Cozy apartment with vintage items in the historic center of Barcelona

Vintage details, black-and-white aesthetics, and iconic design accents — this sums up the latest project by interior designer Margo Kashina, created for a young family in Barcelona.

This 85 m² apartment for a young family presented a unique challenge. With an extremely tight timeline, Kashina developed the concept, created the plans, and oversaw renovations in record time. The result is an impressive, harmonious, and cozy space that beautifully reflects the owners' style and interests.

The clients — a young couple working from home — needed a space that was equally comfortable for living and functional for work. Over a cup of coffee at their first meeting, Margo sketched the layout, effortlessly pinpointing the key accents of the future interior. The overall concept — a black-and-white foundation complemented by vintage pieces and iconic design elements — resonated instantly with the clients, given their passion for black-and-white photography.

"Our tastes and views aligned so perfectly that discussing the interior felt more like an old friends' conversation about cinema, art, and architecture," Kashina recalls.

A Harmony of history and modernity

The apartment is located in a 1901 building in the historic center of Barcelona. Its original layout offered significant advantages: the facade side, with French windows overlooking the street, houses the open-plan living area, combining the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The private area, quieter and overlooking a green courtyard, is positioned at the rear.
The designer proposed several innovative solutions: the washing machine and dryer were discreetly hidden in the kitchen cabinetry, while a custom shower niche was incorporated into the bedroom. The toilet and sink, cleverly positioned on the former balcony, are separated by a sliding partition.

The foundation for a vintage mix

Kashina began with a neutral canvas: engineered oak flooring and light-colored walls provided the perfect base for layering the interior. The standout feature is the original 19th-century green shutters, preserved and made the centerpiece of the design. Flowing white linen curtains add rhythm and visually enhance the room's height. "When I first stepped into the freshly painted apartment with those green shutters, I knew the canvas was ready," Kashina reflects.

Balancing vintage and modernity

A limited budget of €10,000 posed a creative challenge, yet Margo succeeded in crafting a one-of-a-kind space by skillfully combining vintage finds, designer pieces, and affordable mass-market items.
The living room centers on 1980s chairs sourced from an online auction and the iconic Zettel’z 6 chandelier by Ingo Maurer, which sets the tone for the entire area. A black-and-white striped sofa from Procomobel and a wooden bureau, dating back to the building's construction, infuse the space with historical charm. In the dining area, vintage chairs are paired with a sleek metal round table from La Redoute, creating a contemporary balance.

The homeowners' safari chair by Wilhelm Kienzle, brought back from Scandinavia, and a 1970s Noboru Nakamura chair for IKEA form the ideal workspace. Antique posters, graphic art, and a 1963 lithograph by Jean Cocteau blend seamlessly with a 19th-century charcoal study.

Lighting: accents and scenarios

Lighting played a crucial role in the design. Spaces are zoned with accent lighting, and every room includes strategically placed outlets for table and floor lamps, allowing for flexible lighting scenarios.
Margo Kashina's design is not only a functional living and working space but also a gallery of curated design objects that reflect the owners' tastes. "What delights me most is the Zettel’z 6 chandelier by Ingo Maurer," says Margo. "It’s not just a light fixture but a true art object that has become the heart of the living room."

Interior designer Margo Kashina
Instagram @marka_interiors

Photo credit Bypablo Estudio
Instagram @bypablo.estudio