Clothing | Fashion Clinic Styling | Beatriz Reto Photography | Sara Berenguer Makeup | Sarah Contreras Hair | Lucia & Co.
Effortless style, inside and out.
Delia Lachance opens the doors to her serene Algarve home, where simplicity, thoughtful design, and sun-soaked style come together beautifully.
Your Westwing Collection captures such a distinctive sense of style. When creating a new piece, do you start with a design philosophy, a feeling you want to evoke, or something else entirely?
It’s always a mix of emotion and function. Together with our design team, we start by asking: What would make everyday life more practical and beautiful? We think about pieces that add value to daily routines, but in a way that feels elegant, stylish, and very Westwing. It’s about creating mood and atmosphere, not just furniture.
How do you balance timelessness with trend-awareness when designing pieces for Westwing?
That balance is everything. We play with both, adding little seasonal twists in colour or shape, but always grounded in pieces that last, visually and practically. It’s a bit like fashion: a good suit never goes out of style, but a great pair of shoes can update the whole look.
What is one design idea that’s often underestimated but has the biggest impact?
Lighting! It’s one of the most powerful tools in interior design, and still so underrated. Soft, indirect lighting, through lamps, candles, or dimmable fixtures, completely changes the mood of a room. It adds warmth, depth, and makes everything feel instantly more inviting.
How is Algarve life for you and your family? What made it feel like home?
After years of long-distance between Munich and Montreal, my husband and I were looking for a place to truly settle as a family, and sunshine was high on the wishlist! That’s how we found our way to the beautiful Algarve.
Life here is calm, warm, and grounded. I love that our kids get to spend so much time outside. It is very family-oriented here, people are super friendly, the food is incredible, and the light is just one of a kind.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
When I was thinking about quitting my safe job to start Westwing, my mom said to me: “Delia, what’s the worst that could happen, and would it be that bad?” That simple question stuck with me. Her support gave me the courage to take the leap. Sometimes you just need to really look your fear and doubts in the eye to discover that the worst case scenario is not so scary after all.
Your home exudes calm sophistication. How did you master that balance of elegance and livability?
I’m someone who loves to keep things clean and calm, a base in natural tones is everything for me. It instantly makes a space feel harmonious and elegant. Then I play with seasonal accents, cushions, vases, small décor pieces, to bring in some personality and contrast.
Fresh flowers are a must for me, they honestly change the whole mood of a room. And let’s be honest, beautiful storage is essential, especially with kids. You need beautiful solutions to quickly hide the toys when life gets a bit too real!
Where do you find inspiration to keep surprising your audience?
Everywhere! Travel, art, vintage markets, magazines, and honestly, our own customers. Seeing how they style Westwing pieces in their homes is incredibly inspiring. I’m always saving ideas, screenshots, and details I love. And I think of beauty as much as I think of practicality.
What are the three things you miss most from Germany?
First, some special people: my sister and my friends that I have known all my life. Second, being able to go in ten minutes to the office to meet my colleagues in person. And finally, since I am from Munich, a freshly baked, warm Pretzel. Too good!
How do you find calm or reset creatively?
Taking my dog Lola for a walk on the beach always helps, fresh air, no phone, just the sound of the waves. I also love starting the day with a bit of morning sport to clear my head, or diving into a good book when I need a break. Those little moments make all the difference.
One trend you wish never happened, and one you’d love to see return?
Honestly, I think almost every trend has its reason to be. After all a trend is the reflection of the current zeitgeist, what people long for. But if I have to pick, I didn’t like too much the whole industrial interior trend that was in maybe 15 ago. It just always felt a little cold and rough to me.
What I would love to see return is the tradition of collecting beautiful tableware. I think it’s so nice to build a collection that you can put out for special moments.
Five key pieces to furnish a home with beauty and function?
A great modular sofa, soft ambient lighting, beautiful warm textiles, a big rug and a decorative piece that you can redecorate with flowers, candles or seasonal accents all year round. It keeps your home feeling fresh and personal.
Do your tastes ever clash with market demand?
I think that’s the beauty of it, everyone has their style, and at Westwing, we want to make sure there’s something for everyone. My house is now very calm and clean, but this is also a tribute to its natural surroundings and our life here. I also love seeing a colourful maximalist interior and enjoy adding the occasional eyecatcher, even pieces that might not seem like “me” at first. It’s fun to mix things in and see how they work within your look. That’s what makes interiors feel personal and fresh.
Have Portuguese artisans or materials inspired your work?
Absolutely. I love how much craft and beauty there is in everyday things here. The natural tones, beautiful textures, and soft colours you find in Portuguese ceramics and textiles are so beautiful. And there are amazing brands here with an impressive heritage and great style, that we are lucky to work with, such as Bordallo Pinheiro, Claus Porto or Vista Alegre.
If Westwing were a person at a dinner party, what would they be wearing, and sipping?
She’d be wearing a relaxed but perfectly tailored linen suit, golden jewellery and a beautiful pair of sandals. Effortless but very chic. She’s sipping chilled rosé and probably brought the most beautiful hostess gift.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
A lot of people know me as a businesswoman and founder, which I love, but my number one job is being a mom. My two kids are my greatest joy, and I love spending time with them, simply doing the normal stuff, going for a grocery run, watering the plants in the garden, and baking a cake together on a Saturday. That time grounds me and gives me so much back.
