Casa Almargens
ALGARVE / HOME / TRIED & TESTED
A former village house built in the early naughties, Casa Almargens springs from the edge of tiny seaside village in the far wilderness of the West Algarve, a place where lone star locals dwell alongside a simple surf community. Acquired by a flurry of like-minded friends in 2018, three couples dreamed of creating a stylish seaside retreat both for themselves, friends, friends of friends & inquisitors seeking to blend coastal adventures with cool & cosy lodgings.
Effortlessness is the key word here as interiors are curated by Jade Jasmin of Escolhido (which translates to ‘chosen’ in Portuguese’). Placing optimum focus on a sustainable, more considered approach to design, Casa Almargens is the perfect example of her signature soothing atmospheres. With ‘an inherent connection to the outdoors’ as the brief, Jade set to work with local makers, crafts-people and artisans to renovate three bedrooms, an open plan living, kitchen & dining space. Neutral furnishings & tactile textures are complimented by marble, quartz & wooden surfaces dotted with unique, individually sourced objects. Whitewashed walls are adorned with artworks & photography by artists such as Sergiy Barchuk & James Hapke, along with Lisbon based Krus & Amidst Studios, injecting character & curiosity into the space.
Outside on the new terrace, a view of the surrounding countryside is wild & uninterrupted. The therapeutic thunder of waves can be heard from beyond the rolling pastures to where dramatic sand dunes meet rugged cliff edges & a visible path leads the way to an expanse of golden sand in just 20 minutes, Praia do Amado. From here, intoxicating sunsets fade into scenes reminiscent of other-worldliness, allowing space to think, explore ideas & reconnect with nature, each other & ultimately, ourselves.
Room Service
Location: Carrapateira, Algarve.
Sleeps: Sleeps 6 adults in 3 bedrooms, 2 doubles & 1 twin with the possibility to add cots for babies.
Price: Prices start from 300€ per night.
Highlights: The living & dining space is stylish but also seriously comfortable, something of a rarity in beachside properties in the area. This makes it the ideal space to gather with friends & family all year round.
Services: The stay is self-catered with house-keeping offered once a week for those staying longer. There’s a fully equipped kitchen & a gas BBQ for dining alfresco.
Designed by Jade Jasmin of Escolhido.co.
Photography by Zavial Studio & Reagan Kind.
The Neighbourhood: Indulge in lifes simple pleasures; walking, exploring beaches, reading and preparing delicious meals with produce from the nearby market. A short drive away is the town of Aljezur which is home to some great laid-back restaurants. The West coast beaches are pretty spectacular for surf & there’s also an interesting community of natural winemakers nearby. Two bikes & several surfboards are available to explore local towns & beaches.
Things to know: Here, the idea is to spend time going back to basics, appreciating the luxury of less amongst the simplicity of nature. There is no pool (although there is a refreshing outdoor shower) or air-conditioning but each bedroom has a Dyson Air Fan for the warmer months & a radiator for the cooler, along with a wood burner for extra cosiness.
Casa Almargens is a member of the Design Escapes Club, tried & tested by us.
The Map
Casa Almargens is located just outside of the village of Carrapateira on the Algarve’s West Coast. Fly to Faro & rent a car for a little road trip to the beaches & for some freedom while you’re there.
Download the Design Escapes Directory for local inspiration & to ensure you don’t miss out any spots on your journey.