How we transformed our home
our Renovation Journey
Our
Journey
Journey
September 2024
Two years ago, we bought our very first home together a 1980s beach house on the iconic Praia de Chaves in Boa Vista island in Cape Verde. The house, located in a private compound that was once a bungalow hotel, was in desperate need of a facelift. With no prior renovation experience, we soon found ourselves overseeing the complete transformation of our beach house.
We dived into everything from designing to coordinating trades, and even got hands-on with the work. With a tight deadline for such an extensive project, we encountered numerous challenges along the way but also enjoyed many rewarding moments!
Our vision for the house was clear: to introduce more light, blend old elements with new, and create spaces that delivered maximum wow factor. We focused on a minimalist design complemented by warm, relaxing lighting to create a serene and inviting atmosphere.
Featuring organic sand and neutral tones to provide a calm canvas for the dark timber and raw furniture pieces. We recycled and reused the original massive dark wooden doors, reflecting their rich tones in the timber accents and furniture throughout the house. Each furniture piece — from beds to kitchen stools, tables, chairs, and shelves — are custom-made by local carpenters based on our designs, ensuring that every element was natural, sustainable, and unique.
A key element we used to achieve our desired look was sand-colored micro-cement, which brought texture to the walls and a seamless modern finish to the benches. We used this finish extensively in the kitchen — covering the row of counters and the island — as well as in the bathrooms, and custom vanity benches. This gave the spaces a seamless, waterproof finish. We especially loved the idea of untiled shower walls, opting for a tactile rendered effect instead.
Even though life here primarily unfolds outdoors, expanding the kitchen-living area was essential to give the large kitchen island the space it deserved. We also removed part of a side wall to install large sliding doors, flooding the space with natural light and improving airflow. This change not only opened up the interior but also established a seamless connection to the seaside terrace, where we designed an inviting alfresco dining area and lounge.
In the end, the renovation reflects who we are. It's an infusion of our most cherished travel memories and the beautiful places we've stayed. Our main sources of inspiration came from our travels to Morocco, India, and Thailand, alongside the clean simplicity of Mexican beach houses. Although we love to travel, we wanted to bring the creative influences we’ve gathered from around the world into our own home.
The renovation is still in progress! Check back soon for updates.
Stay tuned!
Two years ago, we bought our very first home together a 1980s beach house on the iconic Praia de Chaves in Boa Vista island in Cape Verde. The house, located in a private compound that was once a bungalow hotel, was in desperate need of a facelift. With no prior renovation experience, we soon found ourselves overseeing the complete transformation of our beach house.
We dived into everything from designing to coordinating trades, and even got hands-on with the work. With a tight deadline for such an extensive project, we encountered numerous challenges along the way but also enjoyed many rewarding moments!
Our vision for the house was clear: to introduce more light, blend old elements with new, and create spaces that delivered maximum wow factor. We focused on a minimalist design complemented by warm, relaxing lighting to create a serene and inviting atmosphere.
Featuring organic sand and neutral tones to provide a calm canvas for the dark timber and raw furniture pieces. We recycled and reused the original massive dark wooden doors, reflecting their rich tones in the timber accents and furniture throughout the house. Each furniture piece — from beds to kitchen stools, tables, chairs, and shelves — are custom-made by local carpenters based on our designs, ensuring that every element was natural, sustainable, and unique.
A key element we used to achieve our desired look was sand-colored micro-cement, which brought texture to the walls and a seamless modern finish to the benches. We used this finish extensively in the kitchen — covering the row of counters and the island — as well as in the bathrooms, and custom vanity benches. This gave the spaces a seamless, waterproof finish. We especially loved the idea of untiled shower walls, opting for a tactile rendered effect instead.
Even though life here primarily unfolds outdoors, expanding the kitchen-living area was essential to give the large kitchen island the space it deserved. We also removed part of a side wall to install large sliding doors, flooding the space with natural light and improving airflow. This change not only opened up the interior but also established a seamless connection to the seaside terrace, where we designed an inviting alfresco dining area and lounge.
In the end, the renovation reflects who we are. It's an infusion of our most cherished travel memories and the beautiful places we've stayed. Our main sources of inspiration came from our travels to Morocco, India, and Thailand, alongside the clean simplicity of Mexican beach houses. Although we love to travel, we wanted to bring the creative influences we’ve gathered from around the world into our own home.
The renovation is still in progress! Check back soon for updates.
Stay tuned!