© Nick Bayntun
© Helder Santos
© Inês Duque Dias

NINI
ANDRADE
SILVA

My design speaks about memories of the past

Biographic Note

Nini Andrade Silva is one of the most prestigious interior designers in the world.

Born in Funchal - Madeira Island - Nini graduated in Design at the Institute of Visual Arts, Design and Marketing (IADE) in Lisbon, and simultaneously pursued further academic and professional experience abroad, where she studied and worked in New York, London, Paris, South Africa and Denmark.

Nini’s work has an international recognition, having placed the name of Portugal alongside the biggest and best designers in the world, while being the creative mind behind multiple hotels. With an impressive work across the globe, Nini saw her work being distinguished several times while also becoming a constant presence in prestigious publications worldwide - The New York Times, Financial Times, El Pais, Wallpaper, Condé Nast Traveller, Rolls Royce Excellence Guide, Sleeper Magazine, Harrods Magazine, Architectural Digest Magazine, Andrew Martin’s World Leading Guides, Wallpapper, Condé Nast Travel Guide.

Be it at the academic or the professional level, Nini's constantly leaving behind her unique mark in our society, a reason why she's often asked to be a speaker at various conferences, lectures and debates. The invitations come from different areas such as Universities, Cultural Institutions, TED Talks, Fairs, Seminars, and so on.

In parallel to her trajectory with internationally acknowledged work in interior design and architecture, Nini embraced two great passions: painting and helping the needy. Nini's painting is included in one of the largest collections of Contemporary Art in the world –the Berardo Collection – and is a presence in museums around the world, namely in Portugal, Ireland and New York.

As a result of such recognition, in June of 2011, Nini was distinguished by the Portuguese Government with the Honored Title of “Grau de Oficial da Ordem do Infante D. Henrique”, by her rendered outstanding service to Portugal, both within and abroad.

Nini is also an international consultant for IADE-U, thus integrating the panel of guest lecturers in this University of Design, where it received the IADE CAREER AWARD of 2010. In 2012, Nini was also appointed as Cultural Ambassador by the Guimarães European Capital of Culture.

© Nick Bayntun
© Brigitte Jones
© Brigitte Jones

My design is something born from the inside out, something that starts within the soul, runs through the paper and converges in the matter.

© Credits
© Kerstin zu Pan

In 10th June of 2011, Nini was distinguished by the Portuguese Government with the Honored Title of “Grau de Oficial da Ordem do Infante D. Henrique”, by her rendered outstanding service to Portugal, both within and abroad.

© Credits Presidência da República
© Credits Familia Andrade Silva
© Credits Familia Andrade Silva

" I am a storytelling, for a long time

© Associação das Coleções
© Nick Bayntun
© Associação das Coleções

Those who don’t know her history, however, cannot escapethe attraction, the fascination and engagement exercised in those large canvas, from where the colors emerge, sensitive in its shades of gray, white and black (...)".

In, COLECÇÃO BERARDO - Corpo e Matéria: Cinco Artistas da Madeira. Sintra Museu de Arte Moderna Colecção Berardo. Sintra, 2008.
© Credits Associação das Coleções
© Credits Associação das Coleções
© Credits Associação das Coleções
© Credits Associação das Coleções

Prémios e Distinções

2022

  • Colombia President Honor Orden Nacional al Mérito en el grado de Caballero
  • Femina Award – Honored Woman: Entrepreneurship and Acts of Humanitarianism

2021

  • External Member of the General Council of the University of Madeira
  • President of the Commission Image, Culture and Heritage University of Madeira.
  • Honorary Consul of the Republic of Colombia

2020

  • Luxury Lifestyle Award for Atelier Nini Andrade Silva
  • Best Development (Tourism) for the Savoy Palace Hotel from SIC/Expresso Real Estate Award
  • Best Hospitality Real State for Savoy Palace from the Imobiliário SIC/Expresso Award
  • Best Interior Design for Vila Foz Hotel & Spa from the Imobiliário SIC/Expresso Award
  • Condé Nast Awards for Excellence to the Vila Foz Hotel & Spa
  • Condé Nast Awards for Excellence for the Torre de Gomariz Wine & Spa Hotel
  • Master Imobiliário Award for W São Paulo Hotel & Residences
  • Iconic Award for- Banana da Madeira from Bordallo Pinheiro Collection
  • German Design Award for Banana da Madeira from Bordallo Pinheiro Collection
  • The International Hotel & Property Awards for Madalena Beautique Hotel

2018

  • World's Leading Design Hotel for The Vine Hotel from the World Travel Awards
  • Hotel Innovation Award for NAU Hotel Palácio do Governador

2017

  • Shortlisted with WC Beautique Hotel on the International Hotel & Property Awards

2016

  • Tourism Oscar for NAU Hotel Palácio do Governador
  • World Travel Awards for Europe’s Leading Design Hotel with The Vine Hotel
  • Europe’s Leading Design to The Vine Hotel on the World Travel Awards, Rome

2015

  • International Prestige Honor from Mobis Award, Oporto
  • Luxury Hospitality Interior Design Company of the Year
  • Leading Design Hotel to B.O.G Hotel on the World Travel Awards for South America's, London
  • Europe’s Leading Design to The Vine Hotel on the World Travel Awards, Rome
  • Shortlisted on the European Hotel Design Awards with Saccharum Savoy Hotel & Resort, London
  • Shortlisted on the World Luxury Hotel Awards with Figueira Beautique Hotel, London
  • Shortlisted on the World Luxury Hotel Awards with Saccharum Savoy Hotel & Resort, London

2014

  • Europe’s Leading Design for The Vine Hotel on the World Travel Award, Dubai

2013

  • Leading Design Hotel to The Vine Hotel on the World Travel Awards, Dubai
  • Leading Design Hotel to The Vine Hotel on the World Travel Awards, Doha
  • Best Interior Design of Portugal for Figueira Beautique Hotel on the International Hotel & Property Awards, London
  • Gold Medal of Culture awarded by the Government of Madeira, Funchal
  • Shortlisted for Figueira Beautique Hotel to the World Architecture Festival, Barcelona
  • Best Interior Design for B.O.G Hotel on the Lápiz de Acero Award, Bogota

2012

  • Best Interior Design of Americas for B.O.G Hotel on the International Hotel & Property Awards, London

2011

  • Portuguese President Honor - Grau Oficial da Ordem Infante D. Henrique, Lisbon
  • Best Design for Dune Sosa on the International Design & Architecture Awards, London Ambassador for Guimarães European Capital of Culture, Lisbon
  • Ambassador for Guimarães European Capital of Culture, Lisbon
  • Best Interior Design from Europe for Hotel Teatro on the European Property Awards, London
  • Best Interior Design from Portugal for Hotel Teatro on the European Property Awards, London

2010

  • Best Interior Design of Europe for Fontana Park Hotel on the European & Africa Property Awards, London
  • Best Interior Design of Portugal for Fontana Park Hotel on the European & Africa Property Awards, London
  • Best Design Award for Dunne Chaise Long on the Malaysian International Trade Fair, Kuala Lumpur MOBIS Prize, Lisbon
  • MOBIS Prize, Lisbon
  • IADE (Art and Design Institute) Career prize, Lisbon

2009

  • Best Suite from the Design Hotels Award (4 Nominations) for The Vine Hotel, Berlin
  • Shortlisted by the World Architecture Festival with The Vine Hotel, Barcelona
  • Best Interior Design of European to The Vine Hotel by the International Property Awards, San Diego
  • 100 Best Companies Award, Lisbon

2008

  • Best Interior Design from the Andrew Martin Awards, London
  • Best Interior Design Award Bedrooms & Bathrooms for Fontana Park Hotel, London
  • International Consultant of IADE (Art and Design Institute), Lisbon
  • Woman in Business Award, Lisbon

2007

  • 100 Best Companies Award, Lisbon

2006

  • Best Interior Design from the Andrew Martin Awards, London

2003

  • Ambassador of the Garouta do Calhau Association, Funchal

2002

  • Best Interior Design from the Interior Design Review Award, New York

2001

  • Best Interior Design from the Interior Design Review Award, London

2000

  • Best Interior Design from the Andrew Martin Awards, London

Moments

What makes the place is not what you see, but what you feel"