Roberta Nicolau designs apartment with clean décor and views of the Lagoon

“It’s the family’s first property. I was involved right from the moment the location was chosen. It took a few visits before we made the final decision,” says architect Roberta Nicolau – from CASACOR Rio – about this 280 m² duplex apartment in Leblon (RJ). The residents were looking for a spacious space with plenty of privacy, serving as a meeting point for friends and family. “The couple’s first wish was the view; they didn’t want anything enclosed or with neighbors nearby. Here you have one of the most beautiful landscapes in the South Zone: lagoon and sea ,” says the architect. The color palette was strategically chosen to give the rooms a clean feel . A burnt gray tone was chosen for the walls; and the decor featured dark blue or light wood furniture . The first floor of the duplex, which previously had four small bedrooms and a suite, underwent a radical change. Roberta redesigned the layout to transform the four bedrooms into three suites, including a more spacious and comfortable master suite. This floor also houses the kitchen and living room, which was remodeled to be more compatible with the new layout .

On the second floor is the office of her husband, who is a businessman. It is a secluded space, with a private entrance and can be used as a guest room if necessary. The rest of the floor has been fully integrated to become a leisure area. With an open kitchen, swimming pool, a wooden bench, armchairs and tables, it is perfect for entertaining friends and family. The pool, previously centralized, was repositioned, creating integration between the covered and uncovered areas. “We created a covered area that, with the opening of the window frame, is completely unified with the uncovered area. The overhang of the slab is what integrates the two areas,” says the architect. “Since the apartment was very old, we knew from the beginning that it would have to be completely rebuilt. During the work, we also realized the need to reinforce the structure. It was a huge challenge that was worth it!” concludes Roberta.