I’ve highlighted the work of interior designer Isabel López-Quesada in the past but never posted images of her own home until today. She lives with her husband and their children on a tree lined street in the El Viso neighborhood of Madrid, Spain. The home sits on the site of a former wax factory, built in 1931, which was transformed into a beautiful home for her and her family. Uniting styles isn’t something everyone can pull off successfully but Isabel was able to combine traditional and contemporary elements and still make the home feel fresh, modern, and comfortable. She sums it up the best:

A house, like a person, should blend traditions and modernity. –Isabel López-Quesada

Isabel’s home was featured in Architectural Digest in 2012 and also in a recent issue of Milieu Magazine. It’s been 5 years since Architectural Digest featured her home but you can spot a few subtle changes that were made to the home in the Milieu Magazine pictures, shown below as a collection “before” and “after” pictures. I guess as a designer you are always tinkering. Honestly, I can’t fault her since that is something I am guilty of myself! 

BEFORE (2012):

AFTER (2017): Proof that swapping out accessories is sometimes all that is needed to create a fresh, new look.

BEFORE (2012):

AFTER (2017): The dining room was overhauled with a completely new look.

BEFORE (2012):

AFTER (2017): The pictures capture two different angles of the library. From what I can tell, it looks like only minor changes to the mantle accessories were made.

BEFORE (2012):

AFTER (2017): Okay, I cheated….this isn’t a true “before” and “after”, but I wanted to point out that the artwork has moved. I actually like it better in this more prominent location because it seemed to get lost in space before. 

BEFORE (2012):

AFTER (2017):  Here is Isabel in her dressing room. The actual closet design, desk, desk lamp, and chair remain the same. She must have thought, “why mess with a good thing??!!!”

BEFORE (2012):AFTER (2017): The master bedroom has some significant changes with respect to the bedding and accessories. I actually prefer the new look since the room feels like a more elegant, yet relaxing space. I love the soothing neutral color palette.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the corresponding “before” and “after” pictures for all rooms. But here are a few extra pictures from Milieu Magazine to show you what some of the other areas of the house currently look like. Isn’t it lovely?

If you want to read more about the home, check out the Architectural Digest article here.