Houzz Tour: A personality-Filled Apartment in Madrid Unique

Houzz Tour: A personality-Filled Apartment in Madrid Unique - With its prime location in the center of Madrid, this grand old apartment deserved a much needed makeover. Designer Mike Alleg arrived in the Spanish capital there five years and describes his vision as "Haussmann way of life - the encounter between Diam of (a French rap artist) and Baron Haussmann," and adds that he wants to "make old and new, classic and contemporary harmony."

After visiting fairs, events and galleries in Madrid, Vienna, Budapest, St. Petersburg, London, Brussels and Paris, Mike had all the inspiration he needed for the project. "My inspiration comes from travel and rap music, he says, and this particular apartment was designed around the rhythm of a song called 'Mystery and Suspense" by French rappers Fonky Family.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here The apartment belongs to Carmen, who lives most of the time in Boston
Location Libertad S treet, Madrid, Spain
Size 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
This is interesting "My inspiration came directly from the Eiffel tower. When I was a child, I loved Paris. One of my history teachers was really passionate about it and that passion was passed on to me. I immediately thought about that when I entered this apartment - and that the greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes. That's why I created a garden.

Photographs of David Suarez

Contemporary Hallway & Landing by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / @ ORKSHOPS HR

The front door opens onto a bedside table and enough black floor lamp. "The side table is cast: I found in Paris, Mike said. The lamp is from Ikea. "I do not care where the items are, Mike said," as long as they take a little more than some crazy place I want to go.

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

This stuffed dog, a gift from his son, shows how free is the point -spirited Mike.

Contemporary Kitchen by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

"We came with the idea of this Corian kitchen before putting it in the Spanish brand Santos, 'Mike said. Contemporary faucet is juxtaposed with a retro pendant light above

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

"We wanted to create a view in the kitchen, and I decided to go with this image. I always try to find a location for an Eiffel Tower in all my projects. After all, it is the privileged ambassador to Paris, Mike explains. It is his signature piece.

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

'I knew Carmen loved wine, so even if we could not afford the luxury of a wine cellar, we created a dedicated space for its bottles ,' he says. For the kitchen floor, Mike opted for the resin to polished concrete, as it is easy to maintain and durable. Polished concrete does not do well in Madrid that the climate is too dry.

Contemporary Living Room by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

The main living area - including living room and dining room - are available via two different entrances.

Contemporary Dining Room by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

Carmen had the dining table and chairs and she wanted us to find a way to use them, Mike explained.

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

The pendant light was created to measure by a Spanish supplier. "I fell in love with all the details of this lamp. He fitted the Mike said.

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

the face of the fireplace was replaced by a black marble framing that was found in Belgium. "We did it high to make it big, says Mike.

Find ways to incorporate a fireplace in your living space

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

The lamp was purchased to complete this chair, which already belonged to Carmen. "We found the lamp last year at the fair Maison & Objet in Paris, Mike explains.

Traditional Living Room by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

the right cabinet was found at a flea market in Saint-Ouen, just outside Paris. He was then fully restored in Mike's carpentry workshop. The table and two white sofas belonged to Carmen. "We worked with the client already owned, using the furniture as a starting point for the layout and design of each room, Mike explains.

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

Mike found the phone retro in Barcelona on the way back from vacation.

Contemporary Pendant Lighting by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

The heyday. Madrid apartment - Lighting

"Having trouble finding anything relevant to my original idea, I finally established that light myself, Mike explains. It is made of eight halogen bulbs light with wires painted black.

Contemporary by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

Creation in general, and especially paintings, are at the heart of Mike's vision of his work. While traveling, he spends time in galleries and flea markets to pick up all kinds of parts, art and furniture. The corridor is more like a hallway gallery, with pieces such as Bosco Sodi and Cândido Portinari decorate the walls. "We favor the framework of the painting to enhance the feeling of movement, Mike explains.

Discover ways to bring art into your home

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

with these two large glass doors, made with frames of cast iron, is a restaurant patio and a private library.

Industrial Staircase by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

The library is mounted on a platform. "I wanted it up, with a view on the terrace and living room," says Mike.

The flooring, patterned tiles Milan, highlights the feeling of outdoors of the room, which the designer photographed as a terrace or garden.

Contemporary Staircase by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

Inspired by the structure of the Eiffel Tower, the railing library was custom made cast iron.

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

the balustrade [séparesubtilementle library and terrace.

Mediterranean Patio by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

'This image is from Columbia and measures just under 6 feet. It represents an Amazonian person. It was important for Carmen, who lived in Colombia, to have something from there, "says the designer.

Contemporary Bedroom by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

in this room, the lover of the cast chose, not surprisingly, for a bed in cast iron. Carmen already had the bedside table.

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

The cupboards were custom made of polished black lacquer.

Contemporary Bathroom by Mike ALLEG / @teLiers HR

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

is next to the bedroom, a large bathroom designed in black and white and has a shower Peña.

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

Carmen already had all the furniture in his room. "To bring a touch of modernity, we opted for a sliding door, Mike said.

Mike Alleg / i-bays HR

The bed faces a marble fireplace. "It is a traditional white marble fireplace in Madrid, from the 1930s," Mike said. It was restored and polished, and transferred to the bedroom to its original position in the living room.