The “Carpet of Tiles” in Every Room Inspired This Barcelona Apartment’s Renovation

“I first visited the apartment in the spring of 2021. It was a sunny day, and the floors, although worn with the passage of time, were brilliant, a different ‘carpet’ of tiles in nearly every room,” he writes. “Matched by the ceiling molding, another feature of Barcelona modernismo. The space was bathed in light, and sunlight was pouring through windows in the front and back.” 

The one-bedroom apartment is in Barcelona’s Sant Antoni neighborhood and had been owned by the previous family for over 70 years. Coe has renovated over 25 apartments in the last decade (with the help of architect Luis Turrens of ArcWorld), so it’s no surprise that he wanted to reimagine the space. 

“I wanted to create a space that reflected how I wanted to live — a space where I could work, relax, and entertain,” Coe shares. “Rather than the series of smallish spaces in the original floorplan, I wanted to create larger spaces with two zones — one for day and one for the night. I wanted the night zone to have generous sleeping, dressing, and bathing areas.”

Coe’s approach to renovating is keeping it close to the original space while adding “modern design that complements the original and makes the home relevant to the way I live today,” he explains. In his apartment, he looked to the hydraulic ceramic tiles on the floor to inform the design decisions throughout the rest of the space. 

The apartment is the perfect blend of old and new, which mirrors the outside of the home, too. “It had been my dream to live in a modernistic building in a traditional area,” Coe explains. “The tree-lined street was pedestrianized recently, returning the area to the feel of a market street from the late 19th century.”

• Walls — Franklin More “China White”
• Doors and Windows — Ral 9002
• Shutters — Ral 7001
• Strip/Accent — Ral 8017

• Bench — Amato Sole
• Original Paintings — Maria Pinto 

• Sofa — Joquer
• Coffee Tables — Treku
• Antique Chinese Tea Tables — Purchased in Singapore in 2008
• Bookshelf/Bar/Office Unit — Cesar Kitchens
• Desk Chair — Domestico Shop
• Burlap Sack Art — Capetown, South Africa

• Island — Modulnova Kitchens
• Dining Chairs — Stua

• Cabinets — Modulnova Kitchens
• Countertop —  Porcelanico Piasentina 
• Cooktop — Bora
• Lamp — Foscarini
• Integrated Appliances — Neff

• Mattress and Bed Frame — Auping

• Counter — Modulnova
• Countertop — Porcelanico Piasentina 
• Bathtub — Sanycces
• Toilet — Duravit
• Sink — Alape
• Mirror, Stand, and Lamp — Custom by Amato Sole

Thanks, Matthew!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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