The Bardo studio has designed a stylish flat in Barcelona. The flat has a floor area of 60 square metres and is situated in one of the 19th-century tenement blocks. The inspiration and starting point for architect Emiliano Domingo Bárcena’s concept was the typical Catalan ‘revoltó’ vaulting with ceramic arches. The interior is based on a muted colour palette and ubiquitous curves.
The revoltó sets the rhythm for the entire interior
Bárcena began by removing several walls, which completely transformed the perception of the flat’s space and opened it up considerably. In the process, the building’s original features were successfully highlighted. At the heart of the design is the revoltó vault, typical of 19th-century Catalan architecture. It was precisely its rhythm and geometry that inspired the architect to create soft, rounded forms. The large built-in wardrobe replicates this historic vault pattern and flows seamlessly into the bed. The interior is dominated by cream tones, natural wood and delicate fabrics, whilst a more distinctive colour appears only on the ceiling. Thanks to this approach, the historical elements take centre stage, in line with the architect’s vision.
A stylish flat in Barcelona
Following the refurbishment, the flat has been transformed into a series of interconnecting spaces. Mirrors reflect natural light, visually enlarging the rooms and enhancing the interplay between them. The living room features a dining table designed by Studio Bardo, a ‘Moon’ armchair by Pietro Arosio, a coffee table by Philippe Starck, a ‘Calder’ table lamp by Metalarte, and a ‘4641’ ashtray by Kartell. This ensemble is complemented by 1980s Starck-style chairs, a vintage painting, vases by Jaime Hayón placed on the shelf above the sofa, and a jug by Emily Moss from RS Barcelona. By the kitchen island, one can sit on the iconic Spaghetti stool, whilst the cupboard fronts are made of grooved wood. Their texture contrasts with the flat’s neutral colour scheme, whilst the large mirror with a smoked finish further enhances the sense of spaciousness.
Wardrobe, bedroom and arches
The now-famous arch motif reappears in the walk-in wardrobe, whose curved façade gives this part of the flat its character. Here, you’ll find the Dúplex stool designed by Javier Mariscal and colourful candles by Pampa Studio. The bedroom is separated from the living area by a curved glass partition. There is no clear boundary here – it has been replaced by a subtle transition, ensuring privacy whilst maintaining visual contact with the rest of the interior. The furnishings are complemented by a Wendy Wright chair designed by Philippe Starck, a 1980s Leucos lamp made in Murano, and, in the reading area, a Topuro table lamp by Parachilna.
A flat in Barcelona with a yellow bathroom
The only room without a revoltó vaulted ceiling is the bathroom, which is why the architect decided to depart from the colour scheme prevalent in the rest of the flat. He covered the walls and ceiling with vibrant yellow tiles, whilst subtly incorporating rounded shapes in the mirrors and the junctions between the walls, ceiling and floor. The icing on the cake is a floral arrangement created by Simón Odintsov.
Emiliano Domingo Bárcena has created a flat where the historic structure takes centre stage and has been translated into a contemporary design language.
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About the studio
Behind the project is the Madrid-based studioBardo, founded in 2021 by architectEmiliano Domingo Bárcena, a graduate of the Technical University of Madrid. The studio specialises in architecture, interior design and furniture design, using geometry as its primary creative tool. Domingo attaches great importance to refining details and closely supervising the work, which allows him to play an active role in bringing his concepts to life.
Project: Bardo (Emiliano Domingo Bárcena)
Photographer: Germán Sáiz
Collaboration: Elisa Vegue
Styling: Ismael López Portilla
Year: 2025
Area: 60 sq m
Location: Gràcia, Barcelona
See also:Flat|Interiors|Spain|Loft-style interiors|whiteMAD on Instagram
