Melina Romano fills São Paulo show apartment with Brazilian furniture and art
Brazilian practice Studio Melina Romano has used Portinari tiles and works by Brazilian artists and designers to outfit a residential-style showcase in São Paulo.
The Caminhos – Portinari presentation was created for the 2024 edition of CasaCor, São Paulo's annual celebration of art and design.
Within a 200-square-metre space at the city's Conjunto Nacional shopping mall, the architect and designer Melina Romano applied large-scale porcelain tiles from Brazilian brand Portinari across the walls and floors.
The space invited visitors along a pathway that guided them from room to room, envisioned more like a gallery than a residential environment.
"Upon crossing the entrance portal, visitors are guided through a corridor that marks the transition from exterior to interior, creating a distinctive and immersive experience," said the studio.
"Inspired by the dynamics of art galleries, the project prioritises pathways that encourage contemplation of the artworks."
From an entry corridor that "intentionally slows down movement and reframes perception", each neutrally decorated room was enlivened by the work of a local artist.
A triptych of paintings by Anthony Mazza in the living area informed the tonal choices for the Block sofa by Estúdio Bola and Lela armchair by Estúdio Latino.
In the central "winter garden", defined by gravel across the floor and a gridded ceiling above, Aline Matsumoto's hanging branch installation added dynamism.
A series of handcrafted utilitarian objects by Isadora Mourão populated the kitchen, while the bedroom hosts sculptural works by Lucas Simões.
Around the perimeter, translucent woven curtains across the floor-to-ceiling windows diffuse the light entering the spaces.
"The intention was to position CasaCor — typically understood as a decor showcase – closer to a cultural circuit, where architecture mediates between brand, art and spatial experience," said the studio.
Studio Melina Romano was longlisted for emerging interior design studio of the year at the Dezeen Awards 2022.
The firm's previous residential-style projects in São Paulo include a space filled with curved elements made of medium-density fibreboard, created for the 2022 edition of CasaCor, and a home featuring creamy brick walls, terracotta tiles and tropical plants.
The photography is by Denilson Machado.
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