FROM THE FADED GLAMOUR OF LISBON TO THE SPLENDID ISOLATION OF THE SADO ESTUARY, PORTUGAL EXUDES AN AIR OF ROMANCE AND AN OLD-WORLD AMBIENCE.
Stay
CAB ANAS NO RIO BY SILENT LIVING The values of home, memory and simplicity that underline Silent Living’s approach to hospitality and their thoughtful collection of stays beckoned me to Portugal. I booked a night at their Cabanas no Rio, a secluded getaway about 1½ hours drive outside of Lisbon. The drive there isn’t of much note (although we did spot a flamboyance of flamingos on the way) but make sure to stop in at the nearby blue-and-white town of Comporta for some groceries and essentials.
From there, you continue on your journey to the cabanas in a location kept secret due to all the designophiles who flock to the magic of Silent Living places and spaces (naturally, directions are provided on booking). Before long, you turn off into sandy terrain scattered with cork and pine trees to meet the guide who will drive you in.
The two cabins are captivating in their simplicity. The low-pitched structures, clad inside and out in raw recycled timber with a directional flow from floor to ceiling, change shape as you walk around them, creating an optical illusion. All the while they meld with the surrounds of tidal wetlands, sandy dunes and water-drenched rice paddies rippling in the wind. One cabin serves as a lounge and day bar that converts to a hidden kitchen with sink and stovetop and the second includes a double bed, shower and toilet. The doors can be flung open wide to allow the elements to flow through the spaces, providing landscape views from multiple angles and transforming the shower from indoor to outdoor – very convenient when returning from water adventures on the Sado River or Comporta’s beaches.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Double handling
Leading architectural hardware designer Bankston has collaborated with New York's Civilian on a new range of door handles and levers.
Coastal COOL
A Hamptons-inspired weekender on the Mornington Peninsula is remodelled for three generations of one family.
CLOUD STREET
A sophisticated design with exquisite detailing elevates a top-floor penthouse into a world-class home for a returning local family.
Future proof
Crafting a beach house that could eventually become a permanent residence meant walking a fine line between relaxed and sophisticated.
Going with the ith flow
Two melds enticingly into one when an inner-city terrace tones up for contemporary living.
CHEF'S kiss
Entertaining by a smart renovation for a family of foodies on a grand scale was made possible
MAISON D'ART
Step into the captivating world of French gallerist Amélie du Chalard, for whom life, art and history are in perfect harmony.
ERA DEFYING
An interwar bungalow moves boldly into the 21st century while also celebrating its fabulous past.
PALM CANDY
Pink tones cap off a romantic mix of Spanish and Moroccan styles at a designer's weekend retreat.
HOUSE ROYAL
A pair of scented leather gloves sent to King George III marks the birth of one of the world's most enduring fragrance houses.
