My Houzz: The Terrace Is the Heart of This Spanish Penthouse
A patio for dining, relaxing, working and gardening boosts the quality of life for an American in Barcelona
Matthew Coe was born in Wenatchee, Washington — “a place next to Seattle that is considered the apple capital of the world,” as he puts it — and moved to Barcelona, Spain, eight years ago, after living in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and Chicago. A lawyer by profession, he now also works as a real estate investor, project manager, builder and interior designer. Together with architect Luis Turrens of Arcworld, he oversaw the renovation of his home, a penthouse he bought 1½ years ago in the Poblenou neighborhood. Boasting a terrace that’s almost twice as large as the apartment itself, the home is a celebration of the urban outdoors.
Arcworld employees assess the terrace.
Before. The total cost of the renovation was about $118,400 (100,000 euros). Restoring the terrace was important to Coe, so he spent more on it than he had planned. However, he says that it was a good investment in comfort and quality of life.
The hardest part was lowering the terrace floor to be level with the rest of the house, making it easier to go back and forth between the indoor and the outdoor spaces. This cost about $11,840 (10,000 euros).
Before. The total cost of the renovation was about $118,400 (100,000 euros). Restoring the terrace was important to Coe, so he spent more on it than he had planned. However, he says that it was a good investment in comfort and quality of life.
The hardest part was lowering the terrace floor to be level with the rest of the house, making it easier to go back and forth between the indoor and the outdoor spaces. This cost about $11,840 (10,000 euros).
After. The new terrace has a very warm feel. Coe got the idea for the pergola from a patio he saw in the neighboring district of Barceloneta. “I need some shade. In the hottest weeks of summer, I put up drapes to soften the beating sun,” he says. He usually has breakfast, lunch and dinner here, weather permitting.
Which Pergola Is Right for You?
Which Pergola Is Right for You?
Coe loves to work from his terrace. He collaborates professionally with Turrens and works for a company that manages hotels in Asia.
He started using Houzz for his work a couple of years ago. “I’m subscribed to the Houzz Spain newsletter and always have a look at it. I think it’s a great source of information and new ideas. I also use Houzz with my clients,” he says.
He started using Houzz for his work a couple of years ago. “I’m subscribed to the Houzz Spain newsletter and always have a look at it. I think it’s a great source of information and new ideas. I also use Houzz with my clients,” he says.
Coe enjoys working in his small kitchen garden. Among his plants are a lemon tree, strawberries, cactuses, geraniums, bird of paradise, lavender, mint and other aromatic herbs he uses for cooking.
He likes the bougainvillea (the magenta-flowering vine in the previous photo) the most. “In the U.S., I only ever saw it in California and Hawaii,” he says.
He likes the bougainvillea (the magenta-flowering vine in the previous photo) the most. “In the U.S., I only ever saw it in California and Hawaii,” he says.
Before. The big doors that now open to the terrace were just little windows.
After. “When I am on the terrace, I feel like I’m floating over the district,” Coe says. It’s clear that these [753 square feet] of space are more than sufficient. Besides the outdoor dining table, there is a sitting area with a big couch from Kettal (now discontinued). “I made the cushions with the help of a local upholsterer. After that, the sofa looked just like new even though I had gotten it from a client who was going to throw it away.”
Elevations of the apartment and patio
Coe usually cooks and eats at home. The kitchen island, visible upon entering the penthouse, features a breakfast counter and a cooktop. The sink is just opposite. Coe chose a low faucet by Franke so that the window above it still could open.
Since it is an open-plan space, the electrical appliances are covered with white panels to create a clean overall look.
Kitchen cabinets: Santos; countertops: Silestone
Since it is an open-plan space, the electrical appliances are covered with white panels to create a clean overall look.
Kitchen cabinets: Santos; countertops: Silestone
The vintage soda bottles from Barcelona’s famous Mercantic street market are a nice detail. They’re just decorative, but Coe says he loves vermouths and spritzes. “I prefer light aperitifs, wine and vermouths. I’m just not that much of a cocktail type,” he says.
The wooden bar counter and the wooden bench on the right side of this photo were designed by Amato Sole, a manufacturer of furniture and lighting. Coe often works with the company on his projects.
The painting is by Maria Pinto, a Chicago artist and fashion designer and Coe’s good friend.
Coe is very involved in Barcelona life. He has volunteered for the Red Cross for six years and helps out at a homeless shelter. What does he like most about the city? “The architectural mix, the Mediterranean light and the life you can always find in the streets,” Coe says. “I never get tired of riding my bicycle or simply walking in Barcelona.”
The painting is by Maria Pinto, a Chicago artist and fashion designer and Coe’s good friend.
Coe is very involved in Barcelona life. He has volunteered for the Red Cross for six years and helps out at a homeless shelter. What does he like most about the city? “The architectural mix, the Mediterranean light and the life you can always find in the streets,” Coe says. “I never get tired of riding my bicycle or simply walking in Barcelona.”
The living room features a sofa bed. “I only bring home family and close friends. Since I work in here too, [having guests stay over] is not comfortable for them or me,” he says.
Coe couldn’t resist the Basket armchair. The Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel design won awards at the 1950 Cabinetmakers Guild Exhibition and the 1951 Milan Triennale, and was recently re-released by Kettal.
Opposite the couch is a gas fireplace from Espai Alsesa. It turns on with just the push of a button.
“I’m lucky that, because the apartment is pretty small, the fireplace is enough to warm it in winter.” He even thought about installing a fireplace on the terrace but decided that would be neither practical nor environmentally friendly.
“I’m lucky that, because the apartment is pretty small, the fireplace is enough to warm it in winter.” He even thought about installing a fireplace on the terrace but decided that would be neither practical nor environmentally friendly.
A custom bookcase divides the day and night zones. “This bookcase holds many books that once belonged to my grandparents, as well as some memories from the places I’ve lived. My entire life is on display there: It’s a memory wall,” he says.
Coe chose to give the apartment an industrial vibe to match the industrial past of this part of Barcelona. So the floor is polished concrete, and the vaulted ceiling is painted brick.
Coe chose to give the apartment an industrial vibe to match the industrial past of this part of Barcelona. So the floor is polished concrete, and the vaulted ceiling is painted brick.
Coe keeps the interior as open as possible. He closes the bedroom only at night. The windows have shades for privacy.
The ceiling insulation and the walls were improved during the renovation, and air conditioning was installed.
The ceiling insulation and the walls were improved during the renovation, and air conditioning was installed.
Living in a home this size, Coe has a rule: If something new comes in, something old must go. That’s why the spaces are so tidy.
The partition between the bedroom and the bathroom is a huge closet that was made to order to ensure that every inch of space would be used.
The partition between the bedroom and the bathroom is a huge closet that was made to order to ensure that every inch of space would be used.
The triangular bathroom features a walk-in shower. A Laufen sink sits on top of a custom handmade cabinet by Amato Sole. The toilet is from Duravit. During the day, the space is filled with natural light thanks to the Velux tubular skylight.
The subway tiles are from Catalonia Cerámica. Coe chose a green finish that reminds him of Asia. “I lived in China and Hong Kong for almost 10 years,” he says. “There, they use a lot of jade in sculpture and jewelry. It is an important artistic raw material. They also say the stone has health benefits. Lit up by the natural light from the solar tube, the ceramic tiles remind me of jade and of my years in China.”
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The subway tiles are from Catalonia Cerámica. Coe chose a green finish that reminds him of Asia. “I lived in China and Hong Kong for almost 10 years,” he says. “There, they use a lot of jade in sculpture and jewelry. It is an important artistic raw material. They also say the stone has health benefits. Lit up by the natural light from the solar tube, the ceramic tiles remind me of jade and of my years in China.”
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
Who lives here: Matthew Coe
Location: Poblenou district of Barcelona, Spain
Size: 517 square feet (48 square meters), with a terrace of 753 square feet (70 square meters)
Coe loves Poblenou, a hub for tech companies. “I don’t need to be next to the beach. I prefer the quiet life I have right now. Plus, I can fully enjoy my terrace and, most importantly, I know the people and the shops here,” he says.