This house, in an exclusive residential neighborhood right outside the center of Madrid, was built and was the home of a family since 1981. It had been their family home for years, but once their kids moved out and they retired, it was time to sell it and give someone else the opportunity to make it their own. That’s when a bachelor saw its potential and contacted Marta Goyanes and Cristina Espejo of Studio Espejo Goyanes to transform it.

“At its core, the house was very classic,” the designers said, “it was outdated and dark. To lighten it up but keep true to its style, we enriched it with light crown moldings, marble flooring, and woodwork. As our client is a bachelor, it was very important for him that the whole house offered spaces to entertain and for casual lounging – comfort was his main concern.” The most important step to achieving a brighter space was to add in two windows flanking the fireplace. They selected white and black marble flooring, painted the walls a light gray, and kept the furnishings within a palette of whites, corals and grays.

As for the overall style, they kept it classic with an edge, bringing in interesting juxtaposing pieces: a medieval gilded framed print with a modernist white lamp. “It’s always important for us to mix contemporary pieces and classic designs, like the Oliver Mourgue chaise longue with the Illume rug by Kelly Wearstler for The Rug Company,” Marta and Cristina shared. They created several seating areas, giving their client plenty of space to entertain.

As for the all-white kitchen from Santos and the bathrooms, they kept them simple but upscale. “In the bathrooms, we included natural materials like dark woods, and a black and white double basin sink, as well as an elegant shower and bathtub all in Nero Marquina marble,” they said. From start to finish it took them seven months to complete the transformation but they’re still working with their client on the other rooms of the home: the cellar, screening room, and guest rooms.