"The House of the Hortensias"

The Casa das Hortensias cannot be defined by the quantity or high quality of its bed rooms, or its hearty breakfast served with freshly baked home-made breads, cheeses and condiments.

It has to be defined holistically, as part of the whole of the body of life and vegetable magnificence in which it is implanted. For example, the house itself is made of the very stone that was dug out from the old volcanic basalt rock nearby. The rugs before the beds are made from the very soft wool of sheep sheared some several seasons before. The painting on the wall is one of an eminent artist of Madeira. The sturdy old pots and pans were brought in from Funchal generations ago and have become indistinguishable from the character of the house. The lamp shades were hand embroidered by the family. The crochet work on the pillows was executed stitch by stitch by Bela herself. Fresh fish or special meals prepared are made from fruits and products locally grown or harvested in the region. The carefully hand painted tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms were inspired by the local hortensia flowers. The wood used in the rafters and the main living room were cut decades ago from original and indigenous trees found on the steep rising mountain behind. Then the garden invited, somehow out of its own accord, friendly plants to adorn the terrace before the house - as if it were a mantelpiece. It seems that the pot plant on the window sill, or the shy kitten next door are members of a family not in any way less or more important than the human components of the scene. Everything seems to find its place and it own reason for being a part of the friendly, lovely and well managed home.

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