After looking into various print options, Aaron and Fernando selected multiple prints from Surface View’s resources for this prestigious apartment. These included: the Lady Hamilton print in the lounge, the Goos Atlas Planisphere canvas in the communal lounge, the Great Egret and Casmerodius Albus canvas in the lounge, the Sir Philip Sidney mural in the bathroom and the Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia mural in the living area. All these images and pieces of art became the perfect storm.
Aaron and Fernando were lucky that their client allowed them the freedom to decide the direction they wanted within the interior. However, there were certain aspects that Aaron and Fernando had to adhere to. For example, the library had to have a certain criteria of function; a room for private functions, a space for residents to congregate for social functions and a space that could be used for studying and conducting interviews.
The pair were requested to create a scheme that had never been completed on the island of San Juan. Every space had to have a different look and feel.
Surface View supplied Aaron and Fernando with multiple murals and prints to enhance the already impressive space. The Sophia Loren wall mural was Aaron and Fernando’s favourite. Commenting on the mural, Aaron explains: “Unexpected, she welcomes you when you come in after a long day and she says good night when you turn the lights off at the end of the day.
“The retro feel and the universal look of an icon such as Sophia Loren was an organic choice,” continues Aaron. “We felt she was just right for the entrance.”
Tranquillity and peace
Aaron and Fernando already selected the colour schemes for the living area, with fabrics and most of the furniture already chosen. But again, the duo wanted something different; something unexpected. Selecting a print of a regal stork showcased the elegance and beautiful colours of the living room seamlessly.
Elsewhere within the apartment, the gym houses no windows and was initially very dark. Aaron and Fernando found the best way to give this room scale and brightness was to use a sky mural that transports your mood to an upbeat space. The mural contributes to the peaceful ‘zen’ feel of the room. As the room is used for yoga classes as well as for working out, it needed to have a double use that could relate to both of these purposes. Usually fitness centres are heavy, dark and overpowered with loud music, this room contrasts the traditional feel usually associated with fitness centres.
Meanwhile in the small children’s bedroom, a solution was required that screamed fun, excitement and movement. The waves mural was chosen to adorn the walls at a large-scale. The intention here, was to give the room the opportunity to be full of energy and nature.
This room had to work for a three-year-old boy that would last all the way into his teenage years. For a young boy, the waves make the room fun and the colours and patterns make it a room full of energy and movement. For an older boy, this room is still great fun, all these elements have aspects that a teenager can relate to – surfing is a big sport in Puerto Rico.
Complementing the decor
The bronze wall within the dining area was the focal point of the room and it was difficult to select a print that would complement its colour. This wall was critical to the success of the unit – this was to be a statement. Everything else had to be simplified to ensure the eye gravitated to the complexity of the wallpaper.
The communal lounge had to feel ‘old school’. The Goos Atlas map was selected for this room, contributing to the scholastic feeling that the room showcases, bringing a feel of a ‘university study’ to it. This map contributes to the ‘new world’ style organically, fitting into the space perfectly.
Elizabeth Stuart and Sir Phillip Sidney were used as an inspiration with the theme of the new world a resemblance to the discovery of Puerto Rico – King Fernando and Queen Isabel of Spain giving Columbus the approval to travel and discover the new world.
Proportions and scale
The key feature of the bathroom are the bathroom doors, which are used as pieces of art. The Sir Phillip Sidney mural is framed in gold leaf, ‘old school’ frames that make the doors look like art. Opening the doors and seeing the two faces in different proportions and scales gives it a modern twist that is unexpected and effective.
The bathroom now has an old feel – a feeling of the new world. The design had to be relevant and unexpected. Aaron and Fernando like to think they create a wow factor within each area they work in. “Sometimes it is subtle, and sometimes it is right in front of you,” explains Aaron. “For the bathrooms we wanted to shock people, we wanted the residents and guests to leave that room with something to talk about. We knew it was critical that the room felt modern, but in a subtle way, I think we created it.”
Surface View’s prints have injected a different feel into each room within this apartment. Aaron explains: “Because of Surface View’s diverse categories that you can choose from, it allowed us to choose imagery based on the needs of the project that grabbed our attention. Surface View allowed us the freedom to use these pieces in many different ways.”