Laura Muñoz and Aromir Arquitectes transform a 1920s residence in Barcelona’s Eixample into a luminous oasis where past and present coexist in harmony

In the perfectly gridded fabric of Barcelona’s Eixample—where the city breathes through its inner courtyards and unfolds with Cerdà’s poetic logic—the studios of Laura Muñoz and Aromir Arquitectes have completed the renovation of a 1920s residence on Passeig de Sant Joan. Between the living history of its hydraulic floor tiles and the renewed light that now floods each room, the project reveals a subtle balance between heritage and modernity.

The main challenge was to bring natural light into the heart of the home. To achieve this, the gallery—a traditional feature of the Eixample and a true threshold between inside and outside—was reimagined as the central axis of the project. Connected to the inner courtyard, it becomes an urban oasis in dialogue with greenery and open air, gently dissolving the boundary between interior and exterior.

In the living room, the generously proportioned Catena modular sofa by Ferm Living sits alongside the Rico Louisinaarmchair, also by Ferm Living, and the Soul chair by Bolia. Disco tables by Basta and a custom wool rug by Cotlin add warmth and texture. Curtains and upholstery by Mar Casal soften the natural light.

The new layout embraces an open-space concept, allowing the daytime areas—living room, dining room, kitchen and multipurpose space—to flow seamlessly into the gallery and courtyard beyond. A central core, housing the wet areas, structures the circulation and elegantly separates the private from the social. The main bedrooms, oriented to the east, open onto balconies along the Passeig, welcoming the morning light and the rhythm of the city.

In the dining area, a vintage Shaker table by Børge Mogensen for C.M. Madsen is surrounded by his iconic J39 chairs for FDB Møbler, paired with a handcrafted bench found on Etsy—simple, honest and rich in character.

The project lovingly restores original architectural features: ceiling mouldings, glazed wooden doors, timber windows and beautifully preserved hydraulic floors. These historical elements are complemented by contemporary materials such as microcement, used here as a neutral and discreet canvas that allows the original textures to breathe and take centre stage.

The aesthetic narrative of this home is also articulated through a carefully curated selection of furnishings, lighting and artwork by Laura Muñoz. Every room is shaped by tactile elements that speak of memory, sensitivity and functional beauty. Each object, each colour, each texture has been chosen with the precision of a visual poem.

In the bedroom, a custom headboard by Mar Casal takes centre stage, framed by Lame Grass 304 wall sconces by DCW Editions Paris.

The lighting combines contemporary classics such as the TMM wall lamp by Santa & Cole and Tense lamps by New Works, with more sculptural pieces like the Span Light by E15 and Akari by Vitra. The Cesta lamp by Santa & Cole and the Flowerpot model by &Tradition lend a poetic, timeless presence.

In the home office, the CPH 90 desk by HAY is combined with a wheeled Catifa chair by Arper, offering functionality without compromising on visual coherence.

This renovation not only restores a home—it creates an atmosphere where past and present coexist in quiet dialogue. A luminous, warm and adaptable retreat that embraces the contemporary without letting go of its soul.

Project: Passeig de Sant Joan.
Architecture: Aromir Arquitectes.
Interior design: Laura Muñoz.
Location: Passeig de Sant Joan (Barcelona).
Completion: 2024.
Builder: Oak 2000.
Photography: Meritxell Arjalaguer.
Furniture and decorative lighting: Idees Lifra.

Laura Muñoz

In the heart of Barcelona, where history and modernity intertwine, Laura Muñoz has shaped a career defined by sensitivity, respect and creativity. Since 2004, her work as an interior designer has been guided by a commitment to authenticity and warmth, qualities that resonate in every space she transforms.

For eight years, Laura honed her craft at the renowned studios Tarruella & López and Sandra Tarruella Interioristas, where she developed an aesthetic sensibility rooted in harmony between tradition and contemporary expression. In 2013, she founded her own studio in Barcelona, embarking on an independent journey marked by trust, collaboration and an acute attention to detail. Since then, she has led projects ranging from restaurants and hotels to private homes and commercial spaces.

Laura’s design philosophy is grounded in the creation of timeless, welcoming environments. Her projects stand out for their embrace of traditional craftsmanship and artisanal work—elements that bring depth, character and singularity to each space. A direct and respectful dialogue with clients is central to her process, ensuring that every interior truly reflects the lives of those who inhabit it.

Among her most notable projects: Restaurante Desde 1911 (Madrid), where aesthetic delicacy and functionality come together in a culinary space of refined elegance, Hotel Casbah (Formentera), a Mediterranean retreat defined by natural materials and a soft, serene palette, Faborit L’Illa Diagonal café (Barcelona), a transformation of a triangular-plan space into an open, light-filled interior that reveals both height and intelligent flow, Talenom offices (Barcelona), where a balance between professionalism and warmth fosters a motivating workplace, and The residence on Passeig Sant Joan (Barcelona), a thoughtful renovation that honours the building’s modernist heritage while introducing contemporary interventions to create a luminous, functional home.

Over the years, Laura has collaborated closely with architects, offering her eye for materiality, furnishings, lighting and art—contributions that bring an interior sensitivity to architectural practice.

Her studio in Barcelona is a space where creativity and dedication manifest in every corner. Through each of her projects, Laura Muñoz reveals that interior design goes far beyond aesthetics—it is a way of telling stories, of creating environments that echo the lives within, and of celebrating the enduring beauty of craftsmanship and timeless design.

Source: Laura Muñoz

Project by Laura Muñoz