Casa JL by A53 architects
Casa JL is an apartment in Barcelona, Spain, reworked by A53 architects. The project gathers light across high ceilings and long views, setting a calm mood for city life. Warm metal accents, natural wood, and soft textiles anchor the rooms while the plan keeps living, dining, and cooking in easy conversation.
Sun pours through tall windows and lands on warm timber boards. A brass-clad hearth catches the light, throwing a soft glow across the living room.
This apartment in Barcelona by A53 architects centers on material balance and furnishings that work hard. The palette stays simple yet tactile, with brass, oak, marble, and linen set against white walls to keep rooms bright and calm.
Frame the View
A curved built-in bench hugs the bay window, turning the outlook into a daily ritual. Cushions line the seat so the corner reads as both lounge and lookout, while slender frames open wide to pull in breeze and street sound. Overhead, painted beams trace the ceiling and give the living area a quiet rhythm.
Warm Metals, Soft Wood
The fireplace wears burnished brass panels that age gracefully and reflect daylight throughout the room. Nearby, a low ledge runs wall to wall for books, candles, and the odd record sleeve, keeping clutter down and surfaces clear. A plush sofa and a chunky timber stump table lend heft without shouting.
Kitchen as Cabinetry
In the dining-kitchen, tall oak fronts read like fitted furniture rather than utilitarian boxes. A marble worktop bridges to a compact island with two stools, and globe pendants drop a warm, diffuse light over meals. Brass trim and hardware stitch the ensemble together, while an exposed shelf niche stages everyday tools within easy reach.
Circulation with Character
Between rooms, white pocket doors glide to open clear paths and borrow light. A midcentury credenza anchors the hall, paired with art and a green-glazed lamp for a grounded pause between social rooms and the quieter wing. Radiators and original openings stay in play, adding texture to the clean-lined updates.
Private Rooms in Color
Bedrooms shift tone with paint bands and soft bedding that lean earthy rather than loud. One room opens to a small balcony through dark-framed doors, with a neat pendant and a slim shelf keeping things spare. Another layers pale blue walls with a mustard stripe and a crafted headboard, while brass knobs and latches add a subtle gleam.
Baths with Texture
The main bath pairs a stone trough vanity with warm wood joinery and a freestanding tub. Carved wall tiles catch sidelight, and brushed brass fittings keep the palette consistent across wet areas. A smaller bath keeps to crisp white surfaces so the metalwork and fixtures read clean.
Evening returns and the hearth holds the gaze. Materials do the quiet work, guiding light, storing daily things, and giving each room a steady, lived-in ease.
Photography by Camille Poitevin
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