An ingeniously designed stay in the Spanish city

Situated along the eastern coast of Spain is one of its oldest cities of the country: Valencia, a destination whose blend of tradition and innovation is most notable through its architectural fusions. This dynamic location treasures a melting pot of influences that contrast the intricate Moorish and Baroque façades with the futuristic design of the City of Arts and Sciences, designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. But beyond this, the atmosphere is that of a slow lifestyle where the coastal promenade is a few steps away and a bustling central market is considered among the largest fresh food markets in Europe. Talking about food, Valencia is also the birthplace of paella, named after the shallow pan farmers would use to cook rice over an open fire in the fields, adding whatever ingredients they had on hand. 

As for accommodation, no place quite matches Casa Clarita, located in La Seu, the oldest neighborhood in the city and situated amid ochre-colored buildings, intricate wrought-iron balconies and only a few steps away from the gothic styled, 13th century cathedral. This former 19th century, modernist-styled location housed a family of glassmakers who used the lower floors as their workshop and the top floors as their home. Only a couple of years ago, the acclaimed Spanish interior designer and artist Jaime Hayón took this space under his wing and, through his creative expression, gave it a makeover with candy colors and playful motifs—all while retaining the original, structural elements. 

It’s important to understand Hayón’s inspiration behind his work as this is an atypical property with attention paid to the slightest detail; it’s an ode to the Mediterranean with nods to Valencian icons where each piece, pattern and color tells a story. As well as sourcing creativity from nature and travel, “Folklore is also a huge source of inspiration for my work,” Hayón says. “I find it very interesting, the imaginary worlds we construct as humans, from Greece and Rome to theater…the stage of imagination within life itself is fascinating.” 

Casa Clarita welcomes you into an eccentric funhouse with patterned tile flooring that runs throughout the entire structure, repurposing the original, characteristic style of Valencian apartments of the past. To your left, you walk through a checkered, arched door to reach the beating heart of Casa Clarita: the lounge. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is evocative of the past whereas the eclectic, made-to-measure furnishings create a sinuous harmony between old and new. You’ll notice that shapes, and most notably curves, are iconic of Hayón’s style. His work, he says, “merges the versatility and freedom of contemporary art with the tangible, hands-on engagement of traditional crafts and the functionality of design.”

A repurposed, wooden banister with a checkered skirting board and hand-painted murals designed by Hayón lead guests to the 10 rooms and 12 apartments, each different from the other, in which every furnishing has been adapted to the singularity of the space. From pastel hues to dark woods and white marble, Hayón tried to reconnect and take existing elements of the property and repurpose them with a modern touch, hence mixing designer, tradition and craftsmanship. Appropriate for both short and medium-term stays, this ingenious work of art provides comfort and flexibility in the heart of Valencia.