Historic Minimalist Apartment

This recently renovated apartment is located in Lisbon’s Largo do Carmo, a historic square in Lisbon. It occupies the entire floor of an 18th century Pombaline building and was renovated by Aurora Arquitectos.

The apartment is characterized by ornate cornices, plaster moldings and ceiling roses, which have been carefully restored and transform the ceilings into works of art. With a subtle décor of contemporary minimalism underpinned by a pure white color palette and natural wood surfaces, the architects have deliberately avoided outshining the apartment’s plaster flowers, emphasizing its detailed craftsmanship and lush elegance. From minimalist bronze details in baseboards, built-in furniture strips and ceiling beams with light fittings, to the beautiful black marble surfaces in the kitchen that stand out against the washed-out palette, to the wavy cladding of the kitchen island and with the vintage ceramic tiles in the guest toilet, the apartment is bursting with subtle Accents of luxury and sophistication that initiate a creative dialogue with the building’s heritage.

Out of respect for the heritage mentioned above, all changes have been subtly marked: torn walls are traced by narrow ceiling beams with lighting, while unused doors that have been plastered retain their original contour. Such gestures give the otherwise classic aesthetic and minimalist decor a playful dimension and at the same time document the architectural interventions so that the apartment can one day return to its original state.