Built at the turn of the 20th century, Casa de los Caracoles (House of Snails) in Barcelona is a modernist building steeped in lore connected to its namesake gastropod. So when designer Noé Prades was hired by a young business woman to renovate her apartment in the building, he also drew inspiration from the natural world — specifically river deltas.
He chose materials and hues that nod to the theme, including rattan, fabrics, and wallcoverings emblazoned with colorful birds and foliage, and glossy tiles resembling the water's surface. "We have also added touches of light blue, a bit of green, and especially pink, which is the color that the client felt identified with and it worked for us with the development of the concept symbolizing birds," the designer says.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
While the design concept came together easily, the layout of the apartment was trickier. The client wanted two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a spacious kitchen and living-dining room — all in about 730 square feet. By optimizing the layout, brightening the spaces with neutral colors, and creating a cohesive design theme, Prades was able to bring the tranquility of the river delta to the apartment.
