An iron door with a coffee design marks the entrance to this 500 m² apartment

The businessman who works in the real estate market bought this old 500 m² duplex penthouse in Higienópolis (SP), with the intention of tearing everything down and redoing the plan from scratch. To lead the radical renovation and decorate the new spaces, architect David Bastos , from the DB Arquitetos office and part of the CASACOR São Paulo 2023 cast, stepped in. Originally from the apartment, the wrought iron door and the black and white checkerboard floor were kept and restored, as they were in keeping with the elegance that the new project sought. “The story of the door is quite interesting: the building was built by a Coffee Baron, who lived in this penthouse, and his children lived in the apartments below . That’s why its wrought iron structure has designs of coffee leaves and fruits, as well as the family crest ,” says David. According to the architect, the client asked to make the most of the space in his new home and to use some works of art ( Alfredo Volpi, Carybé, Di Cavalcanti, Roberto Burle Marx... ) and furniture from his old apartment, such as the all-black dining table in the kitchen, the dining room chairs (by the Italian Baxter ) and, in the TV room , the Westside sofa (created by Jean Marie Massaud ) and the modular Pasticca poufs (by Piero Lissoni ). “Since he really likes to entertain at home, with parties for many guests, he also asked for a large living room with integrated spaces,” says the architect.

Overall, the project concept sought to create an elegant apartment with a timeless contemporary style, with decor predominantly in light and airy tones , punctuated by earthy tones and greenish grays , as well as natural wood joinery in a slightly darkened brown tone. Also worth mentioning is the huge rug that integrates the two living rooms and, in the private area, the wooden parquet floor and wallpaper. All the new furniture was chosen by the architect, together with the client, and most of it is of Italian origin. “I always listen to the client and pay close attention to their taste so that the house reflects their desires and dreams. When a piece of furniture or object chosen doesn’t fit the project, I explain why, but the final decision is always his. That’s why my projects are quite different from one another,” concludes David Bastos.