Urban Isle

Urban Isle: Catalonia

The Gràcia neighbourhood is home to the finest examples of the city’s most iconic architect – Antoni Gaudí. From the limestone facade of Casa Milà, to the shimmering scales of Casa Batlló, and the lesser-known red checkerboard of Casa Vicens, this region is a cultural marvel. And this apartment, under twenty minutes’ walk from each of these casas, has some of its own design features to show off.

Let’s start with your elevated garden. On this private terrace, you’ve got a lush patch of grass for picnicking, and a huge shade reminiscent of a Bali beach. Wicker and bamboo furniture dresses the lawn, while leafy shrubs sit around the perimeter. It might feel distinctly more tropical island than city centre, but you can leave your piña colada out here while you check out the interiors.

Continuing on the theme of natural sophistication, the glass doors flow through into your bright lounge. Waves of wooden panels make up a feature wall behind the sofa, creating an image of mountainous landscapes. Earthy tones, wooden floors, and soft woven fabrics complete the look, with the final flourish adding water to this portrait of island life – an in-building, residents’ pool.

Home truths:
*You have a private terrace and garden at your apartment, but a shared pool
*Parking isn't available, but the Verdaguer metro stop is a seven-minute walk
*The building entrance is shared, not private to your home
*There's a dedicated workspace, plus laptop-friendly spots like the dining table
*Your host does not provide haircare products such as shampoo
*As this home is in one of Barcelona’s most popular areas, some city and street noise is to be expected – light sleepers may want to pack earplugs just in case
*There is only air conditioning in some rooms