Meet Daniela Franceschini: A Spanish Interior Designer in Lisbon

Interview: Daniela Franceschini 

It's in her discreet and beautiful studio at Rua das Janelas Verdes, Lisbon, that Spanish interior designer Daniela Franceschini creates residential and commercial spaces that “weave together timeless architecture with modern accents”. Her projects as CEO of Quiet Studios includes The Rebello Hotel in Oporto, The Vintage Hotel in Lisbon and residences in Germany, Portugal, and Spain.

Can you describe your design style and approach to creating unique interiors?

Daniela Franceschini: When doing residential interiors, I work around the client's rituals. There is always a starting point that it's the space itself. I am not working from zero, because in this case, space offers a potential, and my job is to squeeze that potential. I do it by bringing a narrative through a palette of textures and colors, and by bespoke furniture with craftsman mixed with antiques furniture designed by creatives that I admire.

What inspired you to become an interior designer, and why did you decide to set your studio in Lisbon?

D.F.: It happened occasionally when I was invited to help to design a restaurant in London. I immediately got fascinated, I saw right there that I found my language through interior design. I learned most things by doing it.

I came to Lisbon in 2018 (Daniela is from Málaga and lived for a long time in Berlin) and my plan was not to stay. However, I got an unexpected and exciting project back then, and it pushed me to discover fast an “unknown land”. Suddenly, I had to find resources, makers, artists, manufacturers and then I realized that I was discovering so much more beyond my work environment. In Lisbon, I found a healthy lifestyle and the city itself welcomed my projects very warmly. It took me some time to realize that I was here to stay, but eventually I saw myself returning to Berlin just to empty my apartment there.

How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and emerging materials/products in the industry?

D.F.: I usually travel to see fairs, design weeks, exhibitions… and I take the chance to go around looking for galleries, furniture stores, etc. My trips are mostly driven to do that. My partner is also a designer, so we exhaust ourselves with aesthetic stimulation.

What is your process for collaborating with international clients to ensure their vision and needs are incorporated into the design?

D.F.: To me, the most important element of the space is the person who lives in it. So, I try to understand my clients and for that, we have a project brief as a starting point. The space and this brief tell us where to start and, from there, we start to imagine it together. Then, I develop ideas that I represent with sketches, 3D models, plans. They are then turned into technical drawings, sample tests, compositions.

My studio takes care of designing, supervising the execution, sourcing furniture, art, antiques, accessories and managing the logistics until we achieve the final result. Sometimes the client loves to participate in every step, sometimes we take care of everything ourselves.

Can you share with us your favorite interior designing brands and shops in Portugal and Spain?

D.F.: My favorite design brands in Portugal are: De La Espada, Origin Made, Ayle, Made in Situ, Project 213A, Collector Group, Barracuda Interiors. In Spain, I love Santa & Cole, Casa Muñoz, Casa Josephine, Guillermo Santoma and Elvira Solana.

PHOTOS: DANIEL SCHÄFER | FRANCISCO NOGUEIRA