Vintage pieces anchor Joana's projects in a way that new things simply can't. "Whether found in antique markets or taken from the client's own collection, they bring a sense of narrative and lived experience," she explains.

For this room, she worked with art advisor Giovanni Rossi Rocha, whose eye for unusual travel prints and rare Alpine posters set the emotional tone before anything else was decided. "Sometimes a single print or object becomes the spark that guides the whole palette and atmosphere. Other times, I develop the foundation of the space first and then select the art to reinforce what's already been created. What matters most is that each piece feels intentional."

Introducing character pieces - like the cushion from Chelsea Textiles - is about breaking the logic and rhythm of a project just enough. "I like treating them as small moments of surprise within a more disciplined scheme," Joana explains. "They're subtle details with emotional weight, a touch of whimsy, something that feels discovered rather than simply specified."

Finding the balance between a subdued theme and the needs of a children's room was the trickiest part. "I wanted the space to be imaginative and age-appropriate, yet with enough character to grow along with the child," Joana says. It required extensive research - finding pieces that felt nostalgic but not overly thematic. "When the right combination finally surfaced, it completely transformed the atmosphere of the room."