About 5 years ago, well before we owned the house, the owner then built a huge extension. The extension involved the building of 3 new bedrooms with en-suites, a kitchen and hallway. A beautiful atrium with a tin roof was built to join the old and the new parts of the house.
When they built the atrium I don’t think they were thinking about how difficult it would be to clean the inside and out of these windows. It’s definitely one of my favourite features of the house and when it rains it sounds amazing.
The bedrooms are complete with underfloor heating, how awesome is that? It would be great but for the fact that electricity is so expensive in Portugal so we never actually switch it on. We are taking steps towards becoming more energy efficient and one day soon we will generate our own electricity. In 2015 we installed some solar panels on the roof and now have free hot water, so that’s a step forward.
The room below didn’t need much doing to it at all. It just needed a little sweep, a lick of paint, some light fittings and a bit of furniture. It’s much the same story with the other rooms in the new part.
Do you remember me talking about the pig’s blood paint in another blog post? The column above the fireplace has been painted in that traditional burgundy Portuguese colour. It looks black in the photo but that’s just the light distorting the picture.
A lot of the furnishings comes from my Mum’s favourite shop: Ikea! There’s one near to Porto airport so every time they come to pick me up or drop me off at the airport they go on another shopping trip.
Now onto another bedroom:
We’re having a bookcase made for this alcove. 
Here’s the room today:
Here’s the third and final bedroom:
It’s the only room that has a wet room, which I am envious of. If any of you guys end up staying over then this is where you’d end up. It’s the quietist room in the house and those doors on the right lead straight out into the pool area.
Lastly, the kitchen. I wish that this room was a little bit larger because I always trip over the dog when trying to cook.
The outside living area is just outside the kitchen. This is where I spend most of my time when in Portugal. It’s a gorgeous space and with the new table we enjoy the warm summer evenings sat around it.
2 Responses
It is great to read your Blog Laura and to see how the house has changed over time. I don't envy you having to clean and paint the swimming pool!!!!! I am about to embark on my own renovation project in Central Portugal and may just do my best to document it just as you have. It must be great for your family to be able to look back through the memories.
Claire x
Hi Claire! It's great to hear from you. I've had this blog for a few years now and my parents love looking back on the old pictures of the house, especially the ones of the garden. It reminds us that we've put so much effort and love into the house and spurs us on to do more. I would completely recommend that you do document your own journey; you don't have to create a public blog like I've done but just taking regular photos and storing them on your computer will really inspire you as time goes on. The swimming pool is actually due for a repaint next year — ughhh! Best of luck with your own renovation project and if you do make your own blog then please share :)