30 years of success
Interview
Founded in 1994, Barreiros & Barreiros is dedicated to importing and marketing more than 20 renowned publishers in the areas of fabrics, wallpapers, furniture and accessories, including Pierre Frey, Élitis, Zimmer + Rohde, Wall&decò, Lizzo, Etro and Andrew Martin. It has three professional showrooms, in the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto, and a personalised service team with 30 years’ experience in the sector.
In conversation with the company’s founder and CEO, João Barreiros, we reveal some curiosities and wishes for the company’s future.
How did your passion for the decoration market and the founding of the company come about?
After finalising my degree in Management at Universidade Portucalense, a job opportunity came up with a company in this field. In 1993 the company closed down and in 1994, acquiring the brands represented by the organisation, I founded my company with the help of my family.
João Barreiros in conversation with clients
João Barreiros celebrating with partners and team
When did the need to open showrooms arise? What do you want with this investment?
In 1997, I opened the first showroom in Lisbon, a city that was booming in this market. With the start of the new millennium, the company moved its headquarters to the famous ‘Casa das Bonecas’ in Passeio Alegre, Porto.
In 2001, I opened the first commercial premises in the Algarve, which unfortunately closed due to the economic crisis that has now passed. In 2019, 25 years into the business, I once again invested in new premises. We changed the showroom in Porto to a large, modern open space. In 2022 it was the year of Lisbon, where we moved to a renovated space in Algés.
The year 2025 will be remembered with the opening of the new showroom in the Algarve. The journey we’ve been on over the last 30 years has always been focused on providing better conditions for us to be competitive and provide quality service.
Barreiros & Barreiros has opened borders with Barreiros Brasil. To what end did you decide to expand the company to the other side of the ocean?
Throughout its 30 years of existence, Barreiros & Barreiros has always had a remarkable track record of growth and success. Portugal, in my mind as a manager and personal motivation, began to be limited. Over the years, I analysed the Brazilian market and discussed with some partners my interest in expanding Barreiros across borders. In 2012 the dream became a reality and I opened Barreiros Brasil with the help of several brands that trust our work. São Paulo is our home, with a showroom open to Brazilian and international professional clients. Barreiros Brasil offers a diverse portfolio of prestigious international interior design brands – Élitis, Zimmer and Rhode, Iksel, Andrew Martin, Mariaflora, Philippo Uecher and many more.
Working with the best international brands in the decoration sector requires more dynamic and professional internal management?
Barreiros & Barreiros represents more than 20 international publishers and brands in the decoration sector on the national market. Over the course of 30 years, we have forged partnerships with the best companies on the market, a path I cherish with respect and loyalty. The company was born with one purpose: to provide our clients, architects and interior designers with the best decorative items for their projects.
The Barreiros & Barreiros team is responsible for understanding the needs of each project, getting to know its client, their style and their tastes. Our mission is to promote brands and provide the best advisory service, whether for a residential, hotel or commercial project. There has to be an internal dynamic so that the brand trusts our work and the client uses our brands in their projects.
The work is hard and long, but I can confirm that we currently collaborate with the best national offices, which allow us to work on exceptional and internationally recognised projects. We, as partners, are part of the market’s success.
What sets Barreiros & Barreiros apart from the competition?
At Barreiros & Barreiros we have always been able to prioritise our clients’ requests. When something goes wrong, we try to resolve it urgently. Quality of service and care in dealing with clients have always been my concern. I always try to reassure the client that they are dealing with a supplier who will not complicate their work, but rather will value the whole process with seriousness and honesty.
How do you describe the current legacy and how is it different from 30 years ago?
Barreiros & Barreiros reflects my motivation as a manager to develop a company that is solid and sustainable in its growth. For 30 years I have endeavoured to represent publishers in the decoration sector with a range of differentiating, high-quality products. We work in a niche market, luxury, where it is necessary to show confidence and passion when marketing an item. My team includes employees who have been with me since the start of the company, which is gratifying for me and is a sign of good work. The present and future are promising and challenging in terms of investment and innovation. We’re ready for another 30 years of existence!
Barreiros & Barreiros team displaying accessories
Barreiros & Barreiros team presenting the fabrics
Where would you like to see the company in the next 30 years?
I founded Barreiros & Barreiros 30 years ago with the aim of bringing international decoration publishers and brands to the highest level in Portugal and meeting the needs of the luxury market. Over the years, we have forged bonds of professionalism and seen the market grow with the opening of architecture and interior design offices that are now considered the best in the world. Portugal may be small in structure, but we value an excellent position and competitiveness in the interior design market. On the other hand, I have developed this company as if it were part of my family, being my eldest son. Here we experience a feeling of unity that I want to pass on to my successors. In 30 years’ time, I’d like to have my children at the head of the company, representing the same publishers and brands and perhaps more companies in the sector. I want Barreiros & Barreiros to become the best company in the distribution of decorative articles, because that’s what I created it for.
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