Vincent Van Gogh once noted: What is done in love is done well. This saying suits the design of a fabulous Barcelona apartment in Spain. The design apartment is owned by John & Anke Summerhill, the Managing Director and Creative Director of Minotti London. What seems really peculiar about this project is the fact that Anke has recently renovated it as her own project. The designer is now living in this fabulous Barcelona apartment where the majority of the furniture is designed by Minotti.

CovetED Magazine decided to find out more about the interesting details of the whole design project in Barcelona, Spain.

CovetED Magazine: Where is this beautiful apartment situated in Barcelona?

Anke Summerhill: The apartment is located on Placa de Sant Miguel right in the center of the Barrio Gotico, which is the center of the old city of Barcelona. We look out onto the back of the town hall. Many buildings in this areas date from Medieval times. The streets are mostly narrow and often dark, but I was lucky finding this apartment which is situated on a square with no-one overlooking.

CovetED Magazine: What lighting brands were chosen for the living spaces?

AS: The lighting we used for this apartment is from Moooi, DelightFull, Foscarini, Artemide, Gubi and bathroom lights by Agape.

CovetED Magazine: Tell us more about color pallet peculiarities of this project?

AS: The apartment had to be totally gutted, as it had lots of small rooms and a false ceiling that hid the beams. On top of that nearly everything was covered in dark brown paint. After breaking everything out and open, I wanted to create an open and light living space. We uncovered original brick walls and beams, so I decided to go for shades of  white with touches of black,  to make these original features really stand out.

CovetED Magazine: What materials were used for a kitchen design?

AS: In the kitchen I used natural oak for the units with a grey corian worktop and sink combined with brass taps from Vola. The floor in the kitchen and in fact in the entire apartment is fitted out in blond oak, except in the hall where we laid original Spanish tiles. The kitchen wall tiles are “oude witjes”, Dutch tiles still manufactured in the original way.

CovetED Magazine: How crucial is space division on the house for Anke Summerhill?

AS: It is not a huge apartment, only 120m, but I wanted it to feel spacious. So we kept the entrance hall to its original size and opened everything else up. The original living/dining area, and 3 bedrooms combined with the hall became one big space with sliding doors so if needed the kitchen can be closed off. This left space for 2 en-suite bedrooms and a guest toilet at the back of the apartment. I feel I have achieved the desired effect of creating a spacious looking living area.

See also – INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS FOR MODERN HOME DECOR IN 2016 INTERIORS

CovetED Magazine: What did Anke Summerhill find special in this project as a designer?

AS: What was special for me was the challenge to transform this dark and boxy apartment into a glamorous and sophisticated place, so that it would be truly unrecognizable. I even managed to get in a little vertical garden at the back of the apartment.

CovetED Magazine: Were Anke Summerhill inspired by the city within design process?

AS: Barcelona is a truly inspiring place. Obviously with artist such as Gaudi, Dali, Miro and Picasso having left their mark, it is hard not to be. The architecture all around is fabulous. There is art where ever you go in this city, there is no getting away from it. I obviously had ideas about what I would like to to with the apartment but being here has definitely given me some extra inspiration and ideas.

CovetED Magazine: Did Anke Summerhill have a chance to walk around a little bit to enjoy Barcelona?

AS: I have spent quite some time in Barcelona and never tire of this city. It is a wonderful place for just walking around, to soak up the atmosphere. There are so many sides to it. You could go walking around Montjuic or Tibidabo and feel you are in the country side. Head back to the center and wander around the ancient old streets of the barrio Gotico and el Born, where it feels nothing has changed for hundreds of years. Enjoy the wonderful food. There are so many restaurants you could live here all your life and eat in a different place everyday. If you get enough of the hustle and bustle of Barcelona you can escape to the beach. Fun restaurants right on the beach where you can waste away your afternoons in the sunshine.

See also – OUTSTANDING WORK AND CREATIVE DESIGN FROM FELDERMAN KEATINGE ASSOCIATES