- Interior
With publications in Elle Décor, Architectural Digest, Marie Claire Maison, Metropolitan and Vogue, the commercial and residential projects of this Portuguese interior designer have already received a lot of international attention. However, one of Cristina Jorge de Carvalho’s projects has always been overlooked: her own showroom in Lisbon. As the ultimate showcase for architects and design agencies, a company's own office spaces are, of course, also furnished with the greatest care. That definitely also applies to Atelier Cristina Jorge de Carvalho - Arquitetura e Design de Interiores.
With architects, interior architects and interior designers in the team, Atelier CJC receives a wide range of assignments from both national and international clients. Apart from private residences, they have commercial spaces, spas and offices on their record. As interior architects they are even occasionally asked to design hotels, like the upcoming Crowne Plaza in the popular Portuguese tourist destination Albufeira by the Atlantic Ocean. Time and time again, they manage to create projects that — in their own words — “transcend trends” and are defined by their unique designs, which are both contemporary and timeless.
Cristina also regularly updates her own showroom. It is situated in a late nineteenth-century building on the Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon and has a total surface of 250 m². Before CJC had its offices there, it was entirely renovated, although many authentic elements, such as the tall windows, wooden shutters and the ceiling work in stucco were preserved. The design agency itself chose to keep the walls all white, like a blank canvas that lends itself over and over again to redesigning and adjusting the spaces for future projects. As mentioned earlier, a showroom like this is of great importance to designers. Cristina also said that this project was very special for her: "Almost like a cover letter and reaffirmation of our work to the world." The rooms not only present CJS's vision of interior design, but also their own collections which they have recently produced and which they have been successfully combining with a curated collection of other design brands and eye-catching art objects.
These spaces are timeless and luxurious, but with a certain modesty. The concept for the showroom was to create cosmopolitan and contemporary spaces, with a neutral colour palette and here and there a pop of colour. The latter can be seen in the velvet blue 'Electra Armchair' by the Italian artist Arflex, the 'Together We Stand' chest of drawers from the CJC collection and the colourful works of art on the walls. Statement lighting elements, such as the striking gold 'Atolo' lamp by Oluce and the 'Taccia' lamp by Flos also add character to the rooms. Rather neutral colours can be found in the large beige sofa and sideboard, the black leather chairs by Tobia Scarpa and the vintage Hans Wegner chairs and 'Elda Chair' by Joe Colombo. The 'Threesome Coffee Table’ — also a design by Cristina Jorge de Carvalho — again shows what the studio stands for: modest eclecticism. Despite its neutral colour palette, the unusual shape and the combination of three materials (Calacatta marble, polished, stainless steel and grey lacquered wood) turn this object into a real eye-catcher that makes every room unique.
A most succesfull cover letter for an interior designer, we believe!
Images Courtsey of CJC Design, Photography by Francisco Almeida Dias.
