How is it possible that this house store of 58 m² seems to be bigger? The distribution and recovery of their roofs were the keys to an amazing change.
Long before its current owner acquired it, this house was a warehouse. His condition-a low with humidity and an obvious lack of maintenance-had deteriorated to unthinkable extremes. However, its location in Lava pies, a central district of Madrid, in a building erected in 1916 seduced its owner. A comprehensive reform was imposed.
The thick load-bearing walls and the slabs of metal beams guaranteed a solid structure. Which would admit drastic changes. The pavement, shattered by moisture, retreated. 30 cm of earth were excavated and a screed was made that did not come into contact with the wet ground. The next reform was to recover the original level of the ceilings, with a height of 3.20 m. The old windows of the façade maintained their openings,
Once the height of the roofs was recovered and walls and floors were cleaned. It was only necessary to add materials that returned to the house store the feeling of comfort that it had lost. Wood, brick. And white paint combine to create welcoming environments. In them, a vintage-inspired decoration with pop touches and notes of color adds vitality to the whole. Without giving up details. Such as the bathroom door, which maintain the charm and authenticity of a time gone by.
OLD HOUSE STORE VERY BRIGHT LOW FLOOR
The windows, with steel profiles painted in Ox iron graphite, provide abundant natural light to the living room, formed by a living area and a work corner.
WORK CORNER
It occupies a small space in the living room. It is formed by a table with the round envelope, to facilitate circulation, and a retro-air chair. Located next to the window, it allows to work with abundant natural light.
A HALL WITH PERSONALITY
The entrance door is the original of the house store. Made of wood – with marked veins and an old peephole – announces, from the moment we arrived, that this house is different.
TEXTILES THAT ADD COLOR
The cushions in bright colors brighten the sofa and add a casual and informal air to the living area.
DECORATE WITH FLOWERS
Whether fresh or synthetic, they add an undeniable charm to the decoration. If you place them in a wide-mouthed vase, attach the stems with wire or wire so that they do not separate and maintain the composition.
BRICK WALLS
By reorganizing the walls during the renovation, brick partitions were discovered that, in some areas, were left in view. To enhance this effect of freshly chopped, plastic latex mixed with water was sprayed on it. The original wall was so thick that it allowed for a shelf on which the sofa rests.
LIVING ROOM IN GRAY AND RED
The lounge seats are upholstered in these two colors. Both tones form an excellent chromatic pair that harmonizes with each other. The cushions, with red touches on the gray sofa, and gray details on the red armchair, reinforce this colorful two-tone game.
CARPENTRY CARE
The door that gives access to the bathroom was found in the demolition of another building of the same period. It was actually the leaf of an old balcony, in wood with white, amber and green glass. When it was recovered, it became encased and transformed into an original sliding door. In the chapter of the carpentry also highlights the floor-a pine platform installed on battens, dyed slightly in white-and the skirting of 18 cm high topped with a small molding.
INTEGRATED KITCHEN
By sharing space with the dining room, a greater sensation was achieved. The pop air box and the retro lamp give a vintage touch to the eating area.
FURNITURE WITH LITTLE BACKGROUND
In the kitchen, the shelves and the small piece of furniture were chosen with a minimum depth, so that they would not recharge the space. The closet door, mirrored, reflects the opposite wall.
PASSAGE AREA
The kitchen and the dining room, which does not appear in this image, are located in the center of the house store and serve as a passage between the entrance and the living room. Although this central space lacks windows, it is illuminated thanks to the natural light that comes from the living area.
COOKING ZONE
The high furniture was replaced by shelves so that the space seemed more comfortable and eased the way to the rest of the house store. Hence, low cabinets with white lacquered fronts and steel handles to match the profile of the counter top, which accentuate the horizontal, were chosen.
CARPENTRY CARE
The door that gives access to the bathroom was found in the demolition of another building of the same period. It was actually the leaf of an old balcony, in wood with white, amber and green glass. When it was recovered, it became encased and transformed into an original sliding door. In the chapter of the carpentry also highlights the floor-a pine platform installed on battens, dyed slightly in white-and the skirting of 18 cm high topped with a small molding.
HEADBOARD OF WORK
In the bedroom also part of the original exposed brick was left in sight. The lower area was plastered and left smooth, as a headboard.
PICTURES TO DECORATE
The motifs, which recall the strokes of a children’s drawing, add a casual atmosphere to the bedroom. The white mat allows to high light the painting on the exposed brick wall.
A BATHROOM WITH MIX OF TEXTURES
In the bathroom, different textures were combined. The black tiles in gloss finish alternate with brick and cement on the wall. On the pavement, the white tile is prolonged in the shower. Which was done at the same level to ensure the continuity of the floor.
PLANE AND DISTRIBUTION
This floor does not reach 60 m², but its high ceilings give a feeling of greater amplitude. The predominance of light tones in the floor, walls and kitchen furniture, added to natural light, make the space appear larger.
The distribution was organized into three zones, separated by loading walls. In the first, the hall, the bathroom and the bedroom were located. In the central one the dining room was located with the integrated kitchen. And in the last, the living room with a work corner. The permanent connection between these three zones, without doors that separate them, further enhances the depth.