A place of my own: A home away from home

Just over a year ago, Adriana Blanc moved to her husband Luis’s small coastal hometown of Tortosa in southern Catalunya, adding Spain to the long list of countries where she has lived with her family. Originally from Mexico City, Adriana met Luis while they were both studying at the University of Texas at Austin. Thirty-odd years later, the list of places that the pair have lived in is more than impressive, ranging from Maracaibo, Venezuela to Damascus, Syria. 

While the tranquility of Tortosa was refreshing at first, Adriana soon felt full of pent-up energy. “I found that I really missed the international vibe of a bigger city, and after doing some research I discovered that Barcelona has a great expatriate scene.” Not one to waste time, fast forward a few months and Adriana is working as President of the Barcelona Women’s Network (BWN) and spending weeknights at her cousin Mari-Carmen’s apartment in Sant-Gervasi. 

Walking into the sixth floor apartment, the first thing you notice (once you sidestep the three Yorkshire Terriers eagerly waiting to greet any visitors who come to the door) are the incredible views over Turó Park and beyond, all the way up to the peak of Tibidabo. “I still haven’t gotten tired of sitting at my desk and dreamily looking out at the greenery surrounding Barcelona,” said Adriana. The open-plan layout and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the space allow light to filter in from multiple angles, bathing the wooden floor in a golden glow. Outside a covered balcony extends almost the entire length of the apartment. A beautiful set of wicker garden furniture takes pride of place there, and a small urban garden of succulents creates a tranquil spot to watch the sun set.

Inside, Syrian touches from Mari-Carmen’s visit to see Adriana in Damascus are scattered about. “I find it comforting being surrounded by so many pieces that remind me of my previous home,” explained Adriana. These include a carefully handcrafted tray inlaid with mother of pearl, as well as an artfully arranged selection of ornately embroidered Syrian cushions. Head into the marble-clad bathroom and the design impact that Mari-Carmen’s visit to Syria had on her is even more apparent—dozens of perfume bottles in different jewel tones sit atop a shelf, bringing the right splashes of colour to the room.

“I find it comforting being surrounded by so many pieces that remind me of my previous home”

It is in the spacious living room that Mari-Carmen’s eye for decoration really shines, though. She has effortlessly blended traditional Syrian fabrics with more contemporary configurations such as an intricate metal coffee table, assembled from hundreds of thin metallic strands. A peek into the ultra-modern kitchen reveals that this juxtaposition of traditional and modern design elements continues throughout every room.

Here, stark white surfaces and gleaming gadgets contrast with a richly coloured Syrian tablecloth and a set of shabby-chic floral paintings. “Mari-Carmen loves to cook, so the kitchen really is the heart of this place,” said Adriana. 

With natural light streaming in from the ceiling-height windows and the thoughtfully placed Syrian details, it is no wonder that Adriana feels so at home in her cousin’s apartment. Add the warm, aureate colour scheme and Mari-Carmen’s adorable trio of pups into the mix and you really do have the perfect home away from home.