Tara Donovan, Fabulous Female (co)Founder of Casa Fuzetta tell us her story of how Casa Fuzetta began…
Tara Donovan (second from the left) and team at Casa Fuzetta
Tara, what is your connection with Portugal?
None! September 2013 marked my first ever visit to Portugal.
How long were you looking for the ‘right’ house?
We weren’t! My husband Tod was invited to visit Olhao in May 2013 to spend a long weekend with a friend who was renovating a house in the old town. When taken to visit a neighbour’s property in the old town, he spied over the wall a large derelict property with an intriguing chapel-like structure on the roof. This initial spark of curiosity started us off on the journey...
Did you know as soon as you walked in?
Casa Fuzetta roof top pool
Yes and no. If you see the “before” photos, you will see that the buildings were in a very bad way. They had been neglected for several decades and occupied by squatters and animals of various shapes and sizes. In certain places, the stench was so bad, you couldn’t be in the space for more than a minute or so; and large sections of the house we couldn’t even gain access to because the squatters were guarding the space with big scary dogs. However, we could access the chapel-like structure Jonathan had first spied. The quality of the energy within the space was breathtaking, even then. We both recognised and connected with the energy immediately - the cast was set...
How did you come up with the name and what does it mean?
Dr Carlos Fuzeta (and after his death, his family) owned the building from the late 19th-century until the mid 20th-century, I believe. Dr Fuzeta was a lawyer, philosopher and philanthropist. He defended the rights of the local fishermen at international maritime hearings and was mayor of the town for some years. He was interested in freemasonry and spiritual enlightenment. By “coincidence”, we met Dr Fuzeta’s grandson a few months before we completed the renovations and invited him and his wife to join us for the first night we welcomed guests to the house. Their generosity of spirit was incredible and it felt that they passed on to us the baton to continue the work of Dr Fuzeta. The extra T in the name of Casa Fuzetta is a nod to our contributions (Tod is my husband’s surname whose idea and inspiration this was in the first place and keeps us on track for a higher purpose).
How long did the renovations of Casa Fuzetta take?
2-2.5years
How many people does Casa Fuzetta sleep?
Up to 24
Do you have a minimum stay?
As Casa Fuzetta is a private home, not a hotel, we only offer the opportunity for exclusive rental, for a minimum of five nights (seven in July/August and Christmas/New Year - although we love Olhao so much in the winter that we now spend most Christmases at Casa Fuzetta ourselves).
How much time do you spend in Portugal?
Overall, probably no more than 2-3 months at Casa Fuzetta (with friends, family and hosting our own retreats). However, early on we took it upon ourselves to learn about and explore further into Portugal, which has led us on a voyage of discovery in more ways than one.
Where did you get the inspiration for your interiors?
Pinterest was our bible. Neither my husband nor I had any experience of renovating properties, especially not on this scale, working with architects, engineers and interior designers in another country with not insignificant language challenges.
Photographic reference points were invaluable.
How many yoga retreats take place at Casa Fuzetta throughout the year?
If it weren’t for Covid, we should have hosted 30-35 retreats this year. Whilst the majority lead or involve an element of yoga, we also welcome meditation, barre, photography, nutrition, foodie, ayurvedic, corporate, personal development and cultural retreats, and different combinations of all of these. We’re also a beautiful space for hosting intimate weddings and special celebrations; and carrying on a tradition that started with Vogue US in 1952, we love to welcome photo shoots as well.
What products do you use in the bathrooms?
I was lucky to come across LA-EVA when the brand was in its earliest stages of concept development. Louisa, the founder, and I struck up an immediate friendship and we have worked closely ever since. The aesthetic, scents and integrity of LA-EVA are exceptional and they are almost always one of the first things guests ask about when they stay with us at Casa Fuzetta.
If you had to describe Casa Fuzetta in one word?
Everyday magic.
A restaurant or chef in the Algarve that inspires you
We were lucky to be introduced early on to Olhao-based husband and wife team Ricardo & Sarah (Algarve Chefs). They are lovely, talented and versatile chefs, who have thrilled guests of all ages and taste profiles, whether for multigenerational family favourites, special celebratory dinners with wine pairings or wellness retreats with challenging dietary requirements. They take it all in their stride!
Food or wine?
Ooh tough call. Love both. And on the wine front, I have to give a shout-out to our wonderful friends Filipe and Teresa who have been working to bring back to life a beautiful vineyard near Silves (Western Algarve). Morgado do Quintao is the only vineyard to boast heritage algarvian vines.
How would you define luxury?
Simple natural beauty, attention to detail, and a sense of calm and belonging.
An object you would never part with
A large silver cuff bracelet which I bought possibly 20 years ago at London Fashion. Weekend. I don’t think a day has passed since when I haven’t worn it. I would feel naked leaving home without it!
The last meal that truly impressed you
Hmm. I’m not really one for fancy dinners in smart restaurants. There is a small petisco place in Olhao called Gosto Disto. It is family run and very down to earth. Everyone we have taken there has loved it and yet they work out of the tiniest kitchen space I have ever seen. It can’t be more than 2x2m. That’s impressive!
The biggest female influence in your life
I’m lucky to have a small group of friends from my teens and early twenties who have been constant in their support and cheer-leaing and there is an ever growing list of wonderful friends and women who inspire and impress me. What I love is how the connectino of the past are now weaving with the present and crafting new projects.
SPECIFICALLY, in the spirit of female founders I would HIGHLIGHT:
Louisa Canham, founder of LA-EVA
Nicky Wilson, co-founder of JUPITER ARTLAND
Amanda Bannister, founder of THE CRAFTSMAN’S COTTAGE
Anna Ruth Henriques, founder of GOLDEN WEB RETREAT (near us, Fuseta)
Meinke Flesseman - Dutch, Portuguese artist who used to be our neighbour in Olhao
Art by Meinke Flesseman
Sanja Vukelic, founder of sustainable luxury clothing brand SDRESS
Yasmin Jone-Henry, former journalist with the FT and founder of WorkInFashion
Cat Meffan, founder of Alma Escapes - one of the first retreat leaders to book Casa Fuzetta and help us on our journey
Dr Pippa Malgrem - former US presidential advisor, leading economist on geo/macro politics and co-founder of leading drone development business
Hmm. Difficult to think of an influence. But there is an ever growing list of wonderful friends and women who inspire and impress me. In the spirit of female founders I would suggest:
I could go on!
Favourite hotel?
Claridges holds special memories because it is where we spent the first few nights following our wedding back in 1995(!) and carries links to my mum’s family several decades before then. Hotel Maiensee in St Christoph, Austria - the only hotel that we have returned to almost twelve years in a row - we have become such good friends with the owners that Tod was asked to be a god father to the latest member of the family.
What are you dreaming of?
The end of Covid!
Your favourite website
Not sure I have one..
The best present you’ve been given
A beautiful aquamarine ring, to celebrate the birth of our son, William
Your favourite shop in the UK?
Petersham’s Nurseries in Covent Garden is a sensory extravaganza
Your favourite shop in Portugal?
Until recently Olhao didn’t have any fancy shops but a small handful have started to venture forth. 4 Elements Azulejos, owned by local ceramicist Celia Mendes, is somewhere I always love to pop into. Celia is a wonderful character and her work is always quirky and full of fun. She has also worked to include and support the work of other local artists.
The books on my bedside table
Always a big pile! I’m currently reading A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel on the French Revolution, and have just finished Business for Punks (the story of the Brewdog craft brewery), so it would be fair to say my selections fall into a broad range.
The last album you downloaded
Until now, silence has been golden. However, with our daughter Daisy now heading off to start Uni, I think the silence will need to be broken and I have at last succumbed to Spotify. Can never go wrong with Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald.
The beauty staple I’m never without
LA-EVA Roseum lotion.
Opening rate at Casa Fuzetta is 1600€per night (Jan-March 2021). Casa Fuzetta gets booked up a year in advance so you really do have to book early to avoid disappointment… current availability for 2021 as of 3rd October 2020 is below:
12 January to 31 March (excluding 5-8 Feb and 16-21 March) @€1600 per night
1-6 April @€1735PN in April
25 May - 8 June @€2075PN in May and @2500€PN for June
21 June to 11 July @2500€PN for June and @2950€PN for July
10 November - 20 December @1735€PN