Art & Music House in Playa Negra
Tucked within the vibrant jungle of Playa Negra, just minutes from the heart of Puerto Viejo, The Art & Music House is a soulful two-storey vacation home designed for creative rest and rhythmic retreat. Blending the warmth of Costa Rican craftsmanship with the expressive energy of art and sound, this project was designed to host both the homeowner and international guests seeking a stay that inspires.
The home features two distinct units—The Art House on the ground floor and The Music House above—each with its own private entrance, creating flexibility for personal use or short-term rental. Shared amenities include a tranquil pool and an outdoor lounge tucked into the trees.
My role encompassed the full design concept for both floors, with special attention to functionality, story, and local sourcing. The Art House includes a full kitchen, custom pull-out sofa (co-designed with a local carpenter), and enough room to host up to 5 guests. The Music House brings the groove—complete with an album wall, record player, and a cozy balcony dining area that blurs the line between indoors and out.
This is a home that invites slow mornings, barefoot afternoons, and inspired living—where every stay is set to its own creative rhythm.
Creative Living: The Art House Lounge
The ground-floor living space of The Art House was designed to be as multifunctional as it is meaningful. Doubling as a sleeping area when rented out, this compact lounge transforms seamlessly thanks to a custom-designed pull-out sofa made with a Japanese-style foldable mattress—crafted in collaboration with a local carpenter.
Every element was carefully considered for dual purpose and artistic expression. A mounted headboard transitions into a privacy screen or pin board, inviting guests to share their own sketches, notes, and moments. The ceiling—once overlooked—became a bold muraled canvas that anchors the room with colour and imagination.
Complete with curated stationery and playful prompts, the space encourages every visitor to contribute to the growing tapestry of stories and artwork, turning a short stay into part of a long and beautiful narrative.
The Art House Kitchen
The ground floor kitchen at The Art House embraces the raw elegance of smooth concrete and the ease of open storage. To maintain both form and function, we incorporated woven baskets and mason jars—creating an organized, visually calm space stocked with the cooking essentials guests need.
Touches of greenery from indoor plants breathe life into the neutral palette, while carefully styled shelving adds warmth and personality. It's a kitchen that invites creativity without the clutter—designed to feel as welcoming and lived-in as the meals shared within it.
Upstairs at The Art & Music House, the Music House offers a soulful hideaway nestled in the jungle canopy. A queen-sized bed and ensuite bathroom provide comfort and ease, while the adjoining lounge becomes the heart of the experience.
A custom feature wall of curated record albums, mounted guitars, and a vintage-style record player invites guests to connect through music—honouring the passions of the homeowner and extending them as a shared gift. Designed to evolve from day to night, the space is layered with soft, ambient lighting woven into the wall installation, maintaining a warm, relaxed atmosphere as the sun goes down.
Whether you're spinning a favourite track or soaking in the quiet of the tropics, this space makes room for both rhythm and rest.
Melody Meets Retreat: The Music House
Jungle Balcony Living
Stepping just outside the Music House, guests are greeted by an expansive private balcony designed for slow living and open-air connection. The compact kitchenette is equipped with the essentials, all neatly organized for ease and simplicity—ideal for morning coffee rituals or laid-back evening snacks.
A cozy dining nook invites intimate meals surrounded by birdsong and lush greenery, while the soft-seating lounge and hammock offer a front-row seat to the jungle’s ever-changing symphony. This outdoor extension of the home becomes a tranquil stage for rest, reflection, and rhythm.
Designed specifically for the Art & Music House, this custom pull-out sofa proves that practicality doesn’t have to come at the expense of style. A foldable Japanese-style mattress seamlessly transitions from a cozy sofa by day to a plush queen bed by night, supported by a solid pine frame that’s both lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Throw cushions add tactile layers of pattern, comfort, and personality—making the piece feel right at home in a creative, lived-in space. This sofa wasn’t just made for sitting or sleeping—it was made to flex, adapt, and inspire.
Custom Pull-Out Sofa
Before the Transformation
When first acquired, the property came with a mix of leftover furniture—ill-fitting, uncomfortable, and lacking the function needed for a dual AirBnB setup. The kitchen was cluttered and inefficient, with no clear organisation or flow. The home itself held promise but needed thoughtful direction: one that could transform it into two independent, inviting rental spaces while maintaining a shared sense of character in the communal areas.
This “before” moment marked the starting point of a creative reimagining—one that brought clarity, cohesion, and soul to a home waiting to come alive.
