Houzz Tour: Slow Design Defines a Spanish Dream Retreat
The serene interior reflects the owners’ desire for relaxed-pace living and their close relationship with the designer
This house in the Spanish region of Catalonia is this family’s second home, a place to disconnect and unwind. The new build adheres to the principles of slow design. “This movement is based in a great awareness of the surrounding environment, everyday things, details and the way we live … including the way you get to know your own clients,” says Susanna Cots, the interior designer in charge of the project.
House Is a Chain of Blocks
The home is made up of several blocks that are divided by function: One houses the living-dining room, another the kitchen, a third the master bedroom, and the last four other bedrooms.
The home is made up of several blocks that are divided by function: One houses the living-dining room, another the kitchen, a third the master bedroom, and the last four other bedrooms.
These blocks are connected to one another and the surrounding natural environment by a series of glass corridors. As a result, walking through the house feels like walking through a forest.
Slow-paced living, neutral colors and respect for nature characterize the overall design concept. The home was built step by step over time.
“We have been very dedicated to this project for a year and a half. We had the advantage of getting to know each other better over time. That’s where ‘slow cooking’ comes into play: The details, the empathy — everything comes from close contact,” Cots says.
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“We have been very dedicated to this project for a year and a half. We had the advantage of getting to know each other better over time. That’s where ‘slow cooking’ comes into play: The details, the empathy — everything comes from close contact,” Cots says.
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A louvered partition divides the home’s central area into two halves while letting light through. On one side is the main entrance to the house, which is dominated by a sculpture by Rosa Serra titled Venus.
Sculpture: L’Arcada Galeria d’Art; armchair: Crearte; lighting: Deltalight
Sculpture: L’Arcada Galeria d’Art; armchair: Crearte; lighting: Deltalight
The living room was designed for chatting without the distraction of a TV. Every corner exudes a sense of calm. “We feel comfortable in the living room — this is part of our work philosophy. The neutral tones and natural materials contribute to a serene atmosphere. They are also visually comforting, which stimulates creativity and positive emotions,” the interior designer says.
The home’s individual blocks are separated by small courtyards, which pull nature deeper inside. The oak floor plays into the natural aesthetic.
The home’s individual blocks are separated by small courtyards, which pull nature deeper inside. The oak floor plays into the natural aesthetic.
“From my point of view, the main elements of a space have to be arranged properly to create good flow. The point is to simplify, reduce and apply the difficult maxim ‘less is more’ in decorating interiors,” Cots says.
The sofas and rugs came from Dareels. The other textiles in the house were provided by Teixidors, a social organization that aims for the integration and economic independence of people with learning difficulties.
Coffee table: DecoSingular
The sofas and rugs came from Dareels. The other textiles in the house were provided by Teixidors, a social organization that aims for the integration and economic independence of people with learning difficulties.
Coffee table: DecoSingular
In the slightly elevated dining room, wood pairs with black for a sophisticated touch.
Painting: “Prozac” by Pepe Puntas, L’Arcada Galeria d’Art; rope-and-iron chairs: Rya A-Black, Dareels; dining table: 555 Project; floor lamp: Tolomeo, Artemide
Painting: “Prozac” by Pepe Puntas, L’Arcada Galeria d’Art; rope-and-iron chairs: Rya A-Black, Dareels; dining table: 555 Project; floor lamp: Tolomeo, Artemide
Streamlined Kitchen Promotes Easy Living
The kitchen takes up one of the home’s blocks. The room’s straight lines interact with the sloping pickled-oak ceiling, creating a sense of movement. The decor suggests a never-ending weekend.
The large island is the star. Its counter is the perfect place for breakfast or apertifs with friends.
Kitchen cabinetry: b3, Bulthaup
The kitchen takes up one of the home’s blocks. The room’s straight lines interact with the sloping pickled-oak ceiling, creating a sense of movement. The decor suggests a never-ending weekend.
The large island is the star. Its counter is the perfect place for breakfast or apertifs with friends.
Kitchen cabinetry: b3, Bulthaup
The kitchen offers a lot of storage space. In addition to the low cabinets, tall units accommodate a number of built-in appliances, like a wine fridge.
Stools: Hay
Stools: Hay
Iron partitions separate the space without dividing it, contributing a minimalist aesthetic with an industrial touch.
“We like using black-framed windows, which both provide privacy and create a connection between spaces,” Cots says.
15 Clever Ways to Partition a Room and Keep the Light
“We like using black-framed windows, which both provide privacy and create a connection between spaces,” Cots says.
15 Clever Ways to Partition a Room and Keep the Light
Bedrooms Are Open to Nature
The master bedroom occupies another block, in the east wing of the house. Intersecting glass panels on two walls frame a sitting area. It overlooks the garden’s oaks and olive trees.
The master bedroom occupies another block, in the east wing of the house. Intersecting glass panels on two walls frame a sitting area. It overlooks the garden’s oaks and olive trees.
The home has four bedrooms in addition to this master bedroom. All were designed with the same emphasis on the connection to nature. The windows do not have curtains or blinds — the idea was to go for the best possible view.
Painting: “Gris Oscuro Horizontal” by Fernando Daza, L’Arcada Galeria d’Art; bed: Dareels; armchair: Carl Hansen & Son
Painting: “Gris Oscuro Horizontal” by Fernando Daza, L’Arcada Galeria d’Art; bed: Dareels; armchair: Carl Hansen & Son
The master suite has a dressing area, a dressing room and a full bathroom with a tub and a shower.
“The key to designing is to study the demands on the space very well and to align your strategy with the client’s priorities. A well-designed space helps reinforce emotions through invisible features such as light distribution and white elements,” Cots says.
Dressing table and chair: DecoSingular
“The key to designing is to study the demands on the space very well and to align your strategy with the client’s priorities. A well-designed space helps reinforce emotions through invisible features such as light distribution and white elements,” Cots says.
Dressing table and chair: DecoSingular
Marble lends an elegant natural touch in the bathroom.
This ladder is a pretty way to keep towels within arm’s reach.
The wall-hung toilet features an eco-friendly dual-flush system. The large rain-effect shower head reflects the nature theme.
Cots emphasizes that the project was conceived slowly. “Working like this lets me become more familiar with the job and more aware of myself and my environment day by day, both in the way I set my routines and in the materials I select for each project,” she says.
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Cots emphasizes that the project was conceived slowly. “Working like this lets me become more familiar with the job and more aware of myself and my environment day by day, both in the way I set my routines and in the materials I select for each project,” she says.
Find wall-mounted toilets
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
House at a Glance:
Where: Girona, Spain
Size: 6,458 square feet (600 square meters), with a garden and forest of 32,292 square feet (3,000 square meters)
Designer: Susanna Cots
Builder: Gestió7
The large property includes a pool and a nearby sitting area, which is nestled in the shade of a pergola. Most of the outdoor furniture is from Dareels, a company that works with 100 percent recycled materials. The poufs, from DecoSingular, and a green chesterfield sofa, from Crearte, are the exceptions.
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