The House

Located on the northern slope of the valley, the house, with its straight lines and simple shapes, keeps with the formal characteristics of the traditional architecture of the region.

The long horizontal front contrasts with the verticality of the chimney in the centre, which comes out as the focal point of the house: inside marking the centrality of the space, and outside, emerging as a spatial reference point. The slope of the land guarantees the privacy of the house and enhances the panoramic views of the landscape, with the ocean in the background.

Organization

The property has a main house and one annex, connected by a patio. The main house has two floors, articulated by two stairways. On the upper floor, the entrance hall opens to a corridor with two suites with direct access to the terrace, offering panoramic views of the region and the ocean, and a multipurpose living space for work and play.

On the ground floor there are two double rooms that open directly to the gardens, a bathroom and the living room. The living room is combined with the dining room and the kitchen, flowing together seamlessly and opening onto the front garden and the swimming pool. Here, the natural and architectural elements merge to create different atmospheres between the porch, the barbecue, the dining area, the lawn and the play area underneath the shade of the big pine tree that stands alone over the swimming pool.

The Gardens

The house is surrounded by ornamental gardens. Alongside the front porch, he lawn garden is bordered by beds of true grasses and to the left, next to the dining area, by beds of flowers and small plants: agapanthus, creeping thyme, lemon grass are some of the species that keep this living space all year round. To the right, plants of rosemary, thyme and teucrium, catmints, heathers, and palms, among other species form an aromatic and colourful garden.

On the way to the pool, to the south, a rocky garden with over 40 planted species displays a rich colour scheme: the silver-chrysanthemums contrast with the warm colours of the seduns, the blue of the fleur-de-lis and the yellow of the gazanias. Along this way, one can also find species of pine trees, euphorbias, aquilegias, among other plants. Walking along the paths towards the valley and right next to the water stream, the rose arbour over a set of wooden benches creates a break from the sun, forming a shaded area, perfect to relax

The Grove

The grove is one of the main investments of Monte das Pedras Pardas: the selection and planting of about 120 species of trees was carefully thought and planed.

Between the fruit farm and the cork oak forest, the pathways define a circuit between the ornamental beauty of different species of lindens and oaks, the warming tones of the sweet gum tree and the verticality of the cypresses and of the different types of pine trees.

Along with these, rowan trees, mulberry trees, firs, cedars, metasequoias, among several other species, provide different colour schemes and scents, together with contrasting patterns of shadow and light. Sitting back on a wooden bench, relaxing in a hammock, or simply strolling among the trees, the grove is a perfect place to appreciate time and nature.

The Thicket

The thicket consists of a dense stand of shrubs, which form part of the fence of the property.

This natural hedge is formed by a corridor of biodiversity, housing the local wildlife and maintaining the cultural characteristics of the landscape.

Here, the different species blossom in different times of the year, the flowers present distinct colours and shapes, and there are evergreens and deciduous plants, all in all creating a natural gallery of shapes and colours in constant mutation

The Fruit Farm

The fruit farm, with a drip irrigation system covering the entire planting area, grows in a terraced area, between the grove and the forest.

Although it is a relatively small fruit farm, it offers a wide variety of fruits, great for fresh consumption: limes, lemons, oranges, persimmons, almonds, pears, apples, figs, peaches, medlars, cherries, pomegranates, quinces, blueberries, plums.

The Vegetable Garden

Between the cork oak forest and the fruit farm, the vegetable garden offers the opportunity to pick up, mix and match many fresh vegetables and fruits. While respecting the traditional farming processes, our vegetable garden offers a variety of seasonal grown products, using incorporation of organic matter to the soil and manual handling of the crops. Therefore, according to the season, the garden always guarantees the consumption of fresh and healthy produce, including vegetables, fruits and herbs, accessible for any meal among friends and family.

The Animals

In Monte das Pedras Pardas, you will have the opportunity to interact with farm animals: goats, sheep, chickens and ducks wander freely through the cork oak forest.

In the small barn and the adjoining hennery, under the supervision of the guidance of our resident farmer, it is possible to feed and water the animals, collect eggs from the chickens and other related activities that encourage a playful-learning contact with the animals.

The Playground

The property offers various outdoor activities for children, always encouraging them to explore and contact with nature and the animals. At the same time, Monte das Pedras Pardas has a small playground, combining those activities with the traditional games in the slide, the swings and the sandbox. As such, the entire area of the property is a welcoming site for children games, amusements and for the exploration of different pedagogic and playful activities.

The Swimming Pool

Looking over the cork oak forest and with a panoramic ocean view, the 13 m swimming pool offers one of the most impressive evening sceneries in the property.

Taking advantage of the sloping site, the vanishing-edge pool appears to drop off into space, blending into the view in the background and creating a visual effect of water extending to the horizon: its water merging with the blue of the sky and with the ocean results in an uninterrupted line of site. This boundless feeling, combined with the south-facing slope of the site and the north-facing shale wall, makes the swimming pool area one of the most protected leisure sites of the property. The water treatment uses a salt-water electrolysis system, improving the water quality and avoiding the handling of chemicals.

The Cork Oak Forest

On the west-facing slope, beyond the stream of water, the cork oak forest occupies an area of 5 ha. Here, the upper layer of the tree strata consists mainly of cork oak trees, while the arbutus dominates the shrub stratum.

In addition, the area is equally occupied by areas of original eucalyptus. The pathways opened along the slope draw different circuits, perfect for walking and easy hiking. When reaching the top of the cork oak forest, these trails reveal a spectacular panoramic view across the surrounding area and the sea.