Casa de Gatos is “house of cats” in Spanish. This house was designed for people who love to travel and bring aspects of their travel experiences to their home and it stays true to its name as it is a home perfect for those who have affection for cats and dogs. This was how the Casa de Gatos got its name.
The house is located on a tiny, double fronted block in North Fitzroy. From a Victorian worker’s cottage, Woodwoodward Architecture and Interiors transformed the place into a Mexican-themed house with a touch of DIY 70’s modernist feel, and gave the house a visual language fiesta.
This tight-&-right project lands in a radically conservative place – being both brutal & sympathetic to the existing, to carve out a contemporary work-horse of a home within the confines of a small footprint, while bringing joy and delight to a six-inhabitant party. Pops of bright orange in the kitchen and aqua tiles with terracotta grout in the bathroom reinforce the spaces livability and lovability.
The authentic Mexican style features rich woven and embroidered textiles that echo the vibrant Mexican colour palette. Casa de Gatos made use of this inspiration through the use of coloured blankets, decorative pillows and bold rugs. The splash of colours, especially in the common areas, added warmth and a more inviting feel to the home.
Although using tropical plants in the interior of the a Mexican-theme house is not necessarily a feature of this particular style, it is an element that brings it closer to what makes a Mexican home feel complete.
In a nutshell, Casa de Gatos contains the bold colours of the Native American influence. Mexican design has an eclectic feel, mixing rustic wood and wrought iron furnishings with over-the-top, bright, vivid colours. The look incorporates elements from the Spanish missionaries and conquistadors who came to colonise this area of the Americas with elements from the native tribes living in what is now Mexico, including the Aztecs and the Mayans. This blending of Spanish European architecture and native tribal culture led to some of the most beautiful and colourful art and décor found anywhere in the world.
Photography by Martina Gemmola
