My Houzz: A Beautiful Terrace is the Heart of This Small Flat
Before and after photos reveal how a dull terrace became a pretty retreat that’s a masterclass in indoor-outdoor living
Núria Moreras
19 December 2017
Matthew Coe was born in Wenatchee, Washington — “a place next to Seattle that’s considered the ‘apple capital of the word’,” as he puts it – and moved to Barcelona eight years ago, after having lived in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and Chicago. A lawyer by profession, he now also works as a real estate investor, project manager, builder and interior designer.
Together with architect Luis Turrens of Arcworld, he oversaw the renovation of his own home, a penthouse he bought 18 months ago in the tech hub of Poblenou. With a terrace almost twice as large as the apartment itself, the home is a celebration of the urban outdoors.
Together with architect Luis Turrens of Arcworld, he oversaw the renovation of his own home, a penthouse he bought 18 months ago in the tech hub of Poblenou. With a terrace almost twice as large as the apartment itself, the home is a celebration of the urban outdoors.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Matthew Coe
Location Poblenou district, Barcelona, Spain
Size Apartment: 48 sq m; terrace: 70 sq m
“After” photos by Jordi Folch; “Before” photos by Matthew Coe
Matthew Coe moved to Poblenou 18 months ago, and loves it here. “I don’t need to be next to the beach. I prefer the quiet life I have right now. Plus, I can fully enjoy my terrace and, most importantly, I know the people and the shops here.”
Who lives here Matthew Coe
Location Poblenou district, Barcelona, Spain
Size Apartment: 48 sq m; terrace: 70 sq m
“After” photos by Jordi Folch; “Before” photos by Matthew Coe
Matthew Coe moved to Poblenou 18 months ago, and loves it here. “I don’t need to be next to the beach. I prefer the quiet life I have right now. Plus, I can fully enjoy my terrace and, most importantly, I know the people and the shops here.”
Before Photo
This is the terrace before work began. The total cost of the apartment renovation was about €100,000 (£88,000). Restoring the terrace was really important to Coe, so he spent more on it than he’d originally planned. However, he says it was a good investment in comfort and quality of life.
The hardest part was lowering the terrace floor to make it level with the rest of the flat, so it would be easier to go back and forth between the indoor and outdoor spaces. This cost about €10,000 (£8,800).
The hardest part was lowering the terrace floor to make it level with the rest of the flat, so it would be easier to go back and forth between the indoor and outdoor spaces. This cost about €10,000 (£8,800).
Now the huge terrace has a very warm feel. Coe got the idea for the pergola from a patio he saw in the neighbouring district of Barceloneta. “I need some shade. In the hottest weeks of summer, I put up drapes to soften the beating sun,” he says. He usually has breakfast, lunch and dinner, if the weather allows, in the outdoor dining area.
Coe loves to work from his terrace. He collaborates professionally with architect Luis Turrens and also works for a company that manages numerous hotels in Asia.
He started using Houzz for his work a couple of years ago. “I’m subscribed to the Houzz Spain newsletter and always have a look at it. I think it’s a great source of information and new ideas. I also use Houzz with my clients,” he says.
He started using Houzz for his work a couple of years ago. “I’m subscribed to the Houzz Spain newsletter and always have a look at it. I think it’s a great source of information and new ideas. I also use Houzz with my clients,” he says.
He enjoys working in his small kitchen garden. Among his plants are a collection of cacti, geraniums, birds of paradise, a lemon tree, lavender, strawberries, mint and other aromatic herbs he uses for cooking.
He likes the bougainvillea the most. “In the US, I only ever saw it in California and Hawaii,” he says.
He likes the bougainvillea the most. “In the US, I only ever saw it in California and Hawaii,” he says.
Before Photo
Before the renovation, the big doors that now open onto the terrace were just little windows with grills.
“When I’m on the terrace, I feel as if I’m floating over the district,” Coe says. It’s clear these 70 sq m of space are more than sufficient. Besides the outdoor dining table, there’s a sitting area and a chill-out space with a big couch from Kettal (now discontinued).
“I made the cushions with the help of a local upholsterer. After that, the sofa looked just like new, even though I’d got it from a client who was going to throw it away.”
“I made the cushions with the help of a local upholsterer. After that, the sofa looked just like new, even though I’d got it from a client who was going to throw it away.”
The plans show cross-sections of the apartment and patio.
Coe usually cooks and eats at home. The kitchen island is the first thing you see on entering the penthouse and features a breakfast bar and hob. The sink is just opposite. Coe chose a low tap by Franke so the window above it could still be opened.
Since it’s an open-plan space, the electrical appliances have been covered with white panels to create a clean overall look.
Kitchen cabinets, Santos. Worktops, Silestone from Cosentino.
8 things Houzz designers have taught us about kitchens this year
Since it’s an open-plan space, the electrical appliances have been covered with white panels to create a clean overall look.
Kitchen cabinets, Santos. Worktops, Silestone from Cosentino.
8 things Houzz designers have taught us about kitchens this year
The vintage pop bottles are a nice detail, picked up at a Barcelona street market.
The bottles are just decorative, but Coe does love vermouth and spritzes. “I prefer light aperitifs, wine and vermouths. I’m just not that much of a cocktail type,” he says.
The bottles are just decorative, but Coe does love vermouth and spritzes. “I prefer light aperitifs, wine and vermouths. I’m just not that much of a cocktail type,” he says.
The wooden breakfast bar worktop and the bench at the side of this photo were designed by Amato Sole, a workshop specialising in the manufacture of furniture and lighting. Coe often works with them on his projects.
The painting is a work by Chicago artist María Pinto.
Coe has made a life for himself in Barcelona and built tight networks. He’s volunteered for the Red Cross for six years now, and also helps out at a homeless shelter. When asked what he likes the most about Barcelona, he says, “The architectural mix, the Mediterranean light and the life you can always find in the streets. I never get tired of riding my bicycle or simply walking in Barcelona.”
The painting is a work by Chicago artist María Pinto.
Coe has made a life for himself in Barcelona and built tight networks. He’s volunteered for the Red Cross for six years now, and also helps out at a homeless shelter. When asked what he likes the most about Barcelona, he says, “The architectural mix, the Mediterranean light and the life you can always find in the streets. I never get tired of riding my bicycle or simply walking in Barcelona.”
The living room features a sofa-bed. “I only bring home family and close friends. Since I work in here, too [having guests to stay] is not comfortable for them or me,” he says.
Coe couldn’t resist the Basket armchair. The Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel design won awards at the 1950 Cabinetmakers Guild Exhibition and the 1951 Milan Triennale, and was recently re-released by Kettal.
Opposite the sofa is a gas fireplace from Espai Alsesa. It turns on with just the push of a button.
“I’m lucky that, because the apartment is pretty small, the fireplace is enough to warm it in winter,” Coe says. He even thought about installing a fireplace on the terrace, but then decided it would be neither practical nor environmentally friendly.
“I’m lucky that, because the apartment is pretty small, the fireplace is enough to warm it in winter,” Coe says. He even thought about installing a fireplace on the terrace, but then decided it would be neither practical nor environmentally friendly.
A big custom-made bookcase divides the day and night zones. “This bookcase holds many titles that once belonged to my grandparents, as well as some memories from the places I’ve lived. My entire life is on display here: it’s a memory wall,” he says.
Coe chose to give the apartment an industrial feel to match the industrial past of this part of Barcelona. So the floor is polished concrete and the ceilings feature a Catalan vault in painted brick.
Coe chose to give the apartment an industrial feel to match the industrial past of this part of Barcelona. So the floor is polished concrete and the ceilings feature a Catalan vault in painted brick.
The interior is kept as open as possible. Coe only closes the bedroom at night. The windows have blinds for privacy.
The ceiling insulation and the walls were improved during the renovation, and air conditioning was installed.
The ceiling insulation and the walls were improved during the renovation, and air conditioning was installed.
Living in a home this size, Coe has a rule: if something new comes in, something old must go. That’s why the spaces are so tidy.
The partition between the bedroom and the bathroom is a huge wardrobe that was made to order to ensure every inch of space would be used.
Discover how to declutter your home and keep it tidy
The partition between the bedroom and the bathroom is a huge wardrobe that was made to order to ensure every inch of space would be used.
Discover how to declutter your home and keep it tidy
The triangular bathroom features a walk-in shower. A Laufen basin lies on top of a hand-made cabinet by Amato Sole. The toilet is from Duravit. During the day the space is filled with natural light thanks to a sun pipe.
The metro tiles are from Catalonia Cerámica. Coe chose a green finish that reminds him of Asia. “I lived in China and Hong Kong for almost 10 years,” he says. “There, they use a lot of jade in sculpture and jewellery. It’s an important artistic raw material. They also say the stone has health benefits. Lit up by the natural light from the sun pipe, the ceramic tiles remind me of jade and of my years in China.”
Is it over for the metro tile?
What do you think of this apartment and its transformed terrace? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
The metro tiles are from Catalonia Cerámica. Coe chose a green finish that reminds him of Asia. “I lived in China and Hong Kong for almost 10 years,” he says. “There, they use a lot of jade in sculpture and jewellery. It’s an important artistic raw material. They also say the stone has health benefits. Lit up by the natural light from the sun pipe, the ceramic tiles remind me of jade and of my years in China.”
Is it over for the metro tile?
What do you think of this apartment and its transformed terrace? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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What a romantic and dreamy place. With flowers, sunlight, fresh air, and the sky to greet you each day, what more can anyone want? That place is priceless!
Adore the way the terrace has been used every inch has been used wisely!The same can be said for the apartment impressive indeed!
What spectacular spaces. In a warmer climate (unlike the northern ‘tundra’ of the Canadian prairies, where I live), the outdoor space should surpass the indoor space, in size. At least, that’s my humble opinion:-).