Spain Houzz: Vintage Elegance Like You've Never Seen Before
With powder colours, elegant gold accents, and hand-painted floral walls, this home brings retro into the 21st century
Patricia Bustos, interior designer and owner of the Blossom Studio, aims to create joy through her designs. She has certainly done that in this spacious and bright rented apartment in Madrid, which has been her family’s home since 2013. “I love downtown Madrid. The Salamanca district is full of shops, art galleries and inspiration,” Bustos says. The inspired results can be seen in her home, which stands out for its selection of vintage and vintage-style furniture and decor, some of which she made herself.
The entrance to Bustos’ home is a riot of colour. “I bought the stencils on the Internet and it took me about two months to finish the job. I only painted at night when the kids were already sleeping,” she says.
The hall is almost fully devoid of natural light. “It was pretty much dark, but a hall is supposed to be the best introduction to a house,” Bustos says. “It is also the first thing anyone sees when they get home after a long day at work. That’s why I came up with the idea of painting this gigantic wall in vibrant colours – to compensate for the absence of natural light and make the hall impactful.”
Bustos believes that the entry hall and guest bathroom are the places in a house where one can experiment with creativity, “because these are places where one doesn’t spend much time, so they can have more unusual decor.”
The hall is almost fully devoid of natural light. “It was pretty much dark, but a hall is supposed to be the best introduction to a house,” Bustos says. “It is also the first thing anyone sees when they get home after a long day at work. That’s why I came up with the idea of painting this gigantic wall in vibrant colours – to compensate for the absence of natural light and make the hall impactful.”
Bustos believes that the entry hall and guest bathroom are the places in a house where one can experiment with creativity, “because these are places where one doesn’t spend much time, so they can have more unusual decor.”
This home was made by joining two originally separate apartments. So, Bustos and her family can enjoy two separate lounges as well as a sitting area – with sofas and all – in the kitchen. Bustos also has an office in a separate room.
It was not at all easy to find an apartment with features like a fireplace, classic mouldings and this kind of carpentry. “The search took me an entire year. I looked everywhere in Madrid. Anyway, looking for a home or a work space is one of my favourite hobbies,” she says.
Bustos also wanted to minimise the amount of renovation that would have to be done, especially things she could not do herself. The largest renovation in this apartment was in the kitchen. She also carried out some additional modifications: She removed the stucco ceilings, repainted, put up coloured wallpaper and gave the floor a ceruse finish she loves, which underpins the classic style of her apartment.
Patricia also likes to design furniture and lamps. The coffee tables and recycled-glass table lamps in this photo are her designs.
Check out these effortless ways to style the coffee table
It was not at all easy to find an apartment with features like a fireplace, classic mouldings and this kind of carpentry. “The search took me an entire year. I looked everywhere in Madrid. Anyway, looking for a home or a work space is one of my favourite hobbies,” she says.
Bustos also wanted to minimise the amount of renovation that would have to be done, especially things she could not do herself. The largest renovation in this apartment was in the kitchen. She also carried out some additional modifications: She removed the stucco ceilings, repainted, put up coloured wallpaper and gave the floor a ceruse finish she loves, which underpins the classic style of her apartment.
Patricia also likes to design furniture and lamps. The coffee tables and recycled-glass table lamps in this photo are her designs.
Check out these effortless ways to style the coffee table
The living room, dining room and the second lounge are a unique space. “We have a big home, so we can have a fancier living room since we spend time with the children mostly in the kitchen,” Bustos says. “I often work in the dining room, surrounded by beauty and light, because it feels more inspiring. Furthermore, my clients often come to my house and I need a beautiful space for receiving them. My children have always understood this perfectly, and they often come with me to markets and exhibits to find pieces for this room. The three of them have a lot of respect for this space and know that it is part of mommy’s work.”
In the dining room there is a table with a marble top and majestic leg (background) which was designed by Bustos. With the sputnik lamp, it was really love at first sight and she just couldn’t resist it: “It’s strange because now these lamps are very popular, but I adored them way before they came into fashion,” she says.
Bustos and her husband sometimes have dinner here together. “We are really careful when we eat. Nonetheless, the big white sofa on which we watch television has totally removable covers,” she says.
In the dining room there is a table with a marble top and majestic leg (background) which was designed by Bustos. With the sputnik lamp, it was really love at first sight and she just couldn’t resist it: “It’s strange because now these lamps are very popular, but I adored them way before they came into fashion,” she says.
Bustos and her husband sometimes have dinner here together. “We are really careful when we eat. Nonetheless, the big white sofa on which we watch television has totally removable covers,” she says.
Bustos loves to spice rooms up with antiques or pieces acquired at auctions. Gold accents are typical of Blossom Studio projects, since they bring light to any space and create a sophisticated atmosphere.
The neon sign is a reproduction of Bustos’ own handwriting, and it is mounted with a Pladur board that hides the wires.
“I use this space every day with my clients to look at fabrics and materials. When friends come by for a drink, we hang out here. Since the sofas face each other, it’s great for talking or listening to music. Furthermore, the neon gives the space a ‘club’ feel at night,” she says.
“I use this space every day with my clients to look at fabrics and materials. When friends come by for a drink, we hang out here. Since the sofas face each other, it’s great for talking or listening to music. Furthermore, the neon gives the space a ‘club’ feel at night,” she says.
Bustos prefers pastel colours, particularly yellow, blue, green and, most of all, pink. “I don’t think pink is just a feminine colour,” she says. “This is a stereotype that should be done away with.” In her opinion, pastel and neutral tones should rule in any space, while the more intense hues should be used to create contrast and should not be over-used.
Wondering how to use pink without making it look too OTT?
Wondering how to use pink without making it look too OTT?
“Even though I was looking for an apartment where the spaces were already divided exactly how I wanted them, I still renovated the kitchen a little: I incorporated what was once a utility room there so that we could have a bigger space and use it as a living area,” she says.
The whole family loves to spend time here. “It’s where we play with the kids, watch a movie or make desserts and pizza when my sisters come with their children. It is an ideal place to spend time with family … Mornings are really fun. Because of our work [schedules], Nacho and I have to look hard for moments when we can all be together, and mornings are perfect. We have breakfast together and then get the children dressed, and this way we can spend a lot of time together every day,” she says.
The whole family loves to spend time here. “It’s where we play with the kids, watch a movie or make desserts and pizza when my sisters come with their children. It is an ideal place to spend time with family … Mornings are really fun. Because of our work [schedules], Nacho and I have to look hard for moments when we can all be together, and mornings are perfect. We have breakfast together and then get the children dressed, and this way we can spend a lot of time together every day,” she says.
This is why she loves warm kitchens so much. “I think this space is the heart of the house, and that is why I used calm colours, carpets and fabrics that make it even more comfortable.”
Bustos advocates using designer pieces without over-saturating the space: “That way you don’t ruin the energy, and can create comfortable spaces. I prefer an environment with a few well-selected pieces.”
Here’s a guide to accessorising your home right
Here’s a guide to accessorising your home right
She also has fun moving rooms around. The dining room is now where the neon salon used to be; the master bedroom was once the children’s playroom – they changed them around so that the parents could be closer to the children’s room.
Here, velvets and silks serve as accessories and complement the decor, and Bustos selected natural linen and fabrics for the upholstery and curtains.
Here, velvets and silks serve as accessories and complement the decor, and Bustos selected natural linen and fabrics for the upholstery and curtains.
The golden piece on the bedroom dresser was acquired at Antic & Chic.
The dressing room next door is spacious and comfortable. Its signature piece is the full-length Lipstick mirror purchased at Sr. Vintage. The rounded shape and satin finish are seductive. It was made by Roger Lecal in the ’70’s and is emblematic of the home’s overall design.
Take a look at these 8 modern dressing tables for non-fussy women
Take a look at these 8 modern dressing tables for non-fussy women
In the bathrooms, the toilet and bathroom fittings have been changed in order to give the room a bit of an update. The rooms were also given new life with wallpaper and accessories.
The three children share a bedroom. For now, the youngest does not want to be separated from his sisters. He sleeps in the middle, the girls flanking him in their canopy beds.
Bustos designed the silk-lace and gold-sleeve fixtures herself. “Every night we read a story. My oldest daughter reads a few pages first, and then I finish. We always have to put the beds together against the closet because they want to sleep together. They are very close and it’s painful for them to be separated!”
Bustos designed the silk-lace and gold-sleeve fixtures herself. “Every night we read a story. My oldest daughter reads a few pages first, and then I finish. We always have to put the beds together against the closet because they want to sleep together. They are very close and it’s painful for them to be separated!”
Like their mother in her lounge, the children are able to let their imaginations fly in this playroom. As in the hall, Bustos painted the walls here herself.
And this is Bustos’ office, where she comes up with her designs. “I want [materials and design] to be transcendent and impact people’s lives, to make people feel that they are capable of achieving anything they set out to do,” Bustos says. “Dull, lifeless spaces aren’t my thing.”
Read more:
My Houzz: Actress Mila Kunis Surprises Parents With a Condo Makeover
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Read more:
My Houzz: Actress Mila Kunis Surprises Parents With a Condo Makeover
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Patricia Bustos, husband Nacho and their three children: Maya, 7, Isabella, 4, and Nacho, 3.
Size: About 350 square meters (3770 square feet)
Location: Salamanca district, Madrid
An example of Bustos’ approach to style: This flamingo, one of her favourite items in the house. “I got this by chance in a London shop when it was taken out of the window. I love it. It emanates power.”