Japanese minimalism inspires the décor of a penthouse in Rio de Janeiro

Once they had bought this new 293 m² duplex penthouse in Jardim Oceânico (RJ), a couple of young lawyers with a young daughter commissioned architect Carmen Zaccaro - from the CASACOR Rio team - to carry out a complete renovation project to adapt the two floors to the family's needs. "On the lower floor, customers asked for practicality and that the kitchen was open to the living room. As for the penthouse, they wanted to use it for family leisure and socializing with friends, with a home theater, a bookcase for many books, an air-conditioned wine cellar and a dining area inside, and a gourmet space with a swimming pool outside," says Carmen. The main change to the original plan was the integration of the kitchen (previously closed, small and dark) with the living room on the lower floor, where the two suites are located.

The general concept of the project sought inspiration in Japanese minimalist architecture to create timeless contemporary spaces, free of fads, with a neutral and clear base, in shades of gray, off-white and white, which highlighted not only the joinery designed by the architect and executed in natural freijó but also some more vibrant points of color, present in paintings, cushions, plants and flower arrangements. "Ergonomics, beauty and natural materials, such as wood, marble, cotton and leather, guided the selection of furniture in general, especially the Renata armchairs, by Sergio Rodrigues, in the living room on the lower floor," says Carmen. The same cement pattern porcelain floor tiles, white linen curtains and pet cotton rugs were used on both floors to bring aesthetic unity and a feeling of spaciousness.