‘Our windows are like the biggest TV in the world. There’s always something to watch out there so we move around the house according to where the sun is’ Sabine
Our windows are like the biggest TV in the world.
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My bright homeideas turn myhome into a castle
With a little imagination, the everyday becomes less ordinary. Step into Maria’s fairy-tale home in Portugal
Once upon a time
I’ve wanted to live in Sintra since I was a little girl. There’s something about the mist, the trees and the castle. I dreamed of being a princess. Now I’ve turned my home into my own castle, when people come inside they feel they’re entering a fairy tale.
Colours bring everything to life. When we moved here, I thought that everything was going to be white. But somehow it ended up not so white! Pink is such a happy colour. The more I painted, the more at home I felt. I think: be bold!
Home decorating is in the details. It’s more than having a place to eat and sleep – it’s about the little things. Rugs, curtains and cushions. It’s not about the sofa, but what you put on the sofa to make it comfortable and cosy. I am always looking for nice fabrics, ribbons – anything that has a story or a pattern that I like. Life is rich when your home is a treasure trove.
Hide and seek. When I go to people’s houses, I always have a sneaky look in their cupboards. That’s where people hide the things that make them them.
Recycled home ideas. When I was growing up, I had to make do with what was handed down to me. I would take it, cut it and sew it into something new. And I still do – the daybed is made from an old bed frame covered with beautiful papers and then layered with cushions.
Home inspiration is everywhere. I love bringing new ideas to life. That's why I always have a book with me – so I can write my ideas down.
More ideas
It might look like I use colour randomly, but there are rules. Colours can transmit feelings and you have to create balance. I’ve used a lot of pink in the living room, like these cushions, but light from the windows and a soothing shade of grey on the opposite wall stop it from being overpowering. Maria
