@Paulo Alexandre Coelho
It is from a 19th century building, located in Lisbon's premium avenue, Avenida da Liberdade, that Cristina Jorge de Carvalho - Interior Design develop tailor-made interior design projects for their worldwide clientele. The work range is wide, and varies from private residences, commercial spaces, hotels, offices and Spa's.
Characterized by an eclectic style where contemporary lines meet in-temporal and classic hues, following a sober, yet fresh and elegant approach. The luxury spaces, designed by the studio's team, their exclusiveness and uniqueness are responsible for the Studio's worldwide recognition and success.
Cristina Jorge de Carvalho studio aims to define through interior design and its tailor-made projects, its clients lifestyle and living style. Hence, we wanted to know Cristina Jorge de Carvalho's own lifestyle and best recommendations in town. See he interview below.
Secret location?
I will keep it a secret!
Best view?
Entering Lisbon, from Cascais, by boat.
A guilty pleasure?
Chocolate.
Where can we find you on Sunday?
In winter, if I’m in town, you can find me having brunch at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon with my kids and friends. If it’s summer, you’ll most likely find me at the beach in Comporta. Sometimes having a late lunch at Monte Mar in Cascais, feeling the splashing of the waves.
A trend for Lisbon’s future?
I think Lisbon, in a couple of years, will be a city with a high percentage of foreign residents. The mix of people, locals and foreigners, with their different ways of living, will certainly influence the city and its scene. I believe we are well under way to becoming a true cosmopolitan and eclectic city with more to offer than just our beautiful beaches, sunny weather and amazing food.
Favorite drink in the city? Coolest place to have a drink? What’s your favorite summer drink?
Cocktails with my friends, team and clients at my Showroom, on Thursday evenings. All cocktails at “Bistro 100 Maneiras”. My Favourite summer drink is a Bellini.
Where do you like to unwind?
At the Ritz Spa, I love to do half day treatments.
Something you cannot resist?
I cannot resist dancing at Lux, where you can find excellent DJ’s.
What can you do here & nowhere else?
During the summer, I can escape at lunch time or at the end of the day and be at the beach in 20 minutes. You can’t do this anywhere else…!
What's your favorite beach?
Impossible to choose one: Tavira, Guincho, Portinho da Arrábida and Praia Grande are my favorites. If you go to Praia Grande don’t miss the opportunity to have lunch at Azenhas do Mar Restaurant.
A favorite day-trip from Lisbon, and why?
Definitely Comporta. In 45 minutes you arrive and there’s so many things to do: have a coffee at Lavanda and do some last minute shopping; discover a deserted beach by jeep; at 3 p.m. go to Dinis or Sal for clams and a refreshing glass of white wine; finish the day by being marveled with the incomparable sunset. It’s the perfect day-trip.
If you had some foreigner friends coming to stay in Lisbon, where would you recommend they go shopping?
I would recommend them to shop local and discover Portuguese stores with Portuguese products: Luvaria Ulisses, Velas do Loreto, A Vida Portuguesa, Conserveira de Lisboa, Garrafeira Nacional, Casa do Café, Manteigaria, Teresa Alecrim and for amazing fashion, Alves Gonçalves atelier. If they're looking for a sophisticated experience with an eclectic mix of international designer brands I would definitely recommend Stivali on Av. da Liberdade.
Lisbon's coolest neighbourhood? Why?
Príncipe Real and Chiado. On both neighbourhoods you can walk and have access to several things: you can do some shopping – from groceries, to the biological market, to fashion – have lunch or dinner at several nice restaurants, have a drink at one of the many cool bars and also enjoy the gardens - Jardim Botânico at Principe Real – and the museums on both neighborhoods.
Where can we find you having dinner on Thursday night?
Most likely at Aqui há Peixe, Bica do Sapato, Cevicheria, Mini Bar or Bistro 100 Maneiras.
Someone NOT to be stuck in an elevator with?
Donald Trump!
Tell us a little bit about your showroom in Av. da Liberdade?
My new Showroom and Atelier works as a 'by appointment only sales showroom', where visitors can not only discover my aesthetic, but also buy exclusive pieces from my Furniture Collection and also from international brands, like DCW, Artifor and Knoll. Also, through a partnership with Cristina Guerra – Contemporary Art, visitors have the possibility to acquire a selection of works of art from some of the most prestigious artists represented by this gallery. My goal was to create an exclusive space that would be a living portfolio of my work, as well as a space where I could broaden my offer. A client can visit the Showroom and decide to move forward with an entire project or just buy a chair or a decorative item.
Where do you find inspiration?
Life is a constant stream of inspiration. Everything we see can be a source of inspiration – from a work of art, to a movie, the beauty of a photograph, the worn floor of an antique store, a yellow leaf on the ground, a music that transports us to another hemisphere… – everything can be inspirational. I can’t really precise what inspires me, but I believe that ultimately all I see in my travels, all that I have lived, my background… All of these influence me in a subtle way.
Do you have one favorite color? That you always tend to use?
Yes, taupe, that’s definitely my color. I love it! I tend to use it in almost every project as well as on all the communication tools connected with my atelier.
Who are your main clients at the moment? Local or international?
My clients are mostly international, mainly from London, Paris, South Africa, Brazil, Qatar, Angola, Mozambique and the U.S.
If you had to highlight a recent project which would it be?
A summer house on the south coast of Portugal. It has two private beaches, an amazing garden and stunning ocean views. I consulted on the architectural project and was responsible for the interior architecture and interior design project. I think the final result met and exceeded the client’s expectations, which is always my main goal.
Why this particular one?
On the one hand, because of the privileged location and property; on the other hand, because of the freedom the client gave me to create a contemporary, luxurious and timeless house. The result was superb.
A dream project?
A beach hotel.
