Portugal vacation home

A middle-aged couple purchased a 20 year old vacation property in the historic seaside town of Tavira, located in the eastern Algarve region of Portugal. The 3-bedroom, stucco townhouse featured large airy rooms, ceramic floors and finishes common to time and place of construction.

Top of the owner’s list was help with furnishing the large outdoor terrace area which functions as the main living space for the vacationers. They wanted a comfortable lounge area and a large dining area for entertaining. 

Coordinating living and dining furniture in updated traditional lines was selected. The faux wicker is a bleached grey, with orange accents to blend with the terra cotta tile floor. Moorish-inspired hanging lanterns were spray painted to coordinate with the furniture and hung on braided nautical rope above the table. Terra cotta planters were grouped in a corner under the staircase leading to a sun deck, out of direct exposure to the hot Mediterranean sun.

Inside the home, the furniture was existing but the owners wanted help with the décor. To liven up a neutral grey and white living room, a colourful woven area rug was substituted for a taupe indoor-outdoor rug and bold sofa cushions and throw blanket added to the white slip covered couches.

Upstairs, 2 guest bedrooms had been outfitted with white painted furniture. To keep the feel light, bright and casual, we introduced cotton bedding and floor runners in tropical greens in one bedroom; coral, sand and sky blue for the other. Gauzy taupe striped curtains provide privacy and continue the beach-y feel.