Inside Bent Chair Goa: A 100-yead old Portuguese villa & Goa’s most beautiful new address

The moment you step into Goa, it’s impossible not to slow down. Perhaps it’s the salt in the air, the easy rhythm of life or the way every winding lane leads to a charming old Portuguese home draped in bougainvillea. Goa has always had a way of making architecture feel alive; those sun-faded pastel façades, oyster-shell windows, red-tiled roofs and century-old villas that quietly carry stories through generations. So when I heard that Bent Chair was celebrating its tenth anniversary by restoring a 100-year-old Portuguese villa in Assagao instead of simply opening another showroom, I knew this would be special.

Spread across 10,000 sq. ft., Bent Chair Goa feels like stumbling into the holiday home of someone with great taste. There isn’t a single room that asks you to buy something; but to imagine living there. That’s the magic.

The journey begins in an intimate lobby gallery where sculptural artworks, statement décor and carefully chosen objects offer the first glimpse into Bent Chair’s design philosophy. From there, the villa unfolds like chapters in a beautifully designed home. One living room pays homage to Goa’s Portuguese heritage through rich textures, handcrafted furniture and timeless architectural details, while another embraces an all-white contemporary aesthetic where sculptural forms and soft neutral palettes prove that minimalism can still feel warm.

One of my favourite spaces was the Mid-Century Suite, designed as an actual home within the villa. A bedroom flows into a dining space and living room, layered with warm timber, iconic furniture, statement lighting and thoughtfully curated accessories. It felt like a home waiting for someone to move in.

The Décor Gallery reminded me why styling is often what makes a house memorable. Mirrors, artistic tableware, vases, sculptures and floral arrangements, all tailored to the typical Goan vibe. There’s also an intimate Bar Room that celebrates the rituals of entertaining through ambient lighting, elegant bar furniture and cosy corners designed for long conversations over cocktails.

Stepping outside, you’ll find landscaped gardens with outdoor furniture nestled among lush greenery, Indian-inspired artworks and large-scale sculptures. 

And then there’s Jenny’s, their upcoming all-day café that’s perhaps the villa’s biggest surprise. At a time when luxury brands are stepping into hospitality with cafés becoming an extension of a brand’s identity, Jenny’s feels perfectly timed. It’s framed by statement chandeliers, art installations, cascading creepers and eclectic furniture, so step in for a coffee, a breakfast date, or some cocktails. 

What makes Bent Chair Goa especially interesting is that it reflects a larger shift in luxury retail. It’s an immersive space where architecture, design, food and culture coexist. You’re The moment you’re done touring, there would be at least five things you’d want to take home, no kidding!

As Natasha Jain, Co-Founder of Bent Chair, puts it, the goal was never to create another store but to preserve a piece of Goa’s architectural heritage while transforming it into a living, breathing home where every room tells a story.

Where: House No 293, Survey 113/2, Socol Vaddo, Bouta Waddo, Assagao, Goa 403507