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What was the main inspiration behind the design of this home?
The inspiration came from the desire to return to the origin, to listen to the voice of materials without artifices. I imagined a modern temple where microcement and bold forms would be the language, but at the same time, you could feel the embrace of the earth. I wanted it to be tactile, almost as if you could feel the vibration of the ground in every curve.
What kind of atmosphere did you want to create, and what sensations did you hope to awaken in those who inhabit it?
I wanted anyone entering this house to feel a kind of pause. For the space to envelop them and force them to slow down, to connect with their body, with matter. There is something meditative in the atmosphere, as if you were inside a contemporary cave designed to awaken the subtlest senses. That’s why I compare it to a temple, of course, with all due respect.
What kind of atmosphere did you want to create, and what sensations did you hope to awaken in those who inhabit it?
I wanted anyone entering this house to feel a kind of pause. For the space to envelop them and force them to slow down, to connect with their body, with matter. There is something meditative in the atmosphere, as if you were inside a contemporary cave designed to awaken the subtlest senses. That’s why I compare it to a temple, of course, with all due respect.
“The circle is the archetype of our most primal impressions (the sun, the moon, the mouth, the eyes). The circle conveys peace to us. That’s why, whenever possible, I tend to round off angles and use the circle and the spiral as sacred geometries.”
What was the biggest challenge when shaping this house?
The biggest challenge was making the space feel powerful without becoming cold. Working with hard materials and solid shapes demands finding that perfect balance between strength and warmth. Also, the technical challenge of blending handcrafted work with contemporary design without losing soul along the way.
What part of the creative process do you enjoy the most when facing a project like this?
The part where everything starts to make sense. When the pieces of the puzzle fall into place on their own and the space begins to speak to you. I also love experimenting with materials and textures. I design very physically—I need to touch, try, and make mistakes until “that” thing appears that can’t be explained with words.
Microcement plays a leading role in this home. What attracted you to this material, and what challenges does it present when integrating it into the design?
Microcement is noble but demanding. It has a life of its own, and you have to know how to accompany it without trying to control it too much. You must accept its imperfections as part of its beauty, just like with people. Technically, it requires precision to achieve visual continuity without losing warmth.
“I’ve used curved geometries, like dunes or caves, and textures that invite touch. It’s a sensory connection to the most primitive, but from a contemporary perspective.”
Which would you say is the main piece or the most special corner of this house?
I would say the main piece is the space itself—the emptiness it contains. But if I have to choose one, I’d say the staircase. Like a brutalist sculpture, it is the heart of the place: solid, sober, almost sacred, made from onyx scraps discarded from a quarry. That’s the best part of the project—being able to include these pieces and give them a second chance. Rescuing their natural beauty and making them protagonists. I love that story—the story of second chances. OUR MISSION is to show that beauty and sustainability can not only coexist but create something groundbreaking and desirable. At the studio, we say, “From the forgotten, the unforgettable... That phrase sums it all up.”
Why do you choose The Masie?
Because The Masie has something that resonates with me: design with character but without pretension. Furniture that dares, mixing geometric shapes with unexpected materials. And that connects with my way of creating: with freedom.
What do your pieces inspire in you?
They inspire spontaneity, versatility, and a playful touch. These are pieces that have presence but also adapt, as if they have fun in the space. They make me think of homes where life really happens.
What do your pieces inspire in you?
They inspire spontaneity, versatility, and a playful touch. These are pieces that have presence but also adapt, as if they have fun in the space. They make me think of homes where life really happens.
“I’m excited that emotional design and neuroarchitecture are being talked about more and more—about how spaces affect us. It’s no longer enough for something to be beautiful: it has to make us feel good.”
3 tips from Patricia Bustos to achieve harmony at home
2. Use color with intention: it can elevate or silence an emotion.
3. Create a soulful corner: a place for yourself where you reconnect with yourself every day.
Favorite piece from The Masie
Round mango wood coffee table. It’s much more beautiful in real life. Super versatile and with a design edge.
A color
Dusty pink. It’s ethereal, warm, and always suggestive. Like a whisper.
Favorite style
A mix of organic brutalism, Japanese sensitivity, and Mediterranean surrealism. I couldn’t label it, but it would be something like “emotional beauty.”
Author or museum piece you’d like to have at home
Almost any piece by Mario Bellini or the Brazilian Percival Lafer fascinates me. Although recently, during a trip to Portugal, I discovered the Atelier of Daciano da Costa, a Portuguese designer and architect, and I also fell in love with his work.
Country or city
Countryside with city getaways. I need nature to feel and the city to inspire me.
References—Your icon in interior design is…?
I’m inspired by those who create from truth and design with soul, beyond fame. I admire Kelly Wearstler, Barragán, and especially Pepe Leal for his creativity. I also closely follow studios like YSG Studio, Flack Studio, and Hugo Toro.