Home tour: a richly layered maximalist apartment in Madrid celebrating Spanish heritage

The apartment’s permeating characteristic is its masterful fusion of Spanish heritage, deeply rooted in honouring Madrid’s rich architectural and cultural legacy, as Ono strived to fulfil the homeowners’ vision of “a ‘little Spanish palace’ with an authentically Spanish soul.”

Throughout the residence that sprawls 2,960 sq ft, the design narrative reflects this cultural sensitivity. From the large gallery entrance, a foundation of beige and ivory wall tones and noble wood flooring leads a carefully orchestrated sequence through rooms that flow fluidly together, offering both privacy and conviviality.

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To the left lie the intimate quarters: bedrooms, office, and bathrooms. To the right, a progression of social spaces unfolds–two lounges, the dining room, and the kitchen, where the cultural dialogue manifests most dramatically. Conceived as an Andalusian patio, the bright, open space is punctuated by graceful signature arches that echo the architectural language of Spanish palatial design.

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At the project’s inception, the homeowner presented Ono with a single vase that would become the design’s North Star. A ceramic piece adorned with greens, pinks, terracotta, and blues, it established both the colour palette and aesthetic direction for Santa Engracia.

“She loves flowers, birds, and ornaments,” Ono recalls. “This simple vase served as our initial inspiration and guide to harmonise the different spaces throughout the project.”

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Having built a reputation for creating interiors that bridge historical reverence and contemporary luxury in private residences, hotels, and boutiques worldwide, Ono achieved harmony within maximalist splendour for the “palacio español” through a sophisticated interplay of patterns, textures, and decorative elements that could easily overwhelm in less skilled hands.

“Balancing the decorative richness–with so many textures, wallpapers, and fabrics–while creating harmony in such a large space within our more contemporary aesthetic was a major challenge,” Ono shares. “However, by understanding the client’s style and wishes, this dialogue between their very personal desires and our design philosophy gave birth to a project where every detail tells a unique story.”

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Building upon the neutral-toned foundation, the vase-inspired accents bring elegance and a fresh touch while respecting the Spanish soul. This palette provides the perfect canvas for an extraordinary collection of handpainted wallpapers from prestigious houses including Schumacher, De Gournay, and Rubelli–floral and nature motifs beloved by the clients, creating vibrant yet serene backdrops that envelop each room in sophisticated pattern play.

Natural light flows through the apartment’s bow windows, casting warm glows that shift throughout the day. This ever-changing illumination reveals new perspectives on the eclectic mix of antiques and bespoke furnishings.

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Amidst gold accents from chandeliers to carefully selected lamps, custom fabrics from renowned houses like Nobilis and Gaston y Daniela complement the layered richness through silk fabrics, velvets, damasks, leathers, and shagreen.

Furthermore, marquetry details and hand-sourced antiques provide historical gravitas that speak to Spanish craftsmanship and tradition. Manises porcelain, with its deep roots in Spanish ceramics, appears alongside hand-selected vintage pieces that add layers of cultural narrative.

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The living area, featuring three distinct atmospheres, houses the apartment’s pièce de résistance: a custom gilded glass folding screen created by Parisian artisan Ulgador, exemplifying the overarching theme of decorative poetry.

“What makes this piece special is how its pattern was picked up and reinterpreted in the rug, creating a ‘cast shadow’ effect on the floor,” Ono elaborates. “This subtle interaction between the screen and the rug brings a visual poetry and unique harmony to the space, making it my favourite element of the project.”

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