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Small town residents around the Mediterranean have grown increasingly wary of new constructions in recent years as they seem to threaten the very things that make up their essence: the easygoing pace of life, the integrity of traditional architecture and a certain historical context.
And so, it is always a relief to see a new construction that settles into the landscape as if it had always been there. This 1980s country home in Mallorca stands among the ancient olive and cypress trees on this old farmland as if it had been here for centuries.
Built using stones from local quarries, the exterior of the home looks much like any other Mallorca possessió with its cultivated terraces and seawater pool.
ROYAL INSPIRATIONS & MÚDEJAR CEILINGS
And while the interiors bear the eclectic blend of references, the home retains the character of a classic Mediterranean country home: tall ceiling with exposed beams, terracotta tiles laid in the floors, sprawling rooms that flow into one another through curtained passageways, antique furniture and ceramic staples like lebrillos and large fruit bowls adorn the tables.
Perhaps the most outstanding element in the interiors is that hand-painted ceiling in the living room and dining area. The house owns the inspiration for this mudejar ceiling to La Amudaina, the Spanish royal residence in La Palma. Painted in a washed-out burgundy, the ceiling looks like a tray of domino blocks.
A patterned ceiling might have felt suffocating but the owner has tempered that choice with smooth cream-colored plaster walls. Heavy curtains stand in place of doors leading to the other rooms.
The owner maintained this earthy color palette throughout most of the house so that the entire home feels like a warm embrace. Cream-colored walls, terracotta flooring, various shades of wood in the furniture come together harmoniously.
Speaking of furniture, each piece on the estate boasts a distinct detail that draws the eye. The canopy bed in the master bedroom is a reproduction of a traditional Mallorcan style that looks like the much beloved 17th century bobbin furnishings that are actually enjoying a revival, especially among the Brits.
In keeping with the Mediterranean playbook, pops of color show up here and there, without ever overwhelming the relaxed atmosphere. In the living room, the traditional ikat textile used to upholster the built-in sofa, probably made by Mallorca’s own Teixits Vicens, offers splashes of yellow and orange.
In the kitchen, large bowls of colorful fruit match the intricate Italian mosaic counter. A flat-bottomed green lebrillo bowl sits high on a shelf. Our Gallo Tradtional Spanish Lebrillo design would fit right at home with the mosaic in the kitchen counter.
Sources: House & Garden
MOORISH STYLE WINDOWS
One of the most delightful things in a home are the small details that draw the eye to a corner that might otherwise have been neglected. This small celosía window in this otherwise unadorned white wall pulls our attention and tickles our curiosity. This lattice-like structure is traditionally made of iron or wooden beams arranged to form beautiful geometric shapes (6-pointed stars, for example).
Aptly named, celosía shares its root with the Spanish words for jealousy (celo) or mistrust or guardedness (recelo). This Moorish window design was meant to safeguard the privacy of residents. It allows those inside to see everything happening outside while protecting them from being seen.
ANTIQUE MALLORCAN TILES
For such a grand home - six bedrooms and all - it offers a lovely mix of structured spaces along with more relaxed rooms.
Mediterranean tiles adorn the walls and sink in the bathroom in the most unfussy manner. Maybe the African mud house inspiration for the kitchen walls would feel out of place if not for how it closely matches the color palette of the rest of the space.
