When a New York entrepreneur moved to Portugal, to a spacious three-bedroom apartment—more space than he needed for himself, but just enough to welcome family and friends visiting from New York.

The apartment is located in Guimarães, one of Portugal’s most historic cities, just steps from the Palace of the Dukes. With a private terrace on one side and a small balcony on the other.

Because the client works primarily online, one of the most important spaces became the home office. Its large built-in bookshelves were completely empty, so we filled them with books, art, and collected objects—including stacks of vintage Portuguese books discovered during a local library sale.

Some of the apartment’s basic furniture was already in place, while we added new pieces, textiles, lighting, and décor to give the apartment a more character. Most of the pieces were sourced from European brands, with just a few American additions—a mix that reflects the story of a New Yorker beginning a new chapter in Portugal.