Complete Apartment Renovation in Lisbon — Graça District
French interior architect Elsa Sibuet, based in Portugal, led the complete renovation of this 1970s Lisbon apartment nestled in the vibrant and sun-filled neighborhood of Graça.
Location: Lisbon, Portugal — Graça District
Type: Residential — Apartment
Area: 80 m²
Scope: Complete renovation, spatial reconfiguration, construction management, and bespoke interior design
Located in a 1970s residential building in Graça, this 80 m² apartment benefited from an exceptional asset: large picture windows overlooking eastern Lisbon, offering uninterrupted views of the Portuguese capital’s skyline.
The objective of the renovation was to unlock that potential. The goal was to transform a compartmentalized and dated interior into a modern, feminine, and elegant home entirely oriented toward the surrounding landscape.
The renovation was carried out from floor to ceiling. The interior works included a complete reconfiguration of the openings, introducing arches and curved lines that frame the views beyond the windows like a series of living artworks.
Mirrors were installed alongside the windows to visually extend the views and create the illusion of a balcony beyond. This careful manipulation of light and spatial perception lies at the heart of the studio’s approach to apartment renovation.
From a technical standpoint, the intervention included a complete upgrade of all utility networks, electrical compliance works, and meticulous attention to wall finishes and flooring materials.
To respond to her client’s brief, Elsa Sibuet created a sophisticated and distinctly feminine interior where curves interact harmoniously with natural light and the panoramic views of Lisbon.
- Colours
All walls were painted in a warm beige tone to diffuse a soft, enveloping light throughout the apartment. In the main living area, the blue tones of Lisbon’s sky are brought indoors, creating a seamless visual connection between the exterior landscape and the interior environment. - Materials & Textures
Throughout the apartment, wallpapers featuring organic motifs introduce character and individuality. Each room develops its own atmosphere while maintaining a coherent overall design language. - Volumes
Arches—an Astesi Blue signature—reshape transitions between spaces and frame the apartment’s sightlines. They define the architecture without adding visual weight, creating an understated elegance with an almost sculptural quality.
In an apartment with exceptional views, windows should never be treated as simple openings. Instead, they should become the focal point of the design.
A side mirror or a carefully placed arch can completely transform a window or glazed opening. The view then becomes the defining feature of the renovation and the visual climax of the interior.
This Graça apartment perfectly illustrates the philosophy that Astesi Blue brings to every renovation: never sacrifice character for functionality.
Here, the unique qualities of the property guided every design decision made by the interior architect. The result is a cohesive and sensitive living space, fully in harmony with its surroundings and with the Portuguese way of life.
Are you planning to renovate an apartment in Lisbon?
Astesi Blue can support you locally or remotely from concept through completion—spatial restructuring, construction works, and bespoke interior design.