Nogal
Recovering spaces with history is a generous, intuitive, and captivating exercise that leads to designs blending tradition and avant-garde.
A lifelong home transformed into a new lifelong home was the starting point. To achieve this, the narrative focused on walnut wood as a material connecting with the artisanal character of the pre-existing house. The nobility of this naturally dark wood guides the intention to preserve tradition towards a more organic and elegant family space design.
The house, distributed over the ground floor, first floor, and attic, is essentially organised through the use of four materials. Walnut wood, acting as the narrative vehicle, is balanced with taupe-coloured lacquer and the copper and oxide finish of the metallic elements. Its rigorous and conscious use achieves a calm design with a profound sense of order.
A prominent staircase with walnut-clad floating steps leads to the first floor, where an expressive herringbone pavement, two large sliding doors, and panelling continue the materiality. The nature of walnut grants a more serene character to this floor, designated for the bedrooms.
The two large doors act as a separation between two sections: the main bedroom with an open dressing room, a main bathroom in grey Pulpis marble, and a walnut bed that takes centre stage. The other two rooms are designated for a youth bedroom and a double-height TV lounge. With the doors closed, the entity and independence of each section are highlighted, while open, the space is unified harmoniously.
A recovered element is the mobila wood beams that cover the ceiling, a symbolic skin that gives meaning to the use of walnut as the axis of the design.
The attic houses the study and library, accessed via the main staircase. The choice of a glass railing generates perfect transparency to admire the restored beams and ceramic roof in all its uninterrupted volume. A lightweight steel bookshelf spans the space, enhancing the sense of openness and relating the areas. The carpeted flooring provides comfort and balances the solidity of the roof, where a walnut wood desk creates a harmonious and ideal setting for retreat and concentration.
The owners' intention was to enjoy the ground floor as a place of activity for sharing. Dining room, living room, and kitchen are fully integrated into this central space. The opening to the patio respects the three original openings of the house, achieving a strong entry of natural light.
