ELECTRIC WIRING

Porto. Everytime you visit an old abandoned townhouse the electrical installation is similar: twisted silk wires and outward mounted bakelite switches (see bakelite, here) with ceramic fasteners holding the whole thing to the walls, casings, ceilings. When you can't conceal the little functional things, they have to be made beautiful.

BLACK AND WHITE DOME

 

View of the dome at Casa da Ínsua 18th century chapel.

Casa da Ínsua, Penalva do Castelo

MINCHIN - MADE IN PORTO

 

We tried to know more about the brand of this beautiful radiator with an integrated plate warmer, but still with no results. This heater, made in Porto, is apparently from the XIX century and was part of the central heating system at Casa da Ínsua. Out of curiosity, the heating system at this house was made with hot olive oil and grappa.

JEREMIE GIROD À PORTO

The amazing mechanism of the watch by Jeremie Girod at the Church of Casa da Ínsua.

Casa da Ínsua, Penalva do Castelo

PINHÃO, STEAM TRAIN

At the time of writing, this train still works as a tourism line. More information here.

CASA DA ÍNSUA

The Grand Salon.
This was preceded by the "Chinese Room" and the "Hall of Portraits", symbols of living in another era. Although the house dates from the 18th century, the main public rooms were decorated in the late 19th-early 20th centuries. The photo was taken a few days ago, but it could have easily been part of "Palm Beach Houses" or "Beaux-Arts Mansions". Nicola Bigaglia was responsible for the decoration.

CASA DA ÍNSUA

Stone rail, detail at main entrance

CASA DA ÍNSUA

We start 2012 with a visit to Casa da Ínsua, an 18th century house recently converted to a 5 star hotel. Located near Viseu, in the small village of Penalva do Castelo, it is definitely worth a visit. Casa da Ínsua, also known as Solar dos Albuquerques, was built in the second half of the 18th century by Luís de Albuquerque de Melo Pereira Cáceres, governor of Portugal in the State of Cuibá and Mato Grosso in Brasil. To learn more about the history of the house you can visit their website here.

CHRISTMAS EVE 2011 EDITION - MAKING BREAD

A number of Portuguese households have wood-fired ovens built in. Making bread at home is something which obviously came out of necessity, but today simply yields the most delicious mouthwatering bread immagineable. The loaves come out piping hot and crunchy, and are delicious with a little salted butter. They keep their freshness for days, contrary to bread out of even the finest bakeries. The ingredients are basic: water, wheat flour, salt and leaven, mixed entirely by hand, pounded by strong arms for about 20 minutes. The result is close to perfection.
Merry Christmas!

STONE SCULPTURE

GATE COVERED IN ZINC

"BURIED IN BLACK AND WHITE"

The January issue of the magazine World of Interiors presents an article by Marie-France Boyer with photos by Eric Morin, about the crypts of São Francisco Monastery,  in Porto.

HANDRAIL

Private House, Rua do Almada, Porto

WOOD GRID PANELS

 

Casa de Mateus, Vila Real. 

"TÚNEL DE CEDROS"

 

"Túnel de Cedros" -  This amazing tunnel made of cedar trees is part of the the gardens of Casa de Mateus, in Vila Real. It was built  in the 1950's.

PERGOLA

Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, Porto

WATER SPOUT

Water spout, public fountain at Covas do Douro, Pinhão

SKYLIGHT

 "Cadeia da Relação", Porto - Inner court skylight

SKYLIGHT - VIEW FROM INSIDE

Private house, Guarda

TILES

Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Sintra

STAIR DETAIL

Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Sintra

ROUND WINDOW

 

Porto, Rua do Heroísmo

TRAIN STATION - FERRÃO

An abandoned train station near Rio Douro

STAIR RAIL

A typical, and very simple, stair rail in iron.

SKYLIGHT - VIEW FROM INSIDE

View of the interior walls of a XIX century typical skylight.  This photo was taken in a house in Rua do Almada, Porto.

SKYLIGHT

 

Porto, Rua de Santo Ildefonso.

LIGHT FIXTURE IN CERAMIC

Porto, Rua do Almada, Private House

BATHROOM WINDOW

Private House, Rua do Almada, Porto

Inside one of the washrooms. Most bathrooms in 18th c. townhouses in Porto were tiny rooms added to the basic rectangular footprint of the house, facing the backyard, and built of stone like the rest of the house.

DOOR KNOB IN WOOD AND METAL

Private house, Rua do Almada, Porto

FAUCET

Church of São Bento da Vitória, Porto