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This hotel by architecture studio Metro Urbe occupies a series of former industrial buildings on the banks of the River Douro in Porto, Portugal, and features interiors by Quiet Studios.

The Rebello Hotel is spread across several 19th-century buildings, which have been overhauled and adapted with new additions by Metro Urbe, in Vila Nova de Gaia – across the river from the city proper.

Operated by Bomporto Hotels, which has two properties in Lisbon, the new addition to its portfolio was designed with a local approach and to take full advantage of its prime riverside location.

The Rebello is named after Porto’s famous rabelos – wooden boats that used to transport barrels of port wine down the river – and located beside the city’s only remaining boatyard.

The collection of buildings was once a kitchen utensil factory and had been unoccupied for some time before work began to reconfigure the site.

The team restored two long buildings that face onto the river, preserving their historic stone facades, and constructed two new volumes in the centre of the site that incorporate smaller original structures and resolve the sloping topography.

Presented with a blank canvas, Spanish interior designer Daniela Franceschini – founder of Lisbon-based Quiet Studios – worked with local artists and creatives to transform the industrial spaces into warm and comfortable guest facilities.

Using vintage and contemporary objects, she based the interiors around four key elements: water, wine, wood and industry.

“There’s a nautical feel to the colours, materials and textures,” said Franceschini. “That also comes through in the lighting, which is suggestive of floating and sailboats, and in the lamps with chains, the wooden shelves by Tomaz Viana, the ceramic nets by Fig Studio and the undulating mirrors that evoke the movement of the sea.”

Above the retro-style reception counter, fronted by a metal lattice, is an artwork crafted using reclaimed materials from the rabelos, which was designed by Studio Ther in collaboration with a local artisan.

The lobby lounge and bar was designed for digital nomads to work or relax on a variety of comfortable soft seats, within a bright space that features polished concrete floors and exposed ceiling ductwork.

As a nod to the site’s history, the ground-floor Pot&Pan restaurant serves family-style dishes in large pots and pans within a space decorated with dark-toned walls and plants to create a casual atmosphere.

There’s also a cafe and store selling local produce and crafts, and meeting rooms that can be hired separately or combined for private events.

The Rebello Hotel’s 103 guest rooms and apartments are split into 11 different types, ranging from studios to three-bedroom penthouses that span 37 to 195 square metres.

The interiors of its light-filled suites have been decorated with walnut, steel, concrete and tiles, along with contemporary furniture that introduces splashes of bright colour to the otherwise neutral palette.

The bedrooms also include “tailor-made pieces influenced by nautical and industrial design, such as the sinks inspired by old water tanks and the organically styled bed headboards that resemble the rippling waters of the Douro”, according to the design team.

The Rebello Hotel guests can enjoy a spa, modelled on ancient Roman baths and encompassing a heated pool, sauna, fitness centre and treatment rooms.

Finally, the Rooftop Bello bar on the fourth floor offers a spot for al fresco cocktails overlooking the river, with a view of the city’s terracotta-tiled skyline beyond.

Other interior design projects in Porto include a rustic restaurant interior designed by Space Copenhagen, which features a ceramic mural by Álvaro Siza, and a sushi bar by Paulo Merlini where 8,000 wooden chopsticks hang above diners.

The photography is by Francisco Nogueira.

The culinary landscape is constantly changing, as are the kitchen trends that define the style of this heart of the home. Outdated kitchen trends, which were once cutting-edge, now appear dated and passe.

Revitalizing this area of your home is critical because the style of the kitchen frequently defines the style of the entire home. Understanding the “in” and “out” kitchen trends will help you avoid costly mistakes that will quickly date your home.

Outdated Kitchen Trends

As with any design trend, you have to decide which ones to follow and which to pass up. These kitchen trends, while not entirely gone from the current kitchen landscape, are on their way to becoming outdated.

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All White Kitchens

White kitchens, which once looked clean and modern, now seem sterile, lacking in personality, and overused. Aside from their appearance, all-white kitchens are difficult to maintain and keep looking spotless, as white cabinets and countertops show every spill, crumb, and scratch.

The growing color trend in kitchens is to use warmer, more textured, and earthy materials such as wood and earth-toned cabinet colors. If you still love white, try a warmer white like ecru or ivory, or even a slightly darker option like a light beige. This will still create a light kitchen look without the harshness of stark white.

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Granite Countertops

Granite is a solid, natural stone surface that is virtually indestructible when you use it as a kitchen countertop. Many people still prefer this surface, but the trend of using it in new kitchen designs has faded due to overuse in the 2000s.

Marble and soapstone are still luxurious options for kitchen countertops, though they require some maintenance to stay pristine. Another high-end option that is gaining popularity is natural quartzite.

This material has beautiful veining and color, similar to marble, but is denser. Quartz, a synthetic version of quartzite, is also a popular and cost-effective choice. If you prefer something eclectic or more colorful, opt for mixing your countertop materials using options like wood, terrazzo, and copper.

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Traditional-Style Cabinets

Traditional-style cabinets, such as those with ornate detailing, raised panels, decorative molding, and detailed hardware, appear too heavy in modern and even rustic kitchen designs. Instead, sleeker and cleaner cabinet styles are the most popular choices for new kitchen designs. In modern and contemporary kitchen styles, flat panel cabinet doors will be most in demand. For traditional and classic kitchen designs, Shaker style cabinets are still popular, though some interior designers are choosing a modified Shaker style.

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Subway Tile Everywhere

Subway tile, a classic rectangular tile, has covered countless kitchen backsplashes since the 2000s. While subway tile will always have a timeless appeal, many other tiles are being used for backslash designs. Warmer, more textured tile options have gained popularity since 2020. To create more organic and earthy kitchen styles, interior designers have turned to zellige tiles, handcrafted and colorful subway tiles, and terrazzo tiles.

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Small Windows

The shift from smaller windows over sinks to larger windows reflects a broader trend toward brighter, more open interiors. Designers are exploring new ways to incorporate more natural light into kitchens, which can boost mood and provide a better sense of well-being. Larger windows improve the visual connection between the kitchen and the outdoors while also adding architectural interest.

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Open Shelving

Open shelving was a popular trend in the 2010s and is still used as a kitchen detail, but many kitchen designers are moving away from full above-counter shelving. Open shelving, while appealing in many kitchens, was always problematic. Open shelves collect dust and grime on dishes and cookware, necessitating more frequent cleaning. They also add to the visual clutter in the kitchen and reduce available storage, as open shelves are used for display rather than practical storage.

More popular options today include pantry-like cabinets and other closed options that provide a cleaner and more streamlined appearance. If you still like the look of shelves, a small corner shelf or a set of display shelves will suffice for your overall kitchen design.

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Matte Black Hardware

Matte black hardware was used extensively in modern and contemporary design renovations. While matte black hardware can look clean and modern, it lacks texture and warmth for today’s kitchen design. It also does not hold up well to prolonged use over time.

Rather than sticking with a single type of hardware, such as matte black, mixing metals is one of the most popular ongoing trends. Because of its warm undertones, polished nickel complements warm metals such as brass and gold particularly well. Select one primary metal color and then accent with another. Experts recommend using a single finish, such as polished or satin, for both metal colors.

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Too Much Gray

A monochromatic gray kitchen can work well in modern or industrial design, but the trend is towards more organic, warm, and nuanced color palettes. Gray still works well in some contexts. If you still love the look of gray, use a warm gray paint color and mix it with other earthy tones. Warm gray colors still look current when paired with warm metal colors like gold or brass. Steer away from using too much gray in your kitchen and cool gray colors with blue and purple undertones.

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Standard Light Fixtures

When constructing a home, most builders use standard grade lighting fixtures. Many of these light options may be unoffensive, but they do nothing to elevate the kitchen design. Statement lighting does not require a significant financial investment, but it yields an immediate return. Decorative lighting over your island and eat-in kitchen can create focal points, instantly personalizing your kitchen style. Beyond just aesthetics, modern light fixtures have more functionality: choose smart light fixtures where you can control the timing, ambience, and mood.

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Ultra-Modern Kitchen Designs

Ultra-modern kitchen designs, which were popular in the 2000s, are being phased out in favor of warmer, more organic designs. If you are designing a new kitchen, avoid ultra-modern design elements such as glossy and reflective surfaces, lacquered cabinets, sharp edges, and cool colors. Instead, combine earthy tones and warm textures with flat panel cabinets, warm metal colors, organic shapes, and mixed materials such as natural stone and wood countertops.

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Handle-Free Doors and Cabinets

Kitchen designers are abandoning handle-free doors in favor of textured design trends with mixed materials and a cozier aesthetic. Everyone loves the jewel-like sparkle of hardware against doors and cabinets and is looking for new ways to use it. Plus, it is just more convenient and fool-proof to grab a handle or knob to open the door rather than rely on a push-door system that might deteriorate over time.

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Decorative Vent Hoods

The popularity of overly decorative or large vent hoods is waning, giving way to more understated and minimalist designs. Although vent hoods are a popular kitchen focal point, designers are taking a more balanced approach.

They are seeking to harmonize rather than overwhelm the rest of the kitchen design with the choice of vent hood. The most popular kitchen designs today include a vent hood that is either hidden in the cabinetry or has a clean, straight appearance. These edited vent hoods offer greater design flexibility and versatility if you decide to switch kitchen styles in the future.

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Farmhouse Kitchen Styling and Decor

Reclaimed wood, vintage-inspired decor, and graphic signs were all popular farmhouse kitchen decor elements in the early 2000s. This design trend lasted far beyond its expiration date. The current kitchen trend is toward creating authentic and comfortable kitchens. While many people associate this feeling with farmhouse style, the majority of farmhouse kitchen decor lacks authenticity and feels overused.

Instead, choose warm, textured decor with an interesting backstory, such as a painting or textile wall art. As an alternative, choose personally meaningful décor to add coziness and warmth to your kitchen.

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Highly Decorative Backsplashes

Backsplashes can date a kitchen more quickly than almost any element besides the cabinets, so choosing a decorative backsplash means committing to a very particular style. Although there are still many beautiful kitchens with statement backsplashes, they tend to age faster than more understated options.

The secret to having a kitchen design that endures over time is to go with a less decorative option because styles in the kitchen change so quickly. Say goodbye to backsplashes with overly trendy colors, glass mosaics, and intricate designs. Instead, choose wood paneling, artisan tile, or backsplash slabs to complement your countertops.

Japanese brand Karimoku Case has redesigned an apartment on a hilltop in Tokyo, using wood and a neutral colour palette to create a “calm and serene atmosphere”.

Named Azabu Hills Residence, the project was designed by Karimoku Case – a studio developed by Karimoku Furniture in collaboration with design studios Keiji Ashizawa and Norm Architects.

The studio used the project as an opportunity to optimise the use of local zelkova wood which is increasingly underutilised.

“We sympathized with the story of how zelkova used to be a common material in Japan, but is now being chipped and discarded, and wished to explore the possibilities of zelkova through this project,” lead designer Keiji Ashizawa told Dezeen.

“When I first saw the sample of it, I felt that its gentle reddish hue, along with its story, was a good match for the project,” he continued.

“We decided to create the interior using zelkova that would come in harmony with the gentle light from the north side.”

The 226-metre-square apartment was centred around a spacious, open-plan living area and dining room illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows.

A small workspace nestled behind a wall in the living space makes use of the spacious interior, and is furnished with a desk, chair and shelving made from zelkova wood.

The minimalist interior is defined by textured white walls and wood used for flooring, window frames and fittings, which are tied together by cream furnishings, paper lighting fixtures and decorative artwork.

In the living space, lattice wooden screens were used to separate programmes as well as provide cross ventilation through the space to create airy interiors.

“With the residence being located in the middle of a large city like Tokyo, it was important to have a home-like atmosphere that makes you feel at ease,” Ashizawa said.

“We were conscious of the calmness and tranquility needed to achieve this, and designed the interior with well-curated furniture, lighting, and art to create an environment for this purpose.”

A counter made from zelkova wood divides the living space and adjacent kitchen, while also serving as an additional seating and dining space.

Within the kitchen, cabinets built from gridded wooden frames were finished with concrete countertops, complemented by tiled terrazzo flooring that also features in the home’s entryway.

Gridded wooden frames are repeated for both storage in the living area and a wall in the main bedroom where the home transitions into a cosy-feel with carpet flooring.

A circular chair and marbled table sit in front of the bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows, with a study desk nestled into the corner.

Other recently completed projects with minimalist interiors include a dental clinic in Montreal designed to feel like “someone’s home” and a London pub converted into a pared-back jewellery showroom.

The photography is by Tomooki Kengaku. 

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Project credits:

Architect: Keiji Ashizawa Design
Project architect: Keiji Ashizawa / Ryota Maruyama
Client: reBITA / NTT Urban Development Coperation Tokyo
Construction: Tamarix
Furniture collaboration: Norm Architects
Furniture: Karimoku Case
Lighting: Kojima Shoten / Saito Shomei
Lighting plan: AURORA / Yoshiki Ichikawa
Interior styling: Yumi Nakata