AHEAD OF THE CURVE

ELIZA HAMIZAH takes you through the transformation of an old, small flat in barcelona into a chic and trendy space for a fashionable Italian woman

OPPOSITE

Original elements of the apartment were restored, such as the large balcony windows, detailed shutters, as well as the wooden beam ceiling.

ABOVE, LEFT

A pink terrazzo like quartz surface, warm grey cabinetry, and vintage concave brass handles make up this chic kitchen.

LEFT

The dark blue cabinets are designed to be symmetrical and mirror the balcony windows.

ABOVE

Timeless designs with soft silhouettes were chosen, like the Mags sofa by Hay, side tables by Kettal, and Ypperlig chairs by Hay for Ikea.

Colours and curves dominate this vibrant apartment in Barcelona, which belongs to Francesca, a young and stylish Italian professional in the fashion industry. After tearing down all non-structural walls, the designers from Colombo and Serboli Architecture (Casa) worked on the apartment’s visual anchor – the element that informs the rest of the 699 sq ft space.

This takes the form of a voluminous bespoke storage unit in the foyer. Clad in deepblue and light pink finishes, the floor-to-celling unit creats a grand doorway. The blue visually condenses the area, while the tall pink panels allow a transition before one steps into the larger and brighter openplan living area. It also conceals a walk-in wardrobe (home to Francesca’s large collection of clothing and sports equipment) and an entrance to the master bedroom.

In the same vein is a coral, arc-shaped volume in the kitchen. While its eye-catching hue and large size catch the eye, this "container" also conceals. Swing open the coral door to reveal a pink-on-pink powder room, which features subway tiles and a pink terrazzo-like quartz surface.

"We opted for an are shape, and at a height that almost touches the wooden-beam ceilings, to highlight the 4m -hight vaulted ceillings of this 13th-century building. These (new features) enhance the great proportions the old property into a vibrant flat," say the disegners from Casa.

A palette of light pinks and greys, combined with a curvilinear motif - seen on the living room cornice, curved - edged kitchen island, and accent pieces like the Roll Clup Chair by Casa - creates a light and restful ambience.

FAR RIGHT

Walls and ceilings painted in white increase the brightness of the home.

RIGHT

The rounded peninsula hosts a sink and dishwasher. It also serves as another dining area for the homeowner and her guests. The master bedroom is accessed through a door that matches, in colour and size, the wardrobe door in the foyer.

BELOW

The designers sourced the pink ceramic tiles from Ceramica Ribesalbes and sanitary ﬁttings from Roca.