The next time you're in Barcelona, soak up the city's infamous architecture by staying in the Praktik Rambla, a budget design hotel housed in the historic Casa Climent Arola building. Constructed in the beginning of the 19th century by the Spanish architect Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano (the Sagrada Familia was his commission first, as in pre-Gaudi), the grand building with is modern interiors allows you to immerse yourself seamlessly into the spirit of Barcelona.
Above: The mild undulation of the ornate facade foreshadows Gaudi's organic architecture.
Above: The decorative details on the large scale doors and metal railings conjure a haunting grandeur of the past.
Above: A band of black paint creates a headboard and modernizes the room with 19th century proportions and moldings creatively and inexpensively.
Above: Industrial lights used as reading lights have been painted out to match the headboard.
Above: The industrial lights take advantage of the height of the room and also provide ambient light.
Above: The beds are make with basic white linens and a contrasting gray blanket.
Above: A tiled floor adds texture and color.
Above: The bathrooms are tiled in dark colors.
Above: The Ikea Ps Maskros pendant hangs in the light-filled bathroom.
Above: In a smaller bedroom, shiplapped boards with Shaker hooks surround the room while the industrial lights have been painted white to match.
Now that we have your lodging in Barcelona covered, why don't you have a drink at Cafe Kafka or go shopping down the street at Diary Arxe.
The map below shows the location of Praktik Rambla in the Eixample section of Barcelona.
View Larger Map