Spain’s World Cup victory has drawn global attention, yet the country’s impact reaches far beyond sports. A new selection of interior design projects, chosen by an international panel of ELLE Decoration editors, shows how Spanish designers are setting trends worldwide. The first annual ELLE Decoration A-List features spaces that merge history, craftsmanship, and contemporary ideas—clear examples of the country’s creative strength.
A Madrid home that turns limitation into luxury
Casa Myttas, designed by Casa Josephine, transforms a dim apartment into a bright retreat. Drawing inspiration from Venice’s soft light and the rich colors of Titian’s paintings, the project adopts the space’s lack of natural brightness. Light-reflecting materials like travertine marble, stucco, and brass enhance the available illumination. The result is a series of rooms that unfold like a stage set, where textures and historical layers take center stage. Jesus Cano, editor-in-chief of ELLE Decoration Spain, describes it as “a jewellery box.”
The home’s restrained palette and careful detailing make it feel both intimate and grand. The project succeeds by making the ordinary feel extraordinary—not through excess, but through precision.
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A travel boutique that doubles as a cultural hub
Club Nuba, designed by Sierra de la Higuera, offers an experiential concept for travelers. More than a travel boutique, it functions as a contemporary agora where conversations, tastings, exhibitions, and gatherings take place. The design maintains a solid aesthetic and architectural coherence, reinforced by geometric elements, natural materials, and custom-made pieces. A Davide Groppi “Moon” lamp serves as a focal point, while stone, wood, and water elements add tactile warmth.
The space balances commerce and culture, allowing art, gastronomy, and luxury to coexist. Natural light encourages visitors to linger, turning a visit into an immersive experience.
A Seville guesthouse where history breathes
Guest House Cristine Bedfor, designed by Lorenzo Castillo, opened in September 2025 inside Seville’s former Teatro Trajano. The project honors the city’s Neo-Mudejar architecture and its Renaissance-era role as Europe’s gateway. Castillo’s design engages the senses—marble, hand-painted tiles, and artisanal ceramics invite guests to slow down. The 28 rooms feel like a living museum, where every detail reflects Seville’s layered past.
The guesthouse makes history accessible, encouraging conversation and reflection. The design prioritizes atmosphere over efficiency, creating a space where guests can absorb the quiet poetry of the past.
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A Coruña’s industrial past gets a cultural future
In A Coruña, Elsa Urquijo’s MOP Center reimagines a former industrial complex on La Batería dock. The project, home to the Marta Ortega Pérez Foundation, preserves the port’s raw, utilitarian character while adapting it for modern use. Exposed concrete and metal structures remain, but skylights and subtle lighting transform the interiors into a space for fashion, photography, and art. One converted silo now houses MOP – The Bookstore, a circular area dedicated to visual culture.
The design’s strength lies in its restraint. Urquijo allows the past to coexist with the present, using earthy tones and natural textures to create a neutral backdrop. The result feels both timeless and modern—a balance achieved by letting history speak for itself.
These projects reflect a broader shift in Spanish design. They show how creativity can thrive within constraints, whether physical, historical, or commercial. The ELLE Decoration A-List highlights spaces that don’t just look beautiful but also tell stories—of cities, cultures, and the people who shape them.
