Partial Renovation of a Two-Bedroom Apartment in Gràcia, Barcelona

This partial renovation of an apartment in Gràcia, Barcelona preserved original character while introducing colour, warmth, and a more personal atmosphere. The property is a 72 m² apartment in a 1950s building near Carrer de Torrent de l’Olla. It sits on the third floor and fills with warm west-facing afternoon light. The apartment includes two bedrooms, one bathroom, a separate kitchen, and a combined living and dining area.

Scope of Work

In this renovation, the structural layout remained unchanged. Instead, the focus was placed on improving the bathroom, refreshing the kitchen, repainting the living spaces, and restoring any surviving original features. Every decision was deliberate despite the modest budget.

Floors and Original Features

One of the most distinctive aspects of this apartment renovation in Gràcia is the treatment of the flooring. Original hydraulic mosaic tiles were carefully restored and preserved in the entrance and corridor. This reinforces the mid-century Barcelona identity of the apartment. In the new kitchen areas, complementary encaustic cement tiles in a geometric pattern of terracotta, mustard, and white create continuity while still feeling fresh.

Bathroom

The bathroom was fully renovated using small-format handmade ceramic tiles in a bold mix of deep cobalt blue and white. This palette gives the space energy and visual depth. In addition, the handcrafted character of the tiles ties the bathroom to the rest of the apartment’s material identity.

Colour and Atmosphere

Colour plays a central role throughout. The living room is finished in deep dusty terracotta. One bedroom is painted sage green, the other warm cobalt blue. As a result, each room develops its own identity while contributing to a cohesive overall look.

Character

The apartment feels joyful, opinionated, and genuinely lived-in. Vintage rattan, mid-century wooden pieces, and a small selection of colourful contemporary objects complete the interior. This is not a renovation that targets conventional luxury. Instead, it demonstrates how a modest budget, applied with clarity and personality, produces a home full of warmth and authenticity.