Integrated apartment of 178 m² with terracotta palette and signed design

The office PN+ | Architects – part of the CASACOR Rio de Janeiro lineup – designed the project that transformed this apartment of 178 m², in the heart of Jardins, São Paulo, into a space dedicated to social interaction. The owner, a lawyer living in Portugal, sought a welcoming place in Brazil to return to whenever she came back to the country — preferably in the neighborhood that holds her cherished memories.

Acquired while still on the drawing board, the property underwent a complete renovation from the start, with interiors designed to reflect the personality of its inhabitant: elegant, generous, and prepared to host friends and family. Among the main requests were the creation of a spacious and comfortable social area, as well as a multifunctional space that could serve as an office, a guest room, or a TV room, depending on the need.

Originally compartmentalized, with a closed kitchen and an isolated balcony, the apartment's layout was deeply redesigned. The living room, balcony, and kitchen were integrated into a large continuous living space, while the service area was resized to make room for the new dining room, separated by a light drywall partition. One of the three bedrooms was incorporated into the main suite, transforming it into a walk-in closet. After the renovation, the layout now features two suites — the main, larger one, and a second, flexible-use suite — and a generous social space that concentrates the apartment's life.

Pieces from the client's personal collection were carefully reintegrated into the new layout, preserving memories and giving identity to the projects. Highlights include the Redondo armchairs by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso, and Grand Repos by Antonio Citterio for Vitra, as well as the Teca coffee table, signed by Jader Almeida — furniture that had already accompanied the resident and continues to add significance to her new home.

In the curation of new pieces for the social area, comfort guided all the choices. The Lona sofa by Baba Vacaro, the Litoral dining table with an oval green stone top by Jacqueline Terpins, and the Omar chairs by Rejane Carvalho Leite, help to compose an environment designed for hosting, cooking, conversing, and relaxing. The earthy and raw color palette flows through the spaces, contrasting with the gray of the floor and the kitchen island made of matte quartzite. "The sofa was acquired earlier, and its color served as a starting point for the creation of the accent wall. The choice of the terracotta shade was born from the desire to bring chromatic presence, but without weighing it down," explains Paula Neder.

The cabinetry plays a central role in organizing the living area. A large panel covered in natural American oak veneer structures the space and elegantly disguises access to the intimate area, while metal shelves create a delicate game of full and empty spaces. In the kitchen, the melamine laminate in fawn tone reinforces the neutral and timeless atmosphere.

The walls received a customized mix of light shades in a matte finish, and in the dining room, the highlight is the wall that directly dialogues with the sofa's fabric. The single continuous large-format light gray porcelain tile ensures visual continuity and a sense of spaciousness, meeting the client's request for practicality.

The living room also features an Eco Pad rug, produced in India from recycled PET bottles, as well as a composition with six works by artist Patrick Tomas and a piece by Heloisa Crocco, which takes center stage on the terracotta wall of the dining area.

With a contemporary, timeless, and affectionate style, the project took about a year from conception, approval, construction, and finishing the decoration. "The big challenge was to transform an originally compartmentalized apartment into a fluid and welcoming space that met the family’s needs. It was necessary to balance comfort and spaciousness, which required important structural modifications to integrate the projects. We also paid careful attention to the proportions of the kitchen and service area, seeking practicality and a continuous aesthetic throughout the layout," concludes architect Paula Neder.