Name: Carmo Aranha & Rosário Tello
Company: SA&V – SAARANHA&VASCONCELOS
Position within company: Co-CEOs
Website: www.saaranhavasconcelos.pt

. What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?

Increasingly to achieve what has never been created before by producing quite unlikely marriages between materials, technology and times.
Life at its best.

. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.

Luxury, Luxury, Luxury, Luxury, Luxury

. And key trends that we should be aware of?

The design work is similar to that of a Head Chef. The ingredients already exist but the creativity with which we mix them is what makes the difference.
Breaking rules and creating with boldness and difference is definitively a trend.
Things don’t necessarily have to make a perfect match and this is one of our hallmarks: mixing different objects, Art, colours and styles.

. What projects are you currently working on? 

Two important houses in China, a big rural place in the south of Portugal and a mansion in the Algarve.

. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

To create a story in our mind and let it flow until the very last detail.

At SA&V our work is ruled by 10 commandments that lead to the final and most important one: Ambience.

1. Layout

A good layout creates illusion. It may even make the most of defects and really maximise the qualities of each space.

2. Theme
As a starting point it makes projects happen.

3. Colour
Whether it’s contrasting or continuous, colour determines the ambience.

4. Light
Natural or artificial, it’s what brings the magic.

5. Dimension or Proportion
Overdoing size, either by too little or too much, is what creates the modern. Balancing dimensions makes the classic. Carefully done, this contrast can be the master touch.

6. Comfort
It’s what invites us in. Without comfort, everything’s static.

7. Repetition
Multiplying the elements always causes an impact.

8. Mixture
Whether it’s a mix of styles, colours, shapes, textures or patterns, it’s always enriching.

9. Detail
Without a doubt, it’s the final touch that makes all the difference.

10. Art
Special pieces and contemporary art make each space unique.

11.Ambience
By combining the eleven commandments, we achieve the 12th, and that’s when we feel good.

. A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?
With love and a huge passion for life and for what we create.

. How important are The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
It is always important to be recognised, especially with a project that gave us immense pleasure to do.
All this brings with it even greater desire for perfection, wanting to do more and better, and is the affirmation of our already 30-year-old path.

. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To launch our 30th anniversary Book and keep working hard in China and on all our other projects.

. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself…

The car you drive?

Smart Brabus. The only way to get around in busy Lisbon.

Your favourite place to travel to in the world?

London

Your favourite hotel/ restaurant/ bar?

Sky Bar at Lebua Hotel – Bangkok.

The place that gives you the most energy?

Gym and Home.

And the place that enables you to totally relax?

To sail away in our sailing boat.

Your favourite food and drink? 

Cheese and Portuguese Red Wine.

Anything else interesting?

Music and laughing.