Felipe Carolo Arquitetura has completed a sensitive refurbishment of a family holiday apartment in Campos do Jordão, Brasil. The design preserves the apartment's emotional history while adapting it to modern living. Visit felipecarolo.com for more details.
© Ruy Teixeira
The apartment was built in the 1980s and belonged to a family who used it for decades. When architect Felipe Carolo first entered the property, "I felt transported back to the 1980s," he recalls. "The entire aesthetic, the furniture, objects, and appliances were from that time; refrigerator, stove, blender, TV. Absolutely everything. There were stuffed animals and collections of slippers from the women when they were still girls, and a lot of emotional memories in every room."
Carolo says the space "breathed memories" and that his brief was to preserve that affection while updating the apartment for everyday use. The client said clearly at the outset: "you can do whatever you want with the furniture, reform, restore, but buy new only what is really necessary. That was my challenge."
© Ruy Teixeira
Before any decorative work could begin, essential upgrades were required. Carolo addressed the lack of reliable hot water, old plumbing and outdated electrical installations. "I needed to take care of the basics, to review plumbing and electricity," he explains. Walls that had no plaster were finished before moving on to interior design.
In the living room, an outdated television posed a practical issue. "The fireplace is the main spot there. At TV time it was: pull the cart!" says Carolo. He designed a bespoke unit that accommodates a contemporary TV and can be turned to face different seating arrangements. A moss green sofa was chosen to bring warmth and accommodate family gatherings.
In the kitchen, cabinets in a greyish-green tone with framed doors sit comfortably with a terracotta floor. Works by Brazil's Djanira, Keneddy Bahia and Glaucio Costa, alongside Latin American tapestries from the family's collection, animate the walls. "I changed the frame of what I found most interesting and highlighted it in the living room," Carolo says. "The tapestries went to the bedrooms along with personalised bed linens and, once again, completely outside my comfort zone, with embroidery and strong colours, but reflecting the client's personality."
© Ruy Teixeira
The original four bedrooms were reconfigured into three suites and an office to match modern expectations of holiday use. Bathrooms, once dominated by period colour schemes, were unified with 20 cm by 20 cm white tiles and light oak vanities. Existing white fixtures were kept for continuity.
The family's wish for more light was met with glass sphere lighting in passages and large fabric ceiling lights in the living room. English-style lamps were redistributed to complement the space. Carolo retained objects from the 1980s on shelves so they continue to tell the story of those who live there. "This was the most embroidered of all the projects I've ever done," he concludes. "My fidelity was not to take away the memory and affection of this space. I went beyond what I was used to and, above all, I used six different types of wood. And I managed to make them all remain in balance and harmony."
More information:
Felipe Carolo Arquitetura
www.felipecarolo.com
