Every decision made by designers Andrea Conti and Isabel Cert for this appealing rooftop apartment in Barcelona—from the flooring to the ceiling, the furniture to the finishes—was made with simplicity and timelessness in mind. Nothing is extraneous or overly designed. It feels like a real home—albeit one that is exceedingly stylish.
On their website, they describe their firm, Conti, Cert, as “an interior design studio with a philosophy and a way of doing things…in which nothing is just for nothing.” We recently asked them to share the whats and whys that went into this project, a 1,600-square-foot, attic-floor flat for a young family. Yesterday, Andrea let us in on the details of the kitchen. Today, she gives us a tour of the rest of the home.
Photography by Salva Lopez, courtesy of Conti, Cert.
Above: Keeping the spirit of the 1880 building alive was paramount for the clients and designers both. To do so, Conti, Cert had to subtract and add: A low “false ceiling” was taken down to reveal high vaulted ceilings, while hexagonal tiled flooring was reinstated per the original design, says Andrea. Above: The apartment pre-renovation felt like “a very old, dark house with many rooms,” says Andrea. The kitchen was formerly in the middle of the apartment, which siloed the living area from the rest of the home. For improved flow, the designers moved the living room to the center and opened up the dining area. Above: The view from the dining area into the kitchen. The steps lead up and out onto the rooftop terrace. “We decided to design two big steps that can also be used for sitting; the wood gives them a natural feeling that breaks with the hydraulic floor.”
Above: “The bench for the stove is made with bricks and reinforced to support the weight of the stove and if someone sits there. Then we plastered over it in order to have it look the same as the walls,” shares Andrea. Above: A multifunctional space just off the living room is intended for use as a play room or guest room.
Above: One of our favorite architectural features: a hallway lined with books.
Above: A streamlined headboard, simple bedding, and String wall shelving gives this bedroom a modern edge.
Above: “Old iron radiators were restored and placed again in the flat,” says Andrea.
Above: “The sink is an institutional product for schools from the French firm Jacob Delafon: the ‘Duo’ model.” The faucets are from Barcelona-based Rovira.
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