Nejaim Azevedo has been working in the architecture and interior design market for 11 years in residential, commercial and hotel projects. The office was founded by partners Marcia Nejaim and Suzana Azevedo, who personally produce and supervise all projects, valuing the natural light of spaces and the harmony of colors and styles, which result in sophisticated and welcoming environments where comfort and well-being are the essential elements.
Design in Lisbon: What does the word HOME mean to you?
Suzana Azevedo: For me, the word HOME means refuge, sanctuary, comfort. Our home is our intimate space where we produce and collect memories, whether physical, such as family furniture, or memories of moments shared with our loved ones. It is where we can retreat and protect ourselves from the storms of life. Where we can stop, breathe and ponder; where we can be ourselves, without fear or judgement. As the French philosopher and poet Gaston Bachelard wrote in his book La Poétique que de L’Espace: “The house is our corner of the world. It is, as is often said, our first universe. It’s a true cosmos.”
As the French philosopher and poet Gaston Bachelard wrote in his book La Poétique que de L’Espace: “The house is our corner of the world. It is, as is often said, our first universe. It’s a true cosmos.”
DL: Where do you find inspiration for your work?
SA: In nature, in art, in ancient architecture… Everywhere! Inspiration can come from something obvious, like a design fair, or something less conventional, like a fashion collection or a flower arrangement. The important thing is to always be attentive! I like photographing spaces, objects, paintings, gardens… We never know where the next idea might come from.
DL: Who are your biggest references in interior architecture?
SA: Cordelia de Castellane, Kelly Wearstler, and Roberto Migoto. They all have an incredible command over color, texture, and scale, something I try to achieve in my work.
DL: What usually defines a project of yours?
SA: Our signature projects are the juxtaposition of ancient and modern, the play between light and color and the concepts of functionality, versatility and practicality. We have a huge responsibility in translating the client’s needs, their routines, lifestyle and tastes, into an environment that not only provides hospitality, but also has a differentiated aesthetic. Many of our clients collect art, decorative objects, antique furniture, among other things; Our challenge is to insert this curation, sometimes from a lifetime, and create a space that is elegant, cozy, useful and versatile.
Many of our clients collect art, decorative objects, antique furniture, among other things; Our challenge is to insert this curation, sometimes from a lifetime, and create a space that is elegant, cozy, useful and versatile.
DL: What brought you to Lisbon? And what challenges did you encounter when you started working in Portugal?
SA: The move to Lisbon happened organically, actually. We have projects in various parts of the world: Brazil, United States, Venezuela, Chile, Portugal, England, among others. A decade ago, many of our clients invested in properties in Miami. Today, many are making the move from Brazil to Portugal. Issues such as safety, quality of life and the similarity between Brazilian and Portuguese cultures influence the decision of several families to immigrate. It was a strategic decision to meet the demands of our customers. The biggest challenge was finding qualified labor, we did a lot of research, tested employees, and little by little, we are creating successful partnerships.
DL: What distinguished this Cascais project?
SA: The scale and natural luminosity! It is a 480m² apartment, on a single floor (which is unusual for an apartment in the Lisbon region), with a ceiling height of 2.93m and large windows. The view of the sea is the “pièce de résistance” of this project, which works as a kind of natural framework and was our great inspiration. We brought shades of blue and green, warmed by earthy and red tones, both in the external and internal areas.
DL: What main request did the client make for this space?
SA: The clients are quite traditional and have a large amount of antiques and different art. The main request was to display what they had collected over the years, while at the same time creating a home where their children and grandchildren could feel at ease. We then chose to complement the furniture with more modern pieces with straight lines and light colors, to give lightness to the environments and create a counterpoint with the family’s antique Persian rugs. We also work with shelves to display the collection of decorative objects, such as the Poliform Wall System shelf in the living room. The clients also asked us to incorporate elements and materials from Portugal, the country that hosted them. We then chose to use white marble from Estremoz in the fireplace in the living room, Portuguese walnut in the joinery in the dining room and in the wine cellar area, as well as in the entrance hall and main hallway and we even placed a huge faience rooster from Portugal, featured in the kitchen.
We then chose to complement the furniture with more modern pieces with straight lines and light colors, to give lightness to the environments and create a counterpoint with the family’s antique Persian rugs. We also work with shelves to display the collection of decorative objects, such as the Poliform Wall System shelf in the living room.
DL: In what areas did the project start? What are the first steps normally?
SA: The first step of any project is to understand the lifestyle of those who will live in the space: if they work from a home office, if they like to entertain a lot of people, if they cook a lot and need a gourmet kitchen, if they receive guests who pass by at night… From this understanding, we began the creative process. In this project in Cascais, we started with the kitchen, which is the heart of the house. Customers use it to cook together and have family meals. It was important to create large, easy-to-clean, well-lit workspaces and have plenty of storage space. We also chose the Mirto dining table, from B&B Italia, with a wooden top to warm up the space, and the Grace chairs, from Poliform, in leather, thus creating a cozy and elegant dining area.
DL: On the balcony you used a lot of color. What is your relationship with this element usually like?
SA: I love playing and surprising through colors! Colors, used in interior architecture, directly affect our emotions and sensations. The great inspiration for this project was the sea; blue conveys the idea of calm, serenity and tranquility, sensations that we always want to bring to our residential projects. We used blue on the balcony and in the living room, and as a counterpoint, to warm up the spaces, we added shades of red. In the dining room and wine cellar area, we used shades of red; red brings energy, joy and optimism to the environment, which are excellent emotions for an area where we welcome friends.
DL: Outdoor space is of fundamental importance in this project. How do you see the evolution of outdoor spaces in your projects in general?
SA: During the pandemic and after social isolation, we have seen a radical change in the way our customers welcome friends. Before the pandemic, most people wanted a special dining room; Today we see our clients investing in outdoor areas so they can entertain in a safer way. We have created gourmet areas and kitchens, dining areas and relaxation areas in outdoor spaces. The mild climate and quality of sunlight we have in Lisbon are ideal for enjoying outdoor areas. In this project we used the balcony to create a dining area with a large 2.90m table and a seating area with outdoor furniture from Kettal and Flexform.
DL: How did the partnership with QuartoSala come about?
QuartoSala is recognized both in Portugal and Brazil for the quality of its products and professionalism in serving customers and employees. It was an obvious choice to work with such a special company; When I received this project, I had no doubts about going directly to QuartoSala! And we continue with this partnership in other projects that are underway.
DL:What brands do you highlight?
SA: My favorites are Mino, Poliform, Porada, and Porro. I love these brands!
My favorites are Minotti, Poliform, Porada, and Porro. I love these brands!
DL: How does it feel to see a project finished?
SA: It’s a feeling of accomplishment! Clients trust us with their privacy, their needs and their family. Seeing them satisfied with the final project is an incredible reward! And when customers come back, it’s even better!
DL: Is there always learning in each project?
SA: Definitely! We learn not only from the experience of the work itself, but also from the people involved. There is always an exchange of experiences, points of view and aesthetic sense with customers and also with employees. Sometimes we need another pair of eyes to solve a problem.
DL: What new layer does this experience add to your work?
SA: It’s always encouraging when clients have complete trust in my work and accept new ideas, even if these ideas put them outside of their comfort zone. This experience was completely new: we had to collaborate with new suppliers (who were extremely professional and open to our questions), we used products that were unknown to us and sometimes we even had to overcome language differences! It was a very valuable learning experience!
Nejaim Azevedo has been working in the architecture and interior design market for 11 years in residential, commercial and hotel projects. The office was founded by partners Marcia Nejaim and Suzana Azevedo, who personally produce and supervise all projects, valuing the natural light of spaces and the harmony of colors and styles, which result in sophisticated and welcoming environments where comfort and well-being are the essential elements.
Nejaim Azevedo has been working in the architecture and interior design market for 11 years in residential, commercial and hotel projects. The office was founded by partners Marcia Nejaim and Suzana Azevedo, who personally produce and supervise all projects, valuing the natural light of spaces and the harmony of colors and styles, which result in sophisticated and welcoming environments where comfort and well-being are the essential elements.
Design in Lisbon: What does the word HOME mean to you?
Suzana Azevedo: For me, the word HOME means refuge, sanctuary, comfort. Our home is our intimate space where we produce and collect memories, whether physical, such as family furniture, or memories of moments shared with our loved ones. It is where we can retreat and protect ourselves from the storms of life. Where we can stop, breathe and ponder; where we can be ourselves, without fear or judgement. As the French philosopher and poet Gaston Bachelard wrote in his book La Poétique que de L’Espace: “The house is our corner of the world. It is, as is often said, our first universe. It’s a true cosmos.”
As the French philosopher and poet Gaston Bachelard wrote in his book La Poétique que de L’Espace: “The house is our corner of the world. It is, as is often said, our first universe. It’s a true cosmos.”
DL: Where do you find inspiration for your work?
SA: In nature, in art, in ancient architecture… Everywhere! Inspiration can come from something obvious, like a design fair, or something less conventional, like a fashion collection or a flower arrangement. The important thing is to always be attentive! I like photographing spaces, objects, paintings, gardens… We never know where the next idea might come from.
DL: Who are your biggest references in interior architecture?
SA: Cordelia de Castellane, Kelly Wearstler, and Roberto Migoto. They all have an incredible command over color, texture, and scale, something I try to achieve in my work.
DL: What usually defines a project of yours?
SA: Our signature projects are the juxtaposition of ancient and modern, the play between light and color and the concepts of functionality, versatility and practicality. We have a huge responsibility in translating the client’s needs, their routines, lifestyle and tastes, into an environment that not only provides hospitality, but also has a differentiated aesthetic. Many of our clients collect art, decorative objects, antique furniture, among other things; Our challenge is to insert this curation, sometimes from a lifetime, and create a space that is elegant, cozy, useful and versatile.
Many of our clients collect art, decorative objects, antique furniture, among other things; Our challenge is to insert this curation, sometimes from a lifetime, and create a space that is elegant, cozy, useful and versatile.
DL: What brought you to Lisbon? And what challenges did you encounter when you started working in Portugal?
SA: The move to Lisbon happened organically, actually. We have projects in various parts of the world: Brazil, United States, Venezuela, Chile, Portugal, England, among others. A decade ago, many of our clients invested in properties in Miami. Today, many are making the move from Brazil to Portugal. Issues such as safety, quality of life and the similarity between Brazilian and Portuguese cultures influence the decision of several families to immigrate. It was a strategic decision to meet the demands of our customers. The biggest challenge was finding qualified labor, we did a lot of research, tested employees, and little by little, we are creating successful partnerships.
DL: What distinguished this Cascais project?
SA: The scale and natural luminosity! It is a 480m² apartment, on a single floor (which is unusual for an apartment in the Lisbon region), with a ceiling height of 2.93m and large windows. The view of the sea is the “pièce de résistance” of this project, which works as a kind of natural framework and was our great inspiration. We brought shades of blue and green, warmed by earthy and red tones, both in the external and internal areas.
DL: What main request did the client make for this space?
SA: The clients are quite traditional and have a large amount of antiques and different art. The main request was to display what they had collected over the years, while at the same time creating a home where their children and grandchildren could feel at ease. We then chose to complement the furniture with more modern pieces with straight lines and light colors, to give lightness to the environments and create a counterpoint with the family’s antique Persian rugs. We also work with shelves to display the collection of decorative objects, such as the Poliform Wall System shelf in the living room. The clients also asked us to incorporate elements and materials from Portugal, the country that hosted them. We then chose to use white marble from Estremoz in the fireplace in the living room, Portuguese walnut in the joinery in the dining room and in the wine cellar area, as well as in the entrance hall and main hallway and we even placed a huge faience rooster from Portugal, featured in the kitchen.
We then chose to complement the furniture with more modern pieces with straight lines and light colors, to give lightness to the environments and create a counterpoint with the family’s antique Persian rugs. We also work with shelves to display the collection of decorative objects, such as the Poliform Wall System shelf in the living room.
DL: In what areas did the project start? What are the first steps normally?
SA: The first step of any project is to understand the lifestyle of those who will live in the space: if they work from a home office, if they like to entertain a lot of people, if they cook a lot and need a gourmet kitchen, if they receive guests who pass by at night… From this understanding, we began the creative process. In this project in Cascais, we started with the kitchen, which is the heart of the house. Customers use it to cook together and have family meals. It was important to create large, easy-to-clean, well-lit workspaces and have plenty of storage space. We also chose the Mirto dining table, from B&B Italia, with a wooden top to warm up the space, and the Grace chairs, from Poliform, in leather, thus creating a cozy and elegant dining area.
DL: On the balcony you used a lot of color. What is your relationship with this element usually like?
SA: I love playing and surprising through colors! Colors, used in interior architecture, directly affect our emotions and sensations. The great inspiration for this project was the sea; blue conveys the idea of calm, serenity and tranquility, sensations that we always want to bring to our residential projects. We used blue on the balcony and in the living room, and as a counterpoint, to warm up the spaces, we added shades of red. In the dining room and wine cellar area, we used shades of red; red brings energy, joy and optimism to the environment, which are excellent emotions for an area where we welcome friends.
DL: Outdoor space is of fundamental importance in this project. How do you see the evolution of outdoor spaces in your projects in general?
SA: During the pandemic and after social isolation, we have seen a radical change in the way our customers welcome friends. Before the pandemic, most people wanted a special dining room; Today we see our clients investing in outdoor areas so they can entertain in a safer way. We have created gourmet areas and kitchens, dining areas and relaxation areas in outdoor spaces. The mild climate and quality of sunlight we have in Lisbon are ideal for enjoying outdoor areas. In this project we used the balcony to create a dining area with a large 2.90m table and a seating area with outdoor furniture from Kettal and Flexform.
DL: How did the partnership with QuartoSala come about?
QuartoSala is recognized both in Portugal and Brazil for the quality of its products and professionalism in serving customers and employees. It was an obvious choice to work with such a special company; When I received this project, I had no doubts about going directly to QuartoSala! And we continue with this partnership in other projects that are underway.
DL:What brands do you highlight?
SA: My favorites are Mino, Poliform, Porada, and Porro. I love these brands!
My favorites are Minotti, Poliform, Porada, and Porro. I love these brands!
DL: How does it feel to see a project finished?
SA: It’s a feeling of accomplishment! Clients trust us with their privacy, their needs and their family. Seeing them satisfied with the final project is an incredible reward! And when customers come back, it’s even better!
DL: Is there always learning in each project?
SA: Definitely! We learn not only from the experience of the work itself, but also from the people involved. There is always an exchange of experiences, points of view and aesthetic sense with customers and also with employees. Sometimes we need another pair of eyes to solve a problem.
DL: What new layer does this experience add to your work?
SA: It’s always encouraging when clients have complete trust in my work and accept new ideas, even if these ideas put them outside of their comfort zone. This experience was completely new: we had to collaborate with new suppliers (who were extremely professional and open to our questions), we used products that were unknown to us and sometimes we even had to overcome language differences! It was a very valuable learning experience!
Nejaim Azevedo has been working in the architecture and interior design market for 11 years in residential, commercial and hotel projects. The office was founded by partners Marcia Nejaim and Suzana Azevedo, who personally produce and supervise all projects, valuing the natural light of spaces and the harmony of colors and styles, which result in sophisticated and welcoming environments where comfort and well-being are the essential elements.
