Elevating Spaces, Inspiring Connections

Some people see a room for what it is—four walls, a ceiling, a floor. But Teresa Patrão sees a story waiting to be told. A space longing for warmth, for purpose, for life. Teresa has always believed that a well-designed environment is more than just beautiful—it has the power to evoke emotion, to inspire, to make people feel at home before they even step inside.

Teresa's journey began in the world of landscape architecture and urban planning, where she learned to shape outdoor spaces that blended seamlessly with nature and human experience. Teresa Patrão studied the character of places, the way people move through them, and the invisible pull of thoughtful design. But something was missing. Teresa wanted to create not just functional spaces, but soulful ones—spaces that spoke to people’s hearts. 

That passion led to Home Staging, where Teresa discovered the magic of transformation on an intimate scale. With over 20 years of experience and an innate talent for curation, Teresa Patrão founded Tailored Properties, a company dedicated to turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary homes. Teresa doesn’t just arrange furniture or decorate rooms—she breathes life into them. Every detail is intentional, every texture and color chosen to evoke a feeling of warmth, elegance, and belonging.

For Teresa Patrão, staging a home is not just about selling a property—it’s about creating a moment, a connection, a dream realized. It’s about the couple who walks in and instantly knows this is the one. The family who envisions their future unfolding within those walls. The seller who sees their home presented at its absolute best, ready to welcome a new chapter. Through her meticulous eye, deep expertise, and unwavering passion, Teresa Patrão continues to transform spaces into places of possibility. Because at the heart of every home is a story—and Teresa makes sure it’s one worth telling.

"My goal is always to create spaces 
with identity, emotion, and meaning 
for those who live in them"

Teresa Patrão: When I finished high school, my passion was architecture and interior design. However, concerns about the future—particularly the potential difficulty of finding consistent job opportunities and the possible lack of stability—ended up weighing more heavily in my decision. So, I applied for a landscape architecture course because I thought it was also related to creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces that provided a good quality of life, even in an outdoor setting. However, as I wasn’t accepted, and in order not to lose my academic momentum, my parents suggested that I choose another course at a private university and try applying again the following year. I enrolled in Urbanism, which was a new and promising program, and perhaps because it was also related to planning and spatial transformation, I ended up liking it and completing my degree. 
The first few years of my professional career were very interesting. Over time, though, I started to distance myself from the large scale of urbanism and territorial planning and felt more drawn to a more detailed scale—one that was closely linked to project development as a creative and integrated process. Ironically, or perhaps not, to work at this new scale, I needed more training. So, I went back to university and earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Landscape Architecture. Life takes unexpected turns...

M.J.Silva: How has your personal style evolved over the years?
Teresa Patrão: I have always moved between territorial planning and public space projects. However, I believe that working at a more detailed scale has heightened my sensitivity to the Genius Loci—the character of a place, which sets it apart from any other through its shape, function, and both ecological and cultural history.

M.J.Silva: If you could design any space or garden in the world, what would it be and why?
Teresa Patrão: I can’t choose just one specific place because I don’t limit my vision to a single type of project. What fascinates me is transformation—whether it’s a garden, an interior, or any space with the potential to become something more. I love creating spaces that tell stories, evoke emotions, and truly make sense for the people who experience them. For me, it’s not just about designing—it’s about revealing possibilities. So, wherever there’s potential for transformation, that’s where the perfect project will be.

M.J.Silva: If you weren’t a Landscape Architect, what do you think you’d be doing? Is there another passion you considered pursuing?
Teresa Patrão: Yes, without a doubt—I would have pursued interior architecture or interior design, which was always my passion before I entered university and chose Urbanism and Landscape Architecture. Interestingly, I now see that my career path did not diminish my interest in interior spaces. On the contrary, it remains present in how I observe spaces, my attention to detail, and my desire to create harmonious environments—whether indoors or outdoors. Perhaps this is why Home Staging caught my attention—it revolves around both of these passions. Over time, I have come to understand that for me, the essence of a project isn’t its scale or whether it’s indoors or outdoors. What truly matters is how it transforms the experience of a place. My goal is always to create spaces with identity, emotion, and meaning for those who live in them.

M.J.Silva: Was there a moment in your career that radically changed the way you see Landscape Architecture?
Teresa Patrão: My view of landscape architecture hasn’t changed, but there was a time when I hoped that the way others perceived it would change for the better. A few years ago, when discussions were taking place about the qualification of professionals responsible for designing projects, I thought this could be a turning point for recognizing the importance of landscape architecture as a profession. However, in my opinion, that didn’t happen.

M.J.Silva: How do your travels inspire your work?
Teresa Patrão: First and foremost, traveling broadens my horizons by allowing me to experience different realities, histories, cultures, and landscapes firsthand. This exposure expands my perspective on how spaces can be transformed. Additionally, traveling further sharpens my focus on details. The sensory experience of a place provides me with much richer and more genuine inspiration, leaving a lasting impact. I believe that this expansion of perspectives, combined with an enhanced attention to detail, enriches my creative background.

M.J.Silva: What elements or influences inspire your work the most, whether from nature, art, or other cultures?
Teresa Patrão: My work is inevitably influenced by a variety of elements—some of which we may not even consciously recognize because they are part of our personal background and emerge naturally when needed. But to answer the question more objectively…
I place special importance on three key elements: color, form, and texture—all of which help define a project’s identity. The color palette not only evokes emotions but also sets the atmosphere of a space. Forms, whether through precise geometry or organic lines, help organize and structure a space.Textures add depth and visual richness. I also highly value the seasons, as each brings its own color palette and a dynamic cycle of renewal, which influences both the composition of the space and how it is experienced. Sustainability is another crucial inspiration. Whenever possible, I prioritize the use of native plant species, which enhance a space’s identity, strengthen biodiversity, and reduce excessive water consumption—making the space more efficient, resilient, and easier to maintain.
Lastly, there is the fourth dimension—time, which plays a fundamental role in gardens. History shows us how gardens around the world evolve over time. At the moment of their creation, they are merely a sketch of what they will become—young plants with a subtle visual impact. As years pass, trees grow, their canopies expand, shrubs thicken, and the way light filters through the leaves changes… Time is a magical element that allows a garden to mature and completely transform the experience of being in it.

M.J.Silva: What are the biggest myths about Landscape Architecture that we can debunk for the public?
Teresa Patrão: "Landscape architecture is just about choosing some plants and arranging them outside, like outdoor decoration." – False!
A landscape architecture project is not just about aesthetics—it gives a space identity, functionality, vitality, and sustainability. If it were merely “outdoor decoration,” one could simply visit a nursery and select some plants. However, a landscape architecture project is much more complex. It involves creating living spaces designed to evolve and meet the needs of those who use them. In a simplified way, and adapted to different scales and complexities, a landscape architecture project includes: Initial diagnosis of the site and understanding the client’s vision. Preliminary design, where general solutions are proposed. Development of the detailed project, which consists of written and graphic components that guide the execution of the work.
"Home Staging is just decoration and an unnecessary expense when selling a property." – False!
Home Staging is not merely about aesthetics; it is a marketing strategy designed to stage a property for sale or rent. In practice, it enhances the property's appeal by highlighting its strengths and minimizing less favorable aspects to attract the widest possible audience of potential buyers. Rather than being an unnecessary expense, it is a smart investment—strategic changes can speed up the sale process and even increase the final sale value. Is there a “secret tip” for transforming any ordinary space into a special one? I don’t believe in a single “secret formula” because each place has its own unique character—the Genius Loci, which I mentioned earlier. What works in one place might not make sense in another, which is why the art of design is so fascinating. Instead of applying preconceived ideas, it’s essential to read the space, understand its essence, and find a balance between what it already offers and what can be enhanced.