Inspired by beautiful scenery that smells like the warm season, Claudia is an illustrator mother with an incredible sensitivity. Her way of arranging what she sees, what inspires her in the world on paper, makes reality lighter and fresher. Claudia combines colours with sounds, shapes with inspiring phrases, a woman—a source of sweet and soft art.
@meninalisboa
1 — What corner of your house do you prefer, and why?
"Right now it's definitely the kitchen! We did work last year and opened up the whole downstairs, installed a new floor and remodeled the whole kitchen. It's a pleasure to prepare meals there, look out the window and see our olive tree.. secondly, our bedroom terrace, whose view of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park won us over when we visited the house for the first time."
"Right now it's definitely the kitchen! We did work last year and opened up the whole downstairs, installed a new floor and remodeled the whole kitchen. It's a pleasure to prepare meals there, look out the window and see our olive tree.. secondly, our bedroom terrace, whose view of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park won us over when we visited the house for the first time."
@meninalisboa
2 — Any object that you keep for its sentimental value?
"I have several, some offered, like old cameras and camcorders, others bought in antique stores, like frames and candlesticks, or even handmade and that remind me of particular moments of my life, like a terrarium."
"I have several, some offered, like old cameras and camcorders, others bought in antique stores, like frames and candlesticks, or even handmade and that remind me of particular moments of my life, like a terrarium."
3 — Do you have any favorite books?
"Unfortunately, I have enormous difficulty reading, despite loving it. With motherhood came the few hours of sleep and tremendous difficulty reading two pages in a row without falling asleep. That's why I'm going to talk about the last book I read, given to me by a great friend, The Course of Love by Alain de Botton. But needless to say, I love illustration books for children and I have to control myself a lot not to buy one every week. My favorites are those by Oliver Jeffers, Benjie Davies and Jon Klassen."
"Unfortunately, I have enormous difficulty reading, despite loving it. With motherhood came the few hours of sleep and tremendous difficulty reading two pages in a row without falling asleep. That's why I'm going to talk about the last book I read, given to me by a great friend, The Course of Love by Alain de Botton. But needless to say, I love illustration books for children and I have to control myself a lot not to buy one every week. My favorites are those by Oliver Jeffers, Benjie Davies and Jon Klassen."
4 — What about your favorite place to eat?
"The kitchen, of course, breakfast in particular. The light that floods the kitchen as soon as the sun rises is such a good boost for the day that is just beginning! In fact, one of the reasons why I love working from home is precisely being able to go to my kitchen when I feel like eating something, or take a break for tea/coffee."
5 — If you could live in another part of the country, where would it be and why?
"Clearly the Alentejo. I like everything about the Alentejo, the architecture, the unobstructed landscapes and the slow-living that is so ingrained."
@meninalisboa
6 — Any Portuguese song, song or poem that inspires you and that you want to share with us?
"My memory is terrible, which is why this question could have an answer as short as "no" just because I don't remember. But interestingly, as soon as I read the question, the song that came to mind is one that has a place very special in our history — Grândola Vila Morena. I didn't experience the 25th of April, but it's impossible to listen to this song and not feel a lump in your throat with emotion, regardless of the years that pass. It was such an important milestone in our history and that served to free ourselves from so many chains that have placed us for decades."
"My memory is terrible, which is why this question could have an answer as short as "no" just because I don't remember. But interestingly, as soon as I read the question, the song that came to mind is one that has a place very special in our history — Grândola Vila Morena. I didn't experience the 25th of April, but it's impossible to listen to this song and not feel a lump in your throat with emotion, regardless of the years that pass. It was such an important milestone in our history and that served to free ourselves from so many chains that have placed us for decades."
@meninalisboa
7 — If you are aware of our products, is there any that you prefer in particular?
"What would you offer a loved one? Can the loved one be me? Because the children of my eyes are the lamps, in particular Alvor and Viana!"
"What would you offer a loved one? Can the loved one be me? Because the children of my eyes are the lamps, in particular Alvor and Viana!"
@meninalisboa
8 — Just to finish, describe your home in one word/sentence.
"Light. From the morning light that floods the kitchen and bedrooms, the afternoon light that enters through the skylight and spreads through the stairs and the second floor... and the light of the setting sun at Guincho that can be seen from the terrace from our room."
"Light. From the morning light that floods the kitchen and bedrooms, the afternoon light that enters through the skylight and spreads through the stairs and the second floor... and the light of the setting sun at Guincho that can be seen from the terrace from our room."
@meninalisboa
Thank you for inspiring us, Cláudia.
Visit her site: meninalisboa.com
Follow her work on Instagram: @meninalisboa
Buy Claudia's favorite Luz products: pendant lights.