Designing Wilde Lisbon with Stephanie Barba Mendoza 

Step through the doors of Wilde Lisbon and you’ll feel it instantly: a sense of movement, light, and stories layered into every surface. The ground floor doesn’t just welcome you in… it draws you into Lisbon itself.

Behind the design is Stephanie Barba Mendoza, founder of London-based interior design studio and a creative known for conjuring deeply bespoke, sensory spaces that make an impression. Born and raised in Mexico, and formerly leading global projects at Martin Brudnizki Design Studio for over a decade, Stephanie established her own studio in 2020. Since then, her vibrant, opulent interiors have earned international recognition from titles including Architectural Digest, the Financial Times and House & Garden.

We sat down with Stephanie to talk about Lisbon as a city, and shaping a space that shifts effortlessly from morning espresso to midnight martini. 

The City as a Muse

For Stephanie, Lisbon wasn’t just a backdrop, it was the starting point.

“Lisbon really was the beginning of everything,” she explains. “The design is deeply rooted in the city’s identity as an ancient port town, shaped by its proximity to the Tagus River and its rocky coastline.”

The movement of water, the rhythm of waves and the motifs found in surrounding architecture, all found their way into the design language. Like the artists and makers who have long been drawn to the city’s light and layered history, Stephanie immersed herself in its visual cues.

“It was such a joy to bring these storied influences to life,” she says - and you can feel that joy in the details.

Nautical Notes

The maritime references are woven throughout the space - some obvious, others more quietly poetic. “There are countless nautical nods,” Stephanie says, “but the tidal blues and greens are especially close to my heart.”

These shades echo the surrounding river and ocean, while soft, elegant silhouettes throughout the space mimic the gentle crest and curve of waves. It’s not themed, nor literal - instead, it’s suggestive. A whisper of the sea rather than a shout.

Reimagining the Azulejo

Lisbon’s iconic blue-and-white tiles were an inevitable source of inspiration, but rather than replicate tradition, Stephanie chose to reinterpret it.

“The traditional tiles were a key starting point, but we wanted to playfully reimagine them,” she explains. At the entrance and beneath the bar, glass mosaic tiles ripple in a wave pattern, acting as a contemporary nod to the classic azulejo. This fluidity continues across the barfront, crowned with an Arabescato marble top with veining that mirrors the same sense of movement.

From Flat Whites to Late Nights

Wilde Lisbon’s ground floor is designed to shapeshift. Morning light spills across pastries and flat whites; laptops open and conversations hum. By evening, the mood deepens. “We wanted the hotel to strike a balance between chic destination and vibey neighbourhood hangout,” Stephanie says.

Central to that vision is materiality. Mohair velvets, bouclé and linen invite touch. Rich textures soften sleek lines. Cosy pockets are carved out for gathering, exchanging ideas, lingering longer than planned. Above all, the feeling is one of belonging. “We want every guest to feel at home when they walk in.”

Chasing the Light

Lisbon’s light is legendary - soft yet powerful, golden yet clear. It shaped the space as much as the sea did. “Lisbon’s natural light gave us the confidence to embrace such a vibrant colour palette,” Stephanie says. Maritime blues are layered with tones inspired by the warmth of the city’s rugged shores and rolling hills. Reflective finishes catch the sunlight as it shifts throughout the day, while considered lighting ensures the glow continues long after sunset. The result is contemporary and fresh yet rooted in place - a conversation between old and new.

A Space That Speaks

If the space could speak to first-time visitors, what would it say? “Lisbon beats to the sound of its own drum,” Stephanie reflects. “It’s a heady location for creativity - a jewel with a storied past and an exciting present and future.” That sentiment hums through Wilde Lisbon. It’s a place where history and imagination meet, where mornings are unhurried, and evenings unfold with a little drama. A space designed not simply to be seen, but to be felt.

In many ways, it mirrors Stephanie’s own philosophy: reject conformity, construct your own world, and always leave room for a touch of escapism. And in Lisbon, with its shimmering river, tiled façades and creative heartbeat, there may be no better stage.