Our Journey to Mel Living: Welcome to Our Nordic-Inspired Home
Welcome to Mel Living!
Mel Living was started in 2021 as an online business and open its first store in 2022.
We're Arabela Machado and Miguel Magalhães, and we're thrilled to share our journey with you. Our dream of creating Mel Living has been with us for years, tucked away in our hearts, just waiting for the right moment to come to life.
It all started with our personalised items business, but it was in late 2021, during a Christmas market, that we decided to take the plunge and bring our Nordic-inspired project to reality.
We've been dreaming about this for about five years and at first, we wanted to create a brand to produce the items ourselves, but the logistics were just too daunting.
A bit about us: I, Arabela, have a background in Education and a lifelong passion for decoration. After living in England for ten years, and being inspired by so many small independent shops and the scandinavian trend going around in London at the time, this style became a significant part of my life. I've also worked as a photographer and studied Digital Business and Marketing, which all led me to this point.
Miguel, my partner in both life and business, has a different path. He's an expert in logistics and finance, and also works at a well known education institution. He's travelled to about 25 countries and has always loved the minimalist style, which is always a struggle because of my maximalist taste, so this project felt like a perfect fit for him.
Our personal story is a special one. We were together 30 years ago, went our separate ways, and found our way back to each other. Now, we're excited to embark on this new adventure together.
At Mel Living, we offer a variety of home products and small gifts—candles, cushions, linen items, throws, lifestyle books, ceramic pieces, and postcards. But we don't want to be just another shop. We want to inspire you with unique products that bring a touch of the Nordic style into your home.
We stock many well-known Scandinavian brands, including Stromshaga, House Doctor, Ib Laursen, Au Maison, Meraki, and Affari of Sweden, ensuring a diverse and high-quality selection.
We believe there's a need for small niche boutiques in Porto, offering distinctive items without the hefty price tags. Our goal is to strike a balance between affordability and exclusivity, providing you with beautiful products that don't break the bank.
Our physical store is now open and located in the Bolhão area of Porto. We’re excited to welcome you in person and share our curated selection with you.
In the future, we plan to host workshops and events centred around Nordic themes and our products. We’re passionate about bringing a new dynamism to Porto’s traditional commerce, creating a community, and involving our neighbours in this exciting journey.
Explore our gallery to get a taste of what Mel Living is all about. We can't wait to share our passion with you!
Fun Facts About us
Nature Enthusiast: Arabela finds peace and serenity in nature. Whether it’s a walk in the park or a hike in the mountains, she needs her daily dose of greenery to keep her mind calm and focused.
Photography Buff: With a camera always at hand, Arabela captures everything from the tiniest details to breathtaking landscapes. If you see her snapping away, don’t be surprised—she finds beauty in every moment.
Behind-the-Scenes Star: Arabela prefers to stay out of the spotlight. She’s the creative force working quietly in the background, ensuring everything looks perfect without needing to take center stage.
Animal Lover Extraordinaire: Miguel has a soft spot for all creatures great and small. If you see a furry friend getting extra treats in our store, you can bet it’s Miguel doing the spoiling!
Travel Enthusiast: Having travelled to about 25 countries, Miguel is our resident globetrotter. Ask him for a travel tip, and he'll probably have an exciting story or two to share.
Numbers Whiz: Miguel's love for numbers means he’s the one keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. He can crunch numbers faster than you can say "spreadsheet."
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Follow Us on Instagram for Inspiration and Updates!
Stay connected with us on Instagram! Follow @mellivingstore for daily inspiration, behind-the-scenes peeks, and updates on our Nordic-inspired products. Be the first to know about new arrivals, exclusive offers, and special events. Discover styling tips, home decor ideas, and adorable moments with our store pets, especially when Miguel is around to spoil them with treats! Share your Mel Living moments with #MelLivingStore—we love seeing our products in your beautiful homes. Hit that follow button and let's stay inspired together!
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