Mercedes Peralta, stylish parties at the family home

December 4, 2024

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For Mercedes Peralta, the house that her mother-in-law, Pilar Lladó, has on the outskirts of Madrid has a special meaning. Not only because of the many weekends and Three Kings’ Days in which he meets with his in-laws there, but also because she herself has been in charge of decorating it covered by the members of the Arena Lladó clan. The interior architect, one of the halves from the 2 Mercedesthe study he leads with his partner and friend Mercedes Valdenebrowelcomes us into the home that has witnessed so many aperitifs, after-dinner meals and afternoons in the garden since the mother of her husband, Juan Arenait will turn onand the property.

Mercedes Peralta, stylish parties at the family home

Mercedes Peralta at home — The Sevillian, sitting on a bench in the living room (above, another of its corners) and surrounded by glass balls acquired at the antique shop that Helena Egea and Carina Casanovas have in Madrid

This Sevillian living in the capital more than a decade ago, daughter of the legendary rejoneador Rafael Peralta Pineda and Mamer Revuelta Gonzálezshows us for the first time the chalet where the consultant – a member of the ARCO board for fifteen years – exhibits her extensive collection of sculpture, painting and photography. As arty and refined as its owner, it serves as a refuge and meeting place throughout the year.

The living room of Mercedes Peralta's house — When it comes to receiving, especially at Christmas, the interior designer fills the house with floral arrangements and candles. Above these lines, general plan of the living room, where color and art are key

-How did your mother-in-law find this home?

-Pilar always lived in We arewatersbut it had been in the center of Madrid for a few years, where it was not completely seen. So, searching with my sister-in-law, she found it.

-Why did you choose her?

-She wanted a residence that could be easily divided to live with her daughter, but at the same time each one could maintain their independence, and this double-height one was perfect.

Mercedes Peralta's dining room — The dining room, organized around an 18th century oak table, with chairs from the Portón de Criptana, a still life by Alfonso Albacete and a sculpture by José Onieva in the background and, to the left, a lithograph by Tàpies

One of the corners of Mercedes Peralta's house

-He trusted you for the interior design, right?

-Yes, but it was a team effort, because Pilar has a great personality and the my husband’s family, a lot of taste in houses and a good eye for art.

-Did you approach the project in a personal capacity or as a commission for Las 2 Mercedes?

-On a personal basis. In the end, it’s about my family and we all participated. Jacobo Lladó, nephew of Pilar and a wonderful architecthas been key.

-Is it more complicated to work for the people in your circle or more satisfying?

-It’s a double edged sword, but generally, I love being able to help them.

-Now that you’re into the subject, what elements did you decide to keep and what others did you renew?

-The renovation was comprehensive, although we maintained the foundations and the façade with some adjustments. Jacobo was in charge of the architectural part and the landscaper Jesús Moraime of the garden.

Mercedes Peralta posing on the porch — Mercedes on the porch

“The decoration was a team effort, because my mother-in-law has a great personality and the Arena Lladó clan, a lot of taste in houses and a good eye for art”

“This Christmas we will celebrate in the countryside with my parents, my brothers and my nephews. We Kings usually spend it in this house”

Mercedes Peralta poses in another corner of her house — Our protagonist, posing next to a sculpture by Venancio Blanco and a painting by Eduardo Arroyo

-Any anecdote from the process that you hold with special affection?

-My mother-in-law’s visits to the studio. Everyone loves her!

-Do you have a favorite corner?

-I think the dining room is where we have the best times. There is no end to family dinners.

Mercedes Peralta's bedroom — one of the bedrooms

Mercedes Peralta's dressing room — The dressing room

A part of Mercedes Peralta's kitchen — a minibar

-Does that mean that you are “little cooks”? What recipes do you prepare when you get together?

-Not too much, actually. Pilar has several dishes that turn out wonderfully, such as vegetable pie. But What we like the most is the aperitif.

-Are you happy with the result?

-A lot, because I see my happy mother-in-law surrounded by her things: those that he has been buying, those that he inherited from his parents, those that have been given to him… In addition, the house is very lived-in.

Mercedes Peralta poses in another part of her house — The Sevillian, in the dining room

“What amuses me the most is the final composition: placing the paintings, the sculptures… finding its place for each piece”

Detail of Mercedes Peralta's bathroom — Details of one of the bathrooms, with wallpaper by Cristina Moreno de la Cova

-Is there anything you feel especially proud of?

-What amuses me the most is hanging the works of art, placing the sculptures, finding a place for each piece… The final composition is where I really enjoy it.

-What would you say cannot be missing for a space to become a home?

–Good lightinga powerful piece of art and a large bookstore.

the entrance hall of Mercedes Peralta's house — Stair details

Details of the decoration of Mercedes Peralta's house — An Aragonese bureau from the 17th century

-Is there a firm that you always turn to and that is also present here?

-The IQ Home Collection, because it is infallible for setting up an ideal table.

-On this occasion you have not collaborated with Mercedes Valdenebro, with whom you founded your eponymous studio in 2012. Are you still as close as the first day?

-Ours has been a fortunate professional and vital meeting that happened naturally. It’s like another marriage. We have always known each other, since our parents are great friends and colleagues, although we became much closer when we moved to Madrid.

Detail of a Christmas ball — Some details of Mercedes Peralta’s lunch

-In addition to the name and vocation, you are both from Seville, you descend from the bullfighting aristocracy and you have three children. Does this explain your enormous affinity?

-I think we have had a very similar life since we were little, and even more so today. Children, husbands, similar plans… We both like family, eating well, traveling…

-Speaking of plans, how do you plan to celebrate Christmas this year?

-In the countryside, with my parents, my brothers and my nephews. It’s like a camp! But We usually spend Three Kings Day here, at my mother-in-law’s chalet.

Mercedes Peralta, arranging some trees in her garden — The decorator, arranging a lunch in the garden

“In our family we have little protocol. We love to enjoy the traditions of the roscón, the gifts, the parade…”

-You are free from acting as hosts. How do you handle yourself as guests?

-We have little protocol. We go from house to house and enjoy the roscón traditionsthe gifts, the parade…

-Are you then a person of traditions?

-Yes, I love them, especially now that I am a mother. In Seville I am faithful to spring, Holy WeekOh the fair; in Madrid, on Twelfth Night and the Pilar festivities.

-Finally, tell us what your Christmas essentials are.

-A lot green that we collect in the field and candles to set the mood, but above all, nougat, ham and champagne.

Roadmap

Deco shopping: Mercedes turns to several antique shops in the Salamanca neighborhood to find furniture and special objects: from the one run by Helena Egea and Carina Casanovas to Candelabro and Slou.
Round plan: Our protagonist wants nothing more than to take a good walk along the Rastro on Sundays, buy flowers in Búcaro or Sally Hambleton, talk and visit a museum.
At a set table: When she acts as a hostess, there is always something from nature on her table and, if it has a “beautiful patina”, she prefers to opt for individual tablecloths and take out the money. The candles, of course, lit.

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