Mid-Century Inspired by the Sea
Recently restored by architect César Moreira, this former fisherman’s home is located in an old street in the Aguda District, an architectural heritage area, only meters from the beachfront with its historic harbor.
Inside, however, it now possesses a distinctly mid-century modern vibe and offers a sleek space to spread out and relax or work. Comfortable, period-inspired furnishings dress up interior spaces, as do creative wood accents, chevron parquet floors, and the mod, built-in cabinets. This home’s exterior wood detailing really sets it apart, another nod to mid-century styling, cladding the walls around the outdoor dining deck.
A bright wall of windowed doors is the backdrop to the home’s cheery social areas and divides the open-plan communal space, with its built-in kitchen, from the outdoor dining patio. The living room is comfy and well-furnished with mid-century inspired chairs and a chaise-like couch, with plants to soak up the ample sunlight, and a wood-burning stove tucked up against a concrete brick wall (also a cool, mid-century mod look).
A dining area lies adjacent to the stove. Five bedroom suites continue the clean-lined design theme, with simple double beds, side tables and sconces atop chevron wood floors. Four bedrooms fill the home’s upper story, and one is located downstairs. In addition to the dining patio, there is a terrace attached to one of the bedrooms.
Layout
There are two main areas inside the building: a social area on the ground floor, and six en-suites on the two upper floors. A patio connects with the social areas.
Around
This vacation home for rent in Portugal is located in Arcozelo. It's a quick commuter train ride (18km) from Porto and located south of the city along a wide expanse of sandy coast that has long been a favorite destination of writers, artists and religious pilgrims. Its historic enclosed harbor is unique to the area, and fishermen’s boats still fill the area and offer a daily catch. Some of the colorful boats moor on the beach, and there are multiple monuments celebrating the area’s maritime history. The house is a few meters from the beach, restaurants, bars and, for fish lovers, Lota da Aguda. With strong waves, the beach is also sought after for surfing or by spearfishing enthusiasts for the many specimens that inhabit its rocky bottoms. There are exclusively pedestrian areas by the sea. The Miramar Golf Club and the Granja Swimming Pool (saltwater) are also close by.
More than a dozen Blue Flag beaches, chosen for their accessibility, cleanliness and sustainability are located in and around Arcozelo, and the climate is temperate and the water cool for surfing, swimming, boating and fishing. Several historic chapels dot the small city, and the town was inspiration for 19th-century writers and artists who summered in the area. Today, it’s a favorite spot for digital nomads though also a long-established local fishing community, with a fleet that still operates today using the same techniques passed down for generations.
Location
Acozelo, Porto, Portugal. Nearest airport: Porto (40 mins). The train station is 150 meters from the home, and it takes about 15 minutes to reach the centers of V.N. Gaia and Porto.
Best time to visit
June to September
