Blue and ochre compose the décor of this 230 m² apartment

In search of more space and comfort for the family, a couple in their 40s, with two daughters aged 8 and 12, bought this apartment of 230 m² in Humaitá, in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro. Before the move, they commissioned architects Ricardo Melo and Rodrigo Passos (from the cast of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro) for a renovation project, initially asking for just minor adjustments. However, as the process went on, they became excited and ended up opting for a complete renovation.

“In the end, the clients asked to integrate the kitchen with the living room, completely modifying its shape and consequently, the service area. They also requested a solution for a floor plan filled with angles, quite complicated, as well as comfortable spaces to host friends, like a bar and a balcony equipped with a grill, ice maker, and beer cooler,” says Ricardo Melo.

To create a cozy atmosphere that feels like home, the architects worked with a soft palette, highlighting pops of color in blue—found on the entrance wall, in some furniture, artworks, and cushions—and ochre, in the pair of cushions in the living room. Wood plays a fundamental role in this ambiance: it appears on the natural tauari floor, in the cabinetry (some combined with iron) and in free-standing pieces. “This living room has a simplicity that well translates the Carioca style. It is chic, yet at the same time casual, without pomp,” evaluates Ricardo.

The decoration, contemporary and full of personality, makes ample use of pieces from the residents' collection, such as the sofa, the four bar armchairs, the dining chairs, and the dining table on the balcony. “In the bedrooms, almost everything was reused from the old apartment. We only made a few cabinetry complements,” explains the architect.

Among the new furniture, there are predominantly light and contemporary pieces, accented by striking colors that break the monotony, such as the C221 armchairs (in navy blue) and C224 (in ochre), both from Carbono Design. Another highlight is the tiled buffet signed by Ricardo himself, which bears his brand, RicMelo Design. On the walls, artworks that enrich the composition: the colorful painting by Marcelo Catalano over the buffet, watercolors by Andréa Menezes, and a large canvas in shades of blue by artist Herton Roitman.

“Unlike what we usually hear about renovations, ours was extremely organized, calm, and enjoyable. We enjoyed every step, always eager for the final result. Although we had a good idea of the layout from the 3D projects, we were enchanted to see everything ready—exactly as we imagined, or even better. A clean, modern home that is also super cozy,” reports the homeowner. “Our biggest challenge was the short project timeline. Everything else went very smoothly,” concludes Ricardo Melo.