Houzz Tour: Innovative Modern Touches Revitalise a Barcelona Apartment
A warm, neutral palette, clean lines and customised pieces have transformed this Spanish flat into a stylishly elegant home
Architect Yolanda Yuste’s client wanted his apartment in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona to reflect a contemporary spirit – not the traditional architecture typical of the city’s oldest district. ‘My client wanted to keep some original aspects of the house, like the vaulted beam ceilings and arches, but he also wanted a relaxed and thoroughly modern place in which to live, work and entertain,’ says Yuste.
As she began the renovation, Yuste concentrated on reinterpreting the structure as two areas: one open and social and the other entirely private – a true place of retreat.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A young expat from Britain
Location Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain
Design challenge Maintaining the traditional architecture of the Gothic Quarter while reflecting an entirely new space and atmosphere
As she began the renovation, Yuste concentrated on reinterpreting the structure as two areas: one open and social and the other entirely private – a true place of retreat.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A young expat from Britain
Location Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain
Design challenge Maintaining the traditional architecture of the Gothic Quarter while reflecting an entirely new space and atmosphere
Customised touches were a necessary part of the home’s update. The wall and ceiling are panelled with tinted pine wood slats assembled by hand. The slats’ horizontal placement and repetition, coupled with the crisp white walls by the windows, give the room a feeling of expansiveness.
Flush kitchen cupboards repeat the rectangular shape of the slats, but in a larger scale. The cupboards, worktops and dining table are finished in bronze, adding texture and sheen.
Two large pendant lights lined in gold leaf add drama to the minimalist space, emphasising the home’s contemporary spirit. The stark black hue of the shades contrasts with the white walls, concrete floors and warm wood.
Browse more pendant lights
Browse more pendant lights
Yuste integrated much of the kitchen furniture and surrounding spaces with the wall panelling and simplified the geometry of the space. Large black lids (shown flush against the panels) can fold down to cover the worktop and serve as one long buffet table.
Black and white sliding doors signal a visual and physical transition from the dining room to the living room.
The warm wood tones are all but gone in the living room, only slightly recalled in the smaller feature pieces; whitewashed walls and beamed ceilings take its place, enlarging the space.
Just as the pair of pendants lights add drama to the kitchen, an oversize floor lamp stands guard by the arched doorway and takes the place of an art piece.
Just as the pair of pendants lights add drama to the kitchen, an oversize floor lamp stands guard by the arched doorway and takes the place of an art piece.
‘We changed the window frames to reflect a more contemporary design, yet they still fit within the traditional architecture,’ says Yuste. The garden, shared by all the building’s occupants, is seen from this vantage point.
The mix of natural materials in the accent decor keeps the design from feeling too cold and stark. Earth tones and textures warm up the living room and evoke a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
As in the rest of the flat, storage space is concealed in the bathroom behind boards with a high-gloss finish. ‘We wanted to have freestanding fixtures in the bathroom to enhance the feeling of spaciousness,’ says Yuste.
An egg-shaped bathtub rounds out a room devoted to ‘relaxation, intimacy and sensuality,’ says Yuste. Translucent glass lightly conceals the toilet and shower area, creating a modern, spa-like feel.
Check out more freestanding baths
Check out more freestanding baths
Everything about this bedroom whispers casual: a shabby chic mirrored panel replaces a traditional headboard, bedding in natural fabrics add to the tousled look, and a shag pile rug in light brown stays well within the neutral palette of the room. Untreated French windows leading out to a balcony let in plenty of light.
But what catches the eye is a neat little niche that’s left empty but for the perfect shade of grey.
Liked this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.
But what catches the eye is a neat little niche that’s left empty but for the perfect shade of grey.
Liked this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.