The subject of my latest home-tour post might look like a minimalist Scandinavian pad, but it’s actually set in the beautiful Portuguese city of Porto (which, by the way, is well worth visiting). It’s owned by Susana Oliveira, whose Instagram gallery is one of my favourites. She has an excellent eye for design, and I love seeing little snippets of her gorgeous house, which blends iconic Nordic pieces with typical Portuguese architecture, when I scroll through my feed each morning.
I chatted to Susana to find out more about her home and her interiors style…
Please can you tell us a bit about yourself?
“I’m 47 years old and I was born in Porto, where I still live. I work as an economist at a bank, but my favourite hobby is everything related to interior design.”
Susana’s home is filled with sleek, minimalist pieces such as this plinth – an eye-catching way to display flower arrangements and sculptures.
Where’s home, and how long have you lived there?
“It’s a typical three-storey 1930s house which I bought from my late brother. I live with my two daughters, so it’s quite a feminine environment! It had been a long-time dream of mine to move into a house (growing up, my family never lived in flats), so after a few years of my daughters and I living in small apartments, it was great to find a house for us here in Porto. I’ll always be sad that my brother is no longer around to see what I’ve done with it, but that’s life.”
The kitchen has elegant pale grey-green units and striking brass handles. They’re topped with white counters and tiles, which provide the perfect backdrop for a beautiful selection of tableware and serving boards.
How would you describe your interiors style?
“A little Scandinavian and minimalist, though I wouldn’t fit myself into those categories forever. That’s how I feel about interiors now, but it changes with time, so who knows what I’ll like in a few years?”
Where do you find inspiration for your home?
“I find inspiration on Instagram and sometimes on Pinterest and in magazines. Instagram is the only social-media platform that I use as it fills all my interiors needs. I read blogs too, of course, but I find them through Instagram.
Susana’s bedroom is a calming sanctuary in grey and white. The bathroom mixes mosaic tiles, pale wood and on-trend matte-black fittings, with hamman-style towels adding the finishing touch.
What’s your favourite part of the house and why?
“Right now it’s the living and dining room – it’s actually where we spend most of our time. I like the high ceilings and the architectural details, and it’s the first room we enter when we arrive home, so I guess I wanted the first impression of the house to be good!”
The grey sofa and fluffy sheepskins in Susana’s living and dining room contrast beautifully with the white walls. The marble-based lamp by the TV is New Work’s ‘Kizu’, and the eye-catching copper pendant light is by Tom Dixon. The vase is Menu’s ‘Cyclades’ design.
And your favourite piece of furniture?
“It’s my Hans J Wegner ‘Wishbone’ chair – a true design classic. I love the amazing craftsmanship behind it.”
Where do you like to source items for your home – any favourite brands or shops?
“I buy 99.9% online, as here in Portugal I only visit IKEA and Zara Home. I mostly buy from Finnish Design Shop, Moodings, Royal Design, Room For More, Nest.co.uk and Scandinavian Design Center, although there are so many beautiful online boutiques. The shipping costs end up being one of the most important factors when I’m making a decision!”
Susana’s ‘Wishbone’ chair sits in her home office, which has a striking monochrome scheme and a snuggly Berber rug. The lamp is Verner Panton’s iconic ‘Panthella’, designed in 1971; the other accessories are from Lyngby Porcelain, Kähler Design and IKEA.
Do you have any future plans for the house?
“I do – I want to change so many things! Firstly, I’ll have to remove some rotten wood and decide what to do with the floors. I’m thinking about changing the colour and material (a light grey is on my mind), but I’m still waiting for quotes so that I can decide wisely. I’d also like to change the sofa and maybe upgrade the TV cabinet. And in the hall, since I’ll have to remove the skirting, I’ll also strip the wallpaper, have the wall painted and install some shelves.
“I’m also thinking about changing the kitchen a bit, as the worktops are damaged and some appliances need replacing. Then I’ll have to finish the basement and laundry room, and create another living area for the girls. And I dream of a swimming pool in the garden, but that really is just a dream…!”
Susana has decorated her String shelving unit with a mix of stylish Scandinavian accessories and treasured items. The grey vases are from Cooee Design.
Finally, what’s your top interior-design tip?
“Keep it simple. Choose the floor and coordinate it with the walls and doors. Finding the right colours is so important, especially if you want to create a calm environment and enhance the natural light.”
Thanks Susana!
See more of this beautiful home on Susana’s Instagram feed.
All photography by Susana Oliveira
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