Miss Marple Sofa / Burel Jacket
Miss Marple Sofa
This Miss Marple was inspired by the classic English sofa, “conservative, rounded with lyre-shaped arms”. Added to these features, the designer has come up with a cooler look and greater depth, lining it with a covering and including cushions, making it more comfortable in the process. The name of the piece celebrates the character created by crime writer Agatha Christie and chosen to represent the conservative English soul and a more laid-back attitude to life.
Manuel Bastos, who designed the sofa, learned his trade with his father, who worked as an upholsterer in Vila Nova de Poiares. In the 1980s, he moved to Lisbon where, with other designers, he perfected his technique, whilst working on decoration projects. In 2001, he created the company Botaca and, ten years later, he has opened a trade showroom where he presents his collections, as well as selected design items.
Warehouse/shop
Rua Ferreira Borges, 137 A-B, Campo de Ourique
Botaca Showroom
Av. 24 de Julho, 4 1esq. (trade only)
€2,644.50
Burel Jacket
After 24 years living in Paris, Otília Santos has spent a quarter of a century in Portugal, however, it was only about a year ago that she opened Chi-coração in Lisbon (Chi, which comes from Chiado, and coração (heart) because it is in centre of the capital). The shop boasts the typical wooden beams and stone pillars of old Lisbon architecture, and inside, all items are 100% natural and 100% Portuguese, which tell the story (and history) of the country’s textile industry.
The products range from classic to contemporary and are all crafted with traditional materials and techniques. Among the collections of blankets, shawls, capes and scarves, visitors can find pieces in burel (Portuguese material made from wool) by Miguel Gigante. The coat that you see in the picture is a fine example. This ancient fabric, which is waterproof and traditionally used by shepherds, has been reclaimed by the Covilhã fashion designer, whose work can be seen on the Atelier Burel blog.
Chi Coração
Rua da Misericórdia, 51, Lisboa
+351 96 930 7096
€110
