Art Deco inspiration for this renovation, which creates a dialogue between old and new.
After a fulfilling career in museum and exhibition design, Alexandra Nodes longed for a change, and to go back to her family roots in Spain.
Together with her husband and her daughter, she moved from London to Barcelona, where she found a new home in the lively Eixample district. Placed in a 1940s neoclassical building, most of its walls were covered in murals depicting bucolic landscapes and historic places of Barcelona.
Other original elements include the geometric details in the kitchen – inspired by the Art Deco era –, along with the doors and windows. The owners have entrusted the interior architect Georg Kayser – GK Kayser Studio – with the task of preserving the historical details of the flat, thus furnishing it to meet a young family’s needs.
“Preserving doesn’t necessarily mean keeping everything, but retaining the spirit and continuing the history of a place.”
The idea focused on a glamorous interior with plenty of space to entertain guests, as well as welcoming environments for everyday life.
As they both work from home, the couple desired calm spaces that could serve as working areas.
“With its triangular layout and no external windows, it was quite difficult to reconfigure the flat,” admits Kayser. Most of the rooms had fallen into disuse and the floor tiles were partially damaged.
A mezzanine level had been added to the main living room, and the windows had been closed by the former owners, making the room dark and unwelcoming. Kayser then spatially reconfigured the flat to meet his owners’ needs.
In order to improve the layout, it was necessary to partially remove the mezzanine.
New walls were created, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors were added to bring natural light back inside and expand the sense of space.
The most unique details of the flat have been preserved. These include the precious murals and the crown mouldings, along with the historic floor tiles that have been realigned to match the new white oak flooring.
Where possible, the original windows, doors, and handles have been preserved and restored. The brass fittings on the lacquered wood furniture, the door knobs and the doors themselves give a touch of glamour, paying homage to the Art Deco influence.
To keep the additions modern, minimal and delicate, the studio designed customized and built-in furniture, specifically for this home.
One of the most striking elements is the 4.5-metre-long kitchen island, the heart of the dining area. On sunny days, this area is flooded with natural light, and that clearly explains why it has become a family favourite.
New furnishings match with vintage pieces to complete this homey feel. “I like combining old with modern, as it gives the feeling that it has been lived in, and then evolved,” says Kayser.
“The atmosphere of a room totally changes by adding a colour,” continues Kayser.
An example of this is the formal living room. Its dark grey walls are offset by the contrasting saffron-coloured sofa, the white armchairs, and the iridescent chandelier. The result is a contemporary dwelling, welcoming and full of history.
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