In today's world of interior and architectural design, Zoé Wolker is a voice of calm, nuance and refinement. Based in Lisbon, her studio does not simply build spaces, but worlds in which aesthetics and functionality await each other in subtle balance. Her design philosophy eschews fleeting trends; each work is a silent dialogue between form, material and humanity.
Wolker believes that an interior should resonate with the personality of its inhabitants: it should offer breathing space, but also intimacy. Classic features blend with modern sensibilities in her work — Western refinement meets Eastern temperament; natural materials merge with technological sophistication. 
Villa Ecru, located in Portugal, designed by Zoé Wolker and visualised by Anna Churkina, is an emblematic project for her approach. The name “Ecru” alone promises a colour palette that is soft, warm and neutral; the type that works with subtle transitions, textures and light rather than loud contrasts. This illustrates Wolker's ambition: to create spaces that feel timeless, spaces that do not tire you but instead give you peace — where you can retreat, but also marvel. Where every corner bears witness to conscious choices, not out of bravado, but out of care for the life that will take place in those spaces. 
What makes it special is, first and foremost, the tranquillity that emanates from the use of colour. The carefully chosen ecru tones, cream colours and sandy nuances combine to form a palette that radiates softness and warmth. These are not cold, minimalist tones, but colours that allow the space to breathe while evoking an intimate, homely atmosphere. Light also plays a central role in this project. The orientation of the rooms and the use of materials have been designed in such a way that natural light constantly brings the contours and layers of the villa to life.
The materiality of Villa Ecru also contributes greatly to its unique character. For Wolker, the sense of touch is just as important as the visual. That is why she chooses wood, natural stone and fabrics with rich textures. These materials invite touch and ensure that the space can be experienced not only with the eye, but also with the hand and the body.
This project is not a loud statement; its strength lies precisely in its modesty and refined details.
Finally, the whole project reflects a subtle balance between silence and expression. This project is not a loud statement or an extravagant architectural gesture. Its strength lies precisely in its modesty, in its refined details and in the harmonious relationship between inside and outside. This serenity conceals a quiet expressiveness that gives the villa its special poetic charge.
In the archipelago of her projects, from apartments in Russia and hotels in Kazakhstan to private residences in Portugal, Villa Ecru stands out as a quiet core: a home, almost like a sculpture, where it is possible to breathe, to be yourself. It is not a villa that seeks to impress, but one that invites you in. Invites you to silence, to reflection, to beauty in everyday life.
Design by Zoé Wolker
Visualisations by Anya Churkina