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Stephanie Barba Mendoza. -
The interior of El Desconocido, a cultural club in Mexico City, features vibrant red gloss-lacquered walls. -
Deep green patterned wallpaper and a velvet banquette capture the esoteric spirit conceived by Stephanie’s brother, Alejandro Barba Mendoza, and brought to life in the interiors by Stephanie. -
The interiors of Wilde Lisbon in Portugal prove that texture is king. At the heart of the hotel, the bar and lounge feature marble, plush seating, tastefully gathered curtains, and an abundance of colour. Traditional touches are playfully subverted and iconic tile patterns reimagined – for example in the interior courtyard, where blue chequered floors are paired with wood furniture. -
The interiors of Wilde Lisbon in Portugal prove that texture is king. At the heart of the hotel, the bar and lounge feature marble, plush seating, tastefully gathered curtains, and an abundance of colour. Traditional touches are playfully subverted and iconic tile patterns reimagined – for example in the interior courtyard, where blue chequered floors are paired with wood furniture. -
The interiors of Wilde Lisbon in Portugal prove that texture is king. At the heart of the hotel, the bar and lounge feature marble, plush seating, tastefully gathered curtains, and an abundance of colour. Traditional touches are playfully subverted and iconic tile patterns reimagined – for example in the interior courtyard, where blue chequered floors are paired with wood furniture. -
The interiors of Wilde Lisbon in Portugal prove that texture is king. At the heart of the hotel, the bar and lounge feature marble, plush seating, tastefully gathered curtains, and an abundance of colour. Traditional touches are playfully subverted and iconic tile patterns reimagined – for example in the interior courtyard, where blue chequered floors are paired with wood furniture. -
At Palace Gardens residential project in Notting Hill, London, warm terracotta hues and sage-green contrasts dominate the palette – in the entryway, the lounge anchored by a curved sofa, the dining area with its textured wallpaper, and the deep-red marbled wallpaper that’s been used in the guest bathroom. The kitchen continues the earthy aesthetic with luxe stone surfaces. -
At Palace Gardens residential project in Notting Hill, London, warm terracotta hues and sage-green contrasts dominate the palette – in the entryway, the lounge anchored by a curved sofa, the dining area with its textured wallpaper, and the deep-red marbled wallpaper that’s been used in the guest bathroom. The kitchen continues the earthy aesthetic with luxe stone surfaces. -
At Palace Gardens residential project in Notting Hill, London, warm terracotta hues and sage-green contrasts dominate the palette – in the entryway, the lounge anchored by a curved sofa, the dining area with its textured wallpaper, and the deep-red marbled wallpaper that’s been used in the guest bathroom. The kitchen continues the earthy aesthetic with luxe stone surfaces. -
At Palace Gardens residential project in Notting Hill, London, warm terracotta hues and sage-green contrasts dominate the palette – in the entryway, the lounge anchored by a curved sofa, the dining area with its textured wallpaper, and the deep-red marbled wallpaper that’s been used in the guest bathroom. The kitchen continues the earthy aesthetic with luxe stone surfaces.
In VISI’s Vanguard series, we focus on a new generation of global creatives redefining design. London-based Mexican interior designer Stephanie Barba Mendoza stands out for her adventurous use of pattern and colour.
WORDS Jo Buitendach PHOTOS Ana Hop (Portrait), Ana Hop, Francisco Nogueira, Kingston Levern
Layered, eclectic and bold, interiors by Stephanie Barba Mendoza balance rich colour with a striking interplay of contemporary and antique pieces. Born in Mexico, she began her career in London, initially working in residential interiors before joining the acclaimed Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. There, she contributed to an international portfolio that included hospitality, retail and private projects, gaining experience on a global scale while refining an instinct for spaces that feel both immersive and personal.
Nearly two decades later, her independent practice is defined by a fearless approach to colour, materiality and cultural reference. Collaborations with artisans and makers bring depth and texture to each project, resulting in interiors that feel expressive yet assured. She’s guided by what she describes as a desire for spaces that are “layered and bold, with some theatre – something unexpected.”
Stephanie heads up her eponymous studio alongside longtime collaborator and business partner Garrow Seal-Sinclair. Since its launch in 2020, the practice has grown to include a team of 10 designers, working on residential and commercial projects that are driven by Stephanie’s sense of vibrancy and opulence. The studio’s international portfolio spans private homes in London, Antwerp and Miami; boutique hotels in Lisbon, Vienna and Amsterdam; and a members’ club in the heart of Mexico City.
Inside the portfolio
One of Stephanie’s more recent projects, Wilde Lisbon, reinterprets the Portuguese capital’s maritime heritage through a contemporary, playful lens. With interiors conceived around a sense of immersion and movement, the boutique aparthotel draws on Lisbon’s relationship with the sea. References to water appear throughout, from softly curved architectural lines and wave-patterned glass mosaic flooring to a palette of deep blue and green that anchors the space. A bespoke ombré wallpaper echoes shift ing ocean tones, while materials such as marble, ceramics, timber and mosaic are balanced by tactile textiles to create warmth.
Conceived as a social living room for the city, the hotel blends wit with craft, subtly reworking traditional Portuguese motifs and tile references. Rattan details, greenery and sculptural lighting animate shared spaces, while a curved staircase leads to a mezzanine co-working area inspired by Portugal’s landscapes and expressed through organic forms, sun-washed hues and walnut finishes. Stephanie also curated a layered collection of local ceramics and international art, from mid-century pieces to contemporary works and site-specific installations, reinforcing the dialogue between Portuguese heritage and global perspective. @wildeaparthotels
In February 2026, returning to her home country for the first project since founding her London studio, Stephanie unveiled El Desconocido – a cultural club in Mexico City’s Roma Norte neighbourhood that fuses music, gastronomy and art. This homecoming is also her first professional collaboration with her brother, Alejandro Barba Mendoza, who conceived the club’s esoteric concept and curated its music, food offering and art.
The design embraces contrasts and immersive sequences, using sculptural lighting, high-gloss surfaces, brass accents and considered acoustics to transform the space. Velvet drapes, honey-toned floors, stained timber and antique mirrors amplify a surreal, tactile atmosphere, while intimate lounges, gilded furniture and dimmed lights create pockets for conversation. At the bar, eucalyptus-veneer joinery meets jaguar-print wallpaper, antique brass shelving and a copper island, marrying sound, mixology and theatre in homage to Aztec and Mayan symbolism.
Art and ritual thread through every corner of the space, from malachite-clad private rooms with velvet banquettes and lacquered tables to curated works by artists such as Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, Francisco Toledo and William Blake, as well as photographs of Coil, Diamanda Galás, Aleister Crowley and Gurdjieff.
“El Desconocido creates a space where the spiritual and the sensual can coexist,” says Stephanie. “It’s not about spectacle, but about sound, discovery and celebration of rituals. I’m so thrilled to collaborate with my brother in bringing this vision to life.” @clubeldesconocido | barbamendoza.com | @stephaniebarbamendoza
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