De La Espada translates to ‘From the Sword,’ but the only thing sharp around the edges about this family-owned and operated global design authority is the handcrafted wood furniture. 

De La Espada was founded in 1993 by husband and wife duo, Fatima De La Espada and Luis De Oliveira, based outside of Porto, Portugal. They produce standout collections with some of the most well-respected contemporary designers in the world. Designers in their own right, the founders conceived the company as a multi-disciplinary amalgam: a manufacturer, designer, and brand studio that draws on traditional craft and artisanship.

Based on a passion for wood and its purity, early collections were inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement and minimalist architects such as Tadao Ando and John Pawson. After the 100% Design exhibition in London, they formed a partnership with Turkish multidisciplinary design studio Autoban, in addition to Luca Nichetto, Matthew Hilton, Studioilse, Autoban, and Neri&Hu. 

De La Espada furniture is distinguished by its elegant material palette, meticulous joinery, and artisanal woodwork, much of which is perfected in the company’s factory in Northern Portugal. The world of De La Espada design includes lighting, dining, living, storage, working, and design accessories.

We had the opportunity to visit the De La Espada factory with Luis and explore nearby Porto and Lisbon. Here is the De La Espada design guide to Porto:

STAY

ROSA ET AL TOWNHOUSE A passion project done by an architect with a spiral staircase and homemade baked goods.

DUAS PORTAS Another boutique hotel in a prime location.

PESTANA PALACIO DO FREIXO Formerly Pousada do Porto, located in an 18th-century palace, with seaside views.

SIX SENSES DOURO VALLEY After a day spent wine tasting in the Douro Valley, book yourself into the Six Senses spa for a vinotherapy treatment.

DINE | DRINK

PADARIA FORMOSA A beautiful classic bakery located just down the road with an excellent atmosphere and service, Padaria Formosa is over 100 years old. Serving excellent coffee, cakes, and bread- we find the cornbread particularly delicious.

TAVI CONFEITARIA Located just down the road from Flattered Apartments, approximately a 2 minute walk away, is Tavi Confeitaria, a brasserie dating back to 1935. Serving traditional Portuguese fare and international cuisine, Tavi also offers panoramic views of the sea.

MERCEARIA DO MIGUEL Mercearia do Miguel is a grocer selling local produce, wine, and tea; and a cafe offering snacks, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and smoothies.

PRAIA DA LUZ Praia da Luz serves food and drinks fro]  decking directly on the sandy salads, pastries, and smoothies. beach, or indoors with sea views.

CASA VASCO A casual, relaxed environment from which to sample a range of delicious “petiscos” (Portuguese small plates). 

ICHIBAN Portugal offers deliciously fresh fish, and this is put to good use at Ichiban which serves superb sushi in comfortable, minimal interiors.

CASA D’ORO Perched on the Douro river, this pizzeria offers excellent views. Enjoy the upstairs terrace in good weather.

CAFEÍNA International cuisine with Portuguese roots, specializing in seafood. Complex flavors, perfectly balanced, served in elegant interiors by Paulo Lobo. 

VINUM AT GRAHAM’S Wine bar and restaurant serving classic Iberian cuisine with panoramic views over Porto and the Douro river. We recommend an enriching tour of the port cellars followed by a drink on the terrace.

O CANTINHO DO AVILLEZ Relaxed atmosphere with interiors by Anahory Almeida. Chef José Avillez serves Portuguese cuisine with international influences.

REI DOS GALOS DE AMARANTE Good old-fashioned Portuguese cuisine served by a local family.

DATERRA Casual vegetarian buffet-style restaurant with many vegan options. There are a number of branches, but the Matosinhos location is our favorite due to its spacious interiors and abundant choices.

EM CARNE VIVA Vegetarian and vegan cuisine inspired by traditional Portuguese dishes. Artfully presented courses served with the best Douro wines in an elegant historic building and romantic garden.

DUAS DE LETRA Friendly, casual cafe with many vegetarian options.

ÁRVORE DO MUNDO Another friendly neighborhood cafe, this one with exclusively vegetarian cuisine.

ANTIQVVM Located next to the Museo Romantico, this Michelin-star restaurant offers views of Ponte d’Arrábida from the terrace.

BRICK CLÉRIGOS A large wooden communal table is the centerpiece of this restaurant, serving sandwiches, salads, and tapas. Vegetarian and vegan options available.

PURO 4050 A centrally-located restaurant with perfectly decadent mozzarella, as well as a range of dishes of European and Mediterranean origin.

ADEGA DE SÃO NICOLAU Traditional Portuguese cuisine served in a small, friendly restaurant on a narrow winding street right off the Douro river.

CHOCOLATARIA ECUADOR Visit for a port and chocolate pairing and sample the finest handcrafted chocolate presented by knowledgeable, friendly staff.

SANTINI Arguably the best ice cream in Portugal is made by Santini, founded in 1949 in Cascais by Attilio Santini. Of the extensive list of flavors, we particularly enjoy cinnamon, almond, melon, and mango.

MAUS HÁBITOS Vegetarian restaurant, bar, art gallery, and event space. 

VOGUE CAFE Under the helm of Conde Nast International Restaurants, Porto’s Vogue Café offers a fashionable respite for a coffee or cocktail with plenty of glossy reading materials.

BOA NOVA TEA HOUSE One of Álvaro Siza’s most iconic projects completed in 1963, this tea house merges with the rocky terrain along the seaside in Matosinhos. Visit just to enjoy the architecture, or make reservations for dinner. 

THE YEATMAN HOTEL The terrace of this Relais & Châteaux hotel with a 2 Michelin Star restaurant overlooks Porto and is nestled in the hills next to the port wine lodges, including Taylors.

ARTS | CULTURE

CASA DE SERRALVES | MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART Designed by Álvaro Siza, Serralves boasts stunning art deco architecture, as well as contemporary art, and beautiful gardens. Parallel to the exhibition program, there are plenty of activities for families.

SUNSET VIEW Enjoy the sunset from one of the many terraces in Foz Do Douro including Praia da Luz, Praia dos Ingleses, and Praia Homem do Leme.

CITY PARK Enjoy a picnic in the park, or on Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00, visit the farmer’s market where small local producers sell their organically grown produce.

JARDINS DO PALÁCIO DE CRISTAL Vast, romantic gardens with peacocks, fountains, roses, and incredible views over Porto, Gaia, and the Douro.

ART DISTRICT Near the Palácio de Cristal, enjoy the many art galleries.

CASA DA MÚSICA Enjoy a concert or a guided tour of this great building designed by Rem Koolhaas.

SÃO BENTO RAILWAY STATION This beautiful train station dating back to 1903 features elaborate tile work (azulejos) depicting scenes from Portuguese history.

VIRTUDES Garden with a view over Alfândega do Porto, Gaia, and the Douro river.

GUINDAIS FUNICULAR (CABLE CAR) Take in the views over the Douro and the Luiz I Bridge while traveling on the funicular up the hill to the old cathedral.

LEÇA SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX This pool is considered one of the greatest early works of Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. Located near Boa Nova Tea House on the seafront in Matosinhos, the design merges concrete structures with the rocky coastline for an inspiring outdoor swim.

IGREJA DE SANTO ILDEFONSO An eighteenth-century church with exquisite blue and white azulejo tilework.

IGREGA DO CARMO Connected to its twin church by a house, this baroque church has a well-known tiled side facade. R. do Carmo, 4050-164

SHOP

MERCADO DO BOLHÃO The Bolhão Market is the most charismatic market in the city. Outside the neo-classical building, the market is divided into many shops facing the four streets that surround it: Fernandes Tomás to the North, Alexandre Braga to the East, Formosa to the South, and Sá da Bandeira to the West. The vendors include fishmongers, butchers, greengrocers, and florists.

LIVRARIA LELLO This neo-gothic bookshop, dating back to 1906, has impressive architecture and well-priced books. It was the inspiration for the Hogwarts library in Harry Potter and has since become a key destination for tourists. To control the crowds, admittance is now charged, but it is worth a visit. We recommend buying a voucher through the website for priority entrance.

A VIDA PORTUGUESA The perfect shop to find traditional and original gifts made in Portugal.

Text: Veronica H. Speck Photo: © Fundação de Serralves Follow: @delaespada