Porto Showroom

After five years of existence, the Porto Showroom is once again changing its image to a completely renovated and innovative space. In 2019, Barreiros & Barreiros packed its bags and moved its headquarters and showroom to Rua Fonte da Luz, in Foz do Douro. In purchasing a commercial space of over 200 m2, the company dreamed of a dynamic and elegant open scape with just one floor, so that customers can enjoy all the decorative items and brands on display.

The showroom concept

Investment in commercial space has always been an important objective for the sustainability of Barreiros & Barreiros. Over the years, the company has acquired several showrooms in the North, which it has called home. As the company grew and the market innovated, Barreiros & Barreiros felt the need to invest in a new, modern space with perfect working conditions.

The acquisition of the new Barreiros & Barreiros showroom and office was a key milestone. The architectural project was designed by Rui Oliveira, with a rustic, minimalist style. The interior design was carried out by LemonVariance, who listened to the company’s needs and reflected them in an excellent execution.

Images from the Showroom Opening (2019)

The essence of the space

When carrying out the work, one of the key points was to ensure the client’s work flowed smoothly. Representing more than twenty brands and publishers, Barreiros & Barreiros offers a wide range of decorative items from fabrics, wallpaper, accessories, furniture and carpets. The organisation of the space was fundamental to the success of the project.

As such, the Porto showroom is essentially divided into three areas: accessories, fabrics and wallpaper, and all the items on display are for sale and in perfect condition for interior design projects. The Barreiros & Barreiros showroom team has extensive experience in customer service and design, so the counselling service is perfect for all types of professional clients.

The emblematic entrance to the showroom

The Porto showroom, located at Rua Fonte da Luz nº141, in the emblematic Foz do Douro, has a discreet and elegant entrance. As Barreiros & Barreiros only works with the professional segment, the space is only open for personalised service and appointments. The entrance to the showroom, although unnoticed by pedestrians passing by on the street, is genuinely striking for those who work in the decorating sector.

For the renovation of the showroom, this was the starting point for a redecoration with the aim of giving customers the feeling of the ‘wow’ factor. The current entrance tells a new story. The walls were wrapped in the Swan Lake design by Iksel Decorative Arts.

Swan Lake is inspired by 18th century drawings. During this period, French artists created remarkable works that captured the new fashion for interior design. This composition, hand-painted in the Iksel atelier, aims to evoke the graceful atmosphere of those times. This enchanted scene wouldn’t be complete without a sky tinged with soft clouds. Here you can see a detail of the Swan Lake Ceiling, together with the accompanying wallpaper.

It’s important to emphasise that all the elements come together. A highlight is the staircase in the showroom that gives access to the company’s offices. The wallpaper was carefully wrapped around the uneven walls up to the top of the staircase, maintaining the connection between the company’s two spaces.

As for the decorative items, the team chose timeless furniture that didn’t take the lead from the wallpaper. The chair and side table are eclectic, limited edition pieces by the Vanghent brand. All izmony+rützer furniture is entirely handmade in Belgium, only in solid wood. A collection based on traditional naive furniture design. A highlight is the entrance carpet, from the Élitis accessories collection, which can be used for indoor or outdoor spaces.

The world of fabrics

Much of the space in the Porto showroom is reserved for fabrics as they are the most widely represented decoration item in the Barreiros & Barreiros brands. From upholstery fabrics to curtains and blackout fabrics, you’re sure to find what you need here. There are three long work tables surrounded by displays and charriots with hundreds of catalogues and hangers that tell stories and disseminate new trends in the decorating market.

With the showroom’s excellent service, whatever the need and whatever the interior project, the Barreiros & Barreiros team knows all the collections and brands to help the client. Each sector features a luxury fabric brand, from Ado Goldkante, Andrew Martin, Dolce Vita, Élitis, Etro, Iksel, J Brown, Jim Thompson, Kravet, Linwood, Lizzo, Maya Romanoff, Milano Tessuti, Pepe Penãlver, Pierre Frey, Reynaldo, Wind and Zimmer + Rhode. The essence of Barreiros & Barreiros is to offer fabric options for every type of style, concept and price range, always safeguarding the parameters of quality and guarantee.

In terms of decoration, the work tables are made of solid wood and have iron legs to support the weight of the catalogues and hangers. Their shape has been idealised so that customers can create moodboards and complete interior projects. Here you will find all the material you need to develop your project with soul, be it residential, hotel or commercial.

The lounge and leisure area

The showroom’s pantry is used by clients and employees to relax and have a coffee. This area is surrounded by the vibrant colours of Pierre Frey’s Karma wallpaper, which brightens up this convivial area. A contemporary work of art in acrylic on canvas by Catherine Pierlovisi. A powerful and poetic movement combines the artist’s favourite colours and textures. Printed on embossed vinyl reminiscent of the canvas surface of the original painting.

The guest bathroom is a space that is second to none in terms of decoration. The washbasin section features an innovative wall covering by Wall&decò – Wet System. Contropagina was the design chosen for this area, a customised, patented, totally waterproof wall covering for wet areas with direct contact with water, such as bathrooms, showers, kitchens, swimming pool areas and spas.

The heart of the company

Up the stairs that lead to the offices, you’ll find the heart of the company where the administrative, marketing and financial departments work. The office is made up of several rooms – a pantry, a meeting room, the CEO’s office and a common administrative room. The only room that stands out is the administrative room, where the team that assists sales people and customers with orders and other matters is based. This space was developed in an open-plan layout to encourage teamwork and daily socialising. The mural Lettering from the L’Enfant Terrible collection by Tres Tintas was chosen for the office walls. A typographic manifesto with a positive and spontaneous touch.

It’s important to emphasise that the fact that the company’s headquarters and showroom are in the same place is fundamental for the team to achieve direct and successful communication. At Barreiros & Barreiros we work as a community and as a team.