May 24, 2019

Text: Jesse Dorris

Mariclé Scalambro Brightens a Vintage Argentine Apartment

Scalambro updated the original 1930 façade of brick walls and plaster with dark gray and, of course, yellow paint. Photography courtesy of Gonzalo Viramonte.

Tucked into downtown Córdoba, Argentina is a residence known in the neighborhood as “the little house with the yellow door,” and one look explains why. But the sunny touch against the darker gray façade isn’t the only bright idea architect Mariclé Scalambro had while renovating the 1930 property.

The residence’s minimal assortment of furnishings includes a sofa by Miguel Posse and a custom stool. Photography courtesy of Gonzalo Viramonte.

Decades of neglect had left the place in tatters. “I wanted to bring this old and abandoned house into the 21st century,” she says, “but keep its original, charming soul.” Mostly, that meant removing a dropped ceiling to reveal an enviable vaulted space with room for a mezzanine in which an office/library can also serve as a guest room. A custom kitchen, bathroom, and dining area comprise the public areas, with a bedroom overlooking a patio. Meanwhile, the yellow—which the designer calls “Cheddar”—returns to cover an elegant spiral staircase, with railings that climb up and transform into a desk.

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Scalambro painted the custom iron staircase an eye-popping yellow she calls “Cheddar.” Photography courtesy of Gonzalo Viramonte.

The home’s 1,023 square feet are the perfect size for its owner, a single young man who grew up in the area. “He moved in immediately and says he feels like he’s always lived here,” Scalambro says.

Keep scrolling to view more images of the project >

In the mezzanine library, railings connect to a desk, all custom made of structural pipes. Photography courtesy of Gonzalo Viramonte.
A console and chairs by Ídem surround a custom table. Photography courtesy of Gonzalo Viramonte.
The custom kitchen cabinetry is a cool white, to expand the space. Photography courtesy of Gonzalo Viramonte.
Scalambro custom designed the ground-floor bedroom’s guatambu wood bed, complete with built-in storage. Photography courtesy of Gonzalo Viramonte.
The ground floor bathroom’s walls are faceted, with custom mirrors and cabinetry. Photography courtesy of Gonzalo Viramonte.

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