Rural Chic Balearic Villa

Full Property Procurement, Renovation and Interior Design

We were approached by an American client who was searching for the perfect Mediterranean holiday home to escape to in the summer months. He wanted a spacious villa in Europe that could be enjoyed by him, his extended family and international friends. We were involved in the search to help identify the right investment property that would allow him to create the space of his dreams. To begin with, we undertook an extensive property search and eventually found his ideal residential location along the Mallorcan coast. We saw huge potential in this Balearic villa and knew we could transform it into a unique, characterful home away from home. Once the search was over, our interior design team got to work creating an interior concept to suit the specifications and personality of its new owner. For this project, Designed by Woulfe won the 'Residential Interior Private Residence Spain' award at the European Property Awards 2020.

A modern mallorcan villa living room interior with natural stone and sea views.

A traditional Majorca stone floor in living room and media room.

Within a few days, Brian had arranged trips to prime real estate locations along the Mediterranean coast, investigated the local market and explained all the advantages and hidden risks of each potential property.

Residential Client

A flexform boss armchair and groundpiece sofa in a villa media room.

A marble top console table in entrance hallway with circular mirror.

A stone and wood living room bar with flexform boss armchair in blue.

A Back-to-Brick Makeover

The original interiors of this Mallorcan villa were tired and dated but we saw the potential and communicated our design vision to the client. It required a back-to-brick redesign and property redevelopment to convert it into a classic yet modern holiday home that would provide a space to rejuvenate, relax, unwind and recharge. As with all of our procurement and refurbishment projects, increasing the property’s value was also at the forefront of our minds. We managed the entire project, acting as the client representative as well as interior designers and appointed local architects, contractors and specialist craftspeople to bring our vision to life.

An original bedstead company bed with flexform Ochre colour wardrobe.

A guest bathroom finished with natural stone and wood and a micro cement vanity top leads into a bedroom with cast iron bed frame.

Rural Chic Vibes and Organic, Nature-Inspired Interiors

Our concept was to create a bright, cool space which utilised natural materials – such as metals and stone – to maintain the property’s rural character whilst delivering a pared back elegance. The interiors are refined and have elements of luxury but feel more homely than precious. We kept the spaces feeling light and reflective of the local environment with neutral palettes and plenty of white, cream and beige and used wood and stone in the bathrooms.

A traditional cast iron bedstead in light and airy holiday villa Alcudia Mallorca.

Caramello coloured poliform wardrobes with metal bedside tables in Bonaire Villa, Majorca.

Pops of Colour and Personality for the Guest Bedrooms

Each guest bedroom, which also has its own bathroom, provides visitors with an individual experience. Contrasting pops of colour for the soft furnishings and joinery add personality and flair. Flowing drapes, scatter cushions and handmade iron bedsteads with custom cushioned headboards complete the bright and optimistic interiors in the bedrooms. While some of the guest bedrooms posed problems size wise, we made sure the design elements were user friendly for international guests and chose furniture that would allow for suitcase storage below the beds. International plug sockets and strong wifi throughout the house was also imperative.

A flexform marble side table with bronzed Salperton Lamp from Porta Romana.

A pair of commissioned art from Alice Watt hang above a flexform softdream sofa in neutral grey fabric.

Carefree Holidays in a Luxury Mediterannean Property

This villa provides a tranquil haven where our client and his guests can relax and rejuvenate. Stripped-back, chalky-textured walls and stone floors make up the cool, modern foundations. We commissioned several artworks from artists Alice Watt, William McLure and Fenella Elms, who created 3D ceramic pieces which add depth and texture.

Softly lit outdoor terrace in traditional majorca villa Bonaire.

Large sliding doors open the kitchen up to the outdoor terrace beyond.

Creative Collaboration

We teamed up with award-winning lighting designers John Cullen Lighting to deliver a bespoke layered lighting design which enhanced the interiors. Surface designers Benjamin Raymond were called on for the staircase and stucco finished wall, both of which add to the earthy feel. As well as working with artists, local artisans and craftspeople, we were also keen to use local materials wherever possible in the design scheme of this stunning villa.

A commission by William Mclure with Porta Romana lamps

A porta romana blob lamp in denim colour on console table.

Mallorcan Villa with a Light and Breezy Aesthetic

This Spanish property had remained unsold for three years owing in part to the low ceilings. We swiftly detected this architectural problem during early viewings and through site inspections and conversations with our trusted contractors, uncovered large voids above the ceiling that measured up to 3 metres in some places. Working with local architecture firm, NB Arquitectes, we developed an extensive home renovation plan to breathe new life into the villa and add height, space and depth throughout. As this was an investment property for the client, we knew extending the height of the ceilings would not only add space and light, but also value.

Come As You Are bar cart by Christophe de la Fontaine from Dante.

Neutral hardwearing guest bathroom with stone, wood and micro cement.

Rattan armchairs sit in the corner of an open plan kitchen and dining room in contemporary Majorca villa.

fenella elms ceramic art with a porta romana spin floor lamp in white.

Fusing Spanish and Scandinavian Interior Design Styles

We took a visionary approach and fused the Spanish DNA of the villa with soft Scandinavian design elements to give a crisp, clean edge to the rural, bohemian heart of the property. We knew from the moment we spoke to our client that the property we would procure and renovate would need to be warm, inviting and designed with entertaining in mind. A large and spacious dining area is perfect for long and languid mealtimes with loved ones. Decorative lighting in the house came from CTO, a British manufacturer of custom lighting and stunning Porta Romana statement lamps.

sage green shutters used in holiday villa mallorca

open sage green shutters on Mallorca villa offer a view into dining room.

Playing with Textures for the Furniture and Soft Furnishings

The open-plan kitchen which opens out onto the terrace through large sliding doors is perfect for hosting. The wooden bench and coffee tables were made bespoke by Tom Faulkner and provide plenty of seating. Rattan furniture adds another natural element into the home and provides a subtle layering of textures to soften the space.

Pairs of modern sun loungers beside a pool in natural stone.

A stone staircase with metal handrail in high ceiling entrance.

A Fenella Elms Swell cast panel on an outdoor terrace.

Mediterranean-Inspired Architecture and Design

Having a home in Mallorca means you’re likely to be spending plenty of time outdoors, so a design that was seamless on thresholds was particularly important. Surfaces needed to be hard-wearing because of seasonal visitors so we selected a local Mallorcan stone in different finishes for use both indoors and outdoors. Shutters used over patio doors uphold a traditional, Meditteranean feel and looking to nature for inspiration, painted green to reflect the verdant palm trees which frame the property. The radical renovation carried out also included the outdoor terrace and pool area, which is built for alfresco dining and entertaining. The gardens were extensively redesigned and landscaped and we used the same Mallorcan stone flooring around the swimming pool. When considering the outdoor furniture we looked at pieces which could be easily stored away at the end of the season. Comfortable yet hard-wearing daybeds which are suitable for the sea air frame the pool and lightweight removable cushions were added to the outdoor furnishings.

The lush green gardens of a tropical villa garden in Mallorca with pebble path.

“Brian’s enthusiasm for the task was so invigorating, he turned the entire experience into a very enjoyable one. The villa we decided on was, in the agent’s terms, in need of some renovation, and Brian was able to see the potential in it.”