Apartment in the south of Rio de Janeiro

A young family rented this apartment for a long time until it became possible to buy it. Designer Marina Vilasa from MBV Arquitetura has created a dream house for them, where there is a place for chamber recreation and for parties with friends

Photo

Leo Costa

A family with a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter and two dogs rented this apartment in the Flamengo area (near the famous beach) for several years until it became possible to purchase it. Since the housing needed repairs, the new owners turned to the architect (and his long-time girlfriend) Marina Vilaça from the MBV Arquitetura architectural bureau to order the renovation and modernization of all rooms.

Photo

Leo Costa

"The functionality of the apartment was disrupted, the rooms were uncomfortable, the lighting was ineffective, and there was not enough one more bathroom," Marina recalls. — The owners wanted to solve all these problems first and only then invest in a new decor. They like industrial aesthetics with gray and black accents. They presented me with references for all the rooms, and it was very easy to visualize their wishes."

Photo

Leo Costa

During the renovation, the architect expanded the couple's bedroom, adding space for a dressing room, and combined the kitchen with the living room. From the old interior, only the parquet floor was left, which was restored, and the beams made of untreated concrete

Photo

Leo Costa

For the decoration of the living room and kitchen, a combination of gray, black and white, metal and wood was chosen. Some of the furniture was left from the previous owners, replacing the upholstery on the armchair and sofa. Vinyl records, posters and photographs reminding of important moments in the life of the family were used as decor. "Seven colorful posters on the main wall of the living room tell stories about the concerts they went to and their favorite bands," says the designer. A bookcase with a frame made of blackened metal and wooden inserts was made to order.

Photo

Leo Costa

Photo

Leo Costa

The old kitchen was small and dark, now it is spacious and functional. On the border with the living room, Marina put an island-stand, the countertop of which was brought to the same level with the working surfaces of the kitchen — it visually divides the zones.

Photo

Leo Costa

The decor of the nursery is inspired by natural motifs, flowers and trees appear on the wallpaper next to the crib. The owners left the old chest of drawers and wanted to add a shelving to it. To combine these two items, the architect painted a background colored arch on the wall. "But the landscape outside the window, without a doubt, has become the main star of the interior," Marina emphasizes.

Photo

Leo Costa

Photo

Leo Costa

Another interesting detail of the apartment is the parents' bathroom. At the request of customers, the space was laid out with black tiles in the shower area and on the floor, and the rest with gray tiles, a shade reminiscent of concrete.

To prevent the bathroom from being too dark, the architect used LED strips in the niche, near the mirror and along the ceiling, adding them to the spot light.

Photo

Leo Costa

Photo

Leo Costa

Architect Marina Vilasa, MBV Arquitetura bureau.

Photo

Leo Costa

Original content from the site