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Cynthia November 13, 2021 inspiration

Casa dell’Arte Club House Lisbon

creative direction, photography & editing CYNTHIA NGUYEN

OVERVIEW

Casa dell’Arte Club House is a family-run hybrid rental property: a home, a hotel and an art gallery— featuring beautiful Portuguese interior, history and contemporary art. Within the centre of old town Alfama, this property that holds an elegant persona lives to offer the most authentic Portuguese experience and stay. The building dates back to 1860 and has been debated as Lisbon’s most beautiful tiled building, found by the National Pantheon.

The signature blue and yellow ornate tiles, also known as ‘Azulejo’, paired with romantic, black Juliet balconies, make up the exterior of the Baroque inspired property called Casa dell’Arte Club House— where every corner of the space is a home to one of the most unique, contemporary art pieces. Like no other rental listing, this property aims to be a comfortable yet creative stay, a hybrid between a home and an art gallery.

At Casa dell’Arte Club House, there is an overwhelming amount of detail and elegance throughout the property. Much attention can be spent on the decor, the selection of art pieces, as well as the restoration of the property itself, where you can witness true Portuguese architectural and interior. The walls of the home display beautiful, blue and white, ornately illustrated Azulejo (tiles) paired with gold accent furniture for a luxurious and regal Portuguese interior look and feel. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped, especially the bathrooms. The bathrooms on their own look as if it was an image taken straight out of Architect Digest. If you are comfortable enough or have rented all three suits, you may open up the double doors of each suit to feel more like an open home as oppose to a hotel, which is quite fitting for a family stay.

ROOMS

The property offers 3 romantic and tastefully furnished suites: The Terrace Suite, The Pantheon Suite, and The Sao Vicente Suite.

Featured room is their Sao Vicente Suite and Terrace Suite.

HIGHLIGHTS

Guests are able to enjoy the communal living room, stunning dining room donned with an elaborate chandelier, and kitchen where you can inhale both delicious Portuguese food and even more Azulejo beauty. The kitchen is open for you to be able to store your own food in the fridge or use their appliances and utensils to prepare your own meals (tea, coffee and fruits are provided)— just as they would at home. A breakfast buffet is also available at the property to enjoy during mornings before you head out to explore Alfama and Lisbon. You can spend your time in the space while having your beverage and observing the contemporary artwork that dawns on the walls and corners of the property— imagine as though you’ve obtained your very own private collection for your gallery. One can view pieces that range from Turkish to international art, with such a variety of pieces, you’ll be able to view all the different techniques and cultures all under one roof. The art collection throughout the Casa dell’Arte Club House will change each year and a new selection of artworks will be displayed. You can chat with the gallery curator in the main level if you have any art inquires.

GOOD TO KNOW

At Casa dell’Arte Club House’s doorstep, you will find “Feira da Ladra” also known as the ‘thieves market’, which has said to be the market where thieves would sell their stolen goods back in the day, which is open every Tuesday and Saturday. Monastery of “Sao Vicente de Fora”: 17th Century church and monastery. The National Pantheon: This is the old St. Engracia church.

Alfama Neighbourhood: The oldest Moorish quarter in Lisbon which predates the earthquake of 1755. Alfama is a maze of narrow streets with wonderful restaurants and bakeries filled with Pastéis de Nata, fado (1820’s Portuguese music) and the famous viewpoints (miradouro) Portas do Sol. Grab a stunning seafood dish at Cais da Pedra, which is a 12-minute walk. São Jorge Castle: Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop overlooking the historic center of the Portuguese city of Lisbon and Tagus River. City center: In order to get to the commercial city center (Baixa) you can either take a 15-minute walk or board one of the picturesque old Lisbon trams.

The property is also near a metro station, Lisbon’s Cathedral, Rossio Square, and Lisbon’s Oceanarium.

LOCATION

Campo de Santa Clara 125, 1100-473 Lisboa, Portugal

RATES

The Terrace Suite at $440 / The Pantheon Suite at $390 / The Sao Vicente Suite at $285 (prices are in Canadian dollars)

BOOKING

For information or booking, visit their website and Instagram

A special thank you to the property for hosting me during my visit.

As always, all opinions are my own.

Cynthia May 5, 2020 lifestyle Canada

11 Small Businesses to Support While Keeping Distance

creative direction & photography CYNTHIA NGUYEN pictured above CADETTE JEWELRY necklace

OVERVIEW

During this delicate time, I want nothing more than to be able to connect with each and every one of you to ensure that you’re doing well and have something in place, to get you through these ambiguous days.

While spending a great deal of time trying to decipher the days ahead and reminiscing past events, I catch myself feeling fairly detached from reality— rolling through the motions of living while participating in a fast-pace, mental race to recognize what’s happening around me and how to quickly adapt while still maintaining a sense of purpose. With only so much time to spend on each day, I’ve always told myself to ensure that my world and the actions that come from there will always be rooted in good things that can aid me in providing a sense of good purpose, fulfillment and be supportive of others.

While my day job is spent supporting small and large merchants of all kinds that run brick and mortar and online businesses, my love and support for these businesses only continues. We are all social distancing, meaning it’s our responsibility to take care of ourselves and when possible, take care of others too. With spare hours to allocate from my time spent staying indoors, I’ve sourced and compiled my own a list of shops to support that are both local to Toronto (and Canada).

LOCAL TORONTO (AND CANADA)

Cadette Jewelry | Allison Asis: Designed and handmade in Toronto, Allison is the powerhouse behind Cadette Jewelry, a line of artisanal jewelry for the modern and mindful woman. From her initial organic renderings of inspired wabi sabi and modern art in a sketch book, to sculpting the molds to cast and polish, to carefully dropping her pieces into the beautifully branded box— Cadette Jewelry is a true hybrid of timeless simplicity and womanhood, that’s been demonstrated by the woman herself.

Personal favourite picks: the Vida necklace and Coquina earrings.
Vimeria | Anna Laskin: A modern and upscale contemporary jewelry brand, based in Toronto. Anna uses her industrial design background to go from importing her sketches into a 3D computer-aided design application to creating these structured yet stunning, minimal pieces suited for everyday. Her styled of fine jewelry is best described as geometric with elegance.

Personal favourite picks: a pair of earrings I’ve worn since 2017, the Lilly earrings and Bridget choker.
Soft Focus | Sammi Smith: Fresh, timeless but also stylish and fun loungewear made in Toronto. Sammi’s focus is on reinventing what laid-back casual should look while elevating the individual who wears her contemporary silhouettes— all made out of quality, natural fabrics. She’s evolved the pyjamas into something completely modern and appropriate for, in her words “beyond the bedroom”. Did I also mention her robes are the perfect piece for a lockdown? Whether you’re a minimal lady or someone who likes a lot more bright colours to match your mood, Sammi’s has a robe waiting for you.

Personal favourite picks: the Classic robe in Toast and the Lounge pant in Toast.
BAHH GOOSE / Canadian owned, in partnership with Asian artisans: Ethical and handcrafted, beautiful womenswear— where minimal, boho silhouettes meets eco-friendly, sustainability. The brand was created in Campbell River, British Columbia, yet it breaths Tulum, Mallorca and sandy California. Such materials used for their soft apparel pieces, include being sourced from Bali, Indonesia. Each purchase supports not only a local Canadian business, but also supports the workers by offering a fair wage and producing made to order in small batches, while also preserving their culture.

Personal favourite picks: the Linda button up and Kai top. Check out their beautiful cotton robes too.
Daphne Newman Design / Daphne Newman: If there’s anything that can spruce up your everyday spent indoors (i.e. zoom calls) or enhance the day you’re tying the knot, it’s either an immaculate loungewear set or a luxurious, soft veil from Daphne Newman. The Vancouver-born designer has devoted her life to the world of couture design and European delicacy, with over 30 years in bridal fashion, to create her own modern bridalwear— and it’s truly apparent in the pieces you’ll see online and in person. I was first introduced to this label when I saw one of their robes on display during my visit at bridal boutique, White Toronto.

Personal favourite picks: the Sophia bridal robe and Jolie white silk wrap top. If you’re planning to get married in the near future, take a look at their Catarina beaded lace veil. They’re currently holding a sample sale on their website.
Lake and Oak | Meredith Youngson: Organic superfood teas and adaptogen blends by Toronto-based founder and nutritionist, Meredith. In a time where self-care rituals and nourishing the body and soul is high on the priority list, Lake & Oak offers quality, hand-blended herbal teas and lattes to aid you through this time. Restore your balance and replace that regular cup of caffeine with her Mega Matcha, and your mood and belly will be eternally grateful to you.

Personal favourite pick: Sun Mylk, which I use with oat milk to make wonderful golden lattes and fresh turmeric blended bread.
F. Miller Skincare | Fran Miller: F. Miller started with the idea of creating minimal products with luxurious results, and has grown to become a collection of skincare essentials for face, hair and body, made from researched-based blends and nutrient-dense, quality ingredients. Using certified organic and ethically wildcrafted ingredients and the aim to minimize waste and footprint.

Personal favourite picks: Face oil and the necessity kit that comes with a versatile washed paper bag made from recycled content, handy for when we can travel again.
Shelby Naturals / Shelby Ondrus: Shelby is the formulator and creator behind the pure organic brand, Shelby Naturals. Her line of skincare aims to provide beautiful and healthy skin through quality plant based ingredients, combined with her background in holistic nutrition and chemistry. You’ll find no fillers, no toxic chemicals or preservatives, only certified organic, wildcrafted active ingredients sourced from a fair-trade process from organic farms based in Italy.

Personal favourite pick: Body oil and sanitizer, which is great for continual use during this eventful time.
SOUVENIR | Danielle Suppa and Trisha Lepper: Souvenir is the destination for beautiful homeware and artwork, with the aim to feature emerging designers, artists and artisans, such as Rachel Saunders and Akai Ceramic Studios. Apart from being an airy, innovative space used for small events and workshops, it’s also a shop where you’ll be able to take home a lovely made good— from stationery, scents, books, ceramics, jewelry, textiles and much more.

Their online store is coming soon sometime this month— May 2020. Their collection of goods are currently available for purchase via their Instagram.
SALT / The Caza Project: SALT is a catch all for everything calm and minimal, with luxurious selected interior pieces and captivating art work from such artists like Kassandra Thatcher, to take home. From effortless, sculpted vessels to the perfect cloud Turks couches for your living space. If you’re looking for a new oversized, indoor art project, then a paint job for your home with one of their Bauwerks Lime paints could be your next project.

Personal favourite pick: POSE II sculpture, Semi Circle Bed frame and Twig lamp.
Sol Atelier Toronto and Montreal | Ashley Klassen: Sol Atelier is a studio space that takes place in Toronto and Montreal, where creatives can rent and enjoy for photography, film, social gatherings over a warm meal and heart-felt conversations, pop-ups, small events and many more. The interior design and concept was done by Ashley Klassen, who is also a talented photographer. The look and feel of the space is bohemian contemporary, propped with vintage furnishing and art that seasonally changes to ensure creatives can enjoy the space time and time again.

And that concludes my list of admired small, local businesses to support during this delicate time. I hope you enjoyed discovering them and feel also inspired to shop their creations as well.

One last thing: We are all in this together; if I can help you in any way, feel free to reach out to me. x

This post is not sponsored and includes no affiliate links. All opinions are my own.