Barcelona Apartment by YLAB Arquitectos

Barcelona-based firm YLAB Arquitectos designed the interiors of this 1,400-square-foot apartment in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic quarter. The young owner requested a peaceful environment for personal use, but one that could be easily transformed into a social gathering space. The interior is pared down, but warm, thanks to the slatted wood paneling. It’s well-designed, but very comfortable; definitely not a brag-about showplace. It looks like a place you can really live in.

The ceiling and longitudinal wall of the kitchen and dining room, which begins in the entrance vestibule, are paneled with tinted pine wood slats that were assembled by hand.

The low kitchen pieces are finished, along with the dining table, in bronze metal panel. The pendant interior is finished in gold leaf and Swarovski crystals, and gives off a metallic reflection; a great contrast to the warm wood. At the back, a division of dark grey glass separates a small guest bedroom from the rest of the space.

There’s a large lid along the counter allows for extra prep or serving space.

The living room opens to a 215-square-foot terrace.

The living room furniture is modular and free-standing so it can be configured according to the occasion. As for the architecture, original features are maintained, such as traditional Catalan ceilings with wooden beams and vaulted arches, as well as exterior carpentry with wooden shutters.

An arched opening leads to the bedroom, which can be closed off with a pocket door.

The master bedroom is simple (love that headboard!). It opens out onto a balcony through French doors with the shutters that are so very European.

Since this is the only bathroom, the doors were re-defined so that it could be accessed from the corridor by the bedroom and the living room. The tub is plopped in the middle of the room, with the cloudy glass wall of the shower/toilet area as a backdrop. Love the faucet which rises from the floor.

That’s an interesting free standing sink; the oval shape and faucet echo those of the tub. The walls are paneled entirely in phenolic board with a high-gloss finish. They conceal storage and perimeter led lighting fixtures.

Photos by Jordi Canosa and Daniela Cavestany.