Balcony, living room, dining room, and kitchen are integrated in this 97 m² apartment

Acquired at an auction by a couple with a two-year-old child, this apartment of 97 m² in the Laranjeiras neighborhood (RJ) had never been inhabited and still retained its original condition. As soon as they closed the purchase, the new owners commissioned architect Paula Müller – from the cast of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro – for a complete renovation and decoration project. The initial proposal needed to be adjusted during the process. "We had to adapt the project because the building manager did not authorize the integration of the balcony in the way we imagined. This ended up prolonging the process quite a bit. But in the end, the result was great: we managed to bring the green from the balcony into the apartment," Paula says. With the renovation, the balcony, living, dining, and kitchen were unified, creating a fluid and welcoming project. "In this way, the residents can have dinner, watch TV, and move around the balcony while always staying close and within each other's sight," explains the architect. The new service area gained a guillotine window facing the balcony, ensuring ventilation for the laundry – which remains discreet and out of the living room's field of vision – and also serves as support for the external gourmet area counter. In the kitchen, the cabinetry hides the double refrigerator, avoiding the visually heavy volume typical of integrated kitchens. The countertop backsplash was covered with a mirror, a resource that expands the project, softens the function of the space, and still allows for monitoring what happens around while washing dishes or cooking. Paula also took advantage of the junction between the back of the laundry cabinet and the hot tower to design a glass cabinet with internal lighting. The decoration of the common areas follows a neutral palette, with natural oak cabinetry designed by the architect, porcelain flooring, light gray sofas and rugs, and white walls. Olive green appears punctually in the cabinetry of the kitchen workbench and in the pendant light above the dining table, adding personality. "We chose a sofa with a reclining seat for the living room, which ensures comfort while watching TV, but also allows for a more formal configuration when they receive guests," Paula explains. "On the balcony, we included a large bench, ideal for relaxing or reading while taking advantage of the surrounding green."

All the doors in the apartment – from the entrance to the powder room, passing through the office, intimate hall, bedrooms, and service area – were mimicked in natural oak panels. "This solution provides a continuous and elegant surface, creating visual unity even when the projects present different aesthetic languages," Paula explains. Besides disguising the accesses, the solution allowed for embedding cabinets with light-touch opening, such as the linen closet in the hallway and the shoe cabinet near the entrance. The powder room, in turn, combines functionality and sophistication. Instead of a traditional mirror above the counter, Paula designed a slatted cabinet that camouflages the staff's belongings. The mirror was installed on the side, with a full-length view highlighted by a LED profile from floor to ceiling. The wooden ceiling hides the motors responsible for the bathrooms' exhaust, which expel air to the side of the balcony, ensuring more efficiency. The faucet, with front activation on the counter, completes the project with elegance. In the master suite, the demand for cabinets was met with lightness. In front of the bed, panel-type doors hide the TV and reinforce the visual integration of the project. To meet the client's need for a vanity or workspace, one of the side tables was designed by the architect with a height of 75 cm, being able to serve as a nightstand, makeup station, or home office. The child's room was designed to accompany his growth. The layout keeps the central area free, ideal both for playing and accommodating a support bed. The child's bedding can be easily changed over the years, following the different phases of childhood. [gallery-abril id="212579" type="slider" showtitle="undefined" data-restrict="false"] [abril-veja-tambem]W3siaWQiOjIwNjAyOSwidGl0bGUiOiJUb25zIGRlIHJvc2EgZCYjeEUzO28gY29yIGUgdmlkYSBwYXJhIGVzdGUgYXBhcnRhbWVudG8gZGUgMTcwIG0mI3hCMjsifSx7ImlkIjoxNjEzMTcsInRpdGxlIjoiRCYjeEU5O2NvciBuZXV0cm8sIHRvbnMgdGVycm9zb3MgZSB2ZXJkZSBvbGl2YSBtYXJjYW0gZXN0ZSBhcCYjeEVBOyBkZSAyMzAgbSYjeEIyOyJ9LHsiaWQiOjE1NjA0OSwidGl0bGUiOiJDb20gMzAgbSYjeEIyOywgc3UmI3hFRDt0ZSBtYXN0ZXIgY29uanVnYSBhdG1vc2ZlcmEgZWxlZ2FudGUgZSBjbGltYSBhY29saGVkb3IifV0=