82 m² apartment creates a "japandi-carioca" mix in the décor

Located in Botafogo (RJ), this apartment of 82 m² underwent a complete renovation led by the architect Fabiano Ravaglia, from the team of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro. The residents are a couple in their 40s, with an 8-year-old son: she is a federal public servant, and he is a pilot.

“The clients already lived in the condominium, on another column and floor of the same block. With the possibility of bringing the mother closer, the client decided to buy this apartment, one floor above, to be the new home for the family, while the old property would be for the mother. In this context, we needed to complete the work as quickly as possible to enable the sale of her apartment and use part of the value for the renovation of the new space,” explains Fabiano Ravaglia.

After visiting another apartment renovated by the architect in the same building, the clients were enchanted by the solutions applied in the lavabo, in the integration of the living room, and in the closet of the suite, and requested that the new project consider some of these configurations. Among the demands were to integrate the living room and kitchen, transform the lavabo into a storage space, optimize the balcony with a storage bench, design a shelf that would also function as a display case, maximize the cabinets in the son's room by utilizing the existing bunk bed, create a glass closet, and completely renovate the bathrooms.

The overall concept of the project reflects the cultural union of the residents – the client, of Japanese descent, and the client, a native of Rio de Janeiro –, resulting in a carioca japandi style. The proposal combines the minimalism and functionality of Japanese aesthetics with the lightness of neutral colors, punctuated by contrasts. The mix of light woods with darker pieces that show signs of age, along with ceramics and fabrics, creates a cozy projects connected visually to the surrounding nature.

Some furniture from the clients' collection was reused in the new home, such as the dining table (reduced in size) and the dining chairs, as well as the bed and some furniture from the son's room. The selection of new furniture for the social area prioritized functionality, comfort, and aesthetic harmony, highlighting the Linares modular sofa from LZ Studio; the Lia coffee tables from Estudio Vira; and the Samba armchair designed by Marcelo Salum.

The color palette of the project is predominantly neutral, with strategic pops of color in cushions and throws and production items, while the recycled PET fiber rug, in terracotta and off-white tones, follows the macro trend of check patterns.

The flooring, maintained throughout the apartment except in the bathrooms, follows the standard delivered by the builder, in porcelain planks that replicate a light wood pattern. The walls of the living room were painted in a light beige with rosy nuances.

In the social area, the display case shelf maintains visual fluidity and delineates the circulation of the bathroom. The dining table wall, covered with a floor-to-ceiling mirror, expands the space, while the checkered rug in an earthy red shade highlights the living area. In the open kitchen, the white quartz countertops create a sense of spaciousness, and the front in a granilite pattern refers to nature. The integrated laundry features a partition in fluted glass, ensuring a light separation without blocking natural light.

In the son's room, the green wall interacts with the external landscape and the ethnic area rug in natural fiber adds personality to the space. In the lavabo, the sculpted quartzite sink creates a standout functional focal point.

The apartment's decor is contemporary and minimalist, with Asian influence in the use of materials, following the japandi style, which combines the color contrasts of Scandinavian design with the organization and minimalist practicality of Japanese aesthetics. The project, from conceptualization to the finalization of the decor, was completed in six months. “The greatest challenge of this project was to adjust it along the way due to personal issues, which led to a reduction in the scope of the work. This challenged us to execute some stages in a punctual and careful manner, ensuring maximum cost control throughout the execution,” concludes Fabiano Ravaglia.