- Interior
Febrero Studio, founded by Mercedes González Ballesteros and Jesús Díaz Osuna, is known for its ability to create warm, personal spaces where functionality and aesthetics come together harmoniously. Based in both Madrid and Marbella, this architecture and interior design studio is committed to helping people and businesses reinvent themselves through sophisticated architecture and thoughtful design. Besides their expertise in residential design, they specialise in designing offices, hotels, restaurants and private clinics. Mercedes and Jesús, both architects and interior designers, combine their dual expertise in each project, which translates into solutions that focus not only on furnishing spaces, but also on creating unique pieces of furniture.
Their recent renovation project in Chamartín, a duplex penthouse in Madrid, is a perfect example of this design philosophy. The flat, which extends over 400 square metres, is located in a characteristic building from the 1960s. This historical base offered the team the opportunity to both preserve the character of the original architecture and add new, contemporary elements. The penthouse belongs to a young family, recently returned from New York, who sought not only spaciousness in this new home, but also a connection to the original architecture and a warm, functional home. The house is spread over two floors, each with its own ambience and functions. On the ground floor, one finds a spacious hall and a staircase leading to the upper floor. The living room, dining room and kitchen flow smoothly together to form an inviting open space. There are also a guest bedroom with en suite bathroom, a master suite with bathroom and dressing room, and two children's bedrooms that share a bathroom. The penthouse has three terraces: a large terrace adjacent to the living room and two smaller terraces near the master bedroom and entrance. This offers residents not only plenty of outdoor space, but also the opportunity to enjoy the views and the Mediterranean climate. 
On the upper floor, Febrero Studio has created an open, multifunctional space around a custom-made piece of furniture that serves as both a bookcase and a kitchen. This floor acts as a creative haven for the family, with a fireplace, a home cinema with built-in sofas, a dining area for family gatherings, an office space that can be closed off as desired, a gym and a play area with a vintage foosball table. Both open and flexible, this space has become a favourite for the owners, who find here an ideal balance between family life, relaxation and work. When designing this space, Febrero Studio decided to completely overhaul the layout. The previous renovation from the 1990s had overloaded the house with compartmentalisation and heavy decorative elements, such as fake fireplaces and thick mouldings. Mercedes and Jesús took a lighter approach, focusing on restoring the original architectural lines. Baroque elements that clashed with the characteristic simplicity of the building were removed, and instead they opted for a clean, neutral design with subtle contemporary touches. Their aim was to create a visual and aesthetic continuity that began in the building's common areas and continued into the flat interiors. In this way, they created a calm, harmonious atmosphere without losing sight of the property's original character.
In line with their design philosophy, Febrero Studio combined contemporary elements with vintage accents to create a personal and timeless interior
During the project, they encountered several technical challenges. Achieving a rational, open layout in a space with fixed pipes, structural elements and heating columns required creative thinking and precision. The integration of the stairwell, which plays a prominent role in the spatial transition between floors, was an essential part of this design. The roof structure of the upper floor also required a meticulous approach, as it is characterised by a complex configuration that affects light, airiness and perception of space. Another striking element in the design is the use of wooden panels to highlight the central block that divides the space and houses the bathrooms. The choice of a panel system that runs seamlessly across walls and ceilings creates visual unity and hidden doors, making the space look sleek and streamlined. For the central area, which receives less natural light, Mercedes and Jesús deliberately chose light wood tones. This brings warmth to the interior without weighing down the space, and perfectly complements the rest of the flat's colour scheme. 
In line with their design philosophy, Febrero Studio combined contemporary elements with vintage accents to create a personal and timeless interior. The team selected specific pieces from their own collection, such as the living room coffee table, office desk and dining tables. These pieces not only add style, but also enhance the character and layering of the interior. The vintage table football table is a playful element that adds extra personality to the space, while the lamps by Chinese artist Mario Tsai add a subtle artistic flair to the design. The dining chairs on the ground floor are vintage, while those on the upper floor were designed by Vincent Van Duysen for Zara Home, creating a harmonious mix of old and new styles.
Febrero Studio's renovation of this duplex penthouse in Chamartín demonstrates their deep commitment to designing unique, personal spaces that resonate with the history and daily lives of their residents. Combining the charm of the original architecture with a serene, contemporary aesthetic, the studio has created a home that is functional and comfortable, perfectly suited to the lifestyle of a young family that values quality, sophistication and modern design. 
Photography by German Saiz
Text by Celien Hemelaer