When the sun rises over the horizon of Riviera de São Lourenço, a coastal town in Bertioga on São Paulo’s northern coastline (Brazil), a golden sphere ascends above the sea and passes effortlessly through the expansive glass panels that separate the interior from the landscape. Inside the 250-square-meter apartment, designed by Marina Salles Arquitetura e Interiores, the soft morning light spreads across the sand-toned floor and dances over the white and wooden surfaces.
From the living room, the view unfolds in a 180-degree panorama over the crystalline waters. Everything seems orchestrated for a single purpose: to allow the gaze to reach the sea, the horizon line, or the distant island. The light contributes to a serene setting that mirrors the natural environment surrounding the building.
Conceived as a seaside retreat, the apartment was designed for a couple seeking relaxation, practicality, and comfort, without sacrificing the welcoming feel of a coastal home.
From the very first meeting, the lead architect, Marina Salles, understood that the architecture should embody a harmony between naturalness and lightness. The goal was to bring the serenity of the surrounding landscape into the interior without resorting to literal nautical references. The design merges Brazilian authenticity with a sunlit, understated Mediterranean atmosphere, expressed through textures and materials that evoke the meeting of land and sea.
The building’s irregular floor plan and marked diagonals presented technical challenges. Yet, it offered an invaluable asset: two glass façades in the social area and bedrooms oriented toward the sea. Leveraging these conditions became the project’s starting point.
An existing balcony had previously stretched along the entire front of the living room, separating the interior from the view. The architect chose to remove its framing, leveling the floor between spaces and dissolving boundaries. The structural beam was left exposed; instead of lowering the ceiling to the beam’s lower edge, the entire structure—beams and columns—was painted white, highlighting its form while contrasting with the wooden slatted ceiling.
The social area’s flooring is sand-toned porcelain, referencing the beach while offering a practical, durable solution against sea air. Its continuity reinforces the apartment’s fluid character, where zoning is determined by furniture arrangement. Living, dining, and kitchen areas merge into a large linear space framed by the view.
At the far end of the living room, near the entrance, the TV area features a low cabinet extending along the wall, designed with wooden lattice panels. Sliding doors allow flexible access and concealment of equipment as needed. Above, a shelf of equal length displays books, objects, and locally sourced artisanal pieces, creating a delicate dialogue between design and the residents’ personal memories.
The furniture blends iconic design pieces with custom creations. The sofa is covered in natural cotton twill with removable covers designed to withstand the coastal climate. Striped and woven cushions reinforce casual comfort, while a pair of poufs invites relaxation. The ensemble rests on a synthetic weave rug. Behind the sofa, a wooden and tucum-fiber console, designed by Marina Salles, supports decorative objects. Near the windows, a four wooden armchairs mirrors the striped waterproof canvas of the sofa. At the center, a solid wood coffee table reinforces the composition’s organic character.
Facing the sea, a single armchair creates a contemplative corner—a special request from the resident to enjoy the horizon. In beige tones blending with the floor, it underscores the informality and relaxed spirit throughout the project.
The kitchen, fully integrated with the living area, centers around an island with a cooktop, fostering interaction between those cooking and the surrounding space. Its base features white-stained wooden slats that reveal the grain, resembling a natural patina. The sand-toned stone countertops extend across all surfaces, unifying the visual palette. Rounded edges are applied throughout, echoed in furniture details.
The island is conceived as a continuous volume, almost like a box embracing the cooktop, with the countertop partially supported by a circular vertical element. Complementing the setup, Fernando Jaeger’s Clip stools provide seating. In the background, cabinets and counters follow the same patinated wood and stone finishes. A large central niche, framed in stone, highlights the preparation area, while the oven tower and refrigerator occupy a space where a barbecue once stood, removed per the residents’ request.
Between the living room and kitchen, a substantial structural column is painted white and integrated into the design as a transitional element. Another column features a mirror framed in wood and a bar trolley designed by the architect for her MS Design furniture line.
The dining area sits by the large window facing the sea, featuring a wooden table with a glossy Taj Mahal stone top reflecting the view, paired with Fernando Jaeger’s Copa chairs. The air-conditioning system is discreetly embedded in the ceiling with linear vents, preserving the architectural purity of the space.
The bedrooms exude absolute serenity. Access to the private wing is via a narrow, gently chamfered corridor, creating a measured rhythm. Originally four bedrooms, the layout was reorganized into three, including an expanded master suite obtained by merging two rooms. The goal was to prioritize comfort and craft a retreat where time slows.
In the master suite, the main wall features a horizontal wooden niche spanning the width, serving as a headboard and space for small items. Recessed lighting casts a warm glow ideal for nighttime reading. Floating bedside tables with small lower shelves echo the wooden detailing.
Bed linens in linen and cotton combine shades of green and natural tones, evoking vegetation and sand. A wooden and tucum-fiber bench complements the arrangement. Above the headboard, shell artworks from the Algarve, crafted by the resident as a hobby, add delicate, personal touches.
The master closet includes white-framed doors with synthetic cane panels for constant ventilation—a crucial consideration in a coastal climate—enhanced with solid wood handles.
Guest bedrooms follow a similar language with subtle variations: smaller side niches replace bedside tables, and striped upholstered headboards bring a muted pop of color, complemented by cushions. Cabinetry remains open and functional.
Bathrooms continue the home’s natural aesthetic, with light stone countertops, wooden cabinets, and built-in wall niches that optimize space.
The apartment becomes an extension of its surroundings. Every detail—from the warmth of the wood to the white that amplifies light, from sand-toned flooring to the natural rhythm of surfaces—reinforces harmony between interior and exterior. Here, time seems to slow, and the residents live the contemplation of nature as routine: sunrise and sunset become daily canvases, reminding that the essential lies in the perception of the moment.
Data Sheet
Location: Riviera de São Lourenço, Bertioga – São Paulo, Brazil
Area: 250 m²
Year of Design: 2022
Year of Completion: 2025
Architecture & Interiors: Marina Salles Arquitetura e Interiores
Lead Architect: Marina Salles
Project Team: Marina Dolabela, Júlia Bruni
Construction Execution: Grife Engenharia
Photography: Fran Parente
Communication / Text: Matheus Pereira Comunicação
Key Suppliers: MS Design, Prime Marcenaria, Lumini Lighting, Nani Chinellato, Exbra Revestimentos, Pau-Pau (wood ceiling), Taúna, Fernando Jaeger, Llussá