As Barcelona-based photographer Coke Bartrina tells it, he had recently brought on Andrea Conti and Isabel Cert, founders of local architecture firm Conti, Cert, to remodel his new one-bedroom apartment, which he shares with his partner Nuria Val, founder of Rowse Beauty. The duo were suggesting coral pink walls for the kitchen and, well, they were nervous. "They first proposed it fearing that I would have a complex about being male and having pink walls in the kitchen. But we totally loved it from the very beginning!" Coke recalls. And it was then, says Andrea, that "we knew that they were the perfect customers to be able to make such a kitchen for."
Although the three-month-long renovation involved major changes—they tore down almost every wall to open up the boxy floor plan—Conti, Cert never had to convince the couple to go along with a recommendation. "We worked as a team with them," says Andrea. Coke explains, "They took our ideas and improved them."
Take the built-in bench that spans from living room (where it acts as a shelf) to dining nook (where it becomes seating). "We wanted to have this style of bench, shelves, and kitchen island because it reminds us a lot of the coastal houses in Costa Brava," says Coke.
Conti, Cert took the couple's idea and ran with it, adding a similar ledge behind the sofa to follow the lines created by the built-in. "We love having this space to leave some stuff, such as pictures, lamps, and sculpture," Coke says.
A similar melding of minds happened with the apartment's outdoor space. What was once an empty, enclosed alcove is now a haven for both the couple and their plant collection. "We have lots of plants and we needed somewhere for them. We like to take care of them," Coke explains. "We also wanted the possibility of having a barbecue and somewhere to breathe in some tranquility." To further enhance the peaceful atmosphere, Conti, Cert suggested painting the wall a lush green color. Given their love for foliage, it was a no-brainer for Coke and Nuria.
Coke and Nuria's passion projects can be found inside, too. "I made the dining table from tropical wood some years ago and asked a metal worker to make the frame," Coke points out. The custom emerald sofa, on the other hand, was all Nuria. "Nuria made very clear she wanted to have a sofa like this and I just couldn't fight it," he says. These personal details were a big part of Conti, Cert's vision for the home. "We wanted to achieve a project that talks about Coke and Nuria, that 100-percent breathes the essence of them, and I think we got it," says Andrea. We have to agree.
💡 Do It Yourself
Swap your TV for a projector. Tucked away on a shelf, it's much less obtrusive than the traditional giant black rectangle.
Always look into multiple material options for a project. Here, building the kitchen island out of stone was actually less expensive than using wood.
When you're dealing with a small bathroom, opt for a full wall of mirror rather than a framed piece to make the space appear larger.
Choose a basic tile in a not-so-basic color and size, as Conti, Cert did in the bathroom, to make an impact without hurting your budget.
Turn a single wall into a fully functional office. Coke and Nuria's shared desk goes up rather than out, saving precious floor space.
🛍 Shop It Out
Formica cabinet fronts in Ocean Gray F7853, formica.com
Odette counter stools by Massproductions and Chris Martin, from $681, aplusrstore.com
Arne Domus LED pendants by Santa & Cole, $1,495 each, lumens.com
Keaton cotton velvet fabric by Güell Lamadrid, castelmaison.com
Dining chair in scrapwood by Piet Hein Eek, $905, thefutureperfect.com
Williamsburg small sconce by Wo & Wé, $592, woandwe.com
