Places
Notes from Portugal
I came back from Portugal with far more photos on my phone than I'd planned to take. Not of the obvious landmarks, but of color combinations, tiled buildings, interesting doorways, restaurant interiors and small design details that caught my eye.
On this trip, it wasn't one particular place that stood out. It was how color, pattern and texture were used together. Lisbon especially isn't afraid of bold tiles, painted buildings or decorative details, but somehow it never feels too much. The light probably helps, but so does the balance between old architecture and more contemporary interiors.
One thing I kept noticing was scale. Tiles weren't used as a small feature or splashback, they covered entire facades. Color wasn't limited to accessories either. Buildings, shutters and front doors all played a part, which somehow made it feel much more natural.
Restaurants were probably where I found the most inspiration. None of them felt particularly over-designed, but the mix of materials always felt balanced. Timber, stone, linen, brass and painted finishes were used together in a way that felt relaxed rather than polished. There were plenty of ideas I'd happily borrow for a residential project.
Cascais felt quite different. Softer colors, more natural materials and a slower pace, but still with the same attention to detail. It was a nice reminder that you don't need lots of decoration to make somewhere interesting. Sometimes a change in texture, good light or a carefully chosen color does most of the work.
I rarely come home wanting to recreate a room exactly as I've seen it somewhere else. It's usually a material combination, a color, or the way something has been detailed that stays with me. Portugal was full of those moments, and they've already found their way into my inspiration folder for future projects.
