Picturesque Portugal

This month, we are highlighting our amazing maker, Marie-Laure Davy of studio ēeme. The Portuguese artist’s work has been a highlight on Trove for many obvious reasons; and also due to its unique style and elevated aesthetic. Marie-Laure launched her studio only two years ago… following a move from New York City to Portugal. The beauty and ease of being on the coast invigorated her creativity and sought her to start creating. Her wall art is mastery in how soft gestures and intuitive shapes form the clay.

In honor of studio ēeme, we thought it’d be fun to take a fantastical vacation to Portugal’s Alentejo’s coast. And a trip to Portugal couldn’t be complete without discovering Hotel Vermelho. This bit of “eye candy” has been on my travel wishlist since I first read about it’s opening last year.

Within the picturesque and coastal village of Melides, Hotel Vermelho is a boutique hotel of simply 13 rooms that is described simply as, “A place like no other, for people like no other.” That seems in line with the owner, the “red bottom shoe king” himself, Christian Louboutin. As you’d expect, no expense was spared in creating this magnificent property. Louboutin was adamant about ensuring that the hotel blend seamlessly into the environment; he honored Portuguese styling with the powdery blue and white walls, elegantly carved chimneys, and gently sloped terra-cotta tile roof. Inside, the frescoes, local Alentejo tiles, and hand-selected
artworks all work to perfection to convey interest and serve as a topic for conversation.

There is an understated luxury that emits and a casual elegance that is perfectly aligned with its environment. Hotel Vermelho checks all the boxes, and provides us with a bit of bated breath and wanderlust…

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