Inside a curiosity-filled Lisbon apartment for a globe-trotting art collector
Designers often root a project in its place and this apartment in Lisbon’s historic Chiado neighbourhood is no exception, but, for interior designer Gracinha Viterbo, it was the vitality of her client’s personality that defined the extraordinary interiors.
‘Location, culture and local craft will always be part of my inspiration, but for me the client’s story is more important,’ she declares. ‘How can I create a home that will allow them to discover their authentic self?’
For this project, that client was a Brazilian art collector with homes all over the world who contacted Gracinha after visiting her store, Cabinet of Curiosities, and realising she felt more at home there than in her own apartment. Describing the homeowner as ‘intelligent, fun, sophisticated, a risk taker with an eagle eye for curious details’, Gracinha wanted to ‘reflect her in all her power’.
The property was in fairly good condition but was crying out for a personalised look; this Gracinha happily supplied, adorning every surface with eye-popping print, pattern and colour. ‘Functionality is to be considered thoroughly in each space,’ she says, ‘but creating a mood or aesthetic is really what makes the client’s heart beat. Energy is everything.’
The soul of this home is in its extraordinary artworks but, far from feeling like a sterile gallery, it’s a welcoming space made for entertaining and relaxing. Gracinha relished working with curator Danniel Rangel to link the interiors with the works on display.
‘We decided to go with a contemporary vibe,’ explains Danniel. ‘You’ll find Pae White and Anish Kapoor, but also icons like Carol Rama and Lucio Fontana to mix with pieces by Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand and Ron Arad. It created the perfect balance for a rich and historical city like Lisbon.’
The home’s traditional layout has the living room in the centre with a circular corridor linking the other spaces. Gracinha retained this arrangement, but added dramatic perforated sliding doors from the living room to the dining area – a tribute to Milan’s iconic Villa Necchi. ‘It became the gateway; that and the gorgeous de Gournay “Symphony” silk wallpaper on the ceiling,’ she explains.
‘I knew I had to create some rhythm between the incredible Mondrian on the fireplace, the fluidity of the Vladimir Kagan sofa and the other impactful pieces. I wanted to make a flow, so that they didn’t feel squashed on one side of the living space.’
‘This is not your all-white, boucle-textured or sculptural algorithm of an interior,’ says Gracinha with a note of pride. ‘It’s poetic, soulful and strong, just like its owner. I’ve been writing my clients’ stories through their homes for 23 years. This was a beautiful one.’ viterbointeriordesign.com
