Loft by Alex March Studio
This loft in the Poble Nou neighborhood of Barcelona, designed by Alex March Studio, is a wonderful corner in which we feel wrapped up by the most recent history of designer furniture and decoration.
Description
A loft in Barcelona that awakens the sensibility for vintage pieces.
The human mind needs to be stimulated to grow and not stay stagnant, so why don’t we start with our own home? In this Barcelona loft, designed by Alex March Studio, each decorative detail has a reason, which generates a great game to exercise memory and to awake the sensitivity to the latest interior design culture.
This vintage home with its own personality, accomplishes the double mission of waking up the neurons and making you feel surrounded by an authentic home.
On a large canvas made by white walls and natural pine wood flooring, this decorative project bears the unmistakable stamp of Alex March, who has presented an interesting example of the legacy of the 20th century European design in each room. The admiration for Nordic designers is a constant in this home.
Solid wood furniture, just like before
In the living room, natural light penetrates generously through the immense floor-to-ceiling windows. It is a large room where the furniture is the one that defines the dining area, the living room and the office. The kitchen, in another adjoining room, appears very discreet through a large opening halfway up the wall.
Natural solid wood reminds us and highlights how furniture was made before. In this sense, it is worth highlighting pieces recovered from the 60s and 70s, such as two Nordic armchairs and a pouf designed by the architect and designer Gio Ponti in the 50s, or like the G-Plan coffee table (60s). All these pieces form a cozy reading area for two.
Likewise, current quality furniture such as the VIA solid wood and steel bookcase by Objects designed by Carme Pinós has a place in this space. In it, we find select pieces of Spanish ceramics from the 50s and 60s, small sculptures by the Barcelona-based ceramist Mari Masot, the Somongo table lamp by the designer Eduardo Albors, some books and natural plants in ceramic pots, among other exclusive pieces.
Due to its incredible geometric aesthetics, located next to the window, it stands out an XL-size black brutalist sculpture from the 50s, bought at the Paris flea market.
From that market in the city of lights is, too, a robust dark wood chest of drawers that delimits this area with the dining room. Above it, the attractive green of the plants and the Il Giardinetto lamp stand out, which in 2014 the Spanish designer based in London, Jordi Canudas, created to honor the mythical Barcelona restaurant.
The dining area is a true tribute to the Nordic interior design of the second half of the 20th century. The dining room chairs are the classic Fanett, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaa and the Tallasenstolen by Jan Halberg, both made in Sweden. The table is from Noak Room from the 60s and 70s and the lamp hanging in the ceiling was bought in El Recibidor, from the 60s-70s, both pieces coming from Scandinavia.
A minimalist work area
An attempt has been made to give a differentiating turn to the interior design style in the ‘home office’ area. With a clear minimalist trend, with pure lines in black and white, this area invites you to concentrate and get lost in your work.
The white table, made of steel tube and marble, Alex March’s own design and manufactured by Fugrup, forms a perfect duo with the Dr. Sonderbar black armchair designed by Phillip Starck for XO (1983). From the ceiling hangs the suspended lamp by Danish designer Claus Bonderup for Fogh & Mörup (1967). The set is completed by an atypical and singular work on a round mirror by the artist Iñaki Moreno.
A room-refuge
The room is a true refuge, extremely cozy thanks to the warmth of the wood present in the flooring and furniture and also to the soft white textiles. Above the bed, a round ceramic painting, trencadís type, designed by Alex March and Mari Masot stands out. On the walls there are two mahogany and opaline sconce lamps. The cushions with geometric motifs are from Gancedo and the bed linen from El Corte Inglés.
Throughout the house, the mix of pieces from the 1950s to the present is uninterrupted. There is an interesting presence of elements from the 80s, such as the black ‘Tresca” suspended lamp designed by the Valencian designer Eduardo Albors located on the desk in the room.
A kitchen between sophistication and discretion
The kitchen, of an immaculate simplicity in white and gray, has different pieces, some in a brutalist style, which arouse curiosity and give it a unique charm. For example, two high wooden ‘Marbella’ stools and two ceramic pendant lamps bought in Denmark from the 50s-70s that overlook the dining area.
Protagonism of local ceramic artisans
Throughout the house, the work of local ceramic artisans plays a major role, with the incorporation of pieces and sculptures. In the bathroom, the ceramic floor and the two marble sinks designed by the ceramist Julio Bono. The two wall lights in the bathroom are a Sergio Mazza design from the 80s for the Artemide firm.
The music lover’s corner
This loft has a corner in the purest vintage style for music lovers. An armchair upholstered in red suggests settling in and enjoy long afternoons listening to music as it was done years ago, far from Spotify or similar platforms, with an authentic stereo designed by Dieter Rams for the Braun brand in the 60s, sounds like perfection.
A Willy Rizzo-type gold brass cabinet is used to store vinyl records and music equipment. The set is complemented by a three-armed brass floor lamp from the 70s. In order to create a more intimate effect, to invite you to let yourself be carried away by the pleasure of listening to music, the wall has been painted in a very intense dark green.
In short, this Loft-style home in Barcelona’s Poble Nou, designed by Alex March, praises the culture of design and the pieces of furniture and art designed in the 50s-60s and 70s.
Photography by Sandra Rojo
Visit Alex March Studio
- by Matt Watts
