Slatted panel unifies and divides this apartment designed by Carmen Zaccaro

The executive who works part of the week from home needed a practical home, close to work and safe - since her mother moved back in with her after the pandemic. So, when she bought the 90 m² apartment in Botafogo (Rio de Janeiro), she called on architect Carmen Zaccaro (from the CASACOR Rio cast) for a complete renovation. “All the rooms were renovated. We changed all the coverings, finishes, frames and redid all the installations”, says the architect. The main changes were in the kitchen , with the integration of the service area and the creation of a pantry, and in the living room, which incorporated part of the bedroom next door to accommodate the TV stand and thus ensure better flow of movement. Among the resident’s requests, she wanted practicality with beauty, plenty of storage space, comfort and ergonomic furniture. “The client was looking for a timeless design, but not minimalist, with soul and joy. She requested pops of color throughout the apartment and, in particular, that the front door be a strong shade. I chose orange, the color of the Sicilian vases that the client brought back from her trip and that we placed on the shelf,” Carmen points out.

“Taking advantage of the long, linear shape of the room, we created a slatted wood panel along the entire wall , which mimics a door leading to the private area, the built-in bookcase and the TV panel, with a Calacata Oro marble back. For the dining room, we designed a white lacquer buffet, which serves as a bar and china cabinet, while the freijó niche matches the furniture and the rest of the carpentry”, describes the professional. All the furniture is new, with highlights in the living room being the Renata armchairs by Sergio Rodrigues , made of freijó and caramel leather. In the home office, the highlights are the Manu work desk by Maria Cândida Machado and the Anel armchair by Ricardo Fasanelo . The curatorship considered works of art that bring a touch of color, such as the engraving by Antonio Bokel ( on the wooden panel, in the living room), the work by Elso Arruda (above the sofa), both from Galeria Gam, and the canvas by Rafael Vicente , from Galeria Almacén, in the office.