Gabriel Bordin creates a minimalist project in Cascais
Architect and urban planner, Gabriel Bordin creates a minimalist project in Cascais that makes room for an interesting design and affective compositions.
- Photography Gui Morelli
Laurence Beysecker first project in Lisbon
- Photography Francisco Nogueira
Trained at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs, in Paris, Laurence Beysecker has supervised various residential and commercial design projects over the last 20 years in Paris, Stockholm, Hong Kong and Lisbon. During her career she has enriched her style and aesthetic universe. The architect had also an interesting experience as Head of a furniture design firm that combined traditional Asian artisanal methods with natural materials.
Design in Lisbon: When and how did your interest in interior design arise?
Laurence Beysecker: It started during a trip in the North of the Philippines 25 years ago. I felt in love with the refined furniture in nito vines (fern family) handcrafted by the minorities to store their rice. Back home, I founded a furniture design company in Paris and we have been exhibiting our collections at Maison & Objet fair for more than 10 years. We were designing exclusive pieces produced in Asia (Viet Nam, Myanmar, Philippines, India) using selected natural materials and traditional techniques combined with modern and simple lines. After this experience, I decided to focus on Interior design and went to study at the French Arts Decoratifs school in Paris.
DL: Do you remember your first project? How do you see it?
LB: The first project we did in Lisbon is this one. It was a beautiful house of four floors with a garden and a pool facing the Amoreiras garden, for a Portuguese-Belgium couple. We felt blessed to start with this amazing project as we were just arrived in the city and did not have any contact of suppliers and contractors. The project went really well as the clients became friends and we have done since then three more projects for them.
DL: How is the process of thinking creatively about a space for someone else to live in?
LB: As a start, I study in detail the environment of the project and the requests and needs of the clients. I like to create peaceful, comfortable and elegant spaces mixing materials like wood, stone, fluted glass and ceramic with soft colors. I am an art lover and I consider that art pieces are really a key element to define the style and soul of a home. In a way, I approach my work as an artist who is making a painting, I try to create an harmonious composition between the elements and the colors, nothing is placed randomly, all the materials and pieces are carefully selected to create a dialogue between them which tells the story of the owners and reflect perfectly their way of living.
In a way, I approach my work as an artist who is making a painting, I try to create an harmonious composition between the elements and the colors, nothing is placed randomly, all the materials and pieces are carefully selected to create a dialogue between them which tells the story of the owners and reflect perfectly their way of living.
DL: Where do you find inspiration?
LB: I would say everywhere in every detail of my daily life. When I go to a hotel, a restaurant, a store, I can not refrain from scanning everything, the way it is built, the way the materials are connected. I am also attending many exhibitions, museums and fairs. Last, hiking is my favorite hobby and I usually got a lot of ideas during my walks as my brain is not anymore polluted with a great deal of information.
DL: Which (or who) are your biggest references? What keeps your aesthetic universe alive?
LB: There are a few interior design studios that I like to follow because I love their style and I feel close from their approach of the design, layering materials and colors. To name a few, Joanna Laven from Sweden, Fleur Delesalle from France, Nicolas Vanduysen from Belgium, Frmwrkstudio from Netherlands, and Flaxstudio from Australia. I am always curious to discover new materials, new techniques, new shapes to try to innovate and never do the same.
DL: What pieces do you choose first? Why?
LB: In general, we select the architectural lighting first, and then the big pieces, sofa and dining table as they are the main furniture we need to make a composition around it then after. But in some cases, the approach can be totally different. If the clients have an art collection with impactful pieces, one or some of them can be starting point of the design.
DL: What are the (most important) requirements when choosing an object for your project?
LB: Well, for upholstered pieces or rugs we like it to be in refined and soft texture like silk, wool or linen. Then, we need to make sure of the color and texture of the object to match the other elements of the design. So, we have to get the samples from the suppliers to be able to make our presentation to the client. Of course, the quality and durability is very important, so we have favorite brands that we trust.
DL: How do you accomplish the exercise of creating harmony in spaces and expressing your own identity, without repeating yourself?
LB: I have a color palette which is slightly changing with time but it stays in the same warm and soft colors tones. Same with the materials, I love all kind of wood, stone, ceramics, glass that I like to mix. The small fixtures, like door handles, switches, are also very important details that we carefully select in a specific list. In terms of design, we have a few rules and principles as full height doors, full height cabinets, orientable spotlights, recessed skirting boards, etc… So all in all, we pick and mix elements from the same category and it results in a consistent style.
I have a color palette which is slightly changing with time but it stays in the same warm and soft colors tones. Same with the materials, I love all kind of wood, stone, ceramics, glass that I like to mix.
DL: How was the process of thinking about this project in Lisbon?
LB: We restored this 19th century 4 stores house into a contemporary style home articulated around a minimal stone and wooden central stairs. For this project we wanted to create a calm and peaceful home in the city center. We were very inspired by the environment, the architecture of the aqueduct, the Amoreiras garden with his charming kiosk and the suspended white chapel. The use of wooden venetian blinds in the living spaces really contributed to preserve privacy and offer a cocoon feel. The use of warm and natural materials such as stunning marble pieces for the kitchen splash back, a beautiful natural oak wooden floor with chevron pattern results into a very sleek space. The house has been entirely furnished with new pieces sourced from exclusive design companies and completed with a few pieces of commissioned artworks thanks to a close collaboration with international artists.
DL: How do you describe your collaboration with QuartoSala?
LB: The relation with Quartosala is excellent, we are working exclusively with Ghislaine Ribeiro who is very professional and quick in replying to our questions. We appreciate the fact that QuartoSala is offering such a wide range of brands. Quartosala is also offering the service of free storage which is very practical as some projects can get delayed because of construction problems or the long waiting time to get licencing from the Town Hall. The deliveries and set up of the furniture are also very well managed by QuartoSala.
DL: Which QuartoSala brands would you highlight and why?
LB: We are using a large span of brands, but some of our favorite are Sollos, B&B Italia, Brokis, & Tradition, Punt, Baxter. Their collections are matching our style.
DL: And what was it like to create a relationship with Lisbon?
LB: In terms of personal life, it has been very easy to settle in Lisbon. It is a very peaceful, spacious and beautiful city. People are very nice and the proximity with the ocean and the Nature is very pleasant. When we set up the company, we had to create a network of suppliers, builders, lawyers, craftspeople. We have been lucky to meet a few key persons and then everything went well and smoothly. We still continue to search and build new professional relations, among them Portuguese designers, artists and craftsmen with whom we develop custom pieces, commissioned artwork, etc..
DL: What do you bring with you from this experience?
LB: Well, there are beautiful buildings in Lisbon and it is very satisfying to renovate some of them. We love keeping or restoring antique elements as much as possible, like molding ceilings, wooden floors, carved doors. The city is really changing a lot at the moment and it is very exciting to be part of this transformation.
DL: Do you feel that the energy of each city has a different influence on your projects?
LB: Yes sure, many elements influence our design in Lisbon, the colorful buildings, the surrounding nature and the powerful ocean. I always like to create a strong connection between the interior of the project and its environment. So, our color choice, design of the shapes, selection of materials is very much dictated by the location of the project.
Collaboration: Pedro Carrilho
Many elements influence our design in Lisbon, from the colorful buildings, the surrounding nature and the powerful ocean. I always like to create a strong connection between the interior of the project and its environment. So, our color choice, design of the shapes, selection of materials is very much dictated by the location of the project.
Laurence Beysecker
Trained at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs, in Paris, Laurence Beysecker has supervised various residential and commercial design projects over the last 20 years in Paris, Stockholm, Hong Kong and Lisbon. During her career she has enriched her style and aesthetic universe. The architect had also an interesting experience as Head of a furniture design firm that combined traditional Asian artisanal methods with natural materials.
Laurence Beysecker first project in Lisbon
- Photography Francisco Nogueira
Trained at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs, in Paris, Laurence Beysecker has supervised various residential and commercial design projects over the last 20 years in Paris, Stockholm, Hong Kong and Lisbon. During her career she has enriched her style and aesthetic universe. The architect had also an interesting experience as Head of a furniture design firm that combined traditional Asian artisanal methods with natural materials.
Design in Lisbon: When and how did your interest in interior design arise?
Laurence Beysecker: It started during a trip in the North of the Philippines 25 years ago. I felt in love with the refined furniture in nito vines (fern family) handcrafted by the minorities to store their rice. Back home, I founded a furniture design company in Paris and we have been exhibiting our collections at Maison & Objet fair for more than 10 years. We were designing exclusive pieces produced in Asia (Viet Nam, Myanmar, Philippines, India) using selected natural materials and traditional techniques combined with modern and simple lines. After this experience, I decided to focus on Interior design and went to study at the French Arts Decoratifs school in Paris.
DL: Do you remember your first project? How do you see it?
LB: The first project we did in Lisbon is this one. It was a beautiful house of four floors with a garden and a pool facing the Amoreiras garden, for a Portuguese-Belgium couple. We felt blessed to start with this amazing project as we were just arrived in the city and did not have any contact of suppliers and contractors. The project went really well as the clients became friends and we have done since then three more projects for them.
DL: How is the process of thinking creatively about a space for someone else to live in?
LB: As a start, I study in detail the environment of the project and the requests and needs of the clients. I like to create peaceful, comfortable and elegant spaces mixing materials like wood, stone, fluted glass and ceramic with soft colors. I am an art lover and I consider that art pieces are really a key element to define the style and soul of a home. In a way, I approach my work as an artist who is making a painting, I try to create an harmonious composition between the elements and the colors, nothing is placed randomly, all the materials and pieces are carefully selected to create a dialogue between them which tells the story of the owners and reflect perfectly their way of living.
In a way, I approach my work as an artist who is making a painting, I try to create an harmonious composition between the elements and the colors, nothing is placed randomly, all the materials and pieces are carefully selected to create a dialogue between them which tells the story of the owners and reflect perfectly their way of living.
DL: Where do you find inspiration?
LB: I would say everywhere in every detail of my daily life. When I go to a hotel, a restaurant, a store, I can not refrain from scanning everything, the way it is built, the way the materials are connected. I am also attending many exhibitions, museums and fairs. Last, hiking is my favorite hobby and I usually got a lot of ideas during my walks as my brain is not anymore polluted with a great deal of information.
DL: Which (or who) are your biggest references? What keeps your aesthetic universe alive?
LB: There are a few interior design studios that I like to follow because I love their style and I feel close from their approach of the design, layering materials and colors. To name a few, Joanna Laven from Sweden, Fleur Delesalle from France, Nicolas Vanduysen from Belgium, Frmwrkstudio from Netherlands, and Flaxstudio from Australia. I am always curious to discover new materials, new techniques, new shapes to try to innovate and never do the same.
DL: What pieces do you choose first? Why?
LB: In general, we select the architectural lighting first, and then the big pieces, sofa and dining table as they are the main furniture we need to make a composition around it then after. But in some cases, the approach can be totally different. If the clients have an art collection with impactful pieces, one or some of them can be starting point of the design.
DL: What are the (most important) requirements when choosing an object for your project?
LB: Well, for upholstered pieces or rugs we like it to be in refined and soft texture like silk, wool or linen. Then, we need to make sure of the color and texture of the object to match the other elements of the design. So, we have to get the samples from the suppliers to be able to make our presentation to the client. Of course, the quality and durability is very important, so we have favorite brands that we trust.
DL: How do you accomplish the exercise of creating harmony in spaces and expressing your own identity, without repeating yourself?
LB: I have a color palette which is slightly changing with time but it stays in the same warm and soft colors tones. Same with the materials, I love all kind of wood, stone, ceramics, glass that I like to mix. The small fixtures, like door handles, switches, are also very important details that we carefully select in a specific list. In terms of design, we have a few rules and principles as full height doors, full height cabinets, orientable spotlights, recessed skirting boards, etc… So all in all, we pick and mix elements from the same category and it results in a consistent style.
I have a color palette which is slightly changing with time but it stays in the same warm and soft colors tones. Same with the materials, I love all kind of wood, stone, ceramics, glass that I like to mix.
DL: How was the process of thinking about this project in Lisbon?
LB: We restored this 19th century 4 stores house into a contemporary style home articulated around a minimal stone and wooden central stairs. For this project we wanted to create a calm and peaceful home in the city center. We were very inspired by the environment, the architecture of the aqueduct, the Amoreiras garden with his charming kiosk and the suspended white chapel. The use of wooden venetian blinds in the living spaces really contributed to preserve privacy and offer a cocoon feel. The use of warm and natural materials such as stunning marble pieces for the kitchen splash back, a beautiful natural oak wooden floor with chevron pattern results into a very sleek space. The house has been entirely furnished with new pieces sourced from exclusive design companies and completed with a few pieces of commissioned artworks thanks to a close collaboration with international artists.
DL: How do you describe your collaboration with QuartoSala?
LB: The relation with Quartosala is excellent, we are working exclusively with Ghislaine Ribeiro who is very professional and quick in replying to our questions. We appreciate the fact that QuartoSala is offering such a wide range of brands. Quartosala is also offering the service of free storage which is very practical as some projects can get delayed because of construction problems or the long waiting time to get licencing from the Town Hall. The deliveries and set up of the furniture are also very well managed by QuartoSala.
DL: Which QuartoSala brands would you highlight and why?
LB: We are using a large span of brands, but some of our favorite are Sollos, B&B Italia, Brokis, & Tradition, Punt, Baxter. Their collections are matching our style.
DL: And what was it like to create a relationship with Lisbon?
LB: In terms of personal life, it has been very easy to settle in Lisbon. It is a very peaceful, spacious and beautiful city. People are very nice and the proximity with the ocean and the Nature is very pleasant. When we set up the company, we had to create a network of suppliers, builders, lawyers, craftspeople. We have been lucky to meet a few key persons and then everything went well and smoothly. We still continue to search and build new professional relations, among them Portuguese designers, artists and craftsmen with whom we develop custom pieces, commissioned artwork, etc..
DL: What do you bring with you from this experience?
LB: Well, there are beautiful buildings in Lisbon and it is very satisfying to renovate some of them. We love keeping or restoring antique elements as much as possible, like molding ceilings, wooden floors, carved doors. The city is really changing a lot at the moment and it is very exciting to be part of this transformation.
DL: Do you feel that the energy of each city has a different influence on your projects?
LB: Yes sure, many elements influence our design in Lisbon, the colorful buildings, the surrounding nature and the powerful ocean. I always like to create a strong connection between the interior of the project and its environment. So, our color choice, design of the shapes, selection of materials is very much dictated by the location of the project.
Collaboration: Pedro Carrilho
Many elements influence our design in Lisbon, from the colorful buildings, the surrounding nature and the powerful ocean. I always like to create a strong connection between the interior of the project and its environment. So, our color choice, design of the shapes, selection of materials is very much dictated by the location of the project.
Laurence Beysecker
Trained at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs, in Paris, Laurence Beysecker has supervised various residential and commercial design projects over the last 20 years in Paris, Stockholm, Hong Kong and Lisbon. During her career she has enriched her style and aesthetic universe. The architect had also an interesting experience as Head of a furniture design firm that combined traditional Asian artisanal methods with natural materials.
