Explore the finest Portuguese furniture makers in the land
Portuguese furniture is slowly but surely making itself known on the interiors-brands-to-know circuit. Despite its impressive back catalogue of the industry’s finest makers and a long craft-rich history (from handprinted pottery and Arraiolos rugs to rush seat and linen weaving), its reputation has long remained one that’s known but rarely shouted about. But all of that is changing.
Here, our Senior Creative Buyer celebrates eight of the finest Portuguese furniture makers in the land…
It’s a challenge to usher the words ‘made in Portugal’ without upholstery specialists Domkapa coming into conversation. Founded only in 2009, this contemporary furniture brand, based in northern Portugal, started life designing and making upholstery collections underpinned by its four design pillars—traditional hand-sewn techniques, high design, comfort and quality materials. From seams that are corded, piped, double-stitched and slotted to finishing processes like darts, tucks and hand-crafted pleats, the Domkapa design team aspire to make every piece one of a kind.
Later, the Portuguese brand furthered its reach by welcoming case goods and tables into its collections, from coffee and side tables that complement its existing sofas and armchairs (see the Bondi collection as a case in point) to cotton velvet-lined folding screens. To invite Domkapa into your home is to welcome both craft and couture.
Another Portuguese furniture brand whose history is surprisingly short considering the design accolades that it has already amassed. In a small town, not too far from heritage-rich Porto, Celso Lascasas established a multi-disciplinary interiors label, which he hoped would meld his country’s craft roots with the intelligence of contemporary making. 17 years on, it would be nigh-on impossible to deny his vision has been realised for Laskasas has a now global audience for whom it provides not simply furniture but the opportunity to ‘decorate life’—the company’s mission statement.
Part of the wider Laskasas Group (of which Domkapa is also part), Laskasas’ pieces span the decades with Mid-century media units, Art Deco console tables and contemporary sofa silhouettes all part of its exceptionally designed collection.
No ordinary furniture from Portugal, the collection by Insidherland is the work of acclaimed architect Joana Santos Barbosa who, after having later studied at Central St Martins to finesse her interior design skillset, is able to marry spatial appreciation with deeply considered detail.
To possess a piece by Barbosa is to connect with the emotion she pours into her creations as well as her expressions of artistry—every piece begins life as a traditional sketch before being translated into a precise, detailed drawing for she favours a slow, thoughtful hand to anything rushed and harsh.
Traditional Portuguese making techniques are evident throughout her work, be it marquetry or casting brass into forms meticulously detailed (see her Alentejo side table whose pedestal base is inspired by Portugal’s native cork trees) and undeniably collectible.
