You never know what surprise you will find in the next room
“The eye has to travel”
This great lesson that the famous fashion editor left us Diana Vreland is the motto of ** Cabinet of Curiosities. **
a phrase that Gracinha Viterbo took as a basis to create this unique place in the heart of Estoril.
Furniture from all eras, almost impossible to find fabrics, jewellery, rugs, plants, paintings, sculptures... A museum without showcases that envelops everyone who walks through its doors under its spell.
Bedding that will make you dream of Wonderland
AROUND THE WORLD WITH FINISH IN ESTORIL
Estoril boasts art deco architecture and a wonderful promenade that leads to Cascais and makes us forget for a moment that we are only 25 minutes from Lisbon.
The casino, the racetrack, Tamariz beach... Every visitor who walks through the streets and gardens of Estoril has a reason, or many, but today we tell you one more: the cabinet of curiosities of Gracinha Viterbo.
Gracinha was born in this former hideout of Spanish and Italian royalty, known as the Portuguese Riviera.
At 18, she packed her bags and left for London. She studied art and design at Saint Martin's and in Chelsea, later specializing in interior design at the renowned Inchbald School of Design.
Gracinha Viterbo, the boss of all this
In the year 2000 she returned to Portugal to join her family business founded by her mother, Graça Viterbo, one of the most important interior designers in Portugal.
When her mother retired, Gracinha took the reins of Viterbo Interior Design together with her husband Miguel Stucky.
The Cabinet Room, one of the ten rooms in this museum without display cases
A decade later, In addition to inaugurating her cabinet of curiosities (her latest project), she has given time to publish a book, live in Singapore, develop projects (in addition to Portugal) in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Thailand, have four children… and return to Estoril.
FOR THE LOVE OF PORTUGAL
Gracinha took Vreeland's sentence literally, contemplating with her own eyes remote places, movie cities and countries that marked a before and after in her career.
She learned many things, but the most important was the following: “traveling the world made me realize how much I love Portugal”.
Unique items for unique personalities
“We returned to Estoril two years ago and found a different Portugal: much more international and dynamic”, says Grancinha.
And she continues “I rediscovered my country: its artistic richness, its secret places, the intersection of inspirations, its history full of contrasts, its traditions, its food, its language... and all that was at the door of my house”.
After ten years of intense dedication to Viterbo Interior Design projects, unforgettable trips, mixtures of cultures, incredible experiences and a lot of work on the projects, "He had a warehouse full of little treasures from all over the world," she continues.
“Why not group all these objects in the concept of the Cabinets of Curiosities of the 18th century? Gracinha wondered.
And said and done: Cabinet of Curiosities became a reality in whatever it was her grandfather's house in Estoril.
"I create funds for real life", Gracinha Viterbo
AN ENCHANTED MUSEUM
There is no equal object, or put another way, there is an object for each person, "Cabinet of Curiosities is a place where visitors will find unique pieces to personalize their homes," Gracinha explains to Traveler.es
“I like to look for the beauty that can transcend trends and bring authenticity to a space. Ultimately, I think funds for real life she says.
The Cabinet of Curiosities of Gracinha is divided by themes, as if it were a museum. Of course, here there are no crystals that separate us from the treasures and works of art that inhabit each room.
On the ground floor is fresh, a flower shop where the aroma changes according to the season of the year and enchants us as we climb the stairs.
There we find rooms like The Gallery, The Spring Room or The Chair Room, to go to the room that gives its name to the place: Cabinet of Curiosities, a mysterious and dark corridor where we will find surprising and unrepeatable objects (because once sold, they are never replaced by the same one) .
In the attic we found a curious turban collection designed by Gracinha, a distinctive sign by which she is recognized wherever she goes.
Ceramic pieces, hand-embroidered fabrics by Portuguese and international artisans, retro-style mirrors, tableware painted with exotic animals…
“I love the Ikat espadrilles , but without a doubt my favorite pieces are the folding screens I think they can frame or change the image of a space like no other object,” says Gracinha.
Turbans, hallmark of Gracinha Viterbo
WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS
“More than a store, Cabinet of Curiosities wants to be a place to share and learn about life”, Gracinha says.
In addition to collecting objects, this lover of authenticity and beauty organizes workshops on lifestyle, floral design, talks with artisans and artists...
One of the most popular activities? The cabinet talks, Taught in English and Portuguese.
“We have very interesting guests whose talks are most inspiring”, Gracinha points out.
Among her new projects is a very special collaboration with the Gournay hand-painted wallpaper firm and the opening in 2019 of two boutique hotels with the unmistakable design of the cabinet.
Objects from all corners of the world arrive at this house in Estoril