In Portugal, there is a saying: Uma pedra no sapato. Literaly it means “A rock in the shoe”, but it can also be translated as a “A pain in the neck”.
May 6, 2025
As we all know, this means that something is stuck, making it hard to continue a certain path, project or thought. Although our Almancil project, between hills and ocean, is not exactly – not at all – a negative thing, there is a rock involved. A very large one. In fact, it’s not exactly “ a” rock. This particular project involves a large number of ruins – walls – made of stone. And these walls go beyond sight. However, these ruins cannot translate into a “Pain in the neck” nor the Portuguese saying “Uma pedra no sapato”. Because they are an inspiration, not a problem.
This house will rise on the ruins. The old stone walls will be part of the new construction, along living rooms, halls and bedrooms. Exposed, without any kind of disguise. It will have the leading role, making all the interior design work in favor of the stone ruins, instead of the other way around.
With this mindset, of enhancing the ruin, we joined Miguel Pires, the architect, to achieve a rustic mood that plays with a more contemporary look. Being the stone the main asset, our job is to design all the interiors and its finishing’s, to make the old feel new and fresh. The aim is to have a cozy, yet modern, home. To do that, we will use marble, tile and wood. Together, between walls and floor, the house will be able to breath, gaining a fresh yet vaguely vintage look, without looking like an old house lost in time. The new walls will be peeled in order for the old to rise, creating a warm and contemporary look.
To go even further, when it comes to textile, cotton will be the main character, allowing the cozy yet sophisticated vibe to live on, creating a natural engagement with the scenery: no buildings, no shopping malls, no roads, no confusion, no public transportation, no factories. Just the essentials: peace, quiet and the sea breeze. And, of course, many stone walls.
Since the aim is to create more houses with the same vibe: stone walls mixed with marble, tiles, wood and cotton textiles along all the rooms; it also serves to convey another important message: welcome home. These houses are made for – as a target audience – foreign families that want to settle in the south of Portugal, enjoying the warm sun, piece of mind and ocean view.
But we cannot forget the sun. That, through the glass windows, makes its way across the house, creating a natural lighting environment both in corridors and main areas. A light that, when combined with the stone walls that define the aesthetic, makes you feel like you’re always outside, enjoying the sun, as the breeze settles in. It feels good to be here, not just for this project, but for all the other homes that will settle on the remaining stone walls. News, soon.
