Winter Sun

Winter. It’s beautiful and sometimes hard. A lovely tough season that never seizes to amaze and attract. Christmas, New Year’s Eve and many other and less obvious moments make Winter even more valuable. All these moments have a warmth place in our heart. And that’s the thing about winter, although cold, it warms the heart.

Here, in Portugal, the winter sun has many meanings. One is a very known song from Simone de Oliveira (with a great historical value). Another one, also a classic, are the sunny Sundays. No matter where you are in Portugal, but especially if you live by the coast, people will fill the streets, beaches, piers and breakwaters for a feeling of the sea under the warm sun. It’s an ordinary ritual, with friends, couples and families enjoying the moment.

So, this article is about the cold sun. It’s not about interior design technical features, nor is it about how the idea took place or even about the various raw materials and its textures and how everything matched. It’s just about a house under the winter sun. One that stands by the estuary of Aveiro. Facing the estuary with a privileged view, directly into a color mix of mint and salvia, toned down by flashy reflexes. While this happens right before the eyes, the sea breeze makes its way from behind, enhancing the moody sight. It all happens in a huge dune that translates in to a peninsula, right next to the Costa Nova.

This is a house built for the Winter, in a place that has its peak at summertime. But its intentional, because not everybody wants to enjoy the hotness of summer, just that fresh warmth of the beloved winter sun. A time when the sea air regains all its strength, invading the land and memories, some warm and some cold. But all wonderful. To walk in the beach, shoeless, with a warm sweater and jacket, pink nose and vivid senses. There is nothing like it.

But, ok, let’s talk about raw materials. The beach grains bringing that softness to the toes. The wind refreshing the face and body. A strong sea breeze giving you comfortable chills all over the body. A warmhearted esplanade facing the estuary or sea, drinking a hot coffee, chocolate or tea. A delicious cake, with jam all over. Or even, a hot stuffed puff pastry with pieces of fruit. Yeah, you’re feeling it, that urge. So why not go for it? Forget the summer house, go for a winter one. It’s all about the geographic choice. In a special place, of course (you can’t find it just anywhere). But, some regions, between sea and estuary, can have it all. Even that kind of sun that feels better in the winter that on summer time.

Oh, and the house? How will it be? Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. Create a space to enjoy a chilled warmness in the winter sun. It’s totally worth it.

‍