Cá na serra

Originally from Belgium, Luc and Michaël were looking for a holiday retreat to share with family and friends. Their search brought them to Portugal, to the wild hills of Melides. “We wanted a place that embodies simplicity and nature without sacrificing comfort,” says Michaël. Luc adds, “Here, every detail tells a story.”

Working alongside architect Luís Perreira Miguel and Belgian interior designers Cathérine Hanssens and Michaël Severs, they created a home in harmony with its surroundings, where light and shadow play across the façades and a sense of calm fills every space.

At Cá na Serra, art is never just decoration. Interior designer Cathérine Hanssens chose minimalist pieces with clean lines and soft, milky tones that elevate the space without overpowering it. “I always begin with an idea, but I let unexpected beauty reveal itself,” she explains.

Every piece of furniture, every fabric, and every material was carefully chosen to create warmth within the simplicity of the design. The house feels like a living gallery, where you can admire a work of art over morning coffee or sink into a bath that invites quiet reflection.

Just ten minutes from Melides, the house offers easy access to wild beaches and peaceful lagoons such as Santo-André and Melides, as well as the livelier spots of Sines and Comporta. Between dunes, ocean, and picturesque villages, the Alentejo invites exploration on foot, on horseback, or simply over a coffee in the village square.
Luc and Michaël especially recommend local favorites like A Cavalariça in Comporta, or the bar and terrace at Hotel Vermelho for an aperitif with a view of the Serra. Nature lovers can follow the hiking trails of the Costa Vicentina or simply unwind on the patio, letting the evening breeze drift by.