Nautical colors and French touches give charm to the social area of this apartment

A duplex apartment of 180 m², located in Icaraí, Niterói (RJ), belongs to architect Amanda Miranda (of the cast CASACOR Rio de Janeiro), her husband, lawyer Thiago Kastrup, and their daughter, Ana Beatriz, affectionately called Bibi, who is 8 years old. Recently, Amanda carried out a renovation of 45 m² on the upper floor, which included the gourmet area and the living area with TV, as well as the half bath.

“This project was born on a day of creative inspiration. I had just returned from a trip to Europe and brought back references from Paris – such as the classic bistro and café straw chairs – images of Mediterranean beaches, inspirations from nautical fashion of the 1960s and 1970s, and the desire to bring more joy to my gourmet space,” Amanda explains. Before the renovation, the projects were dominated by gray: brick walls, cabinets, coffee table, and sofa of the same color, as well as paintings and luminaires that no longer made sense to her. In the decoration, most of the existing pieces were repurposed. The dining table with a red top, the chairs and white blinds, and the blue china cabinet (which has been in the family for over 40 years) were kept, with the china cabinet being repainted in another shade of the same color to integrate into the new palette. The sofa was reupholstered, maintaining the structure and only changing the upholstery to white fabric with thin red stripes.

The antique black refrigerator, purchased at an antique shop, was transformed into a china cabinet, and the coffee table was covered with wood veneer, bringing more natural elements. The only new pieces are the French bistro-style chairs, in blue and white.

The color palette in blue, red, and white refers to the nautical theme, the relaxed vibe of Mediterranean beaches, and the colors reminiscent of Paris. The wall at the back of the gourmet area, hand-painted by A Casinha, evokes the atmosphere of a seaside market and references the dishes that Thiago cooks. The painting extends along the high side wall with special words and phrases for the family. “My daughter chose to write ‘Kindness breeds kindness,’ referencing the theme she was studying in school; my husband chose a passage from the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi; and I referenced the poet Ferreira Gullar, with the phrase ‘Art exists because life is not enough,’ which inspires me every day,” Amanda explains. The vintage touch of the furniture, present in the woodwork, china cabinet, and refrigerator, adds a nostalgic charm to the projects.

In the living area with TV, the mix of striped prints in red, blue, and white appears on the sofa, rug, lamp, and ornaments, with textures and furniture revamped to renew the projects. Romanelli's artwork in the background, of strong emotional value, brings significance and prosperity to the home through images of fish and Yemanjá. The old theater bench was painted and transformed into a blue love seat.

In the half bath, the intervention was limited to painting: the black chalkboard wall was replaced with stripes that have a red bar at the top, and Amanda also drew a lobster, creating a connection with the gourmet area.

“Reusing items as much as possible was also a principle of the project. Being able to create and showcase a different project without having to break or dispose of everything is a great challenge we face every day – and, within my own home, it became even more necessary,” Amanda teaches. “A simple renovation can completely transform the use and energy of a house. Today, we are back to having dinners with friends and family, and enjoying the gourmet project much more than before,” she concludes.

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