In the heart of Seville, Spain, the design studio Cateto Cateto has transformed a compact apartment into Casa Capirote, a stunning visual celebration that pays homage to Andalusian heritage through contemporary design. This vibrant interior project draws inspiration from the renowned Triana pottery tradition, creating a kaleidoscopic living space that pulses with bold colors and intricate patterns, capturing the very essence of Seville's artistic soul.
The design team employed a striking chromatic palette centered around cobalt blue, a signature hue deeply rooted in the city's historic ceramic traditions. This rich blue tone appears throughout the apartment in various forms – from the upholstery of kitchen chairs and the tiled bathroom vanity to a dramatic headboard featuring hand-painted floral motifs. The cobalt serves as a unifying thread that weaves visual continuity throughout the compact studio apartment, creating a cohesive yet dynamic environment.
To maximize functionality in the limited space, the designers eliminated traditional walls in favor of flowing curtains that serve as flexible dividers. This innovative approach allows residents to create privacy or openness as needed, transforming the apartment's configuration based on daily activities and personal preferences. The fluid boundaries enhance the sense of spaciousness while maintaining the apartment's intimate character.
Complementing the bold blue tones, an carefully curated array of green shades brings balance and tranquility to the space. Mint green kitchen cabinets exude freshness and modernity, while a forest green sofa and matching desk chair anchor the living area with sophisticated elegance. Sage green accents appear strategically on doors, window frames, and built-in shelving units, creating visual harmony that evokes the gentle tones found in Seville's traditional courtyards and surrounding olive groves.
Coral pink serves as the palette's energizing accent color, punctuating the design with warmth and vibrancy. This cheerful hue reappears in the tiled floors, a sculptural coffee table, the bed frame, and a pair of pendant lights suspended above the sleeping area. The coral pink elements, when paired with the surrounding greens and blues, create a sophisticated color story that feels both playful and refined, reflecting the joyful spirit of Andalusian culture.
Pattern plays an equally important role in the design narrative, adding layers of visual interest throughout the apartment. The ceiling beams feature bold blue and white stripes that draw the eye upward and create a sense of height in the compact space. Coral and white tiles form geometric patterns across the floors, while the bathroom showcases blue and white geometric tiles that wrap around the vanity, remaining visible from the main living space through curved glass walls that maintain the apartment's open feel.
The walls themselves contribute to the apartment's rich textural narrative through the use of earthy lime mortar, a traditional material commonly found in Andalusian architecture. This authentic building technique connects the modern interior to the region's ancient construction methods, creating a bridge between past and present that honors local building traditions while serving contemporary living needs.
Given the apartment's modest dimensions, every piece of furniture was carefully selected to serve dual purposes of function and visual appeal. Each chair, light fixture, and table stands out as a distinct design element, resulting in a curated collection that feels intentionally assembled rather than crowded. The combination of organic shapes and handcrafted details enhances the overall playful aesthetic while ensuring practical daily use.
A folding screen doubles as a headboard, featuring hand-painted blue and white floral designs that directly echo the pottery tradition that inspired the entire project. This artistic element serves as both functional furniture and a tribute to local craftsmanship, demonstrating how traditional motifs can be reinterpreted for contemporary living spaces.
The living experience extends beyond the interior through a generous outdoor terrace that effectively doubles the apartment's usable space. This outdoor area features a tranquil water feature, comfortable seating arrangements, and an array of potted plants that bring nature into the urban setting. Beyond the terrace's railing, residents can enjoy views of treetops laden with oranges growing within arm's reach, connecting the apartment to Seville's agricultural heritage and Mediterranean climate.
