Cover Another view of the grand living area, which features a painting by Portuguese artist Antonio Sena
Another view of the grand living area, which features a painting by Portuguese artist Antonio Sena
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Featuring interiors crafted by Studio Joana Aranha, this gorgeous waterfront property in Portugal celebrates its stunning setting with thoughtful design touches and breezy interiors
Estoril, a dreamy coastal town located on the Portuguese Riviera, is famed for its golden sandy beaches, grand hotels and stately homes. Standing right next to the sea, this well-appointed penthouse apartment capitalises on its enviable location with elements that pay homage to its picturesque surrounds, and cosy interiors tailor-made for family life.
Studio Joana Aranha worked closely with the clients in Portugal to conceptualise an abode that met their needs, combining personalisation and beautiful design in this stunning interior.
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Above The vintage armchairs from the fifties are reupholstered in a playful geometric pattern and add dynamism to the space
The vintage armchairs from the fifties are reupholstered in a playful geometric pattern and add dynamism to the space
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The clients had requested a home that was family-oriented, with interiors that were united in their design yet sporting individual touches for visual interest and character. The owners also desired an appropriate interior setting for the many collectibles and furniture they had amassed over the years.
“Incorporating these pieces helped to set the mood and style for the house,” says Joana Aranha, partner at her eponymous design studio.
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The black piping on the bespoke Joana Aranha Signature sofa adds a sartorial touch to the living area, echoing the other black accent pieces and trimmings
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A feeling of refinement permeates the entire 6,458sqft house, which incorporates a high-ceilinged living room and family room, powder room, a kitchen and pantry area, as well as a library and study on the mezzanine, and finally, three bedroom suites and a master suite. On the highest floor is an indoor pool and relaxation area, while wide, spacious balconies overlooking the sea envelop the entire structure.
The voluminous living room is a neutral-hued, light-filled zone that brings the outdoors in with the help of full-height glass sliding doors that also visually expand the already generous space. A base of white and beige hues melds with the black and white of the furniture to create a breezy yet sophisticated vibe, with geometric patterns lending graphic contrast.
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Above The blue door frame is among the surprising details in this calming penthouse
The blue door frame is among the surprising details in this calming penthouse
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A bespoke sofa from Joana Aranha Signature just begs to be lounged on with its plush form, while antique French Bergere chairs and an antique armchair upholstered in fabric from Nobilis add versatility to the seating options here. A console and coffee tables from Joana Aranha Signature channel elegance with their forms and material mix; the console incorporates natural wood, black painted wood and white patina with brass handles painted in the same colour, while the coffee tables feature black-and-white tiled tops and legs clad in gold leaf. An antique mirror with white French Boiserie panelling takes pride of place and reflects the entire tableau, which is presided over by a stately Italian chandelier.
Above The custom oak dining table is crafted with a blue Celeste marble top, and paired with
wooden chairs upholstered in white linen
Above Blue elements add a calming touch to the home
The custom oak dining table is crafted with a blue Celeste marble top, and paired with wooden chairs upholstered in white linen
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The similarly spacious family room continues this eclectic design language, with a contemporary sofa and poufs from Joana Aranha Signature in white upholstery with black piping from Romo Fabrics standing alongside more traditional pieces. These include a classic Imperial couch clad in a specially embroidered fabric from C&C and Fox Linton, antique fireplace chairs, and an oak-and-leather French chair from the fifties. Here, a wooden table from Joana Aranha Signature features handwritten quotes from the family: “a letter for life”, and a manifesto of human relationships.
“The living room and family room were particularly interesting to work on,” says Aranha. “They had incredible architectural features, and the high ceilings enhanced by Italian chandeliers made the space majestic yet cosy at the same time. The combination of pieces that were part of the clients’ history with others of a more contemporary nature also gives the home an eclectic yet elegant feel.”
Above Inherited antique pieces imbue the living area with a sense of history
Inherited antique pieces imbue the living area with a sense of history
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Inspired by the captivating seascape, the designer also opted to incorporate the colour blue into many of the interior details, such as the doors. “We used a light blue, similar to what the view offers,” says Aranha. “It was a colour inspired by the place itself, that reminds us of a ‘city beach’. The home’s setting also influenced the material mix Studio Joana Aranha decided on. “The wood, the natural stone of the fireplaces, the linen and silk trims, and hand-plastered walls and ceilings throughout the house bring about a closeness to nature and a connection with the purest state of materials.”
Above A grand chandelier floats above the double-height family room
Above A cosy nook on the mezzanine is a perfect spot for reading
A grand chandelier floats above the double-height family room
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Above The daughter's bedroom showcases her love of fashion
Above The doors leading to the pantry feature a playful wallpaper with tableware motifs
The daughter's bedroom showcases her love of fashion
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Interesting touches abound throughout the home. In the dining room, the gaze is drawn upwards to the intricate ceiling, a paint-and-stucco mixed-technique masterpiece crafted by a local artist. This same treatment is also applied in the toilet, with its plaster walls boasting reliefs done by hand. Personalised attention was also given to each family member. “As the son loves to paint, his room features a canvas and fresh paints that are ready to use,” smiles Aranha.
Above Hat stands and other custom elements cater to the daughter's enviable wardrobe and collection of accessories
Hat stands and other custom elements cater to the daughter's enviable wardrobe and collection of accessories
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Similarly, the daughter’s room feeds her passion for hats, complete with boxes to store them in, hat stands and numerous hats too. In the living room, a rope links the Bergere chairs, signifying the unity and strength of the husband and wife.
The indoor pool is an utterly tranquil space furnished with a custom table and sunbeds by Joana Aranha, Vitra Eames Chairs as well as a floor lamp from Artemide
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The eight-month partial renovation, interior design and turnkey project was completed in 2020, offering the owners an experience to savour when they moved in. “We never just hand a house over to a client... we light candles, we leave the music on, we leave a bottle of wine and they enter on their own,” declares Aranha. “We let the clients feel the house. And then we receive emotional phone calls... and this time was no exception! They loved the end result and the attention given to every detail and the consideration given to each one of them.”
The master bedroom is furnished with a Hastens bed, custom bedside tables with special handmade mirrored tops crafted by a French artist, Andrew Martin table lamps, an antique chair and curtains in a fabric from Decortex
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