A Revamped 1930s Porto Town House

Ding Dong, a local architecture practice, stepped in to aid after decades of chaotic renovations and subsequent abandonment left a 1930s town home in Porto, Portugal, in decaying disarray. The new owner recruited founders Michael Miranda and Davide Gomes to almost completely gut the three-story property and restore it to its former magnificence, but with a 21st-century twist.

The designers kept the original Nordic pine floors and staircase, but demolished many walls to open up the space and create a more modern layout. They also moved the kitchen to the front of the house in order to combine the living, dining, and patio areas in the back for a large entertainment area.

To honor the building's heritage while bringing it into the modern day, the team combined influences from several eras for the interiors. Traditional elements like coffered ceilings and wainscoting were combined with clean lines and geometric shapes.

Guests are greeted by a dramatic purple tapestry, a humorous handmade console, and warm wood paneling upon entering. The pale wood walls continue through a narrow teal archway into a living area with comfortable furniture including a sink-right-in Meridiani sofa, a Vincenzo De Cotiis sculptural seat, and a coral leather chair.

Checkerboard cement tiles work as a mat beneath the yellow metal table, 1943 Jens Risom chairs, and blown-glass Paola Navone pendant in the dining area, which is framed in mirrored framing.

A verdant garden behind glass sliding doors is a rare bit of nature in the city. Ivy creeps up the granite walls, while a leafy loquat covers the clinker brick pavers.

Though this three-part open-concept setup is ideal for entertaining, the tiny mint green kitchen also includes a breakfast nook. While the homeowner cooks using the Smeg oven, guests may relax on the built-in bench, which is upholstered in aqua leather and tropical Lelièvre fabric. The theme is completed by leopard-print wallpaper, fluted glass cabinets, and bronze hardware.

As it continues upstairs to the main bedroom, a cool eggplant-colored stairwell with a neon stripe presents a relaxing mix of blue, orange, and beige tones. With a travertine sink, trapezoid-shaped tiles, and a spa-style shower, the suite is similarly relaxing. In every regard, it's a Portuguese haven.