Life is beautiful: designer’s apartment in the center of Madrid

Having bought an apartment in Madrid, designer Luis Garcia Fraile decided not to deny himself anything, filling it with bright colors, antiques and art

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

Living room. In the back: a sculpture by Aldo Chaparro and another sculpture by Alvaro Gil on the fireplace, on both sides of which there are identical bookshelves. In the foreground: chaise longue, Rue Vintage 74; sculpture by David Rodriguez Caballero, Marlborough Gallery; Roman bust, Tesla. On the opposite side: coffee tables, Jon Urgoitil; the sofa is custom-made according to Louis’ design. Colorful pillows, Dedar and Schumacher. Curtains, Nobilis.

Photo
Pablo Sarabia

Luis García Fraile entered the decorator’s profession quite late, impressed by the magnificent work of designer Jaime Parladé in his parents’ house. Today Luis is one of the most sought—after specialists in Spain, the author of public spaces and private apartments. But he calls his most favorite project the only one where customers did not put any conditions on him, where he could completely trust his taste and decide on any experiments — work on his own house.

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

Hall. Wallpaper, designed by Sarah Lavoine for Nobilis, and marble mosaic, designed by Luis Garcia Fraile. Furniture: vintage items, Tesla, and iconic design objects such as the 1960s Taccia table lamp designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos. There is a Belmonte painting on the wall.

Photo
PABLO SARABIA

“When you work for yourself, you can only rely on your own taste!”

The designer has been looking for an apartment in the center of Madrid for six years. “For me, it was the best option — I’m absolutely sure of it. When I first saw the apartment, it had already been sold. But fate intervened: the deal was canceled. So, the house was waiting for me, I told myself and made the final decision to settle here.”

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

Canteen. Lamp Spunitk, L.A. Studio. The banquette is covered with an antique oriental carpet. A frieze of raffia fibers from Indigo separates the restored stucco from the mirrored glass wall panels. There are candlesticks and Tesla on the table designed by LGF Spaces studio.

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PABLO SARABIA

The first thing Luis did was to ask for help from his friend Borja Puras, the founder of the Quam Arquitectura architectural bureau. The task was not easy: to turn an old office space into a bright, comfortable and, most importantly, a cheerful house. Therefore, all the partitions were broken and a completely new layout was invented. Now the apartment has an entrance hall, a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, a laundry room, a master bedroom with its own bathroom and dressing room, a guest room, a maid’s room and a guest bathroom.

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

Living room. On the wall is the work of Ruben Rodrigo. The blue sofa is designed by Luis Garcia Fraile and upholstered in fabric, Nobilis. Green armchair and bust, Tesla. Coffee tables, candelabra and vases, all by Jon Urgoiti. Egg chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen.

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PABLO SARABIA

“At first I had the idea to make the interior entirely white and beige and very calm, but, as you can see, it turned out to be anything but white,” Louis laughs. He even invented a special hashtag #niunaparedblanca (#one white wall) for this project.

Minimalist Garcia Fraile himself did not expect that the interior would turn out so bright

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

Kitchen. Mirror, Berenis, bar furniture and yellow sofa, designed by Luis Garcia Fraile. The lamp is an heirloom.

Photo
PABLO SARABIA

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

The furniture is made to order by Grupo Bida. Fornasetti Wallpapers for Cole&Son. Stools, L.A. Studio. sculpture in the form of a ram’s head, Objeto de Deseo. Gender, Hisbalit.

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PABLO SARABIA

A minimalist, a lover of clean lines, Louis himself did not expect such a bright interior from himself. Nevertheless, this apartment with six bay windows turned out to be quite “in the style of Luis Garcia Fraile”: a formal, elegant living and dining room, a bright colored hallway, an atypical kitchen decorated with antiques, with Fornasetti wallpaper on the walls and ceiling and custom-made furniture.

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

From the bedroom, fenced off with curtains made of fabric, Lewis & Wood, which are attached to two antique columns, you get into the dressing room, furnished with furniture, Portici. Table lamp, Berenis.

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PABLO SARABIA

As for the materials, they are mainly natural wood, paper wallpaper and marble. The original appearance of the room is only reminiscent of stucco molding, floors that Garcia Fraile restored on the model of the original, and high ceilings (3.5 m), which allowed the decorator to place a collection of art and sculpture. The result was an eclectic interior, hot, sensual in Spanish and, as its author wanted, cheerful. www.lgfstudio.com, www.quamarquitectura.com

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

Bedroom. Paper wallpaper, Philippe Jeffries. Above the table is a Genovés painting. Cabinets with paneled doors, Berenis. Antique Chinese stool purchased from Tesla. Solid oak floors.

Photo
PABLO SARABIA

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

In the bathroom, decorated with Schumacher Deconstructed Striped wallpaper, the main role is given to marble, from which the sinks and the floor are made.

Photo
PABLO SARABIA

Жизнь прекрасна: квартира дизайнера в центре Мадрида

Through the glass door you get into the water treatment area. Near the bath from Saura there is an antique table from the family heritage.

Photo
PABLO SARABIA

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