Blue Hues Ground This Penthouse Apartment in Barcelona

A living room with a white sectional and colorful artwork and wood furniture — The living room features a Minotti sofa, a BSB Alfombras rug, and a custom built coffee table by The Room Studio. The dining table and cabinet are by Roche Bobois with chairs by Carl Hansen. Photography by Mauricio Fuertes.

The color blue carries a serene yet expansive energy, much like the sea and the sky, adding a touch of whimsy to every room in this penthouse apartment in Barcelona, Spain. “Blue was the nexus of union and communication of all the rooms, as it was a very influential color for the owners,” share Meritxell Ribé and Josep Puigdomènech, creative directors of The Room Studio, who were tapped to design the 3,445-square-foot space. In line with the clients’ wishes, the color is incorporated throughout in both bold and subtle ways, from accents in lamps and artworks to wallcoverings and vibrant kitchen cabinets. Even the terrace furniture features blue-hued cushions.

But color is just one of the many layers that enliven the home. All the walls are coated in either textured paper made from linen and cottons or wooden panelling. And like shades of blue, oak wood also serves as a unifying thread. The entrance wall is clad in natural oak with moulding similar to that seen upon entering the courtesy bathroom. “With this, we have a more communicative vision of the space, as the hall and the courtesy bathroom share the same weave, changing the material to oak,” the creative directors note. The courtesy bathroom features a natural stone washbasin and a countertop made from the same oak used on the wall.

Art sourced from local galleries also plays a prominent role in the space. “When clients entrust you with art, it is an important part of the work because not only does it have to combine on a visual level, but often you also have to look for contemporary pieces that have their own language and meaning,” they assert. Yet the color blue remains the guiding design principle. “When you are given such clear premises, it’s very exciting because you start from a somewhat marked outline and you have to ensure that this outline is as functional and visually attractive as possible, and that it doesn’t clash with anything else,” say Ribé and Puigdomènech. The home succeeds in doing just that, reflecting the endless possibilities of a monochromatic palette.