Nestled within Barcelona’s charming Gràcia neighborhood, a once-anonymous apartment renovation has blossomed into a dynamic and joyful family home. ITS NOT A STUDIO undertook a comprehensive transformation of this 86-square-meter space, originally delivered in 2023, for young parents seeking warmth, functionality, and personality. The result, Neptù, is a masterclass in optimizing flow, maximizing light, and injecting bold character into Barcelona living.
The architects focused intensely on revitalizing the daytime areas, radically rethinking the layout to enhance spaciousness and natural light. Circulation was streamlined, creating a more fluid and open environment. This holistic approach revealed subtle improvements needed throughout, leading to a cohesive and harmonious interior design.
The undisputed heart of the home is a stunning, custom-made double-height central bar. Crafted from rich Cubro wood and speckled RMC terrazzo, this semi-circular, multifunctional design element serves as a dramatic focal point. It extends the adjacent kitchen (also featuring Cubro and RMC) and provides a versatile platform for play, leisure, and work. Its curved shape establishes a visual rhythm echoed in other bespoke details, notably the customized tile flooring from Mosaic Factory, laid in organic patterns that ripple across the floor.
Visual harmony is meticulously cultivated throughout the Neptù apartment. A gently curved, seventies-inspired niche houses a playful secret: a concealed television on hidden wheels, appearing only when needed—a testament to multifunctional design. The studio’s own round dining tablereinforces this curved motif, creating continuity. Aesthetically, ITS NOT A STUDIO embraced a vibrant color palette where primary colors reign: yellow and blue dominate, accented by green, orange, and red in decor and textiles.
This bold chromatic approach crescendos in the living area as an almost theatrical staging. Postmodern chairs in electric blue, Verner Panton’s Flower Pot lamp in butane orange, and a burgundy piece by Muller Van Severen craft a playful yet sophisticated scene. The sculptural Plec marble coffee table from RS Barcelona anchors the space, while Pedro Hoz’s whimsical anthropomorphic lobster sculpture injects humor, masterfully blurring art and object.
Material continuity extends to the private zones. Microcement flooring flows into the bathroom and suite, complementing the repetitive geometry of small-format square wall tiles. In these nighttime areas, minor but strategic adjustments to partition walls yielded significant gains in comfort and spatial efficiency. Custom-made furniture throughout optimizes storage without cluttering, ensuring the design remains coherent and tailored to the family’s needs.
The Neptù apartment stands as a testament to transformative design. Where a generic space once stood, ITS NOT A STUDIO has crafted a warm, highly functional, and intensely personalized Barcelona home. Through clever space planning, bold material choices like Cubro wood and RMC terrazzo, and a fearless embrace of color and multifunctional design, this Gràcia neighborhood residence is now truly alive.