Apartment of 53 m² brings together geometric tiles, blue walls and design pieces

Located in Leblon (RJ), this apartment by Mariana Monnerat – part of the CASACOR Rio de Janeiro lineup –, sought to rescue the resident’s memories, highlight signature Brazilian design, and create integrated, light, and functional projects in just 53.7 m². The first contact with the client happened when he was still renting the property about three years earlier – when he bought the apartment for good, he called on the architect to create his definitive home, capable of reflecting his identity in every detail.

Projeto de Mariana Monnerat. (Lilia Mendel/CASACOR)

“Since the very first project, there was already a very clear language: blue, tiles, and a light atmosphere. These elements have always been part of his story and were fundamental to the concept of the new home,” explains Mariana Monnerat.

Projeto de Mariana Monnerat. (Lilia Mendel/CASACOR)

With three months of design and six months of construction, the renovation was conceived to enhance the sense of space and make the most of natural light. The walls between the kitchen and living room were demolished, creating an integrated social area that is more fluid and welcoming. One of the bedrooms was incorporated into the living area, giving rise to the new TV room, while the powder room was redesigned based on the existing plumbing, optimizing timelines and costs.

Projeto de Mariana Monnerat. (Lilia Mendel/CASACOR)

“The idea was to carry out a smart renovation, making the most of the apartment’s original structure without compromising on comfort and aesthetics,” she says.

Projeto de Mariana Monnerat. (Lilia Mendel/CASACOR)

Custom millwork took center stage and organized the social area, integrating a bar, a beer fridge, and the access to the laundry room in an elegant and functional way. The stone utility sink reinforces the proposal to unite practicality and sophistication in the service projects. “In this project, the millwork was conceived as part of the architecture. It connects the spaces, solves functions, and still enhances the resident’s identity,” the architect notes.

Projeto de Mariana Monnerat. (Lilia Mendel/CASACOR)

In the décor, the curation prioritized Brazilian design, signature pieces, contemporary art, and objects laden with affective memory. Each element was chosen to build a light, personalized, and timeless atmosphere, reinforcing the client’s emotional connection to the space. The project brings together pieces by Gustavo Bittencourt, Sergio Rodrigues, Ricardo Fasanello, Estúdio Campana, Casa na Árvore and Paola Vilas, as well as ceramics from Estúdio Heloisa Galvão. In addition, there are works and art objects by Sangwon Sung, Brendon Reis and Ohtake.

Projeto de Mariana Monnerat. (Lilia Mendel/CASACOR)

“More than creating a beautiful apartment, our goal was to translate who he is today, respecting his story and accompanying his moment in life,” Mariana sums up.