Zebra Is Back.

Don't we all love so much animal prints?

Today I've been digging in my old portfolio and found this photo I want to share with you all. It was taken 6 years ago. I used the fabric to do a few decorative cushions to go with gold velvet curtains.

Animal prints are back in our homes (and other spaces) and we welcome it.

Love the wild and sexiness they have within. Touches we all need to be surrounded by. It's probably the most feminine pattern ever created (by Nature).

What's your favourite animal print?

Fabric by Aldeco | Table lamp by Aureliano Toso | Chair by Ron Arad for Kartell | Vase by Álvaro Siza | Feathers from a very old haberdashery | Rug swatch by Nanimarquina | Coffee table by Eliana Tomás

Great Architects Design Great Products.

First time I went to this office building in Old Street (London) the only I think I saw was the Lorosae, a chandelier designed by Álvaro Siza. I always get very excited when I see Designed (or made) In Portugal.

At the time I went for a work meeting with an interior design practice. Half year later the studio I am working for at the moment, moved to the same building, which by the way is inhabited by designers and architects.

Day Light.
Night Light.

The lamp is manufactured by Reggiani, an Italian lighting company. I completely fell in love with this product the moment it was introduced to me back in 2002. Bought a couple for my studio (click here to see a smaller version), and in every opportunity I specified it.

It suits both, home or office environment. The most interesting space I specified it was actually to a kitchen. It gives the right light.

It is not the cheapest of the lamps, but if we think product and design quality it is indeed a great investment.

Bottle Green Kitchen - Space For Everyday.

If you say to someone your kitchen is green, more precisely bottle green, everyone will look at you with an horrified face trying to imagine such space. Dark and old fashion will be the only adjectives in their mind.

The truth is, dark green can be very well balanced when the fitted (or not) cabinets make a good contrast with white background and simple lines.

Key to achieve such harmonious space are the size of the tiles (200x200mm), mate finish and NO tile band. Simplicity always wins even when the colour choice is as bold as this one.

Love the straw blinds touch. They not only give a casual look, but balance very nicely textures, materials and colours, don't you think?

The total hight of green tiles are just about perfect, framing very well the cabinets above.

Another important detail in this kitchen are the handles. Simple stainless steel dots giving a nice movement to square panels.

From London To Lisbon.

Good news.
For a while I've been thinking about going back to Portugal. I feel London is no longer doing anything for me and truth to be told I miss my family and friends a lot. More than they probably can imagine.

Yesterday I finally decided to pack my British life and go back home, at least for now. We all know I'm always up for interesting challenges, so who knows what happens next?

I will indeed miss everyone in London and the amazing things always happening in this city, but within Europe is so easy to travel that I'm sure I'll be back often to enjoy (only) what London has best to offer.

Being an interior designer, there's something else I can't help stop thinking about: all my material possessions. It sounds very materialistic, I know, but I miss my books, house deco and furniture, especially the one I've designed. I'm sure they miss me too.

So, very soon I hope, I'll update you all with my new flat, which I hope to get in one of Lisbon's hills and the interior design project(s) I'll have in hands.
Stay tuned. Lot's too share.

My old bedroom in Portugal, in the flat I've sold a few years ago. Lot's of ideas to adapt the deco to my future new space.

Picture frames by Danish brand, lamp by Aureliano Toso, bespoke cushions (fabric by Aldeco), hand made summier, antique bedside table.

Probably The First Object.

The first object which has probably influenced and marked my life forever was the buggy my little brother used to be carried around. I still remember pushing both on the way to the beach! My God, beautiful memories!

If I'm 6 years older than my brother, I would say this object appeared in my daily life maybe when I was... 8? Yes, he would be probably around 2 when my mum got the design icon.

At the time I was already giving all the credits to simplicity, contemporary design and of course functionality. This object enhances absolutely all of them, doesn't it?

So, it was completely astonishment when I bump into it at MoMA. I couldn't believe I would encounter such memories in New York City.

Don't you just love the white and blue stripes?

The seating was made of a kind of tight net with a plastic touch, and the structure was probably aluminium. I wonder if this was the very first folded buggy. Anyone knows?

Do you remember which object has marked your life and somehow still pops in your memory without expecting it?

I wonder if I dig in my mum's attic I will find it. Maybe not. I'm much more precious about objects than anyone in my family, so when something is broken or no longer functional, they either give them away or simply recycle it.

Untitled.

There's only one moment I like to photograph people: when they don't know they've been photographed. The reason why is because I can grab those precious moments of pure body language.

This is the most beautiful picture I have from NYC. Shot it the last day when I was walking down 5th Avenue.

Love the composition, light and the unexpected.

Share your thoughts.

I Love Street Art.

Street Art in NYC has a different aesthetic.

I Love Stylish Kids.

New York Style is detailed in a different precision.

I Love Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola tastes different in NYC.

I Love Cast Iron Stairs.

NYC cast iron stairs add a different romance to our lives.