Starting a life together in a compact home is possible with specific adjustments and appropriate spaces. The residents of this home are newlyweds and purchased the property during its construction in the phase known as the "gray phase" of the work, the one that precedes the selection and application of the coverings. Since the couple already intends to move to a larger place in a few years, the idea of this interior design project is to materialize the profile of the residents with intelligent adjustments that allow them to receive family and friends. In short, achieving a satisfactory result for a practical, pleasant and cozy home, both for the residents in their day-to-day lives and for the days of socializing in the residence.
The original design of the house had a small social area, with an integrated kitchen, living room and dining room, and very few places for guests. As a solution for the new lifestyle that was about to inhabit the spaces, a major change was proposed: the kitchen occupied the old covered terrace, gaining space in the living room, creating an incredible gourmet space and several possibilities for receiving more people - 6 or 7 comfortable seats at the kitchen table and another 8 super inviting seats at the round table in the dining room, not to mention the configuration of extra seats on the balcony and in the reception area of the TV room.
I say that integrated spaces are a great game of what is and isn't allowed... You can combine, you can separate... You can have privacy, you can have space. It depends on what each moment demands!
-Camila Paiva
The main entrance is through the living room, which is combined with the dining room. Right next door, a wooden panel opens onto the kitchen, which can be closed to maintain the kitchen's independence when operated by the house staff or completely integrated when the owners use it for gatherings. From large glass doors that surround the rooms, the rooms also open onto the internal patio, where the spa was designed - this entire open space takes on the air of a true gourmet space!
The main entrance to the house is on the middle floor, which is located on a corner with a very steep side street. This way, the street below gives access to the lower floor where the garage and a storage room are located. The stairs lead to the upper floor where the private area is located, with the master suite, closet, linen closet and another suite designed as a refuge for the first child.
Although corner houses are reminiscent of imposing landmarks in the urban landscape, Casa J | E goes against the grain with a façade style that prioritizes privacy, security and discretion, in addition to reserving pleasant surprises for guests who enter the house. Imagine that in the original project the façade was entirely made of glass and everyone who passed by on the street could see what was happening inside the house. Since closing the perimeter with a wall was not a good solution from our technical and specialized perspective, considering the architectural aesthetics and also the pleasantness of the internal courtyard, the path chosen was to build a wall only up to the point of the sidewalk that made it impossible to see the interior of the residence. Next, the positioning of a flower box and the installation of the brise-soleils maintained the possibility of preserving the privacy of the residents in the leisure area with spa and balcony.
Another major challenge that needed to be rethought: the staircase! The original project included a metal staircase that was not well-designed from a finishing point of view - there was a pillar in the middle of it that created an awkward division in the room. To enhance the aesthetic effect without losing circulation, a custom-made carpentry bookcase was developed to hide the pillar. On one side, the bookcase features niches and floor-to-ceiling cabinets that are highly functional and optimized for storing china and glassware. On the other side, the carpentry takes on the appearance of a wall with built-in handrails and lighting. At the highest part of the staircase, a wine cellar was positioned, creating a small hall for the guest bathroom.
The choice of materials was guided by the search for an excellent cost-benefit that would make it possible to sell the house in the medium term. The exposed brick on the facade and the brushed São Gabriel granite countertop (a beautiful and resistant natural stone), for example, are among the solutions we implemented to achieve a super contemporary, timeless and sophisticated look while preserving the budget.
The interior design concept is based on coziness, practicality and cost-effectiveness.
To achieve this goal, the presence of wood brings warmth and a sense of comfort and is predominantly present in the living room bookshelf and in the panel that divides the kitchen. The porcelain tiles in the common areas fulfill the role of practicality as a low-maintenance covering. Another highlight is the furniture in the residence, which featured assertive choices always made together with the owners. Among the customized solutions: natural leather chairs to facilitate cleaning in the dining room and light, non-fabric chairs in the kitchen to prevent the accumulation of grease.
The concept of biophilia adds a special charm to the flower box in the internal courtyard and the various potted plants in the decoration. To complete the feeling of well-being, the presence of the SPA is the perfect setting to experience contact with nature inside the home, with a real water mirror that fulfills its role as a decorative element and an immersive experience within the reach of the residents.
Since this residence was designed for a great friend of mine, I can say that every corner of it is more than special. Every detail, covering, decorative piece, absolutely everything was chosen together in a process conducted with great ease and synergy, with my knowledge always aligned with the desires, tastes and wishes of my dear clients and friends.
-Camila Paiva
