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Houzz Tour: Eclectic Chilean Home Embraces Trees
Ficus trees star in the interior courtyard of this Santiago house, which celebrates its design history, quirks and mix of styles
A chandelier hangs amidst a grove of ficus trees in architect Carolina Katz's house. The trees were part of the home's original design by Fernando Castillo Velasco, a well-known Chilean architect who built the house 27 years ago. The four ficus trees (and one almond tree) in the home's interior courtyard are part of what drew Katz to this stunning home. High ceilings, a simple floor plan and a great location in Santiago's Vitacura neighborhood helped seal the deal. Although the home needed some interior renovations, Katz has maintained its architectural history and embraced its quirks — including the ficus trees.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Carolina Katz, her husband and 4 children
Location: Santiago, Chile
Size: 230 square meters (2,475 square feet); 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Carolina Katz, her husband and 4 children
Location: Santiago, Chile
Size: 230 square meters (2,475 square feet); 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
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| This interior patio was once the home's dining room. But since the large space is in the center of the house, Katz turned it into a central hangout spot. Rug: bamboo; chaise: Brazilian design |
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Katz and her husband love contemporary art, particularly paintings, and rotate their collection and personal work around the house.
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| A portable fireplace adds a cozy element to the high ceilings in the interior patio. "It's a space where we gather to spend winter afternoons and lovely summer evenings," says Katz. |
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Several main windows were opened and widened during renovation. Artwork from various Chilean contemporary painters — such as Roberto Matta, Nemesio Antúnez and Sammy Benmayor — adorn the walls.
Couch: Italian leather; rug: antique; adjustable side tables: Eileen Gray
Couch: Italian leather; rug: antique; adjustable side tables: Eileen Gray
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| Katz loves modern furniture, particularly Scandinavian pieces, and warms up their simple lines with hand-crafted Chilean pottery and rugs. The elegant coffee table is one of Katz's designs. Lamp: Tizio; armchairs: Le Corbusier |
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| Bright white modern shelving and cabinetry contrast against the home's original brick walls in the office. Like Katz's home, many of the houses in the Vitacura neighborhood are about 30 years old and are being renovated by new owners. Rug: hand-crafted in Chile |
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| A colorful rug and bold red chairs reflect Katz's signature contemporary style in an adjacent family room. Rug: Karim Rashid; red plastic chair: Italia |
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The racquets above her son's bed were Katz's husband's tennis and squash racquets from the late '70s. The golf clubs were Katz's father's. "We still cannot forgive my mother for throwing away my grandmother's wooden pair of skis," says Katz. "They would've looked so good with the sports memorabilia."
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Most of the kitchen is brand new, but Katz kept the brick walls untouched to preserve the home's identity and unity. Ceramic floor tile, updated appliances and custom-designed cabinetry transformed it into a functional space for her family.
Katz designed the layout with two defined areas — the cooking space and the dining space. The kitchen dining table is partially hidden in one of the shelves and pulls out when needed.
Katz designed the layout with two defined areas — the cooking space and the dining space. The kitchen dining table is partially hidden in one of the shelves and pulls out when needed.
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| The dining room was originally where the kitchen was. Katz had this space completely stripped out and furnished it with a Le Corbusier table and Alejandro Aravena chairs. The pendants are from her husband's grandmother's kitchen. The art is from Chilean artists Benjamin Lira and Benito Rojo. |
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A little patio sits just outside the home office, which Katz redesigned as an easy-to-access home garden. Old CD shelves hold pots of herbs and other plantings.
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The square-shape patio is about 250 square feet. It wasn't being used much as a patio, so Katz and family planted lemon, orange and tangerine trees here, as well as lettuces, tomatoes, spinach and herbs.
Comments
olldbobbi What a beautiful home! Love the trees, the brick and the creative use of old CD shelves!
11 months ago · Like
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hollystrykz I love this home with it's rich complex texture of design elements like brick walls, modern furniture, and mother nature.. it's beautiful!
11 months ago · Like
designmind I'd like to see the kitchen-dining table which is partially hidden in one of the shelves and pulls out....
11 months ago · Like
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michelleann1 Wow! Great style. My dream home. Anyone know where to find that gorgeous see-thru coffee table?
11 months ago · Like
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cschellenger Love everything about this house except for the red plastic chairs. When can I move in?
11 months ago · Like
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Molto Bene Studios Love this home!
11 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER What a beautiful home. I love the trees and the interesting mix of furnishings. Great post.
11 months ago · Like
Venkatesh Lingam Fantastic home. Intermingling with nature oh glorious
11 months ago · Like
SPACIFY INC, I love the way you've incorporated all your books throughout the house. fantastic ideabooks...
11 months ago · Like
Cindy Strobel I love the idea of the expensive looking chandelier out side! creative use!
11 months ago · Like
Margaret Juul Ammann love it!
11 months ago · Like
kasey007 I would like to know how they hung the containers for the plant pots on the brick wall
11 months ago · Like
Debbie Johnson what a beautiful home. The art work is inspiring
11 months ago · Like
westpark loving a reclaimed brick wall,but stumped on a color that would compliment it on another wall.
7 months ago · Like
shuot The ficus roots are sure to destroy their lovely patio. Can think of a few much better choices...
2 months ago · Like
hjames1623 I love the brick in the second and third pictures! My husband lays brick in Tucson and we are redoing out main living area. I love a look like this and he could totally do it. Do you know what kind it is? Thanks for sharing! http://www.cabcoaz.com
6 weeks ago · Like
Christopher O. Dougherty, RA, AIA, LLC Very good management of different architectural and furnishing elements.
4 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook updated on July 1, 2012.
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