February 28, 2025

VJC São Paulo House by Marina Salles

In the interior renovation of this 800-square-meter house in São Paulo, designer Marina Salles adapted the social wing to the new life stage of the residents, balancing the original architecture by Studio MK27 with the family’s needs. Completed in 2023, the project emphasizes comfort, well-being, and modern design, showcasing harmonious elements from both Brazil and Italy, fostering an inviting atmosphere for gatherings and shared moments with teenage children.

Spacious, well-designed living room featuring minimalist decor, neutral tones, and mid-century furniture.

Interior Renovation Adapting Social Wing For New Life Stage

The owners established certain points as the compass guiding the development of the proposal: respecting the main characteristics of the architecturally valuable house, making adjustments to the layout to meet the family’s needs, and, above all, creating spaces that prioritize comfort and well-being.

A cozy and stylish living room with a fireplace, framed artwork, and a mix of modern and vintage furnishings.

White Concrete Walls, Wood Floor Define Space For New Furniture

The silence of the design and the materials defining the architecture of the residence, from the white concrete walls to the wood covering the living room floor and extending to the balcony deck, echoed a blank canvas for the new furniture and the residents’ art collection.

Bright, modern living space with wood paneling, statement lighting, and cozy seating.

Spaces Designed To Foster Gatherings And Stimulate Conversations

The space originally with few pieces of furniture, reflecting the minimalist character of the construction, now aimed to foster gatherings, narrated by shared moments with teenage children, welcome friends, and stimulate conversations.

Spacious, modernist dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, wood floors, and minimalist furnishings.

Programmatic Reorganization Featured Dining Room, Lounge, Living Room

In the proposal orchestrated by architect Marina Salles (leading the Marina Salles Architecture and Interiors office), the programmatic reorganization is defined by three spatialities distributed along a linear axis and integrated: the dining room, living room, and a lounge supporting the original fireplace. The layout turns towards the center of the space, promoting interaction among family members.

Cozy living room with wooden furniture, artwork, and recessed lighting creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Brazil-Italy Connection Evident In Curation Of Furniture Pieces

In the decoration, a transatlantic connection between Brazil and Italy coexists in fine harmony through the curation of furniture pieces that combine icons of modern design from both nations.

Minimalist dining space with wooden chairs, textured stone wall, and recessed lighting.

Guanabara Table Accompanied By Cantu Alta Chairs In The Dining Room

From the entrance, the inviting dining room comes into view, furnished with the Guanabara table (1959) – by Polish designer naturalized in Brazil, Jorge Zalszupin, reissued by Etel – featuring Jacarandá wood top and cement base covered in leather, complemented by a set of Cantu Alta chairs (1958) by Sérgio Rodrigues, owned by the couple. In the background, the canvas by Brazilian artist Daniel Senise, accompanied by artworks installed on the wooden panels identifying the interiors.

Minimalist patio with a round white table, rattan chairs, and lush greenery outside.

Spaces Designed To Write Stories, Foster Connections, Build Memories

In the living room, the carefully chosen pieces seek to express what we believed in interior design: spaces to write stories, foster connections, and build memories. The pair of Groundpiece sofas by Antonio Citterio for Flexform stands alongside the Paulistano armchairs, designed by Paulo Mendes da Rocha (from the clients’ collection), and the rectangular Adi coffee table by Herança Cultural, adorned with Núcleo vases – blown glass with Jacqueline Terpins’ design. On the side of the sofa, the trio of vintage nesting tables holds the Buds 3 lamp, created by Milanese designer Rodolfo Dordoni for Foscarini, while the Jacarandá table, signed by Giuseppe Scapinelli, is adorned with the Moragas lamp on an oak base (1957) by Spanish Antoni de Moragas Gallissà for Santa & Cole. Everything is arranged on a Phenicia Concept rug.

Modern living room with wooden deck, plush seating, and decorative life buoys on the wall.

Lounge Establishes Cozy Space Around Original Fireplace Design

Suggesting pleasant conversations accompanied by a glass of wine, the lounge establishes a cozy space around the fireplace. In the arrangement, the pair of ZC1 armchairs, with the original design by Zanine Caldas (1948) reissued by Etel (2019), is complemented by Tempo side tables by Isabelle de Mari for Olho Móveis. Additionally, a pair of suede green-upholstered armchairs – designed by Marina Salles and crafted by Jocal – combined with a tea trolley, a center table by Giuseppe Scapinelli (existing), and Pietra ottomans by Isabelle de Mari. Dedicated to reading, the armchair and ottoman Lousiana, by the Italian designer Vico Magistretti for De Padova, accompanied by a leather basket for blanket storage, translating the atmosphere required from the beginning of the project. Above the fireplace, the surface gives way to artworks from the private collection.

Chromatic Palette Takes Cues From Garden Framed By Large Glass Doors

The chromatic palette of decorative objects draws inspiration from the nuances found in the fabrics of the armchairs and the beauty of the garden framed through the large glass doors – with vases, sculptures, and cushions in shades of green, ochre, and caramel brown.

Sideboard Reissued With Silk Straw Doors, Topped By Artworks

Prominently displayed on the larger wall, the sophisticated structure of the 11-meter-long sideboard, originally designed by Márcio Kogan, refreshed with silk straw doors (Nani Chinellato) and a wooden frame – topped by artworks from the couple’s collection. To bring homogeneous light designed especially for illuminating the artworks, the original lighting project was replaced by a discreet triangular profile monolith with a diffuser, without visible bulbs, ensuring an efficient system – designed by Airton Pimenta from Lightworks.

Veranda Has Furniture Complementing House Architecture And Greenery

Conceived as an extension of the living room, where residents contemplate the richness of greenery, the veranda features the sculpture “A Arte Salva” by Brazilian visual artist Eduardo Srur, inspiring the palette assumed by the furniture: Senja sofa with earth-toned cushions (Studio Segers for Tribù), Cove armchair designed by Paola Lenti in waterproof red fabric, and Mineral coffee table (Wooding). On the opposite side, the Plano table (Paola Lenti) is surrounded by Kilt chairs in rope and Teak wood (Ethimo).

Photography by Fran Parente
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- by Matt Watts