It is a big name in the interior decoration area and has been associated for a long career to brand. We are talking about Marta Espregueira Mendes who, after some work in the fashion area, chose to dedicate herself to architecture and interior decoration. In 1997, Marta’s – Architecture and Interior Decoration was founded, a company in which Marta Espregueira Mendes has put all her effort to become successful. “It all started in a very small cabinet that has nothing to do with what we have today”, says the decorator. “The truth is that I never dreamed of reaching the point where I am today. The initial idea was to create a unique and different concept. I never wanted a big company. I knew that it would work well, but never thought it would reach this breakneck pace”. Marta Espregueira Mendes graduated in interior design in the city of Paris and, after her return to Portugal, bet on her project, a small studio that has evolved over time and also with the growth of her work. “I have always loved interior decoration and decided to take a risk, trying to do a job that I love. Marta’s is celebrating it’s twentieth anniversary this year and I can tell I feel professionally fulfilled”, she confesses.

Concept and inspiration
But, after all, what are the motivations or lines that define the decoration processes initiated by Marta Espregueira Mendes? “I have a great tendency to combine classic and contemporary. I like to design spaces that adapt to the current times, I try to reveal and interpret the history of the places. We speak of rustic and old houses, houses full of details that refer us to the passage and history of a family and with utensils, furniture and even spaces that have meaning for the people who lived there or who will live there”. The decorator uses her own style in her projects. “I am aware that this balance is not always easy to achieve, but this is the real challenge”, she confesses.

“It is important to know the client’s ambitions and needs”
For decorating a space there are several aspects to consider. Firstly, and as Marta Espregueira Mendes explains, “we must take into account the characteristics of the person or family with whom we are developing the decoration project. It is very important to focus on comfort and also to know the dynamics of people in that space, whether it is a leisure or work space. On the other hand, the characteristics of the surroundings are also very relevant and I highlight, for example, lighting and the location of the property”. Another aspect to consider is, obviously, the client’s taste and ambition, however, the decorator confesses that she feels more motivated in projects where she can emphasize her brand and use her personal style. “It is true that there are several offices that follow different styles and I think that people should carry out this research to understand which is the ideal project and that best suits their taste”, she advises.

Projects inside and outside Portugal
In our country, Marta’s works everywhere, but it is in the city of Porto that most of her projects are concentrated. “It is a city in which I love to work, not least because all the logistics become simpler. This does not make it impossible to carry out work in cities like Lisbon or even in the Algarve region”. With regard to foreigners, it is in the United States of America that Marta Espregueira Mendes has three decoration projects, “all for a very demanding public but which recognizes our competence and competitiveness”.