Mexican interior designer Sofia Aspe opens the doors to her most personal project — her home — and shares with Sona Decor Singapore her journey to make this house her own.
Home: 2-Storey home
Size: 11,840 sq ft (1,100 sqm)
Location: Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico
Who Lives Here: Interior designer Sofia Aspe, daughter, 6 dogs
Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico
Interior designer Sofia Aspe lives in Lomas de Chapultepec, one of Mexico city’s upscale residential areas, with her daughter Alejandra and her six dogs. According to the designer, her home was not an easy find.
“I visited 37 houses before finding this one,” she remembers. “It was love at first sight.”
![casaestudio_sofiaaspe_09r-683x1024-1 Sofia Aspe gave new life to the existing boiseries from the 40’s.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudio_sofiaaspe_09r-683x1024-1.jpg)
Built in the 1940s
The proximity to restaurants, bakeries and shops was one of the characteristics that convinced Sofia, but the house itself — built in the 1940s by famous architect Carlos del Río — was the trigger.
“Even though the home had suffered a terrible renovation in the ’80s, I could see its enormous potential,” says the interior designer. “As all the del Río houses, it is well planned, with spacious rooms, high ceilings and beautiful geometry and symmetry.”
![casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_01-682x1024-1 The furniture adds colorful touches to the home.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_01-682x1024-1.jpg)
The furniture adds colorful touches to the home.
Most of the finishes used in the house are neutral.
![casaestudio_sofiaaspe_05-682x1024-1 Most of the finishes used in the house are neutral.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudio_sofiaaspe_05-682x1024-1.jpg)
Two Levels
Organised in two levels, it spreads over 11,840 sq ft (1,100 sqm) and comprises three large bedrooms, a wine cellar, living room, library, game room, kitchen, family room and internal patio.
Outside, the pool and terrace with alfresco dining and living rooms are invitations to enjoy the sunny Mexico city weather.
![casaestudio_sofiaaspe_016r-682x1024-1 Every space of Sofia Aspe’s home has its own personality.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudio_sofiaaspe_016r-682x1024-1.jpg)
Neutral and elegant finishes
Sofia opted for neutral and elegant finishes, such as Carrara and calacatta marbles from Italy, brown marble from Spain, Austrian wood floors and boiseries — all original from the ’40s — in American oak.
Blue Brazilian marble in the powder room adds a touch of color, as well as the mainly red, black and green art and furniture.
![casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_02-683x1024-1 The fireplace creates a cosy ambience.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_02-683x1024-1.jpg)
The fireplace creates a cosy ambience.
The decoration is eclectic and the ambience is welcoming in every nook.
![casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_10-682x1024-1 The decoration is eclectic and the ambience is welcoming in every nook.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_10-682x1024-1.jpg)
![casaestudio_sofiaaspe_04r-683x1024-1 Modernist, vintage and contemporary design pieces combine throughout.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudio_sofiaaspe_04r-683x1024-1.jpg)
Modernist, vintage and contemporary design pieces combine throughout.
Eclectic Interior Design
“It is an eclectic space, where one feels welcome as a result of different cosy spaces — each with its own personality,” says Sofia.
![casaestudio_sofiaaspe_017r-683x1024-1 The interior designer created her own sanctuary.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudio_sofiaaspe_017r-683x1024-1.jpg)
Vintage Modernist Furniture
Inspirations from Europe, local contemporary art and ceramics, as well as modernist and vintage furniture mixed with new works guided the design of this home where Aspe feels “very grateful.”
Among some of her favorite pieces are the two Mushroom seats by Pierre Paulin, the artwork by Carlos Cruz-Diez and the oil painting by Pedro Reyes in the dining room hanging alongside an original jute rug by Calder.
The covered terrace is directly connected to the garden surrounded by vegetation.
![casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_09-683x1024-1 The covered terrace is directly connected to the garden surrounded by vegetation.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_09-683x1024-1.jpg)
![casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_07-683x1024-1 Sofia Aspe wanted to reflect her love for contemporary art and objects in this home.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/casaestudiosofiaaspe_sesiocc81n2_07-683x1024-1.jpg)
Sofia Aspe wanted to reflect her love for contemporary art and objects in this home.
Always Changing Furniture
“This home represents my purest style; my passion for objects, contemporary art and plants; and my love for having my doors open to host family and friends,” says Sofia. “It is my sanctuary; the place where I spend time with my loved ones and in my garden that I adore; the place where I work, chill and feel safe.”
Having spent a lot of time and effort crafting her dream refuge, Sofia has no intention of moving.
“I will soon renovate the wine cellar and ground floor bar to design a darker, moodier one,” she says. “For me, changing furniture, adding art pieces and moving things around is a never-ending story that I enjoy immensely.”