Alentejo Beach House — Alentejo, Portugal
With its pristine beaches, rolling plains and cork oak forests, Portugal’s Alentejo region is rated as one of the most unsullied corners of Europe.
The perfect spot, then, for Evelyne Tissier and Claude Martin to concoct their antidote to Parisian bustle: a vernacular ‘beach house’ cast in cool concrete by Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus.
‘I liked the idea of having a little hamlet on a hill,’ fashionista Tissier tells us of her rural escape, situated an hour south of Lisbon close to the hills of Serra de Grândola.
The retreat combines a main residence – featuring communal dining and living space and an en-suite bedroom – with three independent casitas, each offering an en-suite bedroom and sea-facing terrace. Outside lies a heated pool and lemon, orange and olive groves.
Tissier’s creative coterie shaped the vision: fashion designer Bill Gaytten picked the spot and photographer Matthieu Salvaing suggested imprinting the concrete with wood to create an organic relief.
Vast glass doors showcase the natural setting, while spartan interiors sport vintage pieces such as José Espinho’s 1950s sideboard, sourced from Setúbal-based dealer Antonio ‘Le Brocanteur’
When the tranquillity gets too much head 20 minutes west to Praia do Carvalhal for decent surf and grilled fish at O Dinis.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
ADDRESS
Serra di Melides, Alentejo
-
Three new coffee makers for a contemporary brew, from a casual cup to a full-on branded espresso
Three new coffee makers, from AeroPress, Jura and Porsche x La Marzocco, range from the defiantly manual to the bells and whistles of a traditional countertop espresso machine
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Don't miss Luxembourg's retro-futuristic lab pavilion in Venice
As the Venice Biennale enters its last few weeks, catch 'A Comparative Dialogue Act' at the Luxembourg Pavilion
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
A Berlin park atop an office building offers a new model of urban landscaping
A Berlin park and office space by Grüntuch Ernst Architeken offer a symbiotic relationship between urban design and green living materials
By Michael Webb Published
-
Find serenity at Casa Fortunato, a Portuguese bolthole filled with light
Design-savvy duo Antonio Falcáo Costa Lopes and Filipa Fortunato chose Alcácer do Sal as the perfect setting for the second iteration of their original Casa Fortunato
By Mary Lussiana Published
-
Discover Locke de Santa Joana: a restored convent turned Lisbon hotel catering to ‘creative, Bohemian aficionados’
Born from the restoration of an old convent, Locke de Santa Joana has been redesigned by Post Company and Lázaro Rosa Violán into a design-led city break
By Mary Lussiana Published
-
The Rebello is a chic hotel with an industrial past on Porto’s riverside
Transforming industrial buildings on the Douro river, The Rebello is a new hotel ‘with an old soul’
By Rupert Eden Published
-
Modern, earthy lodges await at Lavandeira Douro Nature & Wellness
Lavandeira Douro Nature & Wellness in Portugal boasts off-track luxury cabins by FCC Architectura
By Rupert Eden Published
-
The Algarve welcomes Austa, an all-day kitchen in touch with its heritage
From breakfast to dinner, Austa embraces honest eating and local community
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Marqí hotel brings a minimalist 1970s feel to Portugal’s Sintra coast
Danish duo Mikkel Kristensen and architect Mikas Emil’s mansion conversion offers dreamy, cinematic escapism at Marqí, a secluded boutique hotel
By Jessica Kelham-Hohler Published
-
The Largo brings craftsmanship and creativity to Porto
The Largo is the latest hospitality offering in Portugal's second city, conceived as an elevated residence with an art programme that connects it to the city’s creative community
By Tom Howells Published
-
Portugal’s newest holiday home is far from the madding crowds
Peace and tranquillity reign at the latest Portuguese holiday home by The Addresses
By Hannah Silver Published