Houzz Tour: Home Refresh Opens the Door to Entertaining
A couple find an interior designer on Houzz to help them create a home that finally suits their lifestyle
Bea González
January 3, 2022
The owners of this apartment in Barcelona, Spain, were looking for a calmer lifestyle and wanted to be able to entertain. They didn’t want to give up living in the center of the city and close to work, however, and they wanted to stay in Barcelona’s vibrant El Raval neighborhood specifically.
They turned to Houzz to look for a home professional in their area and found the perfect match right away in designer Claudia de Sousa. “We wanted a comprehensive revamp of the decor in our new flat,” says owner Ana O. Hidalgo. “We used Houzz to find the best professionals because it allows you to see their work and get an idea of prices. I would recommend the platform to anyone who is thinking of renovating or decorating a house.”
“Since we finished the project, the owners have invited their friends over more and spend more time at home,” de Sousa says. “Previously, they didn’t identify with the furniture or the style of the space, as it did not reflect their personality. This, in turn, discouraged them from entertaining. Everything was also messy, with clothes strewn about because they had no wardrobe. The owner told me that they now get fresh flowers every week and feel happier in general.”
They turned to Houzz to look for a home professional in their area and found the perfect match right away in designer Claudia de Sousa. “We wanted a comprehensive revamp of the decor in our new flat,” says owner Ana O. Hidalgo. “We used Houzz to find the best professionals because it allows you to see their work and get an idea of prices. I would recommend the platform to anyone who is thinking of renovating or decorating a house.”
“Since we finished the project, the owners have invited their friends over more and spend more time at home,” de Sousa says. “Previously, they didn’t identify with the furniture or the style of the space, as it did not reflect their personality. This, in turn, discouraged them from entertaining. Everything was also messy, with clothes strewn about because they had no wardrobe. The owner told me that they now get fresh flowers every week and feel happier in general.”
Photography by inBiaco Photo
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: El Raval district, Barcelona, Spain
Size: 538 square feet (50 square meters)
Designer: Claudia de Sousa - Interior Design
The goal was to make good use of the space and ensure that the apartment would respond to the owners’ taste and lifestyle. “The owners wanted to renovate their home and redo the design. We didn’t keep the furniture,” de Sousa says. On the other hand, the apartment had good bones. “The original floor was oak, and the window frames were already beautiful. We were also lucky because in a project like this, we would have had to invest in changing the doors if they weren’t already good.”
Find an interior designer near you
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: El Raval district, Barcelona, Spain
Size: 538 square feet (50 square meters)
Designer: Claudia de Sousa - Interior Design
The goal was to make good use of the space and ensure that the apartment would respond to the owners’ taste and lifestyle. “The owners wanted to renovate their home and redo the design. We didn’t keep the furniture,” de Sousa says. On the other hand, the apartment had good bones. “The original floor was oak, and the window frames were already beautiful. We were also lucky because in a project like this, we would have had to invest in changing the doors if they weren’t already good.”
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At the back of the dining room are wardrobes that were added to the apartment. They have brass handles. The dining chairs were made to order by a trusted carpenter of de Sousa’s. “I think they’re worth the investment. The fabric was chosen with care and it is washable despite its natural look, [which is important] since the dining room is used daily,” she says.
As noted above, the oak floor is original. The professional emphasized using rugs to dress up the spaces and define different zones. “I usually opt for natural-fiber rugs in the living room. For the bedroom, something softer is better,” she says.
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As noted above, the oak floor is original. The professional emphasized using rugs to dress up the spaces and define different zones. “I usually opt for natural-fiber rugs in the living room. For the bedroom, something softer is better,” she says.
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“The starting point in my interior design projects is to understand the needs and taste of the client. Then I start submitting ideas that can be refined,” de Sousa says. “In this living-dining room, I thought about the whole: We wanted wood, light, natural fibers, and some brass. The sofa was the first piece of furniture we chose. We went to a number of stores together before we found one that suited the owners.”
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
There are two pretty plant stands on one of the balconies. “We chose coconut palms because we wanted a tropical touch that would give the feeling of relaxation and being on holiday. I use these plant stands a lot in my projects, as they allow us to play with heights and subtly fill spaces,” de Sousa says.
Lighting also plays an important role in the decor. The designer selected lamps and shades carefully because in small spaces, everything counts. “By bringing in floor and table lamps with shades in different textures — rattan, cotton and velvet — we played with light to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”
The layout shows the location of the three custom-made wardrobes, which are some of the great successes of this project. There is one in the hall, another in the dining room and the third in the bedroom.
The walls are off-white throughout, but in the bedroom a textured raffia-look wallpaper contrasts with the dusty pinks, natural wood and dominant white of the other features.
“The trick to decorating a house in neutral tones without making it boring is mixing textures and adding metallic touches, like brass elements. I also choose to dress the walls with textured wallpapers and work closely with light to create a variety of atmospheres,” De Sousa says.
The two clients work different shifts in a neighborhood restaurant, so it was important that the bedroom door block out daylight completely and that the room could be totally darkened. “We used a dusty-pink satin curtain [pictured below] that gives the room an elegant touch and lets no light in. We also put blackout blinds on the windows,” de Sousa says.
“My favorite corner of the house is in the bedroom, with the armchair, floor lamp, painting of a woman and a mixture of velvet and natural fibers,” De Sousa says. It’s also the owner’s favorite spot, though she likes the warm, elegant atmosphere of the rest of the house as well.
“My favorite corner of the house is in the bedroom, with the armchair, floor lamp, painting of a woman and a mixture of velvet and natural fibers,” De Sousa says. It’s also the owner’s favorite spot, though she likes the warm, elegant atmosphere of the rest of the house as well.
“I like working with a client who is looking for design, has already looked at samples of what he or she prefers and values the work of an interior design professional,” de Sousa says. “That is precisely what I enjoy the most about projects that come to me through Houzz.”
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How odd…to get from the bedroom to the bathroom requires walking through the living room and the dining area. i realize that the layout was preordained being an apartment but that trek would grow old quickly. other than that the decor is very nicely done.
The whole apartment is very livable, but the bedroom is exquisite! I just want to step into that photo with the bed and chair and balcony!
I see this story is from 2022, but I do appreciate finally seeing one showcasing a small space. The design is bright, breezy and calming. It also shows that even in a space of just more than 500 square feet, you can have space for dining and living, with a nice kitchen neatly hidden away. Well done.