Simara Melo Designs Nature-Inspired Minimalist Home in Brazil

  August 7, 2024
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Located in Praia Brava, a beach in the south of Brazil in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, this residence is the home of a couple and their three children who longed for open and relaxing living spaces that encouraged their family to spend more time together. The family tapped architect Simara Melo to transform the 5,210-square-foot home to meet their needs through modern and contemporary components.

The house underwent a major renovation to enhance functionality and comfort. The complete overhaul changed the existing layout, introducing a new support kitchen and reconfiguring the social areas to create a more spacious environment. Upstairs, the expansion of the primary suite included the addition of a new bathroom and much-needed separate closets for each partner.

A minimalist room features a wooden chair, a large leafless potted tree, a small black side table, a white rug, and a wooden table with greenery and ceramic items near a large window.

A focal point of the home is the addition of a potted olive tree, approximately ten feet tall, positioned in the main living room. This natural element adds a sophisticated touch while resonating with the residents’ love for nature, mirrored in the additional olive trees adorning the outdoor spaces. The complementary garden, designed by Terraço Paisagismo, enhances the home’s aesthetic with lush greenery seen through every window.

A modern living room features wooden chairs and a small table with a chess set. The room has a minimalist design with white walls, a staircase, and a unique light fixture.

Modern living room with wooden floors, a minimalist wood and fabric chair, built-in shelving unit with illuminated compartments, and a white wall featuring a contemporary light fixture.

In an innovative approach to lighting, direct fixtures were minimized in favor of indirect lighting, maximizing the effect of natural illumination. A thoughtfully placed wooden bookshelf with niches in front of a sliding glass door further amplifies the play of light and shadows.

A modern room with two wooden chairs and a round white table with a chessboard on it. A wooden bookshelf with books lines one wall, and a white staircase is adjacent. Floor is wooden with a light rug.

Modern living space featuring wooden bookshelves, books, and decorative items, with two wooden chairs facing a chessboard on a small table. White staircase and rug complete the minimalist design.

A modern interior with a white zigzag staircase, wooden accents, a plant in a woven basket, two white ceramic vases, and shelves with books and decor items along a slatted wall.

One of the most challenging aspects of the renovation was the transformation of the staircase leading to the second floor. Initially, the clients considered replacing it entirely. However, Melo proposed a more sustainable solution – removing the enclosing walls and updating the existing structure. The outcome was a sleek, contemporary staircase that not only serves its function but also adds a unique architectural element to the home.

Modern dining room with a long wooden table, six wooden chairs, large abstract painting on the wall, and a vase with white flowers. A large window with lush greenery outside provides natural light.

A modern kitchen with sleek gray cabinetry, built-in ovens, a wood-accented island with a white countertop, and four wooden bar stools on a grey tiled floor. Large windows provide natural light.

Central to the design intervention was the integration of living spaces, a deliberate departure from the previously segmented rooms. The interiors now feature a curated mix of materials, with wood playing a pivotal role in meeting the homeowners’ desire for a warm and inviting ambiance. Larger window frames were installed to flood the interiors with natural light, complemented by efficient air conditioning systems.

Modern kitchen with a large island, wooden cabinets, and four wooden barstools. There is a shelf with bottles to the right and greenery visible outside through a window on the left.

A wooden shelving unit with wine bottles, glasses, and decorative items behind two beige leather chairs on a textured rug, next to a green plant.

Modern minimalist bathroom with a black and white floating sink, black faucet, and mirror above. White walls and wood floor present a clean, sleek aesthetic. Wall-mounted fixtures are visible.

A modern living room with a gray sectional sofa, small round table with green apples, potted plant, and a wooden room divider. White curtains and a floor lamp are in the background.

A cozy den overlooking the main living room benefits from the double-height windows that keep the space light and airy.

A minimalist bedroom with a wooden accent wall, a modern bed with white and grey bedding, and two floating nightstands holding small decor items.

A minimalist bedroom with a white bed, light wood bench, bedside table with a lamp, wooden blinds, and a woven decor piece on a white wall. The room has a clean and simple design.

A minimalist bedroom with a low-profile bed, white bedding, wooden nightstand, striped wooden wall paneling, a gray rug, and window blinds with natural light filtering in.

A modern living room with a wooden chair and ottoman with white cushions, a white textured blanket on a gray sofa, wooden blinds, a minimalist painting on the wall, and small plant on a wooden surface.

A minimalistic bedroom with a double bed, white bedding, a small stool at the foot, and two nightstands. The room features white walls, a closed door, and built-in shelves.

A minimalist workstation with a white desk and chair, flanked by floating shelves holding decorative items. The space features wood flooring and a window on the left. A wooden box sits on the floor.

A modern bathroom featuring a white freestanding bathtub, wooden accents, a glass-enclosed shower, and large windows with potted plants.

Photography by Fabio Jr Severo.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.





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