São Paulo is known for its cramped apartments and exorbitant rents; and it is no wonder that it is difficult to find a "country house" style residence – with green areas, rustic elements and the peace characteristic of the countryside – in the capital of São Paulo. But this was the challenge faced by architect
Isabella Nalon , head of the office that bears her name, when taking on the renovation of a property located in the Cidade Jardim neighborhood.
Originally built in the 1960s, the building was in a state of disrepair. During the renovation, the architect preserved the original
ceiling height and incorporated large spans and openings for
natural lighting ,
cross ventilation and
integration with the gardens .
The garden, in fact, is one of the highlights of the building . It is what makes the entrance fluid and organic, allowing a stroll through the various species of plants, their tones and aromas, with emphasis on the
jabuticabeira , which has become the refuge of many. birds that inhabit the region.
The
leisure area has a generous space with a wooden table that seats up to 12 people. The space includes a swimming pool, barbecue, pizza oven and grill. “We were looking for a
more casual style with a natural feel , so we chose nautical rope chairs. , pendants for lighting and a natural fiber ceiling fan”, explains the architect.
Integrated with the dining room, wine cellar and kitchen, the
living room reveals its own particularity. Although there are no physical separations between the rooms,
furniture, rugs and lighting help to clearly define each space and, thanks to the glass pivot doors, the living room and the dining area leisure also connect in a subtle way.
The dining room is one of the most inviting places in the house : the connection to the outside area is made possible by the large window, which gives the feeling of spaciousness. On the other side, the sliding doors present the incredible look of the
wood-like MDF. , which are almost imperceptible, looking like a large panel. They help to integrate the kitchen and dining room or isolate them completely, bringing privacy to the family's daily life.
The
kitchen reflects a light color palette with a
slight touch of darker wood . In the heart of the room, the central island defines the
layout , bringing together the sink, refrigerator and cooktop. As for the countertops at the ends, the
white quartz is brightened by the striking frame that runs along its entire perimeter. “We created a beautiful, spacious, practical kitchen with joinery that incorporates the hot tower and the duplex refrigerator,” adds the architect.
Finally, the
bedroom has a special feature: the closet is fully integrated into the bathroom and separated only by large glass and aluminum doors. “We designed specific furniture for each item that the residents wanted to store. One detail for their convenience is the small pouf, which helps when putting on or taking off shoes”, explains the professional.
