House that welcomed family in the post-war period is revitalized in Rio

Built in the late 1940s at the request of the current resident's maternal grandparents — a Hungarian couple who came to Brazil seeking a fresh start after the war — this house of 650 m² in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro has been revitalized by architect Natália Lemos (from the cast of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro). The project preserved the original elements of the construction while incorporating contemporary solutions to meet the needs of the current family, which consists of a couple of businesspeople and their two teenage children.

Spread over three floors, the residence includes on the ground floor the living room, the entrance hall, the kitchen, the dining room, the lavatory, the office, and a spacious gourmet balcony integrated with the social spaces; on the upper floor, the couple’s suite; and, in the basement, the SPA. The integration of the projects was one of the main requests from the clients, who wanted a home oriented towards socializing and celebrations.

The main intervention was the integration of the gourmet balcony into the original architecture, respecting the existing volume through a lightweight covering made of white metal structure, polycarbonate, and natural rush. This solution not only integrates the new space but also subtly highlights the alterations made during the renovation.

In addition, the old service area, including the roof, was demolished to allow integration with the kitchen. In its place, a metal covering with glass enclosure was created, connected to an indoor garden, ensuring ample natural light in the new dining room. “The skylights with glass closure in the bedroom and in the couple’s suite already existed and were maintained,” says the architect.

The concept of the project arose from the appreciation of the history and memories of the family, reflected in cozy and authentic projects. The architect restored original elements and incorporated scavenged pieces, giving personality to the decor. The resident actively participated in this curation process, contributing so that every detail reflected the identity of the house.

“The decor combines pieces that were already part of our collection with others that I have been scavenging over time. I love searching for furniture and artworks that reflect our personality — whether on resale sites, street fairs, travels, or even at my parents' house, from where I 'borrow' some items indefinitely,” she says.

Among the highlights are the painting "Cacaueiro" by Januário de Oliveira and a work by Djanira, inherited from the family; a tea cart transformed into a bar; ceramics made by the resident herself; the round pouf from the living room, received as a gift; and the vintage bicycle brought from Portugal by her husband, restored and displayed in the living room.

The furniture mixes pieces from the personal collection with creations from Brazilian designers, such as Toti benches by Bernardo Figueiredo, the Mocho stool by Sergio Rodrigues, the Gisele armchair by Aristeu Pires, and Helga dining chairs from Estudiobola.

The color palette enhances natural materials - stone, wood, and exposed brick - in contrast to white walls, ceilings, and frames, which serve as a neutral backdrop. Color points emerge in artworks, fabrics, vegetation, and in the original tiles of the kitchen, carefully restored. “The biggest challenge was to preserve these tiles. We restored each piece individually and, in some areas, ordered new handmade replicas with the same pattern, ensuring aesthetic continuity and faithful recovery of the original atmosphere,” concludes Natália Lemos.