Renovating…
a house that you connect to on a strong emotional level can be a daunting task, but Spanish interiors specialist Cristina Espejo has managed to breathe new life into her Madrid apartment by transforming it into an elegant four-bedroom home where history mixes with adventure. It is here, in this 200m2 flat in the heart of the city’s chic Alonso Martínez district, that Espejo brought up her two children – therefore, it was imperative that the home retain a strong sense of soulfulness and personal identity.
Joining…
forces with her creative partner Marta Goyanes of Studio Espejo & Goyanes – the pair sought to open up the rooms to as much natural light as possible and focus on restoring the apartment’s original features, including the authentic pine flooring, woodwork on doors and cabinets, and the classic ceiling and floor moldings. The industrial looking wrought iron radiators were also rejuvenated lending the rooms a more functional and homey feel. With its historic features returned their former glory, the designers then used a soft and gentle neutral palette as a base for a dynamic kind of ‘newness’ in the form of modern art, rare antiques and big impact furniture pieces.
The dining…
room, which connects to the lounge thanks to open arches, features a large statement table that almost completely occupies the space. Here, studio Espejo & Goyanes has used a mixture of vintage mid-century and contemporary furniture pieces to achieve a minimalist look without skewing cold or stark. The chairs are from the 1950s and are crafted from lacquered iron with teak wooden backrests and feature hand painted upholstery by Italian textile specialists Livio de Simone. A wooden buffet table with drawers was sourced from contemporary craft atelier, Mestizo in central Madrid, a go-to for rustic looking handmade items.
The lounge…
is full of visually arresting design pieces, including a mid-century Scandinavian steel-based coffee table with a mottled onyx stone top, a curved modular Ursula sofa by the contemporary Madrid-based Studio Banon and a 1960s futuristic Sputnik sculpture by Curtis Jeré which looks like a giant metal sea urchin. Rather than vie for attention, these items sit in harmony, creating a unifying effect that points to a sense of comfort and thoughtful intention. Other vintage collectibles were sourced from local antique specialists including Zigler and Carina Casanovas, as well the Antik Almoneda, the world-famous annual collectors fair in Madrid.
In a main…
bedroom, the designers have allowed textures to do all the talking. Earthy and cream-toned semi-sheer linens and high thread count cottons were sourced from luxury textile firm Pepe Peñalver, which specializes in top quality artisanal fabrics, all woven in Spain. A child’s bedroom is small but perfectly appointed with a feature wall adding charm and character to this cozy space. Featuring a menagerie of exotic beasts, the wallpaper comes from Danish brand Ferm Living and completes the calm and enchanting atmosphere of this home, designed to make you feel completely at ease, like a Spanish version of Scandinavian hygge.
Tap the look…
Design: Espejo & Goyanes
Interior Photography: Montse Garriga
