A Designer Revived His Family’s 75-Year-Old Mexico City Apartment — And Kept the Dreamy Wood Paneling

“I remember visiting my grandmother’s sister when I was a child, and since then I was in love with [this apartment’s] location, neighborhood, wood walls, original wood floor, and the light,” reminiscences Octavio, who curates hospitality spaces for Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos and works as an independent multidisciplinary designer, under Soy Tuyo Estudio.

The apartment had been occupied up until Octavio moved in, and while its mid-century modern architectural charm was thankfully still intact (like wood paneling, wood floors, and steelwork characteristic of 1950s-era design in Mexico City), the rest of the apartment was a bit old-fashioned, with some of the walls covered with dated, vintage wallpaper.

When it came to adding his own personality to the space, it was important to Octavio to respect the apartment’s original elements, like keeping the wood walls and floors. But he did remove the dated wallpaper. Then, he integrated a collection of some iconic mid-century modern furniture pieces, which he layered with a mix of contemporary finds, too.

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• General — Behr “White Mocha”
• Bedroom — Comex “Clay”
• Bathroom — Corev “Chukplast”

• Ekrar Coat Rack — ​IKEA
• TV / Radio / Turntable — Stromberg Carlson (antique)
• Silver Frog (Rana Rony) — D’Argenta
• Lamp Fariseo Maks — Indios Yaki Handcraft

• Pen Sofa — West Elm
• Side Table Lovebacken — IKEA
• TV Console Meztli Wallnut — Gaia
• Altima Blue Rug — Tufan
• Lamp Byggkorn — IKEA
• Desk Lamp Forsa — IKEA
• Art: Close but Far (2 Frames) — Michelle Aubert 

• Dining Table Glass — Tugow
• Bar — Antique, ’40s
• LANDBANA Rug — IKEA

• Kettle — ​SMEG

• PS Blue Cabinet — IKEA
• BULLEREMSA Rug — IKEA

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

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