Simple volumes, airy rooms, and light colors reveal the charm of an important Portuguese residence, a charming refuge with minimal lines, boho references, and a contemporary spirit.
A large white villa with many rooms opening onto a spacious garden, and porches surrounded by pergolas and plants: this is the comfy chic idea of the owners, who commissioned Studio Arte architecture to design their dream home. The flat land, immersed in the Mediterranean scrub on the southern coast of Portugal, facilitated the construction of Casa na Praia, a residence with a central rectangular plan and flat roof, two large lateral wings, and porticoes that shield the sunlight.
The facade of Casa na Praia, surrounded by Mediterranean scrub.
One of the project’s features was the choice to build very thick walls, which not only provide structural integrity but offer exceptional insulation, ensuring optimal thermal comfort throughout the year. The coating on all surfaces, from the exterior walls to the interior walls, with a white lime-based stucco, added a touch of Mediterranean charm.
The pool in the garden surrounding the Portuguese villa.
The division of the interior spaces was designed to create bright and welcoming environments. The large entrance leads, on one side, to the living area with the kitchen, dining room, and living room, while on the other side there are the bedrooms and bathrooms. Light walls, honey-colored wooden floors, and large arches opening in the walls expand the space in a balanced harmony of architectural references..
The living room furnished with light-colored sofas and ethnic-style lamps.
The large room, with French doors opening onto the garden, was furnished with a choice of furniture devoted to elegant comfort: sofas covered in white ecru fabric, antique rugs, vintage wooden coffee tables, wicker vintage armchairs, and straw lamps. Soft touches of color here and there, provided exclusively by the textiles of rugs and cushions in terracotta shades or, in soft contrast, plays between blues and grays.
IDEA FOR THE LIVING ROOM
A more modern, functional sofa with a distinctive design is the new Nefelibata model by Adrenalina. Composed of several elements, it can take on different configurations: from a small sofa to a large island, to accommodate more people. Available with two different covers, it has a convenient charging point with a Schuko and USB socket, as well as a table with a lacquered MDF top. For armchair lovers, French designer Franck Genser has designed the Chance model: a seat with an enveloping shape, walnut feet, and an elegant silk and wool covering by Pierre Frey.
Nefelibata modular sofa by Adrenalina, from € 5,360 – adrenalina.it
Chance armchair by Franck Genser, € 18,700 – franckgenser.com
The dining room, located next to the kitchen, was furnished with the same color palette as the living room, favoring natural wood furniture, small stools, alternating with chairs around the table, plus wicker lamps creating a country chic atmosphere. To warm up the environment, rope and natural fiber rugs and a cactus-shaped sculpture made of woven straw were added.
The dining room furnished with wooden furniture and natural fiber rugs.
IDEA FOR THE DINING ROOM
To give the dining room a more contemporary note, without distorting the “chic country villa” context, you can choose the new table from the Paradise collection by Riflessi. The top, available in a wide range of materials and finishes ranging from glass to wood, has a base in aluminum or bronze, depending on the chosen top. Maximum versatility, thanks to the possibility of having the table customized to the centimeter in the fixed version, so it can fit into environments of various sizes.
Mise en place? knIndustrie offers its new tableware sets that combine stoneware and glass with fine bone china, in a fusion style even at the table. In particular, with the new Shabbychic plate collection, designed by Piero Lissoni and characterized by animal subjects in a delicate blue on a white background.
Paradise table by Riflessi, with natural oak top and bronze-painted aluminum base, € 3,623 – riflessi.it
New tableware collections by knIndustrie, featuring two white plates designed by Piero Lissoni, starting from € 22 – knindustrie.it
Simplicity and rigor were also chosen to furnish the master bedroom of this refined Portuguese villa: bed with a fabric-covered headboard, a vintage stool as a bedside table, combined with a light cotton rug. The same light wooden plank flooring found in the other rooms completes the whole, along with a light point with a dark wicker lampshade.
Light tones and simple furnishings for the master bedroom.
IDEA FOR THE BEDROOM
A decorative element to add personality to a bedroom, even when space is limited, can be a modern screen. The secret lies in the chosen textile which alone can revolutionize a space. In this context, the fabric Vinicunca by Brochier Como, part of the Clerici Tessuto group, is charming. It is offered in two variants on modular panels, available both as single pieces and composite ones, and reproduces the profiles of the Peruvian Andes.
A classic that should never be missing in a bedroom is the valet stand: practical and functional, with space-saving dimensions. An example is the new model Irving by MisuraEmme, which mixes luxury and authenticity in the refined details of the finishes: the structure is in gunmetal-painted metal, the coin tray in leather, and the base in marble.
On the left, detail of the Vinicunca fabric by Brochier Como, panel 255×150 cm, € 347.70 – brochier.it; on the right, Irving valet stand by MisuraEmme, starting from € 1,750 – misuraemme.it
The same light tones, an invitation to relax, are also found in the bathroom. The walls have been painted a cream white, also used for the window shutters to soften the light and create a more welcoming environment. The large bathtub is embedded in a cube of tiles in the same travertine tones, accessorized with vintage-style faucets.
A detail of the bathroom with the embedded bathtub.
IDEA FOR THE BATHROOM
A touch of elegance even in the bathroom? Among the novelties of 2024, Inda presents the new brushed gold finish for the accessories of the Indissima series. Designed by Matteo Thun & Antonio Rodriguez, it includes towel racks, soap dispensers, and tumbler holders, all made in Italy with creativity, originality, and distinctive elegance.
A design touch is also suggested by the new collection Side by Rubinetterie Stella. The faucet handles appear as a lever divided into two distinct elements, joined by a joint that enhances the shape and design of the two parts. Everything can be customized by choosing from various finishes: marble, wood, flocked velvet, or fabric on a brass bar.
Brushed gold finish towel rack by Inda, € 191.30 – inda.net
Side collection by Rubinetterie Stella, price on request – rubinetteriestella.it
The villa is surrounded by a large garden and has a spacious porch to enjoy beautiful summer evenings. A partial wooden cover with exposed beams shields the sunlight, while a masonry portion is used for outdoor cooking. An important outdoor space where the furniture has been intentionally kept to a minimum to fully enjoy the surrounding natural environment.
The large porch immersed in the garden surrounding the villa.
IDEA FOR THE GARDEN
For barbecue lovers and those who enjoy cooking outdoors in the summer, Steel presents its new Gea outdoor kitchen. It has an exterior structure in marine-grade steel, a material highly resistant to atmospheric agents, and is compatible with many accessories: Swing line barbecue, sinks of various sizes, built-in rapid burner, and many other tools for outdoor cooking.
A well-kept outdoor space also requires suitable coverings: Casalgrande Padana combines the charm of stone with the strength and resistance of porcelain stoneware with the Pietra Tiburtina collection. Characterized by delicate earth-toned shades and multifaceted streaks, it is non-slip and can be laid outdoors directly on sand, gravel, or grassy grounds.
As for furniture, an alternative to the classic iron garden table can be the new model Kasane by Gervasoni designed by Nendo. It has rounded shapes and is covered by a thin layer of clay with a matte stain-resistant treatment, accentuating the texture for a pleasant tactile experience. To soften the dining chairs, Lanerossi offers the new Tracce collection of cushions. They are made of 100% linen produced by Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale and are available with five different patterns in shades of blue, ocher, and green.
Gea outdoor kitchen in the Latemar configuration by Steel, available in four preconfigured solutions and customizable, € 7,781 – steel-cucine.com
Pietra Tiburtina collection by Casalgrande Padana, available in four colors and various formats, price on request – casalgrandepadana.it
Kasane table by Gervasoni design Nendo, € 7,559 – gervasoni1882.com
Tracce collection cushions by Lanerossi, from € 45 – lanerossi.com
In the large garden surrounding the villa, a beautiful swimming pool was a must. In this case, Studio Arte architecture & design – who curated the entire design – designed it with an infinity edge, internal steps, and a coating of small blue tiles, and around it, another wooden pergola with a masonry bench. A suggestive result that invites relaxation and blends perfectly with nature.
The large pool in the villa’s garden.
IDEA FOR THE POOL AREA
Ideal for enjoying beautiful summer days and long garden evenings by the pool is the new outdoor rocking chair Cut by Potocco. Lightweight and practical to move at will, it has a steel rod structure and a hand-woven belt shell with a soft cushion. It can be paired with the new Arena daybed, born from the collaboration of Roda and Missoni, who after sharing their know-how in textile processing and outdoor furniture production, created a new collection with a strong aesthetic connotation combined with maximum practicality and resistance for outdoor use.
Project by Studio Arte architecture & design – studioarte.info
Photo Zavial Studio
Cut rocking chair by Potocco, € 2,990 – potocco.it
Arena daybed upholstered with Missoni fabric and produced by Roda, available with different finishes and fabrics, from € 9,390 – rodaonline.com
On the cover, the large living area of a large villa in Portugal.
