Masquespacio’s “Breathe” Sunglasses Shop in Bogotá Sports a Fresh-Feeling Color Combo
Violet and olive green isn’t the easiest color combination to pull off. In the wrong hands, it can feel a lot more dated than it does a fun retro throwback to the 70s. Design firm Masquespacio arguably nails it with this shop interior in Bogotá, Colombia, accenting it with steel gray, polished brass, and a variety of fluid organic shapes.
Created for sunglasses brand “Breathe,” the 322-square-foot space has a larger-than-life presence from the moment you glance through the door. In retail, it’s a bit of a gamble to make the space itself stand out as much as the product, but in this case, the designers have created an environment that encourages shoppers to get comfortable. Diverging somewhat from the more geometric aesthetic Masquespacio is known for, the shop has a loungey vibe that invites you to come in and hang out for a while.
The backdrop to the product is fittingly neutral to show off the shelves of frames, jewelry, bags, t-shirts, and other wares, but it’s not without its own visual interest. Amorphous perforated metal shapes cling to the walls, offering sculptural pegboards that make it easy to transform the displays. Similar wavy lines are seen in the table lamps and mirrors. To the designers, these curves help give the shop a “human” touch.
“As always in Masqueespacio’s designs, Breathe’s new store can count on a touch of color, in this case lavender and earth green,” they say. “Although the chosen colors are less usual and color has been limited to floors and walls mainly. This way, they can combine easily with the different colors from the products for sale. On the other hand, as always, all elements of the project have been designed by Masquespacio, including the furniture and the decorative lighting.”
That’s what gives the space its cohesiveness. Every piece feels bespoke and made to work in concert. The same terrazzo seen in the purple and green floors is echoed in small details like a business card holder on the counter. The result feels fresh, modern, and full of personality, which a lot of retail design simply lacks.
All this is par for the course for designers Ana Milena Hernández Palacios and Christophe Penasse, who founded Masquespacio together in 2010. Based in Spain, the firm consistently creates interiors that look like works of art, complete with custom-designed furniture and fixtures. Previously, they created The Student Hotel, a stylish co-living space with graphic flair in Barcelona, which we loved for its “youthful joie-de-vivre,” and Nozomi Sushi Bar in Valencia, which accents minimalist Japanese style with a stunning cherry blossom ceiling feature.
“Combining the two disciplines of their founders, interior design and marketing, the Spanish design agency creates custom-made branding and interior projects through a unique approach that results in fresh and innovative concepts. In 2020 they were named ‘Young Talent of The Year’ by Elle Decoration International Magazine, while in 2019 they have been awarded ‘Interior Designers of The Year’ by the Spanish edition of The New York Times’ T Magazine. Previously they also have been awarded with the ‘Massimo Dutti New Values’ award by Architectural Digest Spain and the “Wave of the Future” award by Hospitality Design USA, next to continued international recognition by media specialized in design, fashion, and lifestyle trends.”
