At the height of a celebrated career that has seen him collaborate with some of the world’s most coveted international clients, renowned Spanish interior designer Lorenzo Castillo is shifting his primary focus toward education and the rich history of his craft. Born in Madrid in 1968, Castillo has become a prominent voice in design pedagogy, a role he exercises not only through his television appearances on the Spanish design competition DecoMasters but also through an upcoming book outlining the fundamental principles of interior design.
Currently, Castillo resides in a stunning new apartment located in Oviedo, the historic capital of the northern Spanish province of Asturias. Surrounded by objects, artworks, and furniture he has treasured throughout his decades-long career, Castillo has crafted what he considers the most beautiful home he has ever designed. The residence is a masterclass in high-end interior design, seamlessly blending classical European influences, 20th-century statements, northern Spanish character, and subtle nods to Hollywood Regency style.
An Architectural Transformation in Oviedo
Describing his new home, Castillo reflects on the philosophy of the late Karl Lagerfeld, who famously remarked that the next house is always the best one. For Castillo, this Oviedo property truly embodies that sentiment. Situated in an early 20th-century French-style building overlooking the iconic Campo de San Francisco park, the apartment retains a distinctly stately, northern Spanish character.
The most formidable challenge of the project was the extensive renovation required to combine two separate apartments into one expansive, cohesive space. Rather than following a conventional layout where the living room faces the prime park views, Castillo deliberately positioned his entire bedroom suite along the front façade to wake up to the scenic park. The living areas were instead relocated to the rear of the home, where Castillo thoughtfully reintroduced a glass-enclosed gallery—a traditional Asturian architectural element that honors regional heritage.
Despite the grand scale of the combined properties, the floor plan features only a few rooms, all of which are exceptionally large and enjoy a comfortable, theatrical flow designed with Castillo, his partner Alfonso, and their dog Tana in mind.
The Language of Color, Light, and Gold
Color serves as the foundational narrative throughout Castillo’s Oviedo residence, dictating the mood of each space according to its natural light exposure. In the bedroom suite at the front of the building, which receives limited sunlight restricted primarily to the afternoon, Castillo deliberately chose darker, more soothing shades to lower the heart rate and evoke tranquility. The sleeping area features a sophisticated palette of pinks, blues, camel, and chocolate brown, anchored by a ceiling painted in a soft dusty pink to provide a gentle visual contrast.
Conversely, the brighter rear side of the apartment is rendered in lighter, warmer tones of butter, cream, ochre, and mustard. Running as a unifying thread through both zones is Castillo’s signature passion for gold. Rejecting the notion that gold is merely pretentious or synonymous with superficial luxury, he views it as a source of warmth and light. He favors metals that have developed a rich patina over time, noting that even newly installed and brushed elements, such as the home’s shower screens, are treated to look as though they have stood for ages. He balances this warmth with cool silver accents, creating a harmonious interplay between the two metallic finishes.
Personal Sanctuaries and Domestic Life
While Castillo frequently redecorates the social areas of his homes to maintain a continuous sense of well-being and fuel his creative search for happiness, his private living quarters remain strictly protected. Drawing a parallel to his larger residence in Madrid, Castillo created a private duplex apartment within the Oviedo home—a microcosm exclusively shared with Alfonso and their dog, Tana.
Describing himself as a homebody at heart, Castillo notes that his love for decorating stems from a deep-seated desire to be surrounded by his personal treasures. This private zone features a comfortable mix of cherished artworks, including pieces by José María Yturralde alongside a masterclass portrait of an elderly woman by early 20th-century portraitist Álvarez de Sotomayor—a visually striking painting that Castillo loves to live with despite its emotional intensity.
Cinematic Inspiration and Creative Roots
Castillo’s expansive creative vision draws heavily from cinema, noting that films by directors like Stanley Kubrick and Luchino Visconti serve as constant sources of inspiration. Following a recent visit to the Dries Van Noten Foundation in Venice, Castillo found himself obsessively rewatching Visconti’s 1971 cinematic masterpiece Death in Venice, discovering new layers of interior design detail—from drapes and Indian fabrics to Murano necklaces—upon every viewing.
This acute visual sensibility was nurtured early in life, heavily influenced by his maternal grandmother. As a young boy in Madrid, Castillo inherited back issues of the American edition of Architectural Digest from his grandmother, who maintained a remarkably progressive home featuring turquoise high-gloss kitchen walls, Portuguese tiles, and American-inspired wallpaper. Growing up in 1970s Spain with a deep passion for art history and interior design presented societal challenges, as traditional peers often viewed his interests as unconventional. However, Castillo ultimately recognized that his unique perspective was a strength rather than a flaw.
Redefining Antiques and Interior Design in Spain
Before establishing himself as a premier interior designer, Castillo opened an antique shop in Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras with his brother Santiago, backed by the support of their surgeon father. Growing tired of the commercial limitations of traditional antique collecting, Castillo began approaching antiques from a decorative standpoint rather than focusing purely on intrinsic value. By mixing classical French pieces with 20th-century furniture—particularly from the 1960s and 1970s—he introduced a fresh, modernized approach to Spanish interiors inspired by design icons like David Hicks.
Reflecting on the broader landscape of Spanish design, Castillo credits pioneers like Jaime Parladé for creating an international Spanish style, and the underappreciated Rafael García for his contributions to modern interiors and cinematic set design. Castillo laments the historical decline of Spanish interior design during the 18th and 19th centuries, noting the late emergence of the local bourgeoisie compared to other European nations.
Looking forward, Castillo remains deeply motivated by the educational aspect of his career. Inspired by his father, who taught at a university, Castillo finds his greatest pride in sharing his knowledge of interior design, passing on the torch, and mentoring the next generation. He emphasizes that creating beautiful, happiness-inducing spaces is not a matter of financial privilege, but of cultivating curiosity and understanding the fundamental principles of design.
