Textures in dialogue: Walnut, concrete and mirrors

A walnut kitchen that forms the backbone of an apartment near El Retiro Park

Some renovations begin by knocking down walls. Others begin by choosing the right material.

In this apartment near El Retiro, the transformation began with the layout. Like many homes built in the 1970s, the apartment had a very compartmentalized organization: narrow rooms connected by hallways and a single bathroom.

What the house did have in its favor was light. All the rooms opened onto a large exterior facade, allowing natural light to easily enter the interior.

The renovation began with that premise. The floor plan was opened up, the unnecessary partitions were removed, and the space began to breathe. What remained was a spacious, tranquil interior, built with few materials but chosen with great care.

The first to appear, and the one that organizes everything else, is the kitchen.

The kitchen as a visual anchor of the space
When you enter the apartment, the first thing you see is the wood.
The fronts inWOOD WalnutIt has that quality: the wood grain, its texture and the deep tone of the walnut make it stand out naturally when you enter the house.
In an open space where everything coexists (kitchen, living room, dining room) the kitchen acts as a point of reference.

Surrounding it are other materials that provide contrast. The exposed concrete introduces a more raw and architectural character, while the mirrors help to reflect the light and visually expand the space.
Without the wood, the space could feel too cold. The walnut adds warmth and makes the room more inviting for everyday use.
“When the kitchen is open to the living room, the material you choose doesn’t just define the furniture. It defines how the whole space feels.”

The balance between walnut and concrete

Walnut and exposed concrete are materials with a lot of personality.

One is dark, warm, and textured. The other is gray, solid, and more mineral. If one dominates too much, the space can feel too heavy or too cold.

They work well together here because the design is very simple.

The furniture features clean, straight lines, without unnecessary decorative elements. This allows the wood to add warmth without making the overall look cluttered.

Concrete and microcement surfaces, on the other hand, maintain a calmer and more balanced presence.

When combining strong materials, simplifying the design is the solution. Each material has room to breathe. None compete with the other.

How to make your kitchen look bigger without adding furniture

There is another element that changes the perception of space: mirrors.

In this apartment, they don't just reflect light. They reflect the kitchen. The walnut fronts appear duplicated in the space: once where they are installed and again on the other side of the room.

The kitchen's presence extends throughout the entire room without the need to add more furniture.

The result is a space that feels larger and more connected.

Sometimes you don't need to build more to make a space seem larger. It's enough to work well with the views, reflections, and materials.