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      Memola Estudio leaves concrete structure exposed for Gale Apartment in São Paulo

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      Balancing natural and industrial materials was a key focus during Brazilian studio Memola Estudio’s renovation of this São Paulo apartment.

      The gut renovation of the Gale Apartment for a couple in the western area of the city involved creating connections between the various rooms and updating it to better match the owners’ “cosmopolitan” tastes.
      Memola Estudio stripped back walls in the apartment to reveal the concrete structureOther goals for the overhaul included highlighting their art collection, creating better connections with views of greenery outside and generally refreshing the atmosphere inside.
      To contrast the wooden floors Memola Estudio removed walls and parts of the ceiling, and stripped back finishes to expose the building’s concrete structure, piping and ductwork.
      A Portuguese mosaic stone wall was painted white in the double-height living areaAmong the partitions demolished was one between the entry hall and the main living space, so that a direct line of sight now connects the two.

      Coming off the elevator in the centre of the apartment, visitors are now offered a view straight through to floor-to-ceiling windows beyond the dining table, and out to the balcony accessed from the lounge.
      Walls were removed to allow views directly from the entryway to the windowsThe dining area was extended to fill in part of the balcony area, forming an extra indoor space for casual seating.
      “Now transformed into a mix of lounge and bar, a low wooden table at its centre and the comfortable armchairs around it invite long conversations,” said the studio of this space.
      Part of the balcony was converted into a bar and seating areaThe more formal seating area is double-height, with the end wall covered in a Portuguese stone mosaic that was repainted white, and another acting as a gallery wall that displays the clients’ contemporary artworks.
      Furniture in this room is mixed and matched in terms of both style and material, but all items carry earthy tones.
      In the kitchen, the ceiling was removed and pharmacy-style cabinets were added”Old and new share neutral hues and the furniture has been reupholstered to match the new color palette, inspired by the autumn and the sunset colors found in the horizon,” Memola Estudio said.
      Particular attention was paid to the usability of the kitchen, where the ceiling was again ripped out and new cabinets and counters were installed.
      Custom, freestanding metal units based on vintage pharmacy counters are placed along one wall, providing an open surface for appliances, as well as cabinet storage above and below.
      In reconfiguring the layout of this corner of the apartment, a wood-topped kitchen island and a pantry were built and a storeroom was formed in part of the old laundry room.
      Another balcony was turned into a TV and music room”The kitchen’s renovation promotes the sharing of experiences around meal preparation and its everyday enjoyment,” said Memola Estudio.
      The home has three bedrooms, all located at the back of the apartment and decorated in neutral shades.
      A neutral colour palette was used to refresh the bedroomsEach has an ensuite bathroom with walls tiled or wood-lined in a slightly different shade of green.
      There’s also a TV room, created within a space that previously functioned as a second balcony, featuring a deep, green sofa and a drum kit beside the window.
      Bathrooms were also updated in different shades of greenMemola Estudio is based in São Paulo, where apartment living is extremely common in the dense urban environment.
      Other renovations in the city that aim to add personality to the interiors include a home enlivened with green tiles, a residence for a fashion designer decorated in vivid hues, and an apartment where exposed pipes are painted in pastels tones.
      The photography is by Fran Parente.

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      Green tiles fill renovated São Paulo apartment by Casulo

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      Green tilework in multiple rooms is contrasted with terracotta plaster at this São Paulo apartment, renovated for a couple by local studio Casulo.

      The 220-square-metre apartment was overhauled for friends of the designers, who made it clear that the space “should not have a minimalist atmosphere”.
      Renovations to the apartment included opening up the kitchen”Shortly after their wedding in early 2020, the couple bought an apartment at a closed-door auction, without knowing the actual status of the property,” Casulo partner Camila Abrahão told Dezeen. “On the first visit, we realised that the state of the apartment did not reflect its profile at all.”
      Therefore, the studio overhauled the interiors, keeping only the positions of the rooms and the wooden floor in the bedroom suite.
      Terracotta plaster was chosen to contrast the areas of greenThe most drastic improvements were made to the kitchen, which was previously subdivided into non-functional spaces including a small balcony with a barbecue.

      Casulo opened up the room to create a large space that integrates the grill, while a series of sliding, fluted glass panels were installed to close off the cooking area as desired.
      Furniture was sourced from various vintage stores in São PauloGreen tiles cover the floor, the sides of the central peninsula and the back wall. In contrast, a terracotta volume begins in the kitchen and wraps around to the entryway, concealing the powder room.
      “Almost all the references brought by [the client] had a green colour,” said Abrahão. “We brought the earth colour to balance and contrast it.”
      The green-tiled bar overlooks a view of the city’s skylineVarious shades of green are also used in the living area for the dining table, sofa and a tiled bar adjacent to the full-height windows that enjoy views of the skyline.
      Flooring in this social space was swapped for black slate, while the remaining walls and a masonry bench that connects to the enclosed balcony were painted white.

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      Although re-lacquered, the dining table was the only piece of furniture retained from the original apartment, because it was too heavy and cumbersome to remove.
      “The furniture was almost entirely extracted from antique dealers in the city of São Paulo and we combined these pieces with some of the contemporary design,” Abrahão said.
      The wood floor in the bedroom was one of the only elements retained during the renovationStandout vintage finds included the midcentury Wave Bank bench by Jorge Zalszupin and a 1970s Italian coffee table with striped cylindrical legs.
      In the bedroom suite, the same tiles from the bar were applied to the walls and tub in the bathroom, where the black slate flooring and fluted glass panels are also repeated.
      The same green tiles used for the bar cover the walls and tub in the bathroomApartment living is extremely common in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, and renovations there often involve injecting colour and personality into the homes.
      Examples include an interior filled with peach, green and purple for a fashion editor, and another with burnt pink ceilings in the bedroom.
      The photography is by Joana França.

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      Studio Melina Romano gets creative with fibreboard at Casa Alma in São Paulo

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      Mossy gardens and curved elements made of medium-density fibreboard feature in an apartment-style exhibition space in São Paulo designed by Studio Melina Romano.

      Casa Alma was designed for the 2021 edition of Casacor, São Paulo’s annual festival of architecture and interior design. Studio Melina Romano, which is locally based, created the space in partnership with Brazilian brand Duratex, which is a top producer of medium-density fibreboard (MDF).
      Casa Alma is an apartment-style exhibition spaceThe exhibition was located in an event space that is part of the Allianz Parque soccer stadium.
      The goal for the 160-square-metre unit was to create a place where people could reconnect with their senses.
      Studio Melina Romano designed the project in three distinct zones”It brings as a concept the investigation of different perceptions and feelings of the visitors at each setting, from the smallest details to the atmosphere and experience provided by each space,” the team said.

      Rectangular in plan, the dwelling is composed of three distinct zones, each with its own “sensorial atmosphere”.
      The kitchen features an MDF cabinetry unit in a peachy colourSpaces are divided up by gauzy curtains, along with slatted partitions made of MDF.
      “I wanted to remove the rigid aspect of the surface and bring fluidity to the material so that the shapes would accompany the sense of the setting,” said designer Melina Romano.
      Spaces are divided up by gauzy curtainsThe unit also features landscaping along the edges that was created by Brazilian designer Aline Matsumoto. The gardens tie the three zones together and promote a light and relaxed atmosphere, the team said.
      The first of the three zones, titled Slowness, is the living room, where comfy furniture invites visitors to relax and contemplate.
      Slowness includes a rounded sofa by Guilherme WentzThe space has a rounded sofa by Guilherme Wentz, a swoopy lounge chair by Martin Aisler and an olive green arm chair by Zanine Caldas. There also is a collection of tables – in resin and plaster – designed by Romano in collaboration with Bravio Studios.
      Just off the living room, behind a white curtain, is a small home office. A scent was developed for space, which was envisioned as a mini atelier for a perfume maker.
      The home office was envisioned as a mini atelier for a perfume makerThe office is fitted with a custom curved desk designed by Romano and fabricated using MDF. The chair was also designed by Romano.
      Beyond the Slowness area, the visitor encounters a gourmet kitchen and dining room.

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      The space, called Soulful, features earthy materials and decor, such as a live-edge wooden table and bench from Arboreal and chairs from the +55 Brazilian Design Store. Overhead, an organic-shaped skylight brings in soft illumination.
      In the kitchen, the team created a MDF cabinetry unit in a peachy colour inspired by chestnuts and seeds.
      Curved elements define the spaceThe third zone is the Well-Being space, which holds a bedroom and bathroom. Its design was informed by the importance of good daily habits for mental and physical health.
      “The suite was created in this space, aiming for the reconnection of the resident with his self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-care,” the team said.
      An MDF armoire in the bedroom continues the project’s material themeThe bedroom features a queen bed with a Casa Pronta frame, a nightstand by Loja Theo and Novo Ambeinte, and another nightstand from Estar Móveis. Similar to other millwork in the apartment, the armoire was designed by Romano and made using MDF.
      The bathroom is fitted with a Romano-designed tub that was fabricated using waterproofed masonry – the same material used for the floor, walls and ceiling.
      The bathroom includes mossy elementsThe garden in this area makes itself more apparent, the team said, noting that it consists of moss, blackberry branches, garlic and other elements.
      Similar to the kitchen, a rounded skylight brings in soft light and contributes to the earthy atmosphere.
      Founded in 2007, Studio Melina Romano has completed a number of residential projects, including a São Paulo apartment featuring creamy brick walls, terracotta tiles and tropical plants.
      The photography is by Denilson Machado of MCA Estudio.

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