A FRANK CHAT WITH DANIELA FRANCESCHINI
An interview with Daniela of Quiet Studios about Fantastic Frank Lisbon’s first signature development, Trinas, and a shared vision for more thoughtful new living in Santos.
Quiet Studios, founded by Daniela Franceschini, has become one of Lisbon’s most respected design studios, known for their refined, detail-driven approach and sensitivity to place. Their collaboration with Fantastic Frank Lisbon on Trinas grew from a shared observation about the city’s property landscape: that while many buyers love the charm of historic buildings, few new developments offer that same sense of character.
Too often, projects aim to please everyone and end up feeling generic. Trinas began with a different mindset. Both teams wanted to create a building with a clear point of view, where the details had been carefully considered and design choices carried meaning. The result is a project that brings together craftsmanship, proportion, and material honesty in a way that feels distinctly of Lisbon.
We sat down with Daniela to talk about her design philosophy, the making of Trinas, and how a focus on the smallest details can shape how a home feels.
Trinas development in Santos by Quiet Studios and Fantastic Frank Lisbon.
How would you describe your approach to design, especially in projects like Trinas?
Our approach is always very detail-oriented and bespoke. With Trinas, it was a true collaboration with Fantastic Frank, combining their sales know-how and community insights with our design philosophy. We didn’t want a generic development. Instead, we tried to imagine the common elements people seek but rarely find in Lisbon’s new builds: natural light, quality materials, and a sense of identity tied to the building’s history.
We also do a lot of renovations in Lisbon, sometimes full rehabilitations of homes that haven’t been touched in decades. At the same time, many of the new high-end properties come to us with surprisingly basic finishes — white lacquered cabinets, synthetic ceramics, or generic countertops. Often, we end up stripping out these “brand-new” finishings just to rebuild them with real materials and personality, which feels like such a waste.
That’s what made Trinas exciting: from the very beginning, the approach was, let’s do it right. Respect the building, respect its identity, and tell a story with materials that belong to the place, rather than just following the latest catalog trend.
Boutique hotel project in Porto by Quiet Studios. Photo by Inês Silva Sá.
Being so close to your studio, did the neighbourhood of Santos influence your design?
Absolutely. We spend most of our time here and know the community well. Santos has a growing expat presence, so we considered that when designing. It gave us a clear idea of who we were creating for. It’s important to think not just about a building but about the life around it — the cafés, the evolving streets, and the people moving here.
Trinas development in Santos by Quiet Studios and Fantastic Frank Lisbon.
What are some design details that make a big difference but often go unnoticed?
Door handles and switches. People overlook them, but you touch them every day. Design isn’t only about what you see, it’s about what you feel. The texture, weight, and temperature of a handle can transform an experience. To me, handles are like jewellery: the final detail that completes the look.
Boutique hotel project in Porto by Quiet Studios. Photo by Inês Silva Sá.
How do you create individuality in a development without a specific client?
We focus on universal values: natural light, high ceilings, real materials with texture and patina. These are things everyone responds to and associates with quality. And then we dive into functionality. At Trinas, for example, we designed every kitchen individually — not copy-paste. Each cupboard and storage solution was thought through, as if for a real person. That’s what sets the project apart.
Trinas development in Santos by Quiet Studios and Fantastic Frank Lisbon.
What defines Quiet Studios’ signature?
We always look for balance, between scale, texture, and materials. Not minimalist, not maximalist, but somewhere in between. Beauty drives me, but it’s never only about aesthetics; it’s also logic and functionality. And one clear line: we never use plastics.
Boutique hotel project in Porto by Quiet Studios. Photo by Inês Silva Sá.
You’re originally from Spain. What brought you to Lisbon, and what keeps you here?
It was almost accidental, a winter trip from Berlin that turned into a project, then another, and now seven years later, I’m still here. My background was in fashion and sustainability, but I became more and more drawn to interiors and the psychology of space. Lisbon offered opportunities, incredible craftsmanship, and an international community. Santos, where our studio is, feels like the perfect base: calm, authentic, and growing.
The facade of the Trinas development in Santos by Quiet Studios and Fantastic Frank Lisbon.
Trinas embodies everything Quiet Studios stands for — craftsmanship, thoughtful detail, and a strong sense of place. Rather than creating a development that could sit anywhere, Daniela and her team designed homes that feel distinctly of Lisbon.The result is a project that pairs architectural sensitivity with everyday functionality, offering spaces that feel both enduring and deeply personal.
Discover the Trinas project here