- London · UK & Selected International Projects
- paulo@phlondon.co.uk
Nature • Craftsmanship • Timeless Design
Every place I’ve lived, every country I’ve visited and every project I’ve worked on has shaped the way I design today.
I grew up in the south of Brazil, close to the borders with Uruguay and Argentina. It is a region of wide-open pampas, large farms and rustic architecture, where buildings sit naturally within the landscape.
From an early age, I was fascinated by design, interiors and plants. Looking back, I can see how much those surroundings shaped the way I understand beauty. The connection between architecture and nature, the simplicity of rural buildings and the way homes opened themselves to the landscape all became part of my design vocabulary.
The warmth of natural materials, weathered timber, Corten steel, brass, terracotta and earthy colours are elements that still influence my work today. Large panes of glass framing green views and the atmosphere created by a wood-burning fire remain some of my favourite design features.
Those early experiences eventually led me to study Architecture, giving me the opportunity to combine my passion for creativity with a deeper understanding of how spaces are created.
After graduating, I moved to the UK, and London has been my home ever since.
Arriving in London was a real learning curve. I was fortunate enough to move into a Victorian house, and that experience became an education in itself.
Suddenly I was surrounded by architectural details that were alien to me before: period fireplaces, ceiling roses, cornices, sash windows, side return extensions and the almost obsessive desire to bring as much daylight into the house as possible.
What fascinated me most was how different this approach was from Brazil.
Back home, where the climate is much warmer, we spend much of our time trying to keep the sun out. In London, it felt as though every renovation was about inviting light in and making the most of every possible connection with the outdoors. It was a completely different way of thinking about architecture.
The more I explored, the more I appreciated Britain’s architectural heritage. I learned to recognise Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian houses, as well as Mid-Century architecture, and spent countless weekends visiting historic houses, palaces and their gardens. Every visit taught me something new about proportion, craftsmanship and the way homes evolve over time.
Soon afterwards, I joined an architectural practice on King’s Road, where I learned about planning applications, approvals and Building Regulations. It gave me a solid understanding of how good design becomes a successful built project, and that knowledge continues to benefit my clients today.
When I first arrived in London, the property market was booming and many renovated homes looked remarkably similar. Grey walls, neutral palettes and safe interiors dominated because they appealed to the widest possible market.
My own Victorian house became my opportunity to explore something different.
Instead of following trends, I painted walls in sage green, straw tones and rich aubergine. I wasn’t designing a property to sell; I was creating a home for myself, and I wanted it to have warmth, personality and character.
At the same time, living in London opened the door to travelling in a way I had never imagined. Visiting countries across Asia and the Middle East introduced me to ancient architecture, handcrafted artefacts, earthy colours and traditional craftsmanship that felt completely different from anything I had experienced before.
Each journey expanded my design vocabulary. Rather than bringing back souvenirs, I found myself returning with ideas—about materials, textures, colour and the value of handmade craftsmanship.
Travelling through Kenya and South Africa introduced me to another influence that has stayed with me ever since. I was captivated by safari architecture, with its natural timber structures, exposed beams and tree-trunk pillars, adobe walls, rock fireplaces and beautiful handcrafted textiles. The vibrant colours of Maasai blankets and the intricate patterns of Ethiopian crosses showed me how traditional craftsmanship could create interiors that felt both authentic and timeless.
Without really noticing it, I was becoming less interested in following trends and much more interested in creating homes that reflected the people who lived in them. Homes with layers, stories and carefully chosen pieces. Homes that felt timeless rather than fashionable.
That philosophy has remained at the heart of my work ever since.
My growing curiosity about interiors eventually led me into interior design, and I was fortunate to join a highly respected interior design studio in Kensington.
It was an extraordinary experience and one that broadened my understanding of luxury residential design. We worked on palaces, manor houses and penthouse apartments, developing projects not only in London but also in India and Sri Lanka.
Travelling to India as part of these projects completely opened my eyes to another world of craftsmanship. Visiting local suppliers and workshops introduced me to remarkable artisans producing intricate wood carvings, traditional metal castings and beautifully crafted Indian jalis. The level of skill, patience and attention to detail was unlike anything I had experienced before.
The studio was well known for creating luxurious Ralph Lauren-inspired interiors, but what I enjoyed most was the opportunity to incorporate handcrafted details and bespoke pieces that gave every home its own identity. Large villas with marble floors, metal inlays and carefully selected natural materials became elegant, timeless interiors rather than spaces that simply followed fashion.
Just as importantly, every project taught me that great design begins with understanding the people who will live there.
While working on luxurious residential projects, I continued experimenting in my own Victorian house in South London.
As my confidence grew, so did my willingness to use richer materials and bolder colours. Deeper shades of blue, darker timber finishes, bronze, brass and carefully layered textures gradually became part of my own design language.
At the same time, the projects we were working on in London became increasingly prestigious, with private commissions for international families, entrepreneurs and royalty. Every project brought a different brief, but they all reinforced something I had been discovering for some time: truly successful interiors are never created by following trends. They are created by understanding the people who will live in them.
It was also during this period that I discovered how naturally Art Deco details could sit alongside Victorian architecture.
Rather than competing with the original character of a building, carefully chosen Art Deco influences seemed to celebrate it. Geometric detailing, rich timbers, bronze, brass and elegant bespoke joinery brought a contemporary feel while respecting the history of the house.
That combination of classic contemporary interiors with subtle Art Deco influences has remained an important part of my design approach ever since.
Over the years, I have also come to realise that timeless interiors don’t belong to any particular decade. If they are thoughtfully designed, beautifully made and genuinely reflect the people who live in them, they simply continue to feel right.
Eventually, I felt ready to create something of my own.
I founded PH London because I wanted to offer something more personal than the traditional design studio model. My ambition wasn’t simply to design beautiful interiors; it was to help people create homes that genuinely reflected who they were, rather than simply following fashion or what happened to be popular at the time.
Looking back, I realise how fortunate I was that so many people trusted me from the very beginning.
Working alongside a trusted construction company, we delivered complete renovations that combined thoughtful design with practical construction knowledge. Every decision was carefully considered to achieve the right balance between beauty, functionality, budget and longevity.
Whether restoring original period features or introducing contemporary interventions, the aim was always the same: to create homes that felt authentic, timeless and made to last.
Some of my earliest independent commissions remain among the most memorable because they helped establish the design approach that continues to shape my work today.
They included the complete renovation of Victorian houses in North London with bold Art Deco-inspired interiors – The transformation of two adjoining cottages into one family home in Thames Ditton, and The design of a tropical Mediterranean garden for a large Victorian house in South London.
Although every project was different, they all shared something in common.
Rather than imposing a signature style, I was learning how to create homes that reflected the people living in them. Every conversation, every challenge and every solution reinforced my belief that good design should never feel generic.
Looking back now, I can see these projects forming the foundations of everything PH London has become.
You can explore many of these early commissions, together with more recent work, in the Portfolio section, where I share more about both the design process and the finished spaces.
Wanting to explore my Brazilian roots even further, I designed and built Casa Felina on the beautiful island of Boipeba, in Bahia, on Brazil’s north-east coast.
The house sits within the historic centre of the village, close to one of Brazil’s earliest Portuguese churches. Colonial architecture forms an important part of the area’s identity, but so does the surrounding tropical forest, and I wanted the house to respond naturally to both.
Many of the influences I had gathered throughout my journey came together in this one project.
The timber-framed structure, with its tree-trunk columns and exposed beams, reflects the safari architecture that had inspired me during my travels through Kenya and South Africa. Reclaimed windows help preserve the character of the building, while generous verandas provide shade from the tropical sun and shelter from the heavy seasonal rains.
Inside, polished concrete floors, textured rustic walls, natural fibres, timber structures, indigenous baskets and handcrafted wall lights create relaxed interiors inspired by the surrounding landscape. Hammocks stretched across the verandas invite guests to slow down, read a book and enjoy the feeling of living among the trees.
Looking back, Casa Felina feels like a meeting point between everything that has influenced me over the years: Colonial architecture, African inspiration, indigenous craftsmanship and a deep connection with nature.
Today, Casa Felina welcomes guests who want to experience the beauty of Boipeba and the Bahia coastline while staying in a home that celebrates craftsmanship, timeless design and the Brazilian landscape.
There are many projects that have helped shape my journey as a designer. Every client, every home and every challenge have taught me something different.
One of my earliest independent commissions was the renovation of a Victorian house in North London, where we embraced a bold Art Deco direction. Dark timber joinery, geometric detailing, metal inlays and bespoke fitted furniture created elegant storage throughout the house, including a library, home office and custom-designed bar. At the same time, we carefully restored and celebrated the original Victorian mouldings and staircase, allowing the period architecture and Art Deco detailing to complement one another beautifully. Italian marble bathrooms and Ralph Lauren wall lights completed the scheme.
Another memorable project involved transforming two adjoining cottages in Thames Ditton into one welcoming family home. The interiors followed a classic contemporary style with subtle Art Deco influences. Bold colours, antique mirrors and Ralph Lauren wall lights combined to create a home that felt elegant, comfortable and designed around the everyday life of a busy family.
One of my favourite landscape commissions was the garden of a large Victorian house in South London. The brief was to create a tropical Mediterranean atmosphere that could flourish in the British climate. Cold-hardy Chinese palms and architectural planting, including Phormium, established the structure of the garden, while railway sleepers formed raised planting beds and informal seating. A barbecue area and fire pit encouraged the family to enjoy the garden throughout the year, while carefully positioned uplighting beneath each palm created rhythm, atmosphere and a completely different experience after dark.
These are only a few examples from many projects that have been a privilege to work on.
Every home has contributed to my development as a designer because everyone has been deeply personal to the people who entrusted me with it.
Together, they tell the story of how my design language has evolved over the years, and I hope you’ll enjoy exploring many more of them in my Portfolio.
More recently, my work has taken me to Portugal, where I have had the opportunity to work on two very different but equally rewarding projects.
Although I am based in London, over the years I have developed a way of managing projects internationally, working closely with trusted local teams, suppliers and craftspeople. This approach allows me to offer clients the same personal involvement and attention to detail, even when a project is outside the UK.
Portugal has been particularly rewarding because it combines so many elements that are important to my design philosophy: beautiful architecture, exceptional craftsmanship, natural materials and a strong connection between indoor and outdoor living.
The first project was a beautiful palace overlooking Príncipe Real Square in the heart of Lisbon. I was commissioned to design the interiors of this six-bedroom property, while the renovation of the building itself was designed by Souto de Moura Architects.
The original architectural features provided an exceptional backdrop for classic contemporary interiors. We carefully considered each room individually, creating different colour palettes for each bedroom while ensuring that the overall property felt connected and harmonious.
We sourced many fabrics in London and combined traditional and contemporary furniture throughout the main living spaces. The result was an elegant, comfortable and timeless interior that respected the history of the building while creating a home suitable for modern living.
The second project is a newly built seafront apartment in Cascais.
With generous rooms and uninterrupted views across the bay, the apartment called for a contemporary approach with subtle Art Deco influences. The design was inspired by the colours and atmosphere of the coast, using a palette of white, navy and tan to create calm, elegant interiors.
Throughout the apartment, bespoke off-white joinery is detailed with navy geometric patterns reminiscent of classic yacht interiors. Premium materials, including Calacatta Gold marble, Azulapis stone, bronze mirrors, rich tan leather and brass wall lights, bring warmth, texture and a quiet sense of luxury.
One of the most rewarding aspects of working in Portugal has been the relationships developed along the way.
Personal connection is extremely important in Portuguese culture, both professionally and personally. Communication and trust are essential, and I found that my role often extended beyond design itself. In many cases, I became the link between international clients and local teams, helping both sides communicate clearly and ensuring the project moved forward smoothly.
Over time, we have built strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers, particularly in the north of Portugal, a region with an extraordinary tradition of furniture production and craftsmanship.
Working directly with these teams has allowed us to develop bespoke furniture pieces and fitted furniture solutions with excellent quality and competitive pricing, while maintaining the personal approach that is so important to me.
Creating a home is a deeply personal journey.
The best projects are not created by imposing a style; they come from collaboration, trust and a genuine understanding of the people who will live there.
After many years working across different countries, cultures and architectural styles, I have learned that every home has its own story.
My role is to listen, understand and help bring that story to life through thoughtful design, beautiful craftsmanship and spaces that feel right not only today, but for many years to come.
