This charming one-bedroom apartment has been our Marbella studio for many years, along with the unit upstairs, which we also transformed into a one-bedroom apartment (Cánovas2).
The building in which it is located, called Los Portales, is an emblematic building in Marbella, with a unique architecture.
The renovation was therefore comprehensive, but as we always try to do when we face a renovation project in a space of these characteristics, rehabilitating all those elements that can be rescued and that mark the space, we respected the floor, the fireplace and the columns, which were integrated into the new partitioning. The separation between the two living room areas with metal and glass dividers allows generating different simultaneous uses of the daily spaces without losing spaciousness and connection.
In the bathroom renovation we opted for microcement to connect in an organic way with the natural stone of the rest of the home.
When proposing the interior design project that went hand in hand with the renovation project, we sought to connect with the most traditional Mediterranean essence of the home and its architectural details, such as the arch-shaped wooden “palilleria” (slats) windows, the pillars in column shape, the fireplace, or the black and white checkerboard floor, but at the same time balancing the set with more contemporary elements, such as the smoked glass door closet, and details of fresh colors that served as a counterpoint.
As for the colors, the strength generated by the black and white checkerboard floor requires that the rest of the elements take a backseat, but that there be certain counterpoints such as some textile with a more daring touch of color: the bench upholstered in a yellow oil, the striped headboard in aqua tones or the classic armchairs recovered and upholstered in a very powerful ikat fabric.
The apartment has a small but charming terrace, and to give it more life and make it more intimate, we had the landscaper Laura Pou give it a touch of color and smell, so that when you go up the access stairs to the apartment, you notice the essences of some of the flowers and plants of this magical space.
