Calm and collected

In this curated abode, designer María Santos shows how to do serene and statement in one go

- Leanne Amodeo

Making this home work was quite a challenge,’ says interior designer María Santos of the Madrid apartment she created for media executive Alejandro Serrano and his jewellery designer wife Eva. ‘They wanted a place that would reflect their personalities, but they also needed it to have a strong resale value.’ The couple and their two young children, Liam and Estelle, are from Barcelona and moved to Madrid for work, so knew that returning to their hometown was a real possibility – hence their desire to keep the decor neutral.

‘I knew I could turn it into something special and meet the brief,’ says María. ‘But Alejandro was concerned that giving it a distinct character would turn off any future potential buyers.’ The opposite has proved to be the case, and Alejandro now reports that visitors adore María’s classic yet modern renovation and would love to move in themselves, given half a chance.