Architects Andrea Conti and Isa Cert of Barcelona-based firm Conti, Cert redesigned an upper floor apartment that was formerly dark and partitioned with low ceilings and cramped quarters. While recovering and restoring original details, the firm created a compact kitchen with two-tone cabinets, tiled floors, and muted tones. Here’s a closer look at the details with sources to match.
Above: Off-white and dark green lower cabinets frame the small u-shaped kitchen. Photography by Claudia Mauriño, courtesy of Conti, Cert. from Calm in the City: A Cramped Apartment Becomes a ‘A Warm and Cozy Home’ for a Couple with Young Kids.
Above: During the renovation, Conti, Cert. recovered the Catalan-style of vaulted ceilings behind the low roof. Photography by Claudia Mauriño, courtesy of Conti, Cert. from Calm in the City: A Cramped Apartment Becomes a ‘A Warm and Cozy Home’ for a Couple with Young Kids.
Materials
Above: For a similar color seen on the neutral kitchen cabinets, the NCS Colour S-0500-N is a close match. Another option is Farrow & Ball’s School House White (No.291) for a slightly darker tone.
Above: The dark kitchen cabinets are painted with NCS Colour S-8010-B90G.
Above: For something similar to the wall color, the Kalklitir Sabbia Secco Lime Wash Paint starts at €85. For more see our posts Remodeling 101: Everything You Need to Know About Limewash Paint and DIY Project: Limewashed Walls for Modern Times.
Above: “We were unable to recover the existing hydraulic tiled floor,” says Andrea, so new tiles were chosen to replicate the look of the original. For something similar to the tiled floor, the Fireclay Tile 12-by-12 Square Tile in white.
Appliances & Fixtures
Above: The Liebherr 30-Inch Refrigerator (CS-1410) is $3,499 at Build.
Above: The Smeg Classic Design 24-Inch Gas Cooktop (SR60GHU3) is $899 at AJ Madison.
Above: The Smeg 30-Inch Electric Wall Oven is $2,399 at AJ Madison.
Above: The Grohe Minta Touch Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Faucet, shown in Starlight Chrome, is $620.90 at Home Depot.
Lighting
Above: The Santa & Cole Sistema Sisisí GT3 Pendant Lamp starts at $545 at A+R Store.
Above: The Santa & Cole Cestita Table Lamp is $810 CAD at Mjölk.
Above: The Simple Deluxe Aluminum Clamp Lamp ($18.17 on Amazon) is similar to the vintage industrial clamp lamp seen in the kitchen. For a DIY version see our post The $15 DIY: The Hardware Store Clamp Light Improved.
Accessories
Above: The classic convertible kids’ chair, the Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair in natural oak is $269 at Magic Beans.
Above: From Cabana, the Speckled Pitcher Pink is $170.
For more compact and characterful kitchens, see our posts:
- Steal This Look: A Small But Complete Kitchen in Brooklyn Heights
- Steal This Look: A Tiny Victorian Mews Kitchen in London
- Steal This Look: A Petite Red and Grey Kitchen in Poland
- Steal This Look: A Cool and Compact Kitchen in Paris
N.B.: This story originally appeared on July 11, 2023 and has been updated.
