We arrived in Graciosa in search of waves… and ended up staying. It was the sea that won us over, but also the tranquility of the island, its unique light, and the feeling of space that only the Atlantic can provide.

Shortly afterwards, we found a ruin by the sea, with a breathtaking view over Ilhéu da Praia, in the parish of São Mateus.

It was an old wine cellar, where wine was produced, with a magnificent wine press that, instead of removing, we decided to make use of: today it is a unique shower, keeping the island’s history and cultural heritage alive.

The house faces east, allowing you to enjoy the sunrise over the sea, and at the same time it is close to the village, just a 10-minute walk from the beach, cafes, and supermarket.

For the more adventurous, it is possible to explore the rocky area below the house or even dive into the sea, although access is more challenging.

The starting point was challenging. The ruin, although beautiful, needed a lot of work.

The first steps of the restoration involved preparing the walls to receive the new roof.

The roof is reborn in cryptomeria, the island’s noble wood.

The restoration of the house was done mainly with our own hands, stone by stone, restoring authenticity to the walls.

The old wine cellar had a wine press where grapes were trodden, which we decided to convert into a shower.

We reinforced the interior stones with cement so that the house will last for many generations.

The cryptomeria trunks were all crafted by hand, with care and dedication.

We created furniture from materials collected on the island.

We used cryptomeria wood, ensuring that every corner of the house reflects authenticity, charm, and our passion for surfing and nature.

The end result: cryptomeria doors, maintaining the original façade and preserving the character of the house.