Case Study: A Holiday Apartment with a Fresh and Modern Edge

My first project in Portugal and one I’ll always cherish.

I’ve been excited to share this project because it’s especially meaningful to me: this lovely couple was my first clients in Portugal after I moved from Spain. They trusted me to refresh their holiday apartment near the city in the Algarve. A home they use for several months each year, and to transform it into a space they’d truly look forward to returning to.

The brief was clear: give the apartment a fresh, modern look with an inviting atmosphere in the social areas, and create cosy, hotel-like bedrooms. From the start, the budget conversation was open and realistic, with high-impact design solutions, mindful of the fact that this is a holiday home.

Before: Lacking personalization and style.

Let’s take a look at how things started…

Before - Pateo Do Convento Project

On our first walk-through, it was easy to see why the clients were ready for change.

• Lounge: the layout felt a little dysfunctional, and the colour palette made the space feel heavy.

• Bedrooms: they needed personality, softness, and a more cohesive look.

The bones were good, and I could see a lot of potential. My goal? To create a home they’d look forward to returning to every holiday—a place that feels light, welcoming, and easy to live in.

Result? We brought each room to life with a new, fresh style—and our clients were thrilled with the outcome.

A Functional Lounge with a Classic Edge

After - Lounge space

Scroll back up to those before photos—you’ll see what I mean. The lounge used to feel dark and weighed down. Now it’s the opposite: lighter, brighter, and more inviting.

What made the difference?

• A fresh colour palette and some elegant wall panelling.

• Mixing wood tones and materials in the furniture for warmth.

• Replace the heavy curtains with light, textured fabrics for a subtle coastal vibe.

• Adding black accents in frames and lights to ground the space.

After - Office Space

We also created a little home office corner, but in a way that blends in with the lounge. A textured wall behind the desk helped to “zone” the space without making it feel separate.

One of my favourite details? We spray-painted their console table a new colour. Honestly, it’s amazing how a simple update can completely transform a piece.

After - Lounge Space

A Welcoming Entry - Hallway.

After - Hallway

After - Entry

I always say: never underestimate the entry! It’s the first thing you (and your guests) see, yet it’s often overlooked.

Here, we added a new palette, mouldings, artwork, and stylish lighting, and suddenly it became a space with personality. Now, walking through the front door feels like a warm welcome instead of just a passageway.

Elegant and Cozy Bedrooms.

The brief for the bedrooms was clear: cosy, with a touch of boutique hotel.

After - Master Bedroom

After - Master Bedroom

After a long day at the beach, this room now feels soft, calm, and restful.

Master Bedroom:

• Blue wall panelling behind the bed brings in the Algarve sky and ocean.

• Darker furniture adds depth and a modern edge.

• The bed frame includes hidden drawers for smart storage.

• Bronze light fixtures give it an elegant, polished feel.

After - Guest Bedroom

After - Guest Bedroom

Guest Bedroom

Here, we played with a different colour palette in green tones against beige walls and off-white furniture. A panelled headboard wall makes the bed the clear focal point, and the room feels instantly more stylish.

Small changes that made a big difference:

• Spray-painting the wardrobe doors white to open up the space.

• Adding beige paint to the walls (instead of plain white) for warmth.

• Installing a full-length mirror to bounce light and make the room feel bigger.
  

Working on this project was such a joy. The clients were open, communicative, and collaborative—which makes all the difference in the design process.

For me, the takeaway is always the same: when you design with soul, and when clients give the process the time it deserves, the result is thoughtful, personal, and lasting.

I’ll always be grateful to this couple for trusting me with their holiday home.

And as for how I met them? Well, that’s a story for the next blog post 😉

See you in the next Blog Post! 👋

Paola.