Paula

Early Life

Designing for well being, Paula da Mata was born in Lisbon. Until the age of seven, she lived in Envendos, Mação, Santarém—a place she remembers as an outdoor childhood surrounded by nature, filled with mountain walks, waterfalls, and rivers. These bucolic memories reflect the calmness she identifies with, both personally and professionally.

Education and Career Beginnings

She completed a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and General Equipment at IADE in 1982 and began her professional journey in advertising at Unitros Portugal Agency in Lisbon (1984–1985). There, she worked as a model maker, designing and constructing models for advertising campaigns.

Paris Sete and Freelance Work

In 1985, she joined Paris Sete for the first time, where she worked until 2012, initially managing the store and later taking on responsibilities in Interior Design. Her role included curating purchases, organizing exhibition spaces, and developing design projects. Between 2012 and 2015, she worked as a freelance interior designer, continuing her focus on designing for well-being. Since 2015, she has also collaborated with the Architect Your Home network, while returning to Paris Sete in 2016, where she remains active in the field.

Design Philosophy

In her practice, she emphasizes the importance of harmony in the spaces we inhabit—homes and workplaces alike—as essential for balance and well-being. Helping clients transform their spaces is her greatest motivation, especially in residential projects. She values understanding each person’s references, routines, and preferences, and begins every project with a layout plan that defines function, ambiance, and furniture placement.

One of the key challenges she highlights is the constant need to stay updated—not only on trends, but also on evolving behaviors and ways of using space. On a broader level, she sees the architect’s perspective as essential for enhancing cities by respecting cultural values, optimizing spatial use, and contributing to a more meaningful built environment.

Personal Inspirations

Fascinated by Gaudí’s imaginative and textured organic architecture, she also draws inspiration from the words of Paulo Coelho: “The wisdom of water: it never argues with its obstacles, it simply goes around them.” In her free time, she enjoys family life with her children, Pedro and Gonçalo, and has been passionate about skiing since childhood.