natural wood tones throughout this lengthy bathroom. Dual vanity with marble backsplash over floating cabinetry places mirrors between lengths of window, while all glass shower takes up end of the room." alt="Sparkling mixture of bright marble and natural wood tones throughout this lengthy bathroom. Dual vanity with marble backsplash over floating cabinetry places mirrors between lengths of window, while all glass shower takes up end of the room." width="1024" height="681" src="src" />
In perfect juxtaposition with the ornate, candy pink façade of the 19th-century Teatro da Trindade that it faces, the Teatro B&B is a classical essay in black and white
It has the corner spot, curving softly and seductively from one street into the other, with tall windows running along the side, allowing passers-by full view of its large, sparkling, chandeliers. One door further along the street takes you up the stairs into the narrow, four-storey house – short on space and long on theatrical decor, with tiny, jewel-like rooms radiating off each floor. Offering serious value for money, its location is superb, perched right in the cobbled heart of Bairro Alto, with its historical squares and churches, new restaurants and traditional tascas.
The bed
Twenty rooms in varying sizes represent a selection of figures from the commedia dell’arte. With period-inspired interiors serving as a backdrop, talented set designer José Costa Reis – well known in the world of Portuguese theatre and a friend of the B&B’s owners – has placed a character centre stage in every room. Pasquariello to Columbina grace the white walls in stencilled silver silhouette, or are etched into the mirror of your bathroom, while the bed is surrounded by dramatic swags of stage curtain, columns or classical statues being serenaded by trumpet-bearing angels.
A good map of the area is offered, with suggestions of what to see divided between hip and classic. Should you need to enhance the possibilities, there’s also free Wi-Fi. Views from the bedrooms give on to streets, dipped in a pink hue on a Friday or Saturday night when the theatre is floodlit. The neighbouring building, with its 19th-century tiled façade featuring allegorical figures of science, agriculture, industry and commerce against a vivid yellow background, is so typical of Lisbon.
Teatro B&B’s elaborate and unusual interiorsThe breakfast
In the split-level café, breakfast is served from 7.30am until 11.30am every day, reopening from 3pm until midnight to serve drinks to guests and locals alike.
Breakfast is designed to be a good brunch for late risers with such Portuguese specialities as chicken empanadas (rather similar to a rissole) or bread layered with chorizo as well as a good selection of cereals, croissants and pastries. A huge Delta coffee machine provides anything from the typical bica – a short, black espresso – to cappuccino. The theatrical theme continues here with the same commedia dell’arte figures, masked and bejewelled, decorating the walls. Philippe Starck’s Louis Ghost chairs surround the mirrored tables, glittering under the heavy chandeliers.
The hosts
Business partners and friends, Henrique Gonçalves and Aristides Rocha Vieira own a series of coffee shops in the uninspiring commuter land across the Tagus river. They had long been on the lookout for a central point in Lisbon to develop as a B&B. Walking up Rua da Trindade one day and seeing the site for sale, the pair wasted no time in buying it. Getting their set designer friend to do the interiors was an inspired idea, as was the appointment of manager, Claudia, who gives excellent local tips.
The weekend
For an overview, hop on the famous No 28 yellow tram which stops just near the B&B, in beautiful Praca Luis de Camoes, named after the 16th-century poet. It rattles its way up and, alarmingly fast, down Lisbon’s hills but will give you a glimpse of many of the city’s best monuments, including the cathedral and Castelo de Sao Jorge. In the evening, stop for Fado, the mournful but melodious national music which still echoes in the cobbled streets of Alfama. The Clube de Fado is considered the best (00 351 218 852 704; clube-de-fado.com).
The rooftops of LisbonThe pit-stop
For a culinary and visual introduction to all things Portuguese, try the oldest brewery in the country, Cervejaria Trindade (00 351 213 423 506; cervejariatrindade.pt) at Rua Nova da Trindade 20. Surrounded by walls covered in ancient azulejo tiles dating from the 19th century and under vaulted ceilings you can dine on the national dish of bacalhau (dried and salted cod) with a range of beers (no longer made on the premises) for €12.50 (£10).
The essentials
Teatro B&B, Rua da Trindade 36, Lisbon, Portugal (00 351 213 472 024; teatrobb.com). Double rooms start at €79 (£65) including breakfast.
Walking along the bridge that extends from the street to the oversize front doors of this impressive Pittwater pile gives you just enough time to draw breath for a grand exhale upon entry.
Even the most jaded of visitors would have to be wowed by the magnificent scope of the Pittwater views that are captured via glass windows and doors on a grand scale.
Facing north over Careel Bay towards Palm Beach’s Snapperman Reserve and beyond to Lion Island and Gosford, the property is only two doors east of Stokes Point, home to Finisterre, the area’s most expensive waterfront property.
Even the most jaded of visitors would have to be wowed by the magnificent Pittwater views at 6 Cabarita Road, Avalon Beach. Photo: Supplied
Architect Rosalie Stollery used feng shui principles when designing this waterfront residence in a bid to create a home where you feel relaxed, balanced and at peace, but with this kind of gobsmacking vista to process, the blood pressure can only go up.
Beyond the first encounter it’s easy to imagine living in a cocoon of contentment in a house where every room gazes over water.
Inspiration for the design came from the site itself, where water laps over sandstone shelves and against the sandstone sea wallArchitect Rosalie Stollery
“Inspiration for the design came from the site itself, where water laps over sandstone shelves and against the sandstone sea wall,” says Stollery in her project review.
Peter Williams Constructions took several years to complete." />The painstakingly detailed build by Peter Williams Constructions took several years to complete. Photo: Supplied
“These elements have been borrowed and extended into the house, where water and sandstone are the two main elements. Ponds encircle the house, a huge wet-edge pool appears to flow into Pittwater and sandstone is used in a podium upon which the house sits.”
The painstakingly detailed build by Peter Williams Constructions took several years and was completed in 2010, and it’s a testament to both Stollery’s timeless design and the build quality that the home presents as beautifully as a brand-new property.
The main living and dining zones each feature inlaid silk and wool rugs made in Nepal, one a scaled reflection of Careel Bay. The kitchen has Brazilian granite benchtops and a combination of Miele and Gaggenau appliances. A media room is fitted with a home cinema and there’s an integrated surround system right through the house, plus a Control4 smart-home system.
There’s a large rumpus with kitchenette on the lower level, plus an adjoining multi-purpose room that could be used as a home gym, sewing room or study. Each of the four bedrooms on this level opens to the pool and garden.
The impressive outlook can be appreciated from a number of vantage points in the home. Photo: Supplied
The 22-metre lap pool was lined in black mosaic tiles so it would merge with, rather than float above, Pittwater.
There are plenty of outdoor areas to choose from across three levels of accommodation and at low tide you can enjoy your own sandy beach with a backdrop of native gardens.
“Without a doubt this is the best, absolute deep-waterfront estate currently available on Pittwater,” says agent Lachlan Elder of LJ Hooker Mona Vale, who is selling the home for $15 million. “Commanding unobstructed north-easterly views across the expansive waterways complemented by a stunning architectural masterpiece with heart and soul.”
There are plenty of outdoor areas to choose from across three levels of accommodation. Photo: Supplied
The current owners of 6 Cabarita Road have kept a 20.3-metre boat here. Photo: Supplied
Partaking in, and observing activities on Pittwater is the home’s greatest asset. Boats come and go, seaplanes deliver diners to Jonah’s, cement barges putter to Scotland Island, sailors race around the point.
Apart from birdsong, this non-intrusive ripple-riding rhythm is the only thing to break the silence. It is, in fact, ridiculously quiet when Domain makes a late morning visit, and it’s tempting to remove shoes and lower voices so as not to disturb the serenity.
Fittingly, the inclinator that runs from the carport to the waterfront doesn’t whine and grind but instead emits only a gentle hum.
Alight on the lawn by the boatshed and discover a boatie’s paradise. The boatshed has a kitchenette but is otherwise still employed to house watercraft, rather than used as an additional living space.
The wharf juts out to a deepwater, floating pontoon with power and water and while not currently in use, the original slip rails have been retained should you need them.
The current owners have kept a 20.3-metre boat here and enjoyed countless hours on Pittwater.
There’s little doubt the new owners will be tempted to follow suit.
See more photos of 6 Cabarita Road, Avalon Beach here. You can alsodownload the Domain app to see what’s for sale on the Sydney market.
Teatro B&B’s elaborate and unusual interiorsThe breakfast
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Peter Williams Constructions took several years to complete." />
