Upcycling is not just a trend, it's a way of life, a way of thinking and a way of being creative. It's an art that you can't learn at school (unless you've been to a 'free school' that encourages imagination and independence). It is the fruit of personal, imaginative research.

When you have a broken coffee table, for example, think Upcycling before you throw it away. You need to take the time to think about what can be repaired or what you can do with the reusable parts. You need to analyse the object piece by piece. The round part of the table could become a tray and the table legs fixed to the walls could be used as coat hooks.

Today, Odeon is a one-of-a-kind residential space, ideally situated to offer easy access to all that life in Lisbon has to offer. It seamlessly blends history with modern living, offering a vibrant atmosphere while maintaining its architectural integrity. The building retains part of its original metal façade, complete with suspended balconies, now enhanced with a contemporary touch. The result is a beautifully crafted apartment that combines the comfort and functionality of modern living with the tranquility and privacy of a unique historical setting.

The client envisioned a warm Mediterranean vibe, a space where they could relax and entertain. From the start, I wanted to weave in local Portuguese elements, such as traditional azulejos, to root the design in its Lisbon setting. The goal was to create a terrace that felt bright, airy, and inviting—almost like an extension of the sky above it. As we moved through the design process, the vision became more refined, blending Mediterranean warmth with clean, contemporary touches to make the space both stylish and practical.

This November, we immersed ourselves in the profoundly evocative experience of the 2024 Venice Art Biennale. This year, under the theme Stranieri Ovunque ("Foreigners Everywhere"), the Biennale explored what it means to exist as “foreign” across cultures, borders, and communities. Curator Adriano Pedrosa’s vision is bold, spotlighting marginalized voices and reshaping narratives that have too often been excluded from mainstream art spaces.

We always have a preliminary interview with our clients to understand their habits, tastes, wishes, etc. This is then confirmed with a moodboard, which is a crucial part of the interior design process because sometimes words can have different meanings for each person. Nothing is more explicit than an image.

We also involve our clients in the entire process, so in the end, we build the project together—it’s a team effort with the client. There’s no doubt that the result reflects the client’s personality.

Color is a crucial element in decoration, as in any artistic profession; it is what brings the work to life. Each person's sensitivity to color is different, and we do not all perceive the same shades. But don't worry, this is something that can be developed—our eyes can be trained to perceive more nuances. For example, there are 118 names for different shades of white (Titanium White, Ivory White, Off-White…), and no one could perceive them all!