When the owners wished to create more functional, fluid spaces in the 3,229-square-feet historic home known as Rambla Cataluna, there was one problem. Due to the penthouse being composed of two hexagons that meet at right angles, the unit featured a very complex floor plan.

Yet, Barcelona firm Meritxell Ribé - The Room Studio was up for this design challenge and renovated the space using a variety of different woods, tiles, metals, and a mix of modern and antique furniture to give the apartment a warm, regal, and charming Spanish atmosphere.

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Lime tiles were used for the walls, while light, neutral colors were paired with dark purples, greens, and black for a dramatic contrast.

Colorful, contemporary furniture was combined with older elements from the original space, such as stained glass windows, restored doors, and trimmings, to harmonize the past with the present.

The living room, which has marble floors and gold-colored accents, flows seamlessly into the dining area with plenty of warm, dark wood.

The kitchen, which has patterned cement-tile floors, flows into a bright solarium encased in glass walls. This area connects to the dining room, and is separated from the living room by recovered glass cases. The solarium connects to a spacious outdoor deck.

Black tones, gold accents, and dark woods were used in the bathroom, echoing the color scheme in the living areas.

“Each space is equipped with the maximum functionality, where the goal was the connection and dialogue between all the spaces in the house,” says Meritxell Ribé, one of the firm’s founders.

Project Credits:

Architecture: Meritxell Ribé - The Room Studio

Interior design: Meritxell Ribé - The Room Studio

Builder, cabinetry, and lighting design: The Room Work SL

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A 1930s Barcelona Apartment Is Revitalized Into an Airy Abode