In this project, a complete renovation of the apartment was carried out prior to developing the interior design. The main objective was to update the home while preserving the essence of the building, a Mediterranean-style construction from 1968, dating back to Marbella’s golden era and holding significant architectural and historical value.

Los Portales is an iconic building within the city and also holds a special meaning for us, as our studio was located for many years on the ground floor, on Avenida Ricardo Soriano. This emotional connection played an important role in the project, guiding each design decision with particular care and respect for the original character of the property.

One of the key design principles was to create a sense of continuity and coherence throughout the apartment by using consistent materials across different spaces. White open-pore oak is repeated in the kitchen fronts, interior doors, wardrobes and the headboard in the bedroom, bringing visual unity and warmth to the interior. The flooring is natural stone in a sand tone with a honed finish, a material that is also used in a different format in the bathroom shower area, further reinforcing material continuity.

The colour palette also acts as a connecting thread between the rooms. Water tones, terracotta and earthy shades dominate the interior, carefully balanced to convey serenity, comfort and a warm, welcoming atmosphere in harmony with the Mediterranean character of the building.

As a distinctive feature of the project, the original ceiling rosette in the bedroom was preserved as a decorative element. Although no longer in use, it has been integrated into the new design and highlighted with a backlit perimeter moulding, giving it renewed presence within the space.

This project has been particularly meaningful for LA ALBAIDA, as this apartment previously served as our studio in Marbella for more than twenty years, turning the renovation into a dialogue between memory, evolution and continuity.