Houzz Tours
Spain Houzz: New Neutrals Fit Old Accents in a Spanish Apartment
Contemporary decor complements a Spanish apartment's beautiful encaustic tiles, stained glass and historical features
Walking through Málaga in Spain, the owner of this apartment discovered Aldea, the interior design, decoration and furniture store owned by Marina Benavides and her family. “When we first visited Aldea, we had just bought the house and were looking for storage solutions – such as shelves, bedside tables, desks and dressers – for our living room and bedrooms,” says owner Sally Bainbridge whose company, Málaga Design & Living, helps clients find homes in the city.
“Sally came into the store with a clear idea: she needed to furnish the bedrooms, except for the beds that she already had, and also wanted some specific decorative features and lighting,” says Benavides. She notes that the owner was looking for simplicity, comfort and a spacious feel to allow the original architecture to stand out in a more contemporary style.
What started out as shopping for just a few pieces of furniture for the bedroom soon turned into redecorating the entire living room, all three bedrooms and the terrace. “We think that the house is elegant and serene. No wonder the owners don’t want to move again!” says Benavides.
Inspired to redecorate? Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz and browse images of their past projects
What started out as shopping for just a few pieces of furniture for the bedroom soon turned into redecorating the entire living room, all three bedrooms and the terrace. “We think that the house is elegant and serene. No wonder the owners don’t want to move again!” says Benavides.
Inspired to redecorate? Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz and browse images of their past projects
The encaustic tiles in the bathrooms and the entrances of the building and this apartment are some of the home’s most striking original elements, and served as the leitmotif of this interior design project. Moreover, the large windows are enhanced by original, 19th century stained glass. They open the living room up to a beautiful sunroom and balcony featuring a fountain and sculptures.
“One of the biggest challenges was to get the palette of the living room furniture to fit with the general ambience and the colour of the hydraulic [encaustic] tile in the hallway,” says Benavides. She points out the shoe rack in the hallway, from Punt Mobles, and the TV cabinet, from the Italian brand San Giacomo, in particular.
Serene, elegant and cosy, the colours of the floors and the original windows are the common thread tying the redecoration project together. The clock on the back wall is also from Aldea.
“All of the decorative elements and furniture work well together,” says Bainbridge. She also notes that it was difficult to find the right pieces for the size, brightness and style of the home.
“All of the decorative elements and furniture work well together,” says Bainbridge. She also notes that it was difficult to find the right pieces for the size, brightness and style of the home.
“We like how the walnut sideboard in the living room looks in front of the stained-glass windows,” says Benavides about one of the many examples where they achieved a balance between scale and style.
This project succeeded thanks to the teamwork between the owners and the professionals involved.
“The flat is now a really easy space to live in, with a clear contrast between the rooms on the ground floor and those in the attic,” says Bainbridge. “Moreover, the living room was difficult to furnish because the kitchen is very open, and we still had to create a comfortable feel. But I’m happy with how it turned out.”
“The flat is now a really easy space to live in, with a clear contrast between the rooms on the ground floor and those in the attic,” says Bainbridge. “Moreover, the living room was difficult to furnish because the kitchen is very open, and we still had to create a comfortable feel. But I’m happy with how it turned out.”
”We went for simple, contemporary elements in order to avoid a dated or overly ornate look,” says Benavides. She points out the hallway bookcase – the couple is very fond of reading.
Browse more beautiful contemporary staircase ideas
Browse more beautiful contemporary staircase ideas
As an exception to the natural and neutral tones used in the rest of the home, Benavides incorporated splashes of orange in the bedroom.
“Another of our favourite pieces is the desk in the guest room (pictured),” says the designer.
On the terrace, details bring joy and life to a space with beautiful views of the cathedral.
Your turn
Which elements of this redecorated apartment do you love? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
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Your turn
Which elements of this redecorated apartment do you love? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Missed our last Houzz Tour? Take a look at this beautifully reconfigured USA Houzz: New Coastal-Farmhouse Style Rescues an “Oddball” House
Apartment at a glance
Who lives here: Sally Bainbridge, director of Málaga Design & Living, and her husband
Location: Malaga, Spain
Interior design: Marina Benavides, Aldea
Bainbridge and her husband are British, and only intended to stay in Málaga for one season. However, they were completely captivated by the town’s climate and bustle, and the energy of its inhabitants. Now, they spend most of the year here.
“In perfect condition and newly renovated, Sally and her husband’s home is a jewel of late nineteenth-century architecture. It’s in a beautiful building with a wonderful Andalusian-style interior sun room, beautiful balconies, high ceilings and gorgeous views over the Málaga cathedral,” says Benavides.